#190 Cleanup

Sunday 2016 October 23
Today was the last day for Carolina Girls. We got to enjoy worship and service with the First Baptist Church of Myrtle Beach congregation as our missionaries lead in service.

I was so sleepy on the trek back home this afternoon, I almost forgot to let Stephen know I was headed home. When I did, he told me had a surprise waiting for me.

A clean house. YESSSSS. Vacuumed. Dishes done. Laundry folded. How did I deserve this sweet man?

#189 Mission Projects

Saturday 2016 October 22
Today the girls enjoyed a few conferences with different leaders as well as our missionaries for the weekend.

The Haneys, Anissa and Eric, those kids are talented. Okay they are older than me, but still. Sometimes you wonder what is that one thing you're really good at, for them it's like a million things. While I don't think this video does the best representation of how great they are, I think it gives you an idea of what they are capable of.



They lead us in worship all weekend, as well as speaking about their ministry in Sweden. 

This afternoon though, our girls got to participate in their mission action and support projects. It was so cool to see the photos flood in of all these teen girls praying with people, playing with kids, spending time with the elderly, and more as they chose to go out with the message of Christ to impact the area of Myrtle Beach.

Frisbee ministry with people on the beach
The evening was spent in worship again, kind of summarizing the weekend with the girls, and asking them to commit themselves to God's calling and will. They each had collected shells on the beach today, and brought them back to the worship service. They brought each of their shells to the foot of the cross, symbolizing their burdens and hang ups that they could lay at Christ's feet, as well as surrendering to his will.

This weekend I got to spend a lot of time with a couple of girls from the NC summer staff at Camp Mundo Vista. Cassie was amazing, stepping in and helping with technology stuff just when I needed her. She's confident, engaging, and so sweet to everyone she meets. She's instantly your best friend, and you feel like you've known her for a life time. So thankful for her friendship this weekend.

#188 Carolina Girls

Friday 2016 October 21
Today I headed over to Donna's house to head down to Myrtle Beach for Carolina Girls. This is a weekend for our North Carolina and South Carolina teenage girls to come together to not just learn and worship, but to do outreach in the community.

I've never been to this event. I didn't know what to expect. While some things could have been done differently today, honestly I'm excited about what this weekend holds.

We had about 200 girls come together tonight for a few snapshot conferences (just little tidbits they could learn about camp, or how to do a new form of outreach) and then for a worship service.

Andrew Mann speaking... my phone is really takes terrible photo quality

They got to hear from Andrew Mann who is a pastor in the South Bronx, Mott Haven neighborhood (which is where I interned for a summer!), and from the Haneys, a husband and wife who serve in Sweden ministering to the musicians and artists of the area. The Haneys lead us in worship, and it was nothing short of the Spirit moving in that place. 

#187 May God Use Me

Thursday 2016 October 20
Sometimes All the time, I feel insignificant. My self worth isn't always rooted in the one place it should be, and so I come away feeling defeated and useless a lot of times.

But I'm reminded over and over again that God uses the useless. He uses the insignificant. He strengthens the weak. He lifts us up on his wings. He does things for his glory, and magnifies himself through our weaknesses. Are you getting why 2 Corinthians 12:9 is my favorite verse--my life verse?!

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

So in some moments, when I'm feeling that intense self doubt, I just pray that this be one of those times. God use this moment. Shut my mouth, and let you do the talking. Sometimes I feel like I still get in the way, but I hope and pray somehow God can use the words I say or things I do to glorify him regardless. 

So tonight both Lisa and Lydia asked to speak with me. This isn't abnormal, but it's unusual as most of the time they just come and talk to me. Instead tonight they both explicitly stated that they "need to talk to me". You know the difference. 

Oh self doubt kicked into high gear. 

What can I say? What can I do? 

And while I feel the talk was beneficial, my self doubt still kicks in now thinking, "there is no way God used that", "that was all you, not Him". But I know deep down, that while the fruit may not display itself now, somehow God can use those conversations to his benefit. 

My heart was right. My intentions pure. I just hope I can keep choosing to say "yes" to God in these moments instead of turning away. Prying and hoping that God can use my shortcomings and weaknesses, even if I can't see how.

#186 Fair Food Galore

Wednesday 2016 October 19
Tonight Stephen headed to the state fair with David and Jason to go see Alabama in concert. Alabama is a little before our time, but Stephen caught himself up this week on their music by listening to YouTube on repeat.

Since I had nothing going on, and two entrance tickets and some ride tickets burning a hole in my pocket, I convinced my mom and Jaye to come venture to the fair with me.

From Above
There's just something about the fair that while it doesn't seem like it should be appealing is. I think it's all those years of anticipating the day in grade school. Knowing you'd get a day off of school, or go here on a field trip, or spend the evenings surrounded by your best friends stuffing your faces full and making yourself sick on fair rides. I mean I do have a history here...

Some of the best friends I could ask for... 

Making our snowmen bookmarks at the fair

We so cool on the ferris wheel

Getting sick on the Himalayan.. by far one of my favorites

Looking like infants on the ferris wheel
So it was really fun to get to experience this with my mom and Jaye. We filled ourselves way too full on anything from fried okra and mushrooms, to funnel cakes, to doughnut burgers, to strawberry lemonade, to frozen bananas. So good.

Searching for food


Ran into Philip and Makayla as they were about to get on the skylift. Unfortunately didn't get to hang out with them, but I think we've got a trip to the mountains soon we'll plan with these two lovebirds.

We did enjoy the pig races, which was a first for Jaye. It's fun showing the northerner how we southerners do it, but honestly she's probably more southern than I (I mean she really wanted fried okra and boiled peanuts..something fierce).


A video posted by Brittany Prahl (@diednsaved) on


We also got to see Pastor Rich's infamous photo that everyone is taking a picture with from church..

His picture from Kenya
 After seeing the guys at the chicken area...

Giant chicken award goes to.... 
My mom and I hit the skylift as we waited on Jaye.

So grateful for such a fun and wonderful mamma
And we left soon after, but not before we grabbed a few more goodies to head out with. Such a fun night. Such fun memories.

#185 Jaye Is In Town

Tuesday 2016 October 18
Stephen had guys group as normal, so I headed out to run some errands. But not before stopping outside and chatting with a few of the guys.

Sometimes I don't feel that I really stand alone around the guys. I try to distance myself some from them, just out of respect for Stephen and mine's relationship, and because the guys are his ministry and not mine. But I finally feel like I've built up a friendship with a good many of them, something that finally does stand alone. It's nice to know even if we aren't close, I've found a friend in them too.

I figured I'd run to the store before I headed over to my parents, but my stomach was growling, so I headed straight to their place instead.

My cousin Jaye is in town for a few days, so I got to catch up with her which was super needed. She lives in Chicago, and so I don't get to see her that often (normally just holidays), but she has a wedding in Anderson, SC this weekend so she stopped by for a few days.

We played around on her freebie virtual reality glasses and her phone. That is some trippy stuff. I accidently put them on while standing, that was a mistake. There was one video that took you into space. It would shoot you from planet to planet, and the motion just visually started making my stomach turn. So crazy how something visually can mess with your mind like that.

We also spoke about my cousin Loralyn and some of the things going on there. Please pray for her if you think of it. I hate to see the challenges she's having to go through and try and leap over, so thankful though she has a great sister like Jaye to do her best to help her through.

#184 Back to the Grind

Monday 2016 October 17
Somehow, even as crammed packed as this weekend was, I survived. After a week of relaxing and spending time with Stephen, I was prepped and energized to spend this whole weekend with sweet friends. So I expected to feel like my whole weekend was whisked away, but honestly it felt lengthed, and I think somehow that is just a God thing.

Although after a busy day at work today getting things ready for Carolina Girl and GA Super Saturday, I was ready for a quiet night in. Stephen let me have that, so he went to Monday dinner, while I stayed home and worked on a few things like my sign for Sandra that has taken far too long.

Thankful for the busy and the quiet. Because you know how much I need both these days.

#183 Apple Picking

Sunday 2016 October 16
This morning we woke up wayyyy to early to head out the door to meet at church for apple picking. This is our second annual apple picking, where we head up to East Pickens Baptist Church for service, and then head up to Hendersonville for apple picking.

So at 8 am the Prahls were actually AT FIRST BAPTIST. A miracle. Prahls always arrive exactly when they mean, never a minute too early or too late. 

Chad and Andrew rode up with us. After a great service on the end times, we headed to Zaxby's for lunch which took way too long, and then after finally getting Philip's car working again, rode the rest of the way to the orchard. 

Another event picture of mine... 
After a couple of hours searching around in the hot fields (how is it October?) for some Granny Smith's, with no luck, we filled our baskets with Golden Delicious apples and ventured back to pay for our 1/2 bushel.

I also had the realization that the whole "a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck" saying must come from apple orchards, no idea how that makes sense though or what it exactly means.

Stephen and I grabbed some cider, apple cider doughnuts, apple cider slushie, and some apple pie fudge. We're piggies.

The gang
The more time I spend with these fine folks, the more I can't help but fall in love with them and be so very grateful I have them in my life.

#182 Shopping and Haunted Houses

Saturday 2016 October 15
We woke up this morning way too early. Stephanie woke up at 7 am after we had fallen asleep at 3 am. She was wide awake. Every time I'd doze back off to sleep, she'd blurt out something, waking me up again. I finally gave up sleeping in, and tried to be cheerful about the early wake up call.

I made breakfast for the bunch, but I kind of forget how much food it takes to feed like 10 people, so everyone got an assortment of food since I didn't have enough of any one thing.

We headed out after about 5 hours of lounging around the house, to go shopping. My shopping brain was not on, so after a couple of hours I was pooped out and took Katie home.

This evening I had the pleasure of hanging out with Kayla. We'd originally planned on going to a haunted house, but after watching one too many haunted house videos on Ellen DeGeneres's show, I was cured. Plus both of us were a little too tired to do so.

So instead we caught up over food at The Root Cellar in Lexington. Isn't that really all you need with friends? A couple hours, good food, and conversation to catch up? 

#181 Sleepover

Friday 2016 October 14
Pretty sure when I got married and turned 25, sleepovers were gone. Like you're a full grown woman, you sleep in your own bed silly. Although because I love my buddies at church, and I've heard countless times how we need another girls night, and the fact Stephen was going to be gone late for the Men's Conference in town--Sleepover it was!

We had a pretty sizeable group, and it was definitely an array of different people--but by the end of the night everyone was dancing, laughing, and acting a fool.

We stayed up till about 3 am trying to finish up the puzzle Stephen and I started like a week ago. While Lauren did manage to magically finish the white puzzle pieces (it's a giant thick border at the bottom of just white puzzle pieces--a nightmare!), we only still scratched the surface of this puzzle.

The love.

Adore these two :)
While my body can't handle this too often, it was good to get to spend time with them feeling like a kid again. Doesn't happen too often in this grown up world I live in now.

#180 Possum Christianity

Thursday 2016 October 13
I drove to work this morning in an absolute haze, one where I was certain I was going to fall asleep behind the wheel. Thankfully I was woken up before getting on the interstate by this...

A photo posted by Brittany Prahl (@diednsaved) on

We had a lesson at Unleashed based off of a possum that entered Steve's backyard on Monday when we were over for dinner. Unfortunately Stephen and I had left already by the time the possum showed up, so we heard everything second hand.

The lesson was entertaining definitely. I did get to make some artwork for this week's again, which is pretty Halloween appropriate I think.

Oh yeah.
Capped off the night at Waffle House enjoying the company of Hannah, and many others as we packed out the restaurant. 

#179 Sweet Mentionings

Wednesday 2016 October 12
Yesterday on my way home from work, I sat side by side with a spider. A fat spider. I'm not sure what word these spiders are sending out to everyone, but they're all showing up. They ain't tiny--I've built up courage towards the tiny ones--they are HUGE. Okay, medium. But that's huge. Trust me.


If you were a good room-mate you'd know I hate your kind. So there.

Stephen killed it for me when I got home, but not before I had to mad dash crawl across the front seats, yank up the lock, and jolt out like I was on fire. I am pretty sure I could play Chinese fire drill like a champ now.

After getting dinner rolling, more on that later, I stood in the den waiting for the water to boil for the pasta. Stephen began telling me about how he actually listened to one of the sermons on HIS radio today. It happened to be on marriage, and it was funny hearing all the things women already know about themselves and men that apparently men are unaware of.

Like why women get upset on their 5th anniversary when their husband is excited about the fact he's saved up $150 for their anniversary. He exclaims last minute, "Lets go to a nice restaurant, and I'll even let you choose! Then with the extra money we'll go pick you out some nice house trinkets that you like to put everywhere. Wouldn't that be nice?" To only then be in an argument where your wife is unhappy, as you go back and forth about what restaurant and how she'll eat anywhere, just you as a husband need to choose! 

At the end you're all confused as to why she's upset, when in reality it's because one you don't know her favorite restaurant or because you didn't just choose a place ahead of time to take her, and two she now has to pick out her own gift. No forethought into the whole evening and the fact this should be a special moment.

Among other things they discussed were what the most important thing in a relationship is to a woman, communication, and also the fact that in the Bible it's never mentioned that a wife has to "agape" love her husband. This self sacrificing, never relenting kind of love. My first thought was because a husband is the one commanded to give himself just as Christ gave himself for the church, but this speakers take on it was that women already show agape love. It's in their nature. In their being. Their DNA is wired for them to give, and give sacrificially. Whereas for a man it may not come naturally. It's a choice, a decision, something they have to think about in order to do. Interesting thought.

Also Stephen mentioned the fact that women constantly analyze their relationship, and when things seem off they take it personal. Guys typically don't express themselves too much or too well, and therefore that leaves a hole that the wife has to fill trying to figure out what is going on with their husband, and since he won't explain, must be them! Women will question then if their husbands still love them.

Well amen, amen, amen to all of that! So after telling me all about the sermon, Stephen began to express sweet and kind words to me throughout the night. More so than normal. He paid extra attention to me, helped me in extra ways around the house, and then even shared that he desires to read this speaker's book because he think it would be beneficial to know this information.

Sweet man.

Dinner tonight was the best kind of comfort food. One of my emeal recipes, and it's so simple. It goes something like this...

Ham & Pea Pasta

Bowtie Pasta 12 oz
Sweet Peas Frozen 16 oz
Ham Slice/Steak (already cooked at Aldi's) 2 cups chopped
Alfredo Sauce 12-16 oz can
Heavy Whipping Cream 16 oz
Parmesan Cheese 1 cup

Boil pasta as directed. Last 3 minutes of pasta cooking, add in frozen peas. In a small sauce pan heat up alfredo sauce and cream. Once pasta is cooked and drained, add in chopped ham, sauce and cream. Sprinkle cheese on top, or stir in. Serve


So good. So easy. So deliciously unhealthy. Add in Pioneer Woman's best bread ever, and this is a meal that will put you to sleep in no time. It did just that, but I did wake up to paint half the downstairs trim with Stephen.
I can't paint without it getting on me. 


#178 Paint All the Things

Tuesday 2016 October 11
Sometimes I'm afraid all Stephen hears about my job is the complaints, because there's not much out of the norm that's exciting--just because I've been doing this for almost 5 years.

But today was the abnormality. Today, we had our staff meeting late due to the hurricane last week and scheduling with field staff this week. Apparently having a meeting at 2 pm in the afternoon when everyone is alert and really ready to go home, is about the best for humor and the worst decision to get anything accomplished.

I cry laughed the entire time. And when nothing was funny, I'd think about things that I'd been laughing at and start it all over again. Good thing Laurie thought me laughing was hilarious, because I--well all of us really--were a huge distraction. But it's really a blessing when we can all just finally lay back and cut up. It doesn't happen often enough.

After getting home this evening, Stephen ran out to go pick up Josh for Bible Study. He'd promised to bring me home a Mexican Pizza from Taco Bell. I waited, and waited. A few of the guys showing up to the house already. Since I had a few chores to do out on the town, I decided I'd run out before Stephen got back.

Buying paint for the trim and walls for the downstairs area and some heartburn medicine (and fair tickets!!!!) put me back later than Stephen. I walked in to find him with fork in hand about to eat my Mexican Pizza. All the guys told him he better wait, so when I walked in, laughter erupted. I then exclaimed "I would have murdered you!" which sent them into laughter again. I got my pizza. All is well in the world.

Headed upstairs for a night of watching shows, reading, and working on a hymn sign for a coworker--which keeps coming out way worse than I imagine it should. Gotta get back in the rhythm of this.

A photo posted by Brittany Prahl (@diednsaved) on
We will be painting trim tomorrow night, most likely. Pray for us. 

#177 The Catch Up Game for Two Weeks

Monday 2016 October 10
I've not had much time the past couple of weeks, or really time that I desired to sit down for a bit and document my life. Not sure why, the energy just has not been there. Although life has been busy, but not nearly as crazy as in previous weeks. It's picking back up again though, no worries--life doesn't stay too calm for too long.

Now that I'm not hormonal and crazy person, my anxiety and neediness are a bit lower than normal--so hey that's a big plus!

Last week Hurricane Matthew rolled through town. It was kind of a culmination of events because with the hurricane and Matt being out of the house for 10 days straight, Stephen and I spent A LOT of time together. But once again, doesn't God know what He's doing--he's prepped me for this week and probably the next where every day is filled with people and activities, and I have a lot of alone time energy to expel in these situations. I don't feel overwhelmed, although I can look at my calendar (I don't really keep one of those..) and see how packed it is.

The hurricane didn't cause any damage in our area really, other than fallen leaves, occasional fallen trees, some power outages, but other areas in the state and the world did not fare quite as well. My prayers and heart still go out to all these people who have lost so much, including family.

The days off meant my home got super clean. Well super is relative, but it feels pretty clean! I think this Friday we'll have new flooring--I'm so hoping. I've not yet got a call from them about coming to install them, but I'm thinking Tuesday night and Wednesday night this week may be spent trying to freshen up our trim in our house before they come to install the flooring and new quarter rounds.I'm not looking forward to this part.

I've gotten to spend time with a lot of friends, hear a lot of great speakers at church, go on dates with Stephen, put together puzzles, and more. I still don't have the energy to recap the past two weeks, but maybe from here on I can at least spend time really updating this every day.

One day it'll be habit :) 

#176 Time for Rest

Wednesday 2016 September 28
Today is my day for rest. Recharging. I got to do so with Stephen. Sort of.

Between the new Forza video game and Matt still being in the house this evening... I more or less spent my time alone upstairs watching Netflix videos.

There's a lot else I could be doing, but after the last few days ramblings, I think you may understand why I needed some selfish recharging time.

This girl has gone crazy. She needs her sanity back.


The Top  5  6 Pictures that Illustrate Your Year So Far




A photo posted by Brittany Prahl (@diednsaved) on

A photo posted by Brittany Prahl (@diednsaved) on

A photo posted by Brittany Prahl (@diednsaved) on

A photo posted by Brittany Prahl (@diednsaved) on

#175 Night Time Rambles

Tuesday 2016 September 27
Today I'm thankful for my sweet friend Jenn who is literally the only soul who I think reads this thing, but for not just reading but for reaching out and loving me through difficult situations. You have no idea how much your friendship means to me, and your card you made me forever ago still rings true today--"You're the water to my church!" Bahahaha. I hope you remember what that is.

After a day in the office, I came home and made pizza. I quickly tossed some ingredients together to make some brownies, and realized all my right sized pans were dirty and elsewhere. So I tried my hand at putting it in a larger pan, without the extra ingredients to make up for the extra space. Pizza was done in time for me to eat, and a few of Stephen's Bible study guys to start showing up--but no Stephen yet.

Work once again had tied him up so badly he was still at work loading tires onto a truck, and barely made it home in time to change, eat, and sit down to have Bible study. My mom showed up to pick me up for our afternoon walk across the dam, so I scooted out as Stephen changed upstairs and a den full of guys began to appear.

While we didn't walk for long, we saw the sun go down just as quickly as we got there, and we ended up walking back in the dark. As we pulled back into my neighborhood, I finally shared my burdens from the week with my mom.

It's funny, when you're a kid, your parents fix everything. Even if they never really did, you think they did, because everything eventually passes or fixes itself. And just as I'm learning from scripture, there is that childlike trust that your parents have and always will take care of you, and that means take care of everything--just like I hope to have for God.

Now being grown up I can see when my mom doesn't quite know the answer--I mean none of us know every answer. I can see now how she's just like me--just doing her best for her kid. Wait, I don't have a kid. Okay but just doing her best. Somehow, while I can see that my mom doesn't have an answer, I'm reassured.

I came home to find the brownies had been saved from the oven, I accidently left it in the oven when I scooted out the door with my mom, and they were pretty much brownie crackers. Super thin. Little crispy. Extra chewy.

I enjoyed the last few minutes of the guys being in the house, as they tried to kill flies with our electric fly swatter and then attempted to taze one another as well. Boys.



Something That Made You Cry Recently | Anything Funny, Happy, Memory, Sad, etc.

Myself. Not in a good way. I'm hormonal--not pregnant. I am also a little anxiety ridden which tends to mean that I think the worst thoughts at times and worry excessively. I finally broke down with Stephen tonight about how I'm feeling. How I felt I let him down. Hurt him by not wanting to participate in things. And while they were sad tears, this man knows how to turn hurts into happiness. All is well in the world.

God is good to put that man in my life.