JMU Clothesline Project

This semester, I had the privilege to plan and execute and amazing event that happens at JMU every year, The Clothesline Project.  In case you are not familiar with the project:

The Clothesline Project is a JMU event sponsored by The Office of Residence Life (ORL) that bears witness to victims and survivors of sexual assault and violence through the display of t-shirts decorated by the JMU and Harrisonburg community. To date, ORL has collected well over 700 shirts from both men and women, and unfortunately we continue to collect more shirts with each passing year which demonstrates the ever growing need to raise awareness about how to put an end to sexual assault. 

I worked closely with 3 students and over 50 volunteers to make this event happen this year.  Not only did I plan it, but I also had the chance to experience the event for the first time. Words cannot express how moving and inspiring this event really is.  In the midst of the terrible stories and tears, there were still words of hope and reconciliation!   Check out a few pics from the events:

 one of my talented students created posters for the event and around campus with testimonies from last year's visitors

there isn't enough room to display all our t-shirts at once, so we have to change them in between days.

a place where people could reflect on their experience

words of hope and encouragement

survivors of sexual assault have the opportunity to create a t-shirt to share their story

reflections

Sadly, this year we had 20 shirts made...but we also had over 400 people come and experience this powerful event, making our campus and community more aware of sexual assault and how they can play a role in protecting themselves, and their friends.  

I was blessed to be a part of this!

Hunger Games @ Midnight

Yes, I am VERY behind on my posts.  But, now that exams are almost over...I can finally take the time to update everyone on all the the Logans have been having when we are not doing work, staying at work late, or recovering from our crazy weeks.

Anyway, last month a lot of friends from my cohort got together to see the midnight premiere of THE HUNGER GAMES.  I am pretty sure we had been talking about doing this since we first met.  It had been on my calendar for months and my tickets were ordered weeks ahead of time.

We began our evening at El Charo's for a late night dinner, a strategy for us to be able to stay up late! 

Then we headed to the theater about 2 hours early and found great seats!  But then we had to find ways to kill time...

 So, we took pictures, played games, people watched, said hello to all the JMU students we knew there (it was a huge JMU party!), and just hung out...

 an awkward photo with Craig's head

Then the movie began, and it did not disappoint!  I really thought they did a wonderful job with the characters, script, details, etc.  My only problem:  I did not breathe the entire movie.  I was so full of anticipation and excitement, I don't think I caught my breath until the credits started rolling.

I had a great time going to see the movie with all these greats friends, but I definitely regretted scheduling an early training I had to lead the next morning!  Oh well, sometimes you just have to do fun things and not worry about it...

p.s. I have already gone back to see the movie again with my friend Kate.  It was just as good, and I could actually sit back and enjoy this one!

Babies in the Burg

Well ladies and gents, a new chapter in my life has begun. I threw my first baby shower...not for one mom, or even two, but three!! That's right three moms at one time. Our small group has 9 young couples...and three happened to be due right around the same time. Sarah was due in April, Beth in May, and Kristin is due in June. All 3 boys :)

The funny thing is, we thought we were going to be celebrating the future births of these three little boys...but Beth went into labor 10-weeks early and had Micah a few days before the shower. After she was rushed to Winchester in a helicopter, Micah was born at 3 pounds and 3 ounces. Although still in the hospital, Micah is doing amazingly well! There whole birth story is full of God's favor and strength.

Anyway, our evening was fun and full of great fellowship, food and prayer.

Kate and Corri, maybe they will be start the next wave of pregnancies?

Instead of giving individual gifts, we decided to have a time of blessing. Each of us brought a bead that represented a prayer, word of encouragement, scripture, etc. for each of the moms. We presented the beads to them and then they were able to create a necklace of blessing for them to have in the hospital room, baby room, etc. It was a special night!

Sara (left) and Kristin (right) making their necklaces

Beth looking great few days after giving birth!

Sara (left) just had Maddox last week, Beth's Micah is up to 4 pounds now and we are still waiting for Kristin's son!

all the small group ladies, such a blessing in my life!

Micah's diaper and hat...so tiny!

Beth said this diaper was even big on him! That is my drink coaster beside it to give you some perspective.

Overall, I had a great time hosting the shower. I do not know if I am quite ready to go from planning bachelorettes to baby showers...but it sure was a meaningful and special night. I am grateful for these women who go before me as mothers who will one day be able to give me wise advice and support.

Tour de Burg: Josh and Lindsay Visit

It was a picturesque weekend...my college roommate and her husband came to Harrisonburg in March. I felt like the whole time they were here, we kept on commenting "this is the perfect weekend!". The weather was beautiful and the company was even better.

We committed to giving them a full "Tour de Burg" of Harrisonburg's finest. 1st stop? Of course Union Station for our favorite specials! Every night they have amazing food for $5 or less before 7:00. We enjoyed fish tacos, gravy and fries, hamburgers, etc. Then we headed to the new Capital Ale House and had a few craft beers.

The next morning our tour began at the local farmer's market. Josh found a pumpkin whoopee pie that was to die for. Can you see the excitement in his face?

Then it was off to the Dayton Farmer's Market. We picked up everything we needed for our picnic. 4 kinds of cheeses, crackers, spreads, more whoopee pies, etc. Josh piled it up...

Then it was off to Cross Keys Vineyard, only 10 minutes away from home. This is one of my favorite places in Harrisonburg. You get a great tasting for $5, grab a bottle of wine, your BYOP (bring your own picnic), and then sit and enjoy the beautiful view.

The owner's house across the way

Did I mention it was St. Patty's day? Cute green couple!

my cheese board cutter: best purchase ever.

The view driving home from the vineyard. Love living so close to beautiful scenes like this.

After a little cat nap, we got busy on our St. Pattys day feast! I was at Costco and found these adorable clover raviolis filled with Irish Cheese. I thought it was the perfect occasion to get cheesy with our guests!


After dinner, we took them to one more Harrisonburg staple: Dave's rooftop! It was a beautiful night. The next morning we headed to church and say our goodbyes.

The only thing that would have made their visit more complete...successfully taping ourselves dancing behind people for the Ellen Show! We had a few tries, the best being behind a Mennonite at the Dayton Farmer's Market, but not good enough to make the cut. Maybe next time!

Anyway, we had a blast and I think Luke and I mentioned to them several times that they needed to move here. I may or may not have sent Josh some links to Harrisonburg job openings....

Can't wait to see you guys again!

Spring Break: Poplar Springs Inn

The final days of my Spring Break were spent with Luke. It is so rare that we have the chance to just hang out together. Our schedule is typically full of homework (me writing papers and Luke grading them), work, traveling, having people over, etc. We had not spent a weekend away together (no family, friends) since our honeymoon! Mainly due to expenses and needing to go to weddings on the weekend...so we were excited to find a great living social deal as well as a free weekend (although we were sad to miss Lisa and Brandon's wedding shower). It seems like this might become more of a tradition considering I told Luke I was "addicted to this" within the first 10 minutes of our arrival.

On Friday afternoon I picked up Luke from work and we headed to Poplar Springs (only a short 45 min drive from his school). It was located in the beautiful town of Casanova, Virginia (how appropriate), around the Northern Virginia area.

our cute room

The Manor House Restaurant (right beside the Inn)

We got there just in time for the chef's "Tasty Temptations" where he gave us samples of the evening's selections as well as a drink. A great start to the weekend!

After drinking some wine and sitting on the balcony it was time for dinner. Luckily, the living social deal included a voucher to the restaurant. The food was amazing! Luke got venison and I had eggplant ravioli...yum!

The next morning we received breakfast in bed: grilled grapefruit (omg delish!), greek yogurt, and homemade granola!

We were there less than 24 hours so we made it our mission to do everything we possibly could! In the morning we checked out their recreational options...

and went on a short and sweet bike ride! The land was beautiful and the weather was perfect.



After we checked out, the plan was to go wine tasting...but we decided we would rather stop in Winchester (another cute VA town) and find a place to watch the State/Carolina game in the ACC championship. Wasn't the best end to our weekend...but fun nonetheless.

On the way back we stopped at some cute country and antique stores...the kind you always pass but never have time to stop!

Sadly, we headed back to our town house but Luke decided our vacation was not over...I woke up to another breakfast in "couch."


What a sweet weekend! I am thankful to the Lord for allowing us to have that time together, knowing that the weeks following would be busy, stressful and pretty rough. I want to go back soon :)