my favorite birthday wish!

Elton John & Billy Joel: Face to Face

by far one of the BEST concert's I have EVER been to.

Every effort that was made to get to this show was worth it.

Rachel & I met up in Kansas City - just for the concert.  We were supposed to see them in Denver but they cancelled so we headed to Kansas. We were not even there for 24 hours.

The show was 3.5 hours long -

the pianos, the brass instruments... clear path to my heart right there.
-not to mention two people who have incredible music and talent.

That just topped off my 24th (wow, it was so weird to type in 24 there) birthday.

Rachel & I

Elton & Billy

Elton

Follow the Yellow Brick Road...

Elton

Billy Joel

Billy Joel

...you'll have to wait for video footage!

This and That

So remember how I said in a previous post how I would be "making the most of my remaining days up here..." well, that would be the reason for the lack of posting on my blog. SO if there are even any followers left, I'm sorry for the delay. And if you're just joining...welcome.

My blog is a place were I'm journaling my life. I moved out of Texas, thus being what started the blog - but when I get back (in May) I have a feeling I'll probably keep it up.

I last left of with our massive snow storm and A LOT has happened recently.

One of the best things I've ever been able to be a part of, the engagement of Matt & Lauren. Matt proposed on Saturday, February 20th 2010 along the reflecting pool of the Lincoln Monument. I was positioned hiding behind a tree, taking pictures. Needless to say it was cold but worth it. I semi-introduced Lauren & Matt back in October and clearly things went well and they're getting married this year! I love it.

I haven't known Lauren for a year (we're coming up on that mark, April 21 (Muster) and it feels as if I've known her my entire life. And Matt, we met back in September/October - he's a Texan and an Aggie and it feels as if I've known him for my entire life as well. I love how the Lord orchestrates these friendships as if they've been here all along, and we've never missed a beat.

The same could be said with a lot of my close friends up here.

Needless to say, I'm so thankful to be a part of Matt and Lauren's life and love how solid our friendship is.

The future Mr. Matthew Robert Kodzik:

twenty-four

After my 23rd birthday I was almost convinced no birthday would ever top it..mainly because I was in Washington, D.C. celebrating and of course never envisioned that (ever) in my life.

However - I was wrong, oh so wrong. And I'm so glad I can say that.

A year ago, I had one friend here - it was rough.  Trust me.

This year, I have more friends that I could ask for, close - good friends that I'm so thankful for.

Twenty-Four certainly is the best birthday I've had.

It's was a birthday WEEK! (Oh, how I love birthdays!)

Monday - I got cards and a gift from my sista, Eric & Will...love mail (hint)


Tuesday - I got more cards and a gift from the Duty's.


Wednesday - I got a cake! My parents sent me one from Janie's Cakes in Tyler, Texas.  I highly recommend trying their cakes!  I got a few more cards.  I was so excited when I got home from dinner that I could not sleep! (It's possible it had to do with the amount of food I consumed at dinner though!)
Wednesday night I went out to dinner with Rob & Sharla.  They took me to L'Auberge Chez Francois - a small French restaurant in Great Falls, VA.  It was absolutely delicious and the quaintest place you ever saw!  I loved spending time with them.  Charlie had a babysitter - so he wasn't there.  It was so nice just to be able to talk and have good conversation.  I'm so thankful for them and the opportunities I have because of them.  I can't imagine a better situation than the one I'm in.

Thursday - MY BIRTHDAY!  I actually didn't get any mail! ha.  But I got lots of phone calls and Facebook wall posts (yes, those make me very excited oddly enough!)
Midinight - I received a text from Rachel
1:15am - Michael (brother) calls to wish me a Happy Birthday and was just thrilled that he woke me up.
...various calls were received throughout the day and it was great!
Thursday night I went over to Lauren's house and we had a little birthday party. It was so fun. We made personal pizzas and Lauren made a cake.  Carrie made the dough for the pizzas from scratch and it was SO delicious!   I got lots of great presents and cards from my friends and twenty four was just great!

Friday I went over to a new friends home! I met her through Gymboree (with Charlie) she has a little boy who is just adorable.  I loved getting to go have dinner with her and her family and hang out.  It felt like we had been long lost friends!

This birthday, by far, surpassed all others.  I'm so thankful my life looks so much different this year than it did last year!  The Lord is certainly faithful and has plans better than I could imagine!

A few pictures:

(so thankful for these 3 girls!)

Snowpocalypse, Snomageddon, Snoverkill, Sno Mas?

If you've caught any bit of news within the past WEEK, I'm certain you've heard that we're being pounded with all sorts of snow.

Our first storm hit on Saturday, January 30... (I actually think we had a little on the ground before that).

Our second storm came on...Tuesday night (February 2nd) into Wednesday morning early.

Our third storm made it's way here on Friday, February 5th right around noon.

And yet our 4th snow is still visiting and making his name known.  We're in "Blizzard Conditions."

Constantly, however...throughout this entire series of storm..all I seem to be reminded of is the Lord and how He washes my our sins - white as snow.  To look outside and see everything with two feet of snow covering EVERYTHING...

smooth. pure. beautiful. as if there is nothing under there that is full of bumps and problems.  Our sheets are as white as snow. All of the stain from those past sins have now been completely washed away by the blood of Jesus.  I'm so thankful He's been reminding me of His grace in this storm.

Isaiah 1:18 -  

"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."

There is a lot of me that would really like to be bitter at all of the snow, to be frustrated.

I mean, I'm quite positive I'm caught up on all the snow I missed out on, growing up in Texas.

We've taken a few walks outside and it's pretty incredible.  I read on the news that the amount of snow that has fallen in the DC Metro Area could fill The Empire State Bldg 30,000 times.  That's a lot of snow!

So this is day 6 in the house.  We've been out a couple of times to eat lunch and to see how the other places near us look.  Thankfully we live on a semi-important road and we get plowed pretty often (although they always dump the plowed snow in our driveway!)  This time with Rob & Sharla has been good, and it will be treasured.  We've played games, watched movies and laughed and sighed.  It's been good.  3 months from now, I won't have that.

So regardless of how many times we shovel the driveway, or the roof for that matter (it is flat), and how many times the road crews plow all the snow in our driveway - He's reminding me of His love, and His grace... something that has been greatly appreciated here recently.

But... I do have Cabin Fever.

Here are some pictures are two videos.. go to my photo blog for pictures!









I certainly miss the "Texas" form of snow that melts overnight, or even the next day!

What's in a Year?

I think everyone's answer is different....naturally.

For me - 2009 had a lot of change - a lot of change that I had no idea was coming my way.

Some of it scary, some of it hard, some of it frustrating and some of it was just plain amazing.

I was driving in my car yesterday, thinking of how different my life looked in 2009 than it did in 2008...and trust me, it does - Praise the Lord!
As I reflected (which I will share some of) the one constant thing I saw throughout it all was the Lord's provision - His sovereignty - His faithfulness.  How He is completely in control and even the smallest things that don't make sense to me - in His plan, they do - in His plan.... not mine.  
        the good things, the bad things and the in-between things.


If I could give one word, to describe 2009...it would to be "faithful."

2009 began with me moving out of Texas - something really scary for me, but I trusted the Lord in Him bringing me up here.  And believe me, I had to trust a lot.  I was excited, but scared.  He of course showed me He knew exactly what He was doing. faithful.

Pretty much the first 3 months of living here was a black hole.  I lived in the home and I worked in the home - and I didn't know anyone.  Easily, very easily, it could've become a slippery slope into something no one wants to be in.  Thankully the family I work for are amazing people and they feel like family, so having to be at the home because I didn't know anyone wasn't a bad thing.  faithful.

 Then comes April 21, 2009, at Aggie Muster - the Lord answered a huge prayer and gave me a friend or "soul sista (if you will)" for life... I didn't know just how much she would change my life, how much she would teach me and how much we would teach each other.  It was amazing how much alike we were and how much we enjoyed doing the same things.  Everyday I'm thankful for her.  faithful.

In March I began traveling with Sharla...and the trips pretty much all rolled into one.  We were gone quite frequently.  At times it was stressful and at times it was not.  The Lord showed me a lot of stuff that existed in my heart that was not pretty and that was not pleasing to Him...and thankfully He was willing to help me get rid of it.  faithful.
      Our last trip was in December, to Orlando.  It's nice to be done, but I wouldn't trade the traveling and hanging out with her and her team for anything.  They became like a 2nd family - along with all my other 2nd families of course!

I made many more trips home (back to Texas) this past year than I thought I would when I moved up here.  I thought my first trip home would be in September...but no, it was in April - and again in May then in July - August, September, October, November and December.  Yes, I went home that many times - quite possibly more than I did during one year of college.
....But - each time was like the first.  And each time some part of me had changed, for the better.  Prayers I had been praying for a long time (or so it felt that way) were being or had been answered and it was wonderful.  faithful. 

In July, I bought a house in Bryan!! Whoop!

...and I have two amazing girls living there right now!
I'm super excited about moving back to Bryan/College Station - still a little bit in shock that the Lord is taking me back there...it's one of my favorite places and has some of my most favorite people.  I can't wait to see what He's got in store and I just know it will be wonderful.

And fast forward to now: 2010. Wow. I'm going to be 24 this year, and that sounds old.  It's hard to believe that I was originally supposed to be living in Texas permanently at this point.  However, I'm so thankful that I'm still in VA.  There are so many things to do in the DC Metro Area and I have so many left to do. My goal is to make the most of my remaining time here and try to do something as often (if not everyday) as I can.   I want to use this time wisely as He has allowed me to remain here and enjoy this place and my friends here and the family I live with. - who, by the way, are AMAZING.

So I'm here until May - which part I don't know... but it's approximately 15 weeks away, which when you look at it like that it seems like it's tomorrow.

I'm so thankful for 2009: His sovereignty, His love, His grace and His truth.

He showed me a lot of nasty things that existed inside of me, things that no one is proud of.  Thankfully - He's spent most of the year cleaning me up and not just saying, "You're too much work, I'm done with you."  - Actually, thankfully He never says that - because everyday I become a new mess with new problems and new issues...and I can't do it alone. faithful.

...and a recap to my blog title and how true it has been this year! The song is: Time In Between, by Francesca Battistelli.  She's pretty incredible, you should check her out. 
But it’s the time in between
That brings me to my knees
Knowing you came for me
And all that I can't be
I'm amazed, so amazed
And I thank You for the time in between

Don't take much for this crazy world
To rob me of my peace
And the enemy of my soul
Says You’re holding out on me
So I stand here lifting empty hands
For you to fill me up again

But it’s the time in between
That I fall down to my knees
Waiting on what You'll bring
And the things that I can't see
I know my song’s incomplete
Still I'll sing in the time in between

So many ways
Your love has saved the day
And I'm grateful for them all
(not complete lyrics, only part of the song)

It's been awhile...

YES... yes... I know.  I've been a little busy.

I'll be doing two posts, hopefully that's all.

I got to take a 2 week holiday to Texas that was just wonderful.

Instead of telling you all the details, I'll just say that:

It was great to spend time with ALL of my family.  There were a lot of laughs, memories made and good times had.

It was GREAT to see friends, to see my house! To see College Station!  I love that even over the 1500 miles that I am from some of the dearest people in my life - the ties have only strengthened upon me moving up here.  Relationships I thought that would suffer have not and relationships that I thought would remain the same have indeed grown stronger.  Family & Friends.  I'm so thankful for that.

I made it back to DC on January 5th and have been going strong since - not wasting one day...including a visit to The Kennedy Center, which was just incredible - and I plan to go back, many more times before I move!

I wanted to keep it short and sweet - I'll be re-capping the year here next.