Sacred Journeys

What is it about these sacred journeys that make the hard times worth while? There is nothing like all the boys coming home and taking a drive to the beach. Familiarities take over and you forget what it's like in the real world. We reminisce of our beach excursions, high school jobs, and concerts we went to. We work through father-son relationships. We talk about how far we've all come and where we're going. I don't know, it's never more appreciated than now. There's something about being with people that have known you for forever that is just another level of friendship. I'm a huge believer in God's timing, and I believe he brings us together when we all need it the most. We encourage each other in the season of life were all in and send each other back out. I can't wait to see what The Lord does with each of these guys. Zach Lazzari is one of the most brilliant minds of out times. Whether a doctor or philosopher, there is no doubt that his ability to devour knowledge will lead him to greatness. Alex Lazzari, the older brother, is one of the most creative people I know. His art inspires, but his friendship even more. He's been with me since the beginning. Jonathan Fruh, my brother-in-law and best friend, never ceases to amaze with his genuine and  kind spirit. Needless to say, they are all one of a kind (and all still on the market... Ladies...). I feel super blessed by their friendship and the greatness they inspire in me. I am who I am today because of them. 
                                                    -Aaron

Hometown Value

First of all, thank you for all of the support we have been given by our friends and family over this blog. We're grateful to have people that consider our thoughts and written words a worthy read. So thank you all!

Aaron and I have been really feeling a raw and rocky form of life for the past few months. Living in Birmingham is completely new. Well I’ve actually lived here for a couple years, but our lives look a lot different now with different circle of friends and people in general.

Growing up I found complete security in my family, friends, and sweet Fairhope. Moving to Birmingham has made me feel a level of fear and insecurity that I never thought was possible. Being away from everything I have ever known has made it so I regularly forget my value. When I was home I could walk in to Los Tacos and know exactly who I was, and my place in the world. If you have had to leave home and leave things that are familiar you know how earth shattering this feeling can be.

For the longest time I was incapable of putting my finger on the origin of my insecurity. I honestly thought that I was just losing my mind, or, of course, that it was Aaron’s fault. Knowing what makes me feel so much less valuable has aided in pursuing things that show me who I am. I, too, have felt this during this season. Its hard living in a place where you and your friends have been molded and then suddenly everyone starts moving away and you’re the only one that feels called to stay behind. I’ve felt my highest highs and my lowest lows in Birmingham and God has been faithful through it all. So I went from a countless number of friends and brothers doing ministry together, to just a couple faithful friends that have their own busy lives and schedules. So though Tori and I have different stories, we are no doubt in the same season of life.

This fight is not over; Birmingham still does not feel 100% like home. We know what we need though and we are pushing to get there- we are trying to get more involved in our church, it can be challenging and sometimes embarrassing trying to bulldoze into a group of brand new people and show them why they should love you. I could go on and on about that. But all I will say is that its so crazy how you feel like the most significant person in the room when you have that best friend with you and you know no matter how big of a fool you make yourself look, they are going to laugh and support you. Going from that scene to a scene of a new click of people that just don’t quite understand how dry of a sense of humor you have and crickets are just chirping away.  We have learned that no matter how uncomfortable though, the slightest bit of social effort on our part means something and makes us feel accomplished. Thinking about the great effort required in making a place for ourselves is comedic in comparison to what it is like in our hometown, but it is something that must be done! And there is so much reward in it. There are just as many incredible people waiting to be connected to us as we to them just around the river bend (stole that from Pocahontas). There is purpose where we have made our home. There are too many people in our circle of influence that we could benefit from by knowing them and could make us better. An example would be how much I’ve realized the substantial fulfillment I get while really valuing my time with my co-workers.

I hope that this can be of some comfort to anyone feeling alone or de-valued in a new place. God has been faithful comforting us and teaching us to expect to see him in day-to-day things. When life isn’t gliding by so quickly and easily its way easier to recognize how he answers our prayers

-Aaron -Tori  

Why embrace blogship?

        So why did we decide to embrace blogship? What made us decide to document significant details of our life and our cat and expect people to be interested? I don't know. I do, Alex Lazzari told us to! We woke up one day and noticed all the creative and beautiful things people were doing around us, and decided that we would like to join the club. FOR EXAMPLE: Jake Carnley and The Great Bear Wax Co., Alex Lazzari and his sweet print business, Courtney Kurtz and her blog/creative site, so many more that we will mention. We searched for weeks for something incredibly creative that we could collaborate on to become our niche. Eventually we decided that niches are overrated and sometimes you just got to pick something and run with it. If it fails drastically, then try something else. To tell the truth, I tried to build a guitar stand with this new found inspiration flowing through my veins. It was a real great guitar stand. I looked at it for a few days and then eventually went out and bought one for $10. What a steal! (Approved by Tori)(true). Not to say, I'm giving up on building stuff, because I built a rockin bar in my kitchen. As the days go on and we post blogs we will show you our progress in things that Aaron builds, I sew, Bugz destroys, etc. Along with things that we're learning, funny stories, and on and on.
At first I was hesitant about a blog because anyone can start a blog. But then we decided to go with a blog because anyone can start a blog... But seriously, I think its pretty interesting the seasons we go through and how we come out the other end of them. And anytime I try and journal privately, I always write it as if someone else is gonna steal it one day and read it. So I was hardly ever honest in my own journals. But we'll try and keep it as honest and authentic as we can without causing our loved ones to worry about us. The thought of publicly displaying things that are hard for us, things we're working on, and things that are just on our hearts is kind of nerve racking. I want us to have a way to document the things that we learn, and I want to share it too. 
I know about 15 people that probably knew for a fact that I would mention Brene Brown at some point within this blog so here it goes. 
Brene Brown with the help of Ted talks, both with the help of Jesus, taught us the power of vulnerability. Inspiring us for all of eternity, and motivating us to be open about what we are experiencing in every day life to reassure all of the other humans that they are not crazy! Either that, or we are just all crazy. 
-Aaron -Tori

Links to our super creative and incredible friends and family:
  
Jake Carnley: Great Bear Wax Co.
        
 Courtney Kurtz
     
Alex Lazzari Printmaking