Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays! Wherever you find yourself this holiday season, here's to your days being filled with hope, joy, and contentment and a new year filled with excitement and growth! 

Lots of love from South Africa,

G&E and Rolo

My boys.

Love them.

(Arguably) The Best Trip Ever

Hubby and I just spent three weeks visiting my family in the US of A, and it was honestly one of the best trips I've ever taken; not because we went somewhere exotic or did something new and exciting - we didn't, really. (Although Disney World is pretty exciting. And so is summer. And the Fourth of July.) But because we were so refreshed, encouraged, inspired, and filled with so much joy and hope. (When I write that out it sounds pretty cheezy, but that's really what the trip did for us.)

We hadn't seen my family since our wedding reception, so our time with them was overdue and needed. Our three weeks was a perfect balance of "at home/family time" and "doing things". We made smoothies at home, swam in the pool, went to the beach, went to Disney's Hollywood Studios, watched movies, reconnected with lots of friends, made new friends, played lots of Mexican Train Dominoes, had a second wedding reception(!), and so much great conversation and sunshine.

Here are some pictures, if you'd like to see. Really, I can't wait to share more than just pictures, because God really did a lot in our hearts in three weeks. I hope some of the things we learned and are changed by can encourage and inspire you. More on the emotional details of the trip soon. :)

Love from the freezy Southern Hemisphere (we're totally missing the summer sun and warmth!),

Ellie

Excited to start our 24-hour travel time! No, not really. Excited to get to the States!

On our way to the US, we had a layover in London, so my aunt and uncle (who live in London) met us at the airport for  some coffee. So wonderful!

I decided that if I'm going to put a slightly embarrassing picture of my hubs online, it's only fair I'm slightly embarrassed too. He is sleeping great because of that lovely JetBlue eye mask, and I am not sleeping (who knows why)....which is why my eyes look a bit crazy. (Notice I did not make this picture as large as the others. :)

Brother/sister beach time. :)

My (unofficially adopted) big sister and her daughter (my unofficial niece). :)

Disney World with the fam! Hollywood Studios is def my favorite!

I seriously have the coolest brother in the world. 

Honey, we're shrunk. 

Watching Disney fireworks on the Fourth of July! One of my most favorite holidays. 

My campus ministers from college, but really, dear friends. So, so great to spend time with them!

Tom (on the far right) and I went to college together. This was a double date with our spouses...gosh, how times have changed. :) 

More friends! (I can't get enough of seeing old friends again!)

We are Aunt Ellie and Uncle Gordon. :)

Just a Sunday morning. 

Beach. Miami skyline in the background. 

Coming soon...

Our second wedding/reception! :)

Thank you!

I know it's been a while, but first off I have to say: I love you! Yes, you! My reader(s)!

Hubby and I just got back from visiting my family in the US for three weeks and we had the most wonderful, encouraging, inspiring, refreshing time! One of the many things that was so encouraging was that I had a number of you tell me that you love reading this blog. I know that probably doesn't sound like a big deal, but it actually means a lot.

I love when life reminds you that life is still so good...ok, it's not life, it's God - God reminding you through little or big things that life is really good. It doesn't always feel that way and maybe sometimes it's actually not, but more often than not, there is so much more good around us and in us than we see.

So, thanks for reading. Thanks for enjoying something I love doing so much and inspiring me to work harder at it. :)

Here's a short teaser of our trip, until next time.

Love,
ef

Friends!

Family!

Practically family!

And something I can't wait to tell you about!

Sunday Snapshot

I had to put two...these guys are just too irresistible. Love them so much.

Hope you are having a great weekend! I know I've been a bit absent, so I'm looking forward to getting back into things this week.

Happy Sunday!

Love,
EF

What I know and don't know

I know I love God.

I know I want to be a better disciple of Jesus.

I know I love my husband. So much.

I don’t know what I want to do for a living.

I don’t yet know how to balance marriage and everything else in my life.

I know I want to keep being adventurous.

I know I want to move back to the US and then again to another country, one day.

I know some more money in our bank account would be really helpful.

I don’t know where that money could come from.

I know I need to pray more.

I know I want to hear what God is telling me he has planned for my life.

I know I miss my family  - so much sometimes that I don’t know how I can keep living so far away.

I know I want to keep making other disciples of Jesus.

I don’t know where I’m going to be this time next year.

I know I’m going to be 25 next month.

I know God loves me, my husband loves me, and my end goal is heaven.

I don’t know what heaven will be like, but I know there is nothing else better to pursue in life.

I know that God knows everything that will happen in my life today, tomorrow, and until the end of my time.

And I know that I can trust Him and rejoice in the hope and unconditional love he shows me, and promises to show me, forever. 

On married life - so far

Well, husband and I have been married just over a month now. In some ways, it has all felt totally normal and natural – we’re best friends so what’s weird about now living together and being with each other every day? Nothing. At the same time, it still feels like the wedding was yesterday and everything is completely new. (I guess I need to mention before I continue: Both husband and I are Christians – real disciples of Jesus – so we chose to not live or sleep together until we were married.)

The 38 days that we have been husband and wife have been new, exciting, so fun, transitional (is that even a word?), an adjustment, wonderful, and happy.

Things I have instantly loved about being married (especially to Gordon):

-          We’re with each other all the time! Now that the holidays are over and life is getting back to normal, we, unfortunately, cannot sit around all day and bask in each other’s presence. But getting to see each other first thing in the morning (and yes we both wake up with breath that smells like fresh mint and the perfect bedhead) and the second before we fall asleep and coming home to each other, really is a blessing.

-          We have so much fun! Not that we didn’t have fun before we were married, but when we were single, our time together was planned – even if it was just going to sit in a coffee shop. Still planned. Now that we’re married, the humour and fun also comes from the unplanned – from the late night humour while getting ready for bed; from the unknown habits and preferences each other has that you’re just learning about; or from watching new TV series you discover together. (COMMUNITY. I know we’re jumping on the bandwagon REALLY late, but better late than never. How did I not see this sooner?!)

-          It brings me closer to God; whether naturally or by force. What I mean is this: marriage, as designed by God, brings two people together in a covenant before God, that is supposed to be a reflection of Jesus's relationship with the church.  The constant building and growing towards this, just naturally brings each of you closer in relationship to God. Marriage is also new territory, something we have zero experience in, and a bit uncomfortable at times in the beginning, so I am compelled to turn to God for direction, encouragement, and instruction. I honestly don’t know how we could be married without the bible as our standard. It settles everything.

-          No more late night drives home. Yay! When we were dating (and especially the last few months of our engagement), life was so busy that we were exhausted from trying to juggle everything (work, university, exams, ministry, dance lessons…those are important, you know) and still spend time with each other. And since we lived about 20 minutes apart, someone was always driving home after 9:30pm. (I know that doesn’t sound late but when you leave your house at 6am and don’t come home till 10pm every day, one does get tired that early; plus, driving in Joburg anywhere past that time is not ideal.)

-          Making traditions. This is something I’ve had to remember to embrace because I find myself wanting to make it feel just like my parents’ home. (See Christmas post) But it actually is really fun realizing what we already are making into weekly or daily traditions. (Friday [or Saturday…part of the tradition is being flexible] night homemade pizza and movie night; kisses before bed or before you leave the house, even if the other one is still sleeping [which is usually me] :) )

-          Our little house! It is becoming more and more a home and the place that we love to retreat to and feel safe in. We love having people over for dinner and braais (South African barbeques) and coffee. And I can finally start putting my Pinteresting into practice!

Things that I am adjusting to:

-          My husband is a tall, handsome, and muscular guy who eats a lot more than me. I have to work on by dinner portions; they still keep coming out a bit too small.

-          No internet. This actually has nothing to do with being married, but not having internet at a time when I extra want to stay in touch with my family and friends is challenging. (We actually signed a contract in November for internet, but the internet company comes from the same family as sloths, so we have yet to receive it.)

-          It’s just an adjustment. I know that’s not anything specific, but sometimes I can’t pinpoint what exactly is the adjustment. As my husband said, “It’s just different”. (We love marriage and each other, it’s just different.) Embarrassingly, I think I make it more of an adjustment when I get overly emotional about something; but nonetheless, extreme emotions in tight quarters are an adjustment that come with the territory – and that no one really warns you about. (I have to mention that Gordon has been extremely kind and patient throughout this.)

If you are newly married, from the wisdom I have gathered in one month, my advice is the following:

-          Relax. It’s not a big. What’s not a big deal, you may ask. Whatever you’re freaking out about. And it’s only been a month. I remind myself of these things often.

-          Have fun. When in doubt, when I start getting emotional, just do something fun.

-          Kiss a lot. (That pretty much always helps everything.) :)

-          Watch Community often.

-          Spend lots of time with other people too. This keeps you from the potential new married bubble of selfishness and is a lot of fun.

-          Pray LOTS! (This is a constant point of improvement.) Pray by yourself, pray together. Pray.

-          A weekly pizza and movie night is a must.

I mostly wrote all those to remind myself. Maybe you were reminded of something too?

Young marrieds out there: thoughts? Shared experiences? What have you learned? What advice can you share? If you are newly married, I hope you are feeling more in love than ever before and learning to enjoy every moment!

Love, from the southern hemisphere,

Ellie Fulton 

Cheers to 2013!

Happy New Year!

2012 was quite a year (uh, we got married!)! We can’t wait to see what 2013 has in store.

Sending loads of fun, prayers, and love to all our family and friends around the world.

 

 

 May you see God work wondrously in your life this year!

Love,

Mr and Mrs Fulton

 

 

 

 

Summer (or winter) holidays - depends where you live

Hello woooorld!!

What an eventful two weeks it has been! I had not at all planned on not blogging for this long. My family came to visit and on the day they were supposed to leave, two of them decided to stay another week! That was wonderful, although it didn't allow much time for blogging; and then literally 12 hours after my family was all gone, I headed off to a town outside of Durban for a week holiday! And there was no internet there.

So, here I am again. And with lots to tell you about and show you! Forthcoming topics include: a bike tour of Soweto, family adventures, Michelle Obama!, Kruger Park (again), Apartheid Museum, a baptism!, and my (sort of) beach holiday! Get ready for lots of posts, guys! There are a few teasers below.

What have you all been up to? Fabulous summer activities I'm sure! Tell me about them. :)

Coming soon

My family is here! In SOUTH AFRICA! It is so exciting and wonderful to have them here, and for them to meet my friends and family here. This is them, my mom, dad, and little brother:

It is absolutely fantastic having my parents and my brother here; however, it's not giving me much time for blogging. But do not fret! After Saturday, I'll be blogging till my fingers fall off. So, here's what you can look forward to: Soweto bike tour, Youth Day, lion park, Kruger park (again), lots of thoughts, and Durban!

A bien tot! :)