Our First Christmas

The Best Christmas Gift

While we enjoyed many wonderful Christmas activities this season and started  new Christmas traditions together, the best part of the entire season was the gift of my husband. We were both in awe of the fact that a year ago we had just started dating. Now here we are enjoying the beauty of marriage. We constantly say that life is better together. This Christmas season was truly richer, deeper, and more meaningful together. We were overwhelmed with God's pure goodness and generosity in giving us each other. The gift of marriage.

This Christmas season is all about God's generosity. God in His love, goodness, and generosity sent His son Jesus to earth. So we may know Him, we may love Him, we may worship Him. Thank you Abba Father for your many gifts of love to us. Thank you for Christ Jesus!

Oh Christmas Tree

This was unlike any other experience I have ever had when choosing a Christmas tree. One cold Saturday evening, my husband and I went running together near our home. At the end of our run, we ended up at a Christmas Tree stand. I then stood back as my husband bargained and found us the perfect tree. I loved every minute. We then carried our Christmas tree home together.

Sunday afternoon we drank hot chocolate and decorated our first tree. Stephen hung the lights perfectly and I enjoyed hanging the ornaments. We love sitting on our couch, enjoying the warmth of the lights and the beauty of our tree.

Christmas Caroling

My husband won huge brownie points for Christmas Caroling. One cold Friday evening, we bundled up, walked through the cobblestone sidewalks in Boston, singing Christmas carols with my students. In my eyes, it was magical. The lampposts were decorated with red bows, Christmas wreaths hung on every door, and the children were full of Christmas joy. I appreciated my husband’s deep and beautiful singing voice as we sang Christmas carols while walking through the streets of Boston. We enjoyed hot chocolate and cookies afterwards.

Christmas Cookies

We had a wonderful time making Christmas cookies with our friends.The six of us had fun in the kitchen baking, talking, and spending time together. Drinking hot chocolate, the smells of freshly baked cookies, and the sound of laughter carried us late into the evening hours.

 Nyakairu favorite: Chocolate Drop Cookies (with a hint of coffee)

 The Men: Micah, Stephen, and Ethan

The Ladies: Linnea, Jannat, and Rebekah

Christmas Concert

My husband is absolutely wonderful. Stephen not only attended my school’s Christmas concert with me, he also took me on a quick dinner date before the concert began. We went to this cute Irish pub that was decorated for the holidays.

Christmas Parties

Stephen was my date to my staff Christmas party.Our first party together. I loved having my husband by my side as we connected with others throughout the evening. Life is truly better together.

Dinner Date

Mikala and Tom are amazing friends and we looked forward our double date with them during the Christmas holidays. Mikala found a cute Italian restaurant that had a warm, cozy environment. When we first moved in, Mikala and Tom came over one Friday evening. They brought us dinner, hung pictures, and spent hours helping us put our home together. True friendship in action.

Christmas Eve Service

It was my first Christmas Eve service. At the end of the service, we stood in a circle with lit candles singing Silent Night. It was truly a magical moment. In the dark of the church, the beauty of the candles shone forth. I stood there taking in each person’s face, the beauty of the old church building and reflecting on the words we were singing…

Son of God, love's pure light

Radiant beams from thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace

Thank you God for your redeeming grace! I was overwhelmed by God’s love, grace, and redemption this season.

Christmas Eve Parties

We stopped by a couple Christmas Eve Parties. We are thankful for the wonderful friends God has blessed us with and for the chance to spend time with them this season.

Christmas Morning

We enjoyed a quiet morning of making brunch together, opening presents, and enjoying time with one another.

Christmas Evening

We drove down to New York and enjoyed Christmas dinner with family and opening up presents together.

Christmas at Grandmas

Stephen got to enjoy a loud, feisty, Italian Christmas. We are competitive when it comes to our white elephant gift exchange and to winning at card games! We began the evening with our homemade spaghetti dinner. Stephen helped Grandma made the homemade orecchiette. Delicious.

Grandma made us a colorful quilt for Christmas.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Nyakairus!

Ode to October

I have officially decided that October is one of my favorite months of the year. (disclaimer: June will of course always be my favorite month of the year since it’s my birthday month and the start of summer vacation) I love October. Fall was one of my favorite seasons as I grew up in the countryside of New York state. This year, I thoroughly enjoyed the beauty of a New England Fall. The trees were a spectacular display of brilliant orange, stunning yellow, and deep red leaves. I heard many people say that we enjoyed an amazing fall. I personally think this was God’s gift to me.  We had many days of warm, sunny weather. The leaves were stunning. Even now, there are still some trees displaying the beauty of fall. On Sunday, my husband and I drive an hour to church. Our drive out of Boston to the countryside of Massachusetts was a stunning display of the beauty of Fall. My favorite weekend of October was Columbus Day Weekend. It was the first time in my teaching career that I had Columbus Day off from school. The true highlight though was my best friend Rebekah G. coming to visit us. Our second official house guest. We had the best weekend together.  We packed it full of our favorite fall activities. On Saturday Rebekah and I drove to New Hampshire and hiked up Mt. Chocorua. The deep vibrant color of the leaves popped against the dampness of a wet day. Thankfully, the rain held off and we hiked to the summit. At the top of the mountain, we enjoyed stunning view of… FOG. Of course this only means we will have to hike this mountain again.

I love hiking in the fall. I love talking with my best friend while we hiked together. I love ending our great day outdoors with our fall tradition of pumpkin pancakes. best fall tradition ever. After church on Sunday, we spent the afternoon apple picking at Shelburne Farm. More time outdoors on a perfect fall day. so very happy.

We also had to fit in a quick trip to downtown Boston.

Thank you God for a beautiful fall. Thank you for the month of October. Thank you for an amazing friend to share the joy of fall activities.

Happy Wedding Anniversary, my dear friend!

It is hard to believe it has only been two short years since your wedding. May your and Anthony's love for one another continue to grow deeper and fuller over every passing year.

In honor of your second wedding anniversary, I decided to share my maid of honor speech and one of my favorite pictures of us together on your special day. I love you!

Maid of Honor Speech

Happy Second Wedding Anniversary!

I am so grateful for Jamee's friendship. We became friends over five years ago after we met at a tea party Jamee hosted. Since then we have shared many cups of tea as we have talked, cried and prayed together.  We have been in bible studies together, traveled on missions trips together and been roommates. We have seen each other through some difficult seasons and most importantly seen God at work in each other's lives.

So over three years ago, I remember Jamee planning a worship night for her bible study. Well, this guy Anthony shows up at Jamee's house so we can all carpool together. I had just met Anthony, yet during the car ride Anthony was in the backseat with his guitar practically serenading us in his goofy sort of way. I remember thinking "who is this guy?" 

Yet, it quickly became very apparent as the evening went on that Jamee and Anthony were interested in each other.  I vividly remember getting emotional at the end of that evening because the romantic in me knew that Jamee and Anthony would be getting married one day. Little did I know it would take over three years for this day to happen... but I was right!

Now Anthony seemed like a great guy but how did I feel about him dating my best friend?  I think the time I really started to like him was the day Jamee and Anthony showed up to help me move. Not only did Anthony help me move heavy boxes and furniture, he also showed up with bananas and a present. Two things I love. Smart man.

It has been wonderful to watch Jamee and Anthony together and how much they just enjoy each other's company. I love how relaxed Jamee is when she is with Anthony.

 I cannot think of two people who love excel spreadsheets more than them. Most importantly, I have loved watching all that God has done in their relationship from bringing them together as friends and now as a married couple.

Anthony, some advice for you...,

1. When Jamee is sick, don't offer her saltines. She would much rather have meat. You have married a special girl. I don't know any other woman who loves meat as much as Jamee.

2. Make sure you give Jamee at least half of the closet space. This is very important as I hear you have a lot of clothes. 

3. If Jamee is watching Pride and Prejudice with a cup of tea and cookies, know that it was probably a very rough day.

4. Every now and then, invite me over for dinner.

My most important advice is to simply pursue God first and foremost. I know that if you are pursuing God above work, above Jamee, above everything else, you will be an amazing husband. I trust that as God leads you; you will take care of my dear friend.

Jamee, my advice for you.

1. Listen and get excited about all the details that matter to Anthony.

2. If you ever need someone to watch Pride and Prejudice with you, I am five minutes away. 

My most important advice is to continue what you have done so faithfully within this dating relationship.  You waited on God. You continued to put Him first. You fully surrendered Anthony to Him. You prayed faithfully for Anthony. Continue in this, my dear friend.

I am overwhelmed with God' abundant goodness in bringing you both together. May His hand of blessing be upon your marriage. I love you both. Congratulations!

One Year Ago

One year ago today my life changed forever. I was still single. I had not yet met my husband. I had spent the day watching Downton Abbey with my best friend as I recovered from a sinus lift surgery. Before I went to bed that night, I noticed an email from e-harmony. I logged in, expecting it would take a brief minute to check out the guy’s profile and quickly dismissed him.

God surprised me. The first thing I thought was... “I have seen this picture before!” A couple weeks earlier, a random profile picture had caught my eye... the contrast of this guy’s bright blue shirt against his brown skin, his genuine white smile, and the confidence he portrayed made for a striking photo. As I read through his profile, I was amazed by all that we had in common. We shared a passion for God, a love for people, and an enjoyment of being active. And then there were random details like a love of gospel music. I was touched with how his profile was infused with a love for God.   As I read, God stirred my heart and reminded me of desires He had placed there years earlier. While many girls may have been nervous seeing the job status of pastor, my heart responded with a desire to support and love a man in ministry. A man from Africa. My heart had been captured with a love of Africa when I traveled there years earlier on a missions trip. Only God. Only God could have so designed my husband and I to be a perfect fit for one another. Only God could have brought us together through e-harmony. Only God could have spoken to my heart when I first read this guy’s profile. Only God could have given me insight that this may be the one He had for me. One year ago, I was reading Stephen Nyakairu’s e-harmony profile. One year later, I am his wife. Happily married for over three months. Mrs. Nyakairu. Only God in His perfect timing. Only God could have brought us together. A boy from Africa and a girl from New York. Only God could so dramatically change our lives in one short year. Only God.

How I became a Boston Red Sox fan

How does a Yankee fan become a Boston Red Sox Fan? Well, this is my story. I grew up in upstate New York. My family are Yankee fans. A number of years ago, my brother Jonathan gave me a Yankees hat which I quickly fell in love with and wore all the time. While living in Virginia I claimed to be a Yankees fan. True, I never watched any baseball and I couldn't tell you the first thing about the Yankees team. But I loved my Yankees hat and I wore it proudly. And then I moved to Boston. I quickly realized that “claiming” to be a Yankee’s fan would not easily cut it in this city. If I was going to bravely wear my hat in Boston I would need to fully commit to the Yankees. Wearing a Yankees hat would not be enough. I also realized that New Englanders are very serious and passionate about their sports. I have been living in the Boston area for 3 months now. During this time, the Red Sox have been on a winning strike. My husband and I found ourselves caught up in the excitement and we watched a few games. As we were watching the Red Sox play, I realized this was the most baseball I have ever watched. I also noticed that the Boston Red Sox hats were conveniently the same color blue as the Yankees hat. I felt myself getting drawn in. Yet, I am from New York.This was not a decision to be made lightly. Saturday night was an important game. If the Red Sox won this game against Detroit Tigers they would go to the World Series. My husband and I also decided we would let this game determine if we would officially commit to the Red Sox. So we invited our good friends Micah and Jannat over for dinner and to watch the game. Now, in the past my baseball watching was more of an opportunity to talk and socialize. Not this game. This game was intense and exciting. When Shane Victorino’s seventh- inning grand slam propelled Boston to a 5-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers, I declared to my husband that we were Red Sox fans! My dad is actually a Red Sox fan. During my parent’s first visit to see us, my dad went to two Red Sox games in the three days they were here. Our family is now equally divided in loyalties between the Red Sox and Yankees. Tonight is the first game of the World Series. My school is in Boston, not far from Fenway Park. Today we could wear jeans and Red Sox gear in support of Boston. It was pretty incredible. Every single staff member and student was decked out in their Red Sox clothing and hats. I have the cutest picture of my students proudly cheering on Boston in their Red Sox shirts. While I was excited for this opportunity to wear jeans, I just become a fan a few days ago. I quickly bought a Red Sox t-shirt to wear. However, I was disappointed that I didn't have a baseball hat. Until my wonderful husband surprised me with my very own Boston Red Sox hat, in the perfect shade of blue. I love my husband. As I think about this journey, the underlying reason of why I have become a Red Sox fan dawns on me. Boston feels like home. That is God’s grace and goodness right there. I have fallen in love with Boston and this city is now my home. And it is really is that simple. It’s not about the players or the team, it’s not about the fact they are in the World Series, and it’s not even about the color of the hat. It actually comes down to the fact that if Boston is truly your home, you simply are a Red Sox fan. Boston is my home. And that is my story of becoming a Boston Red Sox fan.

Identity: in the midst of changes

I had an interesting moment tonight. I was sitting at a table full of girls, chatting after a long week of work. When a simple observation was made. At one end of the table sat the married “older” women and the other end of the table sat the “younger” single ladies.

It took me a moment to realize that I was in the category of “older” married women. After 30 years of being single and only 3 months of being married, I have to remind myself that I am now in the married category. And after the past decade of being the younger 20-something girl, I am now the “older” 30-something girl.

While I may need a moment to realize this, I honestly don’t mind the categories I find myself in. I actually love it. I was excited to enter my thirties. I absolutely love being married. It’s simply a new identity for me. “Married and older”.

When I pause to think about it, a lot of my identity has changed recently. Single to married. 20s to 30s. Virginian to Bostonian. Public school teacher to Private school teacher. Church member to Pastor’s wife.

That is quite a list. A simple comment from tonight reminded me of all of these changes.

Yet, has my identity really changed that much? These are all outward changes of my identity. And yes, with each change comes adjustments. I would be the first to acknowledge that my life has been full of adjustments recently. However, I do not feel like my identity has changed that drastically. Not in the sense of what truly matters.

For God has given me an identity that will not change. The year before I met Stephen, God spoke a specific word into my life. Instead of New Year’s resolutions that I would soon quickly forget, God gave me one word to focus on for that year. Beloved.

What is my identity? God’s Beloved. What was my identity before I meet my husband? Beloved. What is my identity now that I am married and in the midst of all of these life changes? Beloved.

What does that mean to be the Beloved of the God?

be·lov·ed

adjective

1.

greatly loved; dear to the heart.

noun

2.

a person who is greatly loved.

Synonyms

1. cherished, precious; sweet, darling.

A person who is greatly loved.  What does this simple definition mean in my life? I am greatly loved. I am precious to Him. I am cherished in God’s sight. I am completely accepted. He rejoices over me with singing. He takes great delight in me. His love for me is perfect.

“Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders.” Deuteronomy 33:12

I can rest in the Lord’s love. There is no need for striving, performing, or earning of love and approval. I can rest secure in Him for I am loved and accepted. My God will shield me.

“The one the Lord loves”. As I continue to adjust and navigate through all the changes in my life, my simple prayer is that I continue to rest securely in my identity as God’s Beloved.

Simple Things

Today I am grateful for the simple things. Life can feel so busy. There is always more to be done. Yet when I stop and look around me there is so much to be grateful for each day.

Gratitude. How it fuels our perspective and mindset. How it fills us with life.

Today I am grateful for the simple things. I am grateful… For an ice cream date with my husband. For the warmth of a sunny day. For the beauty of fall and the changing of leaves. For how my husband dances with me in the kitchen when we cook dinner together. For the simplicity of a child’s prayer. For how God can speak right to our heart through a simple verse. For a smile and kind word.

I am grateful for how people and relationships feed our soul. I am grateful… For an unexpected encouraging email from a friend. For sharing my day with my husband and listening to his day. For the joy of surprising a colleague with a simple card and gift. For a hug from one of my students at the end of the school day.

I love how gratitude changes our view of life and others. I have already seen how powerful this is in marriage. I am married to an optimist. Which means my husband always sees the best in me and in our marriage. And I have seen the difference when I choose to focus on all that I am grateful for in my husband. We are both far from perfect yet gratitude provides a beautiful lens for our marriage and for one another.

I pray that God will continue to develop a grateful heart within me. When life feels hard or overwhelming or stressful, I will choose in those moments to give thanks. To look around me and give thanks for the simple things.

“It's the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary.” ― Paulo Coelho