#93 Quiet Nights & Scorch Trials

Wednesday 2016 June 6
Life lately has felt a bit of a whirlwind, and I constantly feel like I'm evaluating where my energy lies on the scale of exhausted and energized. So days where I really don't have anything going on, and I don't have to feel compelled to do anything, well that energy level begins to sky rocket.

We stayed in tonight, and finished up the movies Nicole had loaned us from The Maze Runner series. The Scorch Trials was definitely an entertaining movie, not quite as good as the first. The allure and mystery had dissipated in this one.

God knows when to bring the quiet days, and they are so appreciated.

#92 Setting Suns and Turning Pages

Tuesday 2016 July 5
Back to the grind today after a long weekend. Only plus, we have a short work week too!

Sometimes these days I have "off" from ministry, obligations, scheduled dinners, etc. are some of the most "boring on paper" days, but to me the best days. While I don't get to enjoy spending time with family and friends, I do get to spend time with Stephen in mundane moments--which are far from mundane.

Tonight we headed to Subway for dinner--one of the few things not upsetting Stephen's stomach right now. Came back home, and watched American Ninja Warrior before my mom came to pick me up to walk the dam. We talked about how there never seems to be a bad sunset here. People scattered along the dam, sitting, standing. People with their truck tailgate down, using it as a bench, backed up to face the setting sun. All watching. All taking it in. Sitting in the silence of God's majesty.

We walked till it was completely dark, one of the few times I've realized how nervous I get approaching complete strangers in the dark. But one by one, we passed a smiling face--no threat to be found.

Back home, Stephen and I watched more of American Ninja Warrior until my eyes were too heavy to keep open. I ventured upstairs before Stephen, soaking in a few minutes of On Folly Beach. Seriously it's been two weeks since I picked the book up--so don't get the wrong idea out of me, that I'm some sort of real reader or anything.

Stephen and I talked for a bit before I fell asleep at his words.

Again it's these forgotten moments that comprise my life and make it all worth while at the same time.

#91 A Happy Fourth

Monday 2016 July 4
After a long night we slept in till about 1pm. I haven't done that since college. It was so nice--thank goodness for black out curtains--but at the same time so weird. It's hard to not think I'm missing the whole day if I sleep in that late. But nonetheless, glorious and made me semi functional today.

We laid around the house until around 4:30pm when we rushed over to my parents for an Independence Day celebration with them and the Joiners. We enjoyed bbq, corn, beans, and deviled eggs. As well as some peach cobbler with icecream to end the day.

Even though I was half awake, these kind of simple moments are becoming more and more cherished in my heart. It's the small things.

I'll leave you with a shot from the other night, but we also got to enjoy a smaller view of this out our window tonight as neighbors shot off a firework display right outside our house in the culdesac, and we began dozing off to the NY 4th celebration over the Hudson River.


A photo posted by Brittany Prahl (@diednsaved) on

#90 Stone Mountain Adventure

Sunday 2016 June 3
We headed out after lunch with the church crew today to begin our trek to Stone Mountain Park, GA for their Laser Show and Firework Display for the 4th. After 3 hours of driving, we finally arrived to the park, and quickly realized how much of a theme park type place this was.

Snapchat car rides
Scary car rides.

Different areas to do activities, shops and restaurants, chair lift rides to the top of the mountain, and a full size train that wraps the entire perimeter of the mountain. We got caught in a tsunami of a rain storm right as we were walking in. All the girls tried to huddle themselves under Lydia's blanket, which resulted in a 50 lb saturated blanket full of rain and a bunch of wet people. These are the moments that burn memories in your mind right? :)

Since we couldn't find any decent places to eat outside of the park, we did our best to try and find some grub before the show. Which resulted in bellies filled with funnel cakes, twisted corn dogs, and burgers.

Diego and Stephanie

Picnic spot in the funnel cake shop.

Stephen located a spot for us on the Laser Show Lawn, which his directions were so magical you couldn't help but recite them as if you were Buddy the Elf explaining how he made it from the North Pole to New York.
Come to Candy Mtn Charlie!

We camped out down right near the center ofthe lawn, and your whole view was filled with the mountain and sky. The show itself was nothing short of amazing. I'll have to figure a way to get some videos posted, because my phone died right before all this.
A photo posted by Brittany Prahl (@diednsaved) on

We didn't end up making it home tonight until about 5am, but every single one of us found every moment of it completely worth it.


#89 Dreher Island Fireworks

Saturday 2016 July 2
This morning I walked the Dam with my mom--we about died. Never again will we walk in 90 degree heat early in the morning. Bodies are not cut out for that kind of insanity.

The rest of the day I cleaned up myself and the house. This house finally feels livable again. Layers of dog fur later, and I can see my floor again! I feel normal now too, as one of my favorite bloggers showed her beautiful immaculate home covered in St. Bernard hair before she vacuums. So glad I'm not the only one living like this.

Round of Ultimate Frisbee


Sarah keeping me cool.

Fireworks over the Lake

Then ventured out to Dreher Island State Park on Lake Murray for the Firework Show with some College and Career peeps, which was needless to say amazing! 

#88 Surprise Date

Friday 2016 July 1
Tuesday I asked Stephen if we could go out on a date today. It's been an adjustment to this new little life we've been living lately, and feeling like we barely have time for each other--even in the house. So he sweetly obliged, and managed to go way overboard in such a good way.

Stephen walked in the door with flowers in hand.

A photo posted by Brittany Prahl (@diednsaved) on

We then headed out to go eat. Stephen drove all over town, trying to throw me off the scent, till we finally arrived at The Root Cellar, a new joint in town. The food was really great, definitely worth another trip back at some point.

Not having a clue where we were headed next, Stephen tosses me a pair of socks. We drive up Hwy 1, making a sharp turn near the church, and I'm assuming we're headed to Kona Ice or something, but we whipped into Skate Station USA. I have not been here since I was about 14 or so--when the song "I'm Blue" was popular.

We tested our limits on the skating rink, somehow managing to regain our once lost ability to roller skate. Not sure if this will show, but you can get a taste for my monkey limp arms as we rolled around the rink and as Stephen almost fell.

We people watched, and got to watch "Johnny Crashing" jamming the night away in the center rink as he smoothly skated across the floor. This was HIS dance floor. We sat talking wondering if anyone in his life knew about his skating habits, or if this was a secret love, and he "Walked the Line" between his true love and his life. His black clothing concealing him quicker and quicker as he skated away into the night.

Okay, back to real life. After that we headed home to watch The Maze Runner, and ate Reese's Pie while we did so. It was really an incredible, and sweet date. This hubby of mine can really pull out the stops.

#87 Calming Anxiety

Thursday 2016 June 30
I feel like my Thursday night anxiety is slowly starting to subside. For a while there it really was propelled by a particular individual causing a lot of hostility in the group. Then for a while large crowds were a bit overwhelming. Then it was having to lead our small group. But the Lord is slowly reminding me there isn't anything I have to do to make this whole thing work, other than being obedient. So where I feel like I royally suck at handling certain people's attitudes or leading our small group, being obedient in the task means God shows up. God uses those shortcomings and makes some good of it. Plus knowing I need to be available to what God may have in store those evenings, whether it be to be an encouragement to someone, to show friendship to another, have words of wisdom to speak into someone's life, or to be there to simply be challenged by the Word--God uses those things and needs me to be present to do so.

It's peaceful feeling at ease again on Thursdays. Before the night was over, Sarah and I spent some time cleaning the kitchen. She's got such a servants heart, and her doing what she does best allows others to do what they do best. God's body working together.

We headed out afterwards to IHOP. Spending time talking with one another and fellowshipping into the wee hours of the night.