transparency and blessings

Dear readers, can I be really honest and transparent with you?
I'm kind of overwhelmed right now, thinking about my life at the moment. I don't need to give you my detailed schedule, but suffice it to say I am at school/work for an average of 9 1/2 hours ever day Monday-Friday. A lot of that time is in the evenings (for example, Wednesdays I don't get home till 10, and Thursdays my hubby doesn't get home till 9.) Meals have been sporadic, housecleaning even more so, and I constantly miss my husband because we don't see each other nearly enough.

Now, I know a LOT of people have schedules like this or busier, but it's a little more crazy than we've had in previous semesters. And I'm definitely not looking for sympathy; I know I've gotten myself into this! But I like being open with you. As cheery and upbeat as I seem on here and on Facebook etc., I don't always feel that way. Sometimes I'm snippy with my husband. I'm very often not understanding. Some days I'm so tired I feel like I don't do anything well because I can't focus. We've eaten convenience food way more times in the last two and a half weeks than I care to admit. And I definitely don't want you to see what my house looks like right now (although at the moment it's not bad in comparison with last week).

On the other hand...
I have been so blessed in the last three weeks it would take a long time to tell you about it all. And I'm really, really happy with my life.

I've gotten to start a little tiny ministry in our home once a week, by inviting girls from school over for tea, coffee, something homemade and baked, and visiting. I want to incorporate some Bible study into these get-togethers soon, too. This has been on my heart for months and I'm so excited to finally be able to do it. Joshua is incredibly supportive and has made this a high priority for me/us.

I absolutely LOVE my classes (all of them, which isn't always the case), and two of them in particular are going to be incredibly helpful with advancing my blogging and writing careers. I have big dreams for this blog, and I can't even tell you how excited I am at the prospect of some major projects this semester.

In less than three weeks of classes I've already made a new friend and strengthened old friendships. I'm excited to connect with people this year that I haven't connected with much.

Despite not spending tons of time together like we did over the summer, the time Joshua and I have had together has been quality. He brought me lunch today (frozen pizza is sometimes such a blessing), and we had a great talk for more than half an hour about something other than classes, work, and scheduling. I can't tell you how much we needed that or how refreshing it was.

There's so much more that I am so incredibly thankful for. God has been showing himself to me in new ways thanks to a class that requires we do Bible study and spend time praying and meditating. I've been able to worship in chapel at least twice a week. And boy, I love theology classes, and getting to talk faith-stuff with dear friends and classmates.

So as crazy life is... it is so, so good right now. As always, of course. I have a job I love...classes I love...friends I love...and of course a husband I am absolutely crazy for. And God amazes and awes me with how he heaps his love on us till I just overflow.

When life feels rough, I just look at the good things and thank God for them... and then a messy kitchen and sleep deprivation really don't look so big after all.

Linking with black tag diaries, The Fontenot Four

thankful thursday--blessed by those around me

Every day is a day full of blessings, but I am in awe of the new ways God constantly finds to heap his gifts on me. This week has been no different.

I am so incredibly thankful that I and my wonderful co-authors were able to release this book-- a labor of love, the physical representation of what we have learned so far in our marriages about cooking and feeding our families, the book that enables us to call ourselves authors.

Becoming a published author has been a dream of mine for years, and it is absolutely surreal that I can say that dream has come true, much sooner than I would have expected. God is so good. I am also SO thankful for the wonderful people who have already bought this book!

I'm also incredibly thankful for my two cookbook co-writers, including this beautiful woman, who you might recognize as Elsie from Richly Rooted. Yes, we got to meet in person! I'll tell you more about that soon, but I am so blessed to have been able to meet her face-to-face. Without Jami and Elsie, this book never would have happened. I am so grateful to be able to call them friends!

Words do not express how grateful I am for this man-- my best friend, my partner and teammate, my husband. He has supported me though every step of this writing process and I know he'll be by my side for whatever comes next. He has put up with me being on the computer for hours, trying out recipes on him, geeking out over food, and bombarding him with confusing chatter about book- and blog-related things. This man is my greatest gift.

None of these blessings are things I deserve, but thanks to the loving kindness of my heavenly Father, they are gifts he has delighted to give me. He is so very good.


What people have been a blessing to you this week? What ways has he provided for you to be a blessing to those around you?
Also, is it just me, or do other people geek out over food, too?!?

Launching Real Food for the Real Homemaker!

Today is definitely the most exciting day of my blogging and writing career thus far--especially if you consider that it's been one of my dreams (since I was six years old!) to become a published author.

Today, that dream has come true.

I am thrilled to announce, along with my amazing co-writers Jami Balmet and Elsie Callender, the release and launch of our new book, Real Food for the Real Homemaker.

This book is a compilation of what the three of us have learned in our first few years of marriage about cooking, whole-foods eating, frugal grocery shopping, meal planning, entertaining, and so much more.

Not only are there nearly 80 recipes and over 60 photos to go with them, we've included 8 other chapters on some of the topics listed above, plus freezer cooking, our favorite and most-recommended kitchen tools, and more!

Our goal is to put in your hands the resource the three of us wish we'd had when we began homemaking.

We're offering a great deal for just this week. In about two days, the Kindle version of our book will be available on Amazon for $9.99. For a cookbook almost 200 pages long and packed with content, that's already a great deal!

But to celebrate the launch of the book, we're offering-- also for just $9.99-- all this:

• the PDF copy of the book
• the Kindle copy of the book
• a set of recipe cards with each recipe printed on a card
• an Excel spreadsheet that works as a meal planner and shopping-list generator (see below for details)

So this week, if you buy the PDF copy of the book from our website, you'll get for FREE the Kindle copy, the recipe cards, and the Excel spreadsheet.

Starting next week, that bundle of awesome products will be $12.95, so don't wait to take advantage of this!

We want to make this book affordable to you, because we know that budgets are often tight (as young married women, we understand!). But we want this resource to be easily available to other young homemakers like us, as well as experienced homemakers and singles. It's got something for everybody!

Check out the great things we're including with the copies of the cookbook:

Jami designed these beautiful, full-color, printable recipe cards--one for each recipe in the cookbook! I personally love being able to use recipe cards when I cook because they take up less space on the counter than a book, and they're easy to store. I will definitely be making use of these!

We want to make it as easy as possible for you to create a real food diet in your house while sticking to a budget! So Jami's husband, Jason, developed this menu planning and shopping list spreadsheet that works in Microsoft Excel.

Just pick whichever you want of our 75+ recipes from the cookbook from a drop down menu. Select the dates of your menu and viola! You have an instant grocery list that you can print off and take to the store – complete with an area for additional notes. I can't wait to start using this for my menu-planning: it's going to make that such a quicker and more pleasant task!

Get step by step instructions for using the shopping list in the FAQ section on the website.

For more information, to order the book, and to sign up for our mailing list so you can find out when the paperback copy of the cookbook releases (which should be in about two weeks!), visit our website, www.realfoodcookbooks.com. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments section and I'll get back to you!

We are praising and thanking the Lord for the amazing blessing that this cookbook has been already to us, especially in the process of writing it and preparing it for you to use. I pray that this book will be a blessing to everyone who reads it!

Linking with The Better Mom, The Modest Mom, Exceptionalistic

twenty-six years of love and blessings

Today is my parents' twenty-sixth wedding anniversary.

I am so thankful for them and so proud of them. In a world where divorce is common--practically expected--after just a few years of marriage, where infidelity is no longer a rarity, where adultery is acceptable, these two have made it twenty-six years with none of that. Over a quarter century with just each other, and no one else, EVER.

That's impressive.

They'll tell you right away, though, that it's because of grace, and because of God. They don't claim credit for themselves, although they could. This marriage is based on and centered around Jesus Christ, and that's what makes it work. They "submit to one another out of reverence to Christ" (Ephesians 5:21).

They have learned the value of forgiveness. Of admitting when they're wrong, and graciously accepting apologies. They've learned how to be a team, to work together in everything. They've learned how to ask for help when they need it, and they've learned so much that they are able to give a lot of help to others.

These two have learned how to be great parents. Through practice, patience, and prayer they have and are still raising three children to love God, love each other, and love others, besides teaching them a lot of other things.

They constantly point others--especially their children and family--to Jesus. He's the reason for everything they do, and he is the source of everything they are. Without faith in him, their marriage would not be what it is.

They have built a life together, a family, a home, all on the solid rock of Christ. And a home with Christ as its cornerstone is solid and will not fall.

They are a shining example to their children and to many others of what a Christ-centered marriage can and should look like. No, they're not perfect, but they follow the Perfect One, and that's what matters.

So today, and every day, thank you, Mom and Dad, for loving each other--for loving me and my siblings--for setting an example of what a Godly marriage should be. I hope and pray that Joshua and I will be able to leave the same legacy and set the same example you have.

I am so thankful for you both. Happy anniversary!

Linking with: black tag diaries, The Fontenot Four, There's Just One Mommy

thankfulness this morning

Just a couple minutes to write this morning-- but I am blessed, and therefore thankful, at all times!

Thankful for cooler weather this week
for time to be at home
for two sweet little girls I get to babysit
for the extra income that brings
for productive cleaning moods
for a phone chat with both my mom and my grandma
for exciting surprises regarding super-secret project ;)
for a new academic adviser
for two life-changing forms to complete: a graduation application and an application for graduate classes!
for prayer with my husband every morning and night
for a strong, healthy body
for coffee.
for a husband whose faith is an inspiration to me
for knitting
for chiropractors
for forgiveness when I mess up

for so many things, I am so thankful.

God is so very good.



What are you thankful for today?

Linking with The Fontenot Four and Black Tag Diaries

Weekend fun and exciting happenings!

Happy Friday! I've spent the day so far doing laundry at my grandparents' house. They are officially AWESOME. I love them.

I also love my husband, who took me out for lunch today (Subway, yum!). And who is working super-hard, like he always does, to help provide for me. Seriously blessed with that man.

I have two exciting things to tell you. One is that I'm guest-posting for Lindsey Brackett today! She is one of my favorite bloggers, and she asked me to talk about one of my favorite things: loving our husbands. From that post:

The source of all love—whether love between friends, between children and parents, or between husbands and wives—is God.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8

We know what love is because Jesus has modeled it for us. “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.” 1 John 3:16 “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16

God has described to us what real love looks like. 1 Corinthians 13 is a great starting point, although that kind of love is only shown perfectly by Jesus himself. Jesus said that the greatest commandments are these: to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:36-40).

These Scripture passages all give us a great definition of what love is and where real love comes from. But what does love look like, practically speaking, in a marriage?

Head to Lindsey's blog HERE to read the rest, and leave her some comment-love! And read her other posts...she has a beautiful family and a beautiful heart for the Lord.

The second exciting thing I can't actually tell you about yet. It's TOP SECRET business. But not for long. Keep an eye on the blog, and my Facebook page-- trust me, you're going to want to hear about this the second the word is out!

Finally, I'm really looking forward to this weekend. Today's payday, which means grocery shopping (I'm probably one of the few people in the world who has fun meal-planning, grocery-list-writing, and playing the how-little-can-I-spend-on-groceries-and-still-get-lots-of-good-food game). Plus tonight we're going to an ice cream social at my in-laws' church and going to see the new Wolverine movie with my brother-in-law and his friend, and tomorrow we get to see another of Joshua's brothers and pick my friend Sara up from the airport. Mini road trip with my hubby? Yes, please! I'm also hoping to squeeze some garage sale-going in there...we're on the lookout for a couple of bedside tables and a hutch for the kitchen. Dreaming big!

So. Go read my post on Lindsey's blog. Keep your eyes and ears open for the news I'll finally be able to share soon. Have a fantastic, joy-filled weekend. And tell me in the comments what you're up to! I love hearing from you!

unexpected blessings

The title of this post has two meanings.

1. blessings that were unexpected because they were things that didn't originally look like blessings
2. blessings that are good things but that I didn't expect to be given to me

Our God is one who takes joy in seeing his children joyful. He delights in us (see Psalm 147:11, Isaiah 65:19, Zephaniah 3:17).

I think he likes giving us blessings that we don't see coming (unlike clothes and daily food, which most people in the US can expect every day), because just think how excited you are when you get a gift you didn't ask for, for no particular reason except that the person wanted to make you happy. For example:

Last night our best friends (Ruth and Joe) called; they're going to be in town this weekend and asked if they could stay with us Friday night! What an amazing surprise. We're so excited to see them.!

Today I came home for lunch to see my husband doing dishes for me, plus he'd brought home milk and bread without being asked. what a man I've got.

This jury duty, as long and tiring as it's been, has been a blessing as well--I've gotten to meet and interact with people I probably never would have otherwise, I've learned more about our judicial system than I ever thought I would, and I'm fulfilling my civic responsibility in a way not everyone gets to do. Plus I'm getting paid just as much as if I were working at the library part-time!

Oh, and another unexpected blessing from jury duty was that one of my fellow jurors has chickens and brought me three dozen eggs for just $1.50 each. I ended up with over five dozen eggs in my fridge at once because they were on sale at the store at the same time!

In two days I had two people ask me to look after their gardens while they're on vacation in exchange for whatever produce ripened while they are gone. I spend a little time watering for free produce--definitely a win, and an unexpected blessing, in my book!

What blessings has God given you lately that you didn't see coming at all??

prayers please!

Hello, you dear people who read these words I write!

I have a bit of news... I've been called for jury duty and the trial is expected to last at least two weeks.  So my free time is going to be far less than usual, which means blogging won't happen like I want it to.  I'll try to write a little bit as often as I can, but don't expect any big, exciting posts in the next two weeks-- except that I WILL have a very exciting announcement for you soon!  The reason for that announcement is also the reason that I won't have time to blog much in the next two weeks.  (And NO, I'm not pregnant, before you wonder!)

I would ask that you keep me in your prayers for the next couple weeks, with these two major responsibilities-- in addition to being a wife and homemaker.  My husband is being incredibly supportive and encouraging, and I will be in prayer and in the Word a LOT, but I'll need all the prayers I can get!

Thank you so much for being loyal and wonderful!

One more thing... by the end of the day yesterday, I was amazed to re-read the words I wrote yesterday morning, before the first day of the trial.  God definitely led me to write something that I would need for my own encouragement--how cool is that?!?  Stop by and read yesterday's post if you haven't yet.  Have you ever had that experience of needing to teach yourself something more than teaching it to others?  That was definitely me yesterday!

Land of the free?

My family often visits "America's Fourth of July City" for Independence Day and we did this year as well. This place goes all-out for the Fourth.  There are dozens of craft booths, a food alley, carnival rides, historical presentations, concerts, and of course, fireworks--at least two major displays during the week of the Fourth, plus fireworks, firecrackers, and all other manner of explosives going off all over town.

This town knows how to celebrate.

But I wonder--what are we really celebrating?  Are we celebrating our freedom to purchase and light off firecrackers?  Our freedom to overeat and drink too much?

Twice today I saw veterans recognized for their service.  They know what we're celebrating.  They served this country, fought in wars, and know people who gave their lives so that the freedoms our forefathers won could be enjoyed by us today.

We have freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion.

But in the name of "tolerance," we've lost the freedom to tell anyone they're wrong.  The citizens of our country are losing jobs to people who aren't citizens, but are given almost all the benefits that a citizen deserves.  It's okay for our country to give weapons to rebels in other countries, but it's frowned upon for an ordinary citizen on our shores to carry a weapon to protect himself and his family.  Anyone can believe in whatever religion/god they want, but try to tell them there's only one God and they've got the wrong one and you'll be shushed.  We have to tolerate everyone, but our beliefs aren't tolerated by anyone.  By calling it a "choice" we've legalized the murder of hundreds of thousands of unborn children who didn't deserve to die.

Are these the "freedoms" that thousands of men and women gave their lives to protect?

Is this really freedom at all?

I love this country, but it makes me sad to see some things that are happening in it.  I'm thankful that I live here, but this isn't the America that it was when Thomas Jefferson did most of the writing of the Declaration of Independence.

So today, I'm thanking God for the freedoms I have, and praying that he blesses this country despite its faults and failures (just as he blesses me despite my sinfulness).

I'm most thankful for the freedom I have in Christ: freedom from sin, freedom from the power of Satan, and freedom from death itself.

I'm free from guilt.  Jesus has destroyed that on the cross.

I'm free from fear.  Satan is vanquished: I have nothing to fear.

I'm free from condemnation.  Jesus took the punishment I deserve and gave me his perfect holiness.

That is freedom that no government, no country, no person can take away.

"Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32

"For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and the glory of the children of God." Romans 8:20-21

Twenty-two lessons in twenty-two years

Today I'm turning twenty-two.  It's not a particularly exciting birthday, like eight years from now will be (gee, am I really going to be thirty in only eight years??).  However, I like even numbers, and I like symmetry, so 22 is a good number.

I've learned a lot in 2.2 decades.  Most of these lessons have been things I've come to understand fairly recently, but they're all a result of experiences throughout my life.  I thought it might be fun (and a bit of a challenge) to come up with twenty-two worthwhile things I've learned about life, relationships, and myself.  Can you relate with any of these?  It can't be just me!

1)  Don't make snap judgments about people.  Some people you might not like much at first but later you'll become friends, and some people who seem cool when you meet them really aren't.

2) Never hold a grudge.  It's not healthy for you and it doesn't affect the other person much anyway.

3) Learn to laugh at yourself.  You do goofy things, and you'll be happier if you can see the humor in those things.

4) Avoid assuming (although do try to assume the best about your spouse as much as possible).  We all know what happens when you ASSUME.  Yeah.

5) Learn to not take things so personally.  Not everything is about you!

6) Appreciate when people listen to you, and learn to listen to others.  They have a lot to teach you.

7) Learn to forgive yourself.  Guilt is not a burden you need to bear; Jesus destroyed it on the cross.

8) Try new things.  You might find you like some things you swore you never would (like country music!).

9) Dance at every wedding.  It's a win-win: you get to flirt with your husband, and show off your sweet swing-dancing skills.

10) Don't be afraid of what people think about you.  The opinions of most people don't matter, and you're defined by being a child of God, not by other people's opinions.

11) Embrace opportunities to make new friends.  Cultivate those relationships while you have the opportunity (before you move or they graduate from college).

12) It's okay to have several "best friends."

13) Get to know people of a variety of ages: your age, younger than you, and older--sometimes much older--than you.  Children bring so much joy to life, and you can learn a lot from older people.

14) Always lick the spoon.

15) Don't beat yourself up over mistakes.  Everyone makes from them.  Take note of the lesson you've learned and move on.

16) It's okay to cry and not know why.

17) You'll always need your mom.

18) Face your fears.  That's the easiest way to conquer them.

19) On second thought, just don't be afraid.  Fear is of the Enemy.  You are a child of God and the Holy Spirit lives in your heart; you have no reason to fear anything!

20) Judge sin, not people.  You don't want to turn into a Pharisee; you just want to be like Jesus.

21) Don't focus on the future; instead, have an eternal mindset.  What's going to matter after this life is over?

22) Leave the worrying about everything to God.  Worrying does no good, and only steals joy, contentment and happiness.  There is always something to be thankful for; focus on that instead of whatever is worrying you.

What are some of the most important/useful/funny life lessons you have learned?  Share in the comments!

Thankful in the Storms

I got up this morning with the intention to mow the back yard (at my grandparents' house... we've been housesitting for them for a week but they're coming home today!).  Then, when we were finishing breakfast, I heard thunder.  It's stormed nearly every morning for the last week!

I have Pandora on (it's kind of become an obsession... I love all the fun/inspiring music playing while I'm writing at home or working at the library), and a little while ago the song "Praise You in the Storm" came on. My life isn't really a "storm" right now, but it just made me smile because of the thunderstorm that was going on at the time.  (It's since quit... now I have no excuse to not go mow the lawn!)

The point is, it was little reminder that I can always be thankful, even when it might not make sense (thank you, God, for [insert really difficult thing here]).  It's been easy to be thankful for a lot of things-- the fact that my grandparents basically let us eat whatever we wanted out of the fridge and freezer, so I didn't have to buy groceries this week.  The wonderful friends and fantastic coworkers I have.  Time to rest and relax with my husband in the evenings.  The opportunity to witness and enjoy an incredibly beautiful wedding last weekend.

But I know that life isn't always made up of things for which it's easy to say "thank you."  We experience loss.  Grief.  Depression.  Financial difficulty.  The day-to-day stress which, when it piles up, seems too much to bear.  The sick child.  The loss of a job.  The death of a parent.  The move of a dear friend.

In those times, it's hard to be thankful.  I've had experiences of my own when I wondered, what good can possibly come from this?

Sometimes I've seen the good that has come from those times.  A lot of the time I don't... but I know that God always brings good even out of the worst things.  He promises that he will, so I can trust that.

It's not easy to trust in that, but that's why faith is a gift from God, not something I can produce on my own.

If you're in a valley right now, I just want you to know that God is there, too.  He has a plan--even if you don't know what it is--and he will bring about blessing through those trials, whether for you or someone else.

Evil has already lost in this world: Satan has been vanquished and Jesus has conquered.  Even the most horrible things are temporary.  Christ has died and risen, and is in heaven waiting to bring us to be with him in paradise for eternity.

When I can't see the good that could come from a situation, that's why I take comfort in: knowing that it's temporary, and ultimately, I have victory in Jesus.

I pray that you are encouraged by that knowledge today!

(P.S. The song that's playing now?  "Grace Like Rain.")

Linking today with: The Fontenot Four, black tag diaries, Uplifting Love, There's Just One Mommy, Graced Simplicity

Intentionally strengthening friendships

A friend loves at all times... (Proverbs 17:17)

Yesterday I talked about connecting with your spouse, and being intentional about it.  Today I've been pondering what that would look like with my friendships.

Many of my friends live too far away to see regularly.  But I try to make it a habit to call them, or at least send a quick email or Facebook message, once every couple weeks or so--just to let them know I'm thinking about them.

Even more meaningful would be a handwritten note dropped in the mail.  A few cents for a stamp is worth it to brighten a friend's day.  I know how much I love getting mail (that's not a bill)!

Those friends who live nearby I try to at least chat with once a week or so.  Sometimes it's hard with busy schedules to coordinate a get-together, but it's important to make those visits work on a semi-regular basis.  Maybe if your evenings are full, you could meet a friend for breakfast, or just a cup of coffee.  Busy weekdays?  Invite another couple over for brunch after church.

This summer I not only want to intentionally nurture my relationship with my husband, but I want to be intentional about strengthening my friendships as well.

What are some ways you connect with friends, near or far?  What is your favorite way to keep in touch?

Thankful Thursday, "V" Edition

Today I am thankful for variety.  It's said that variety is the spice of life, but I think it adds some sweetness as well.  I just started varying the way I drink coffee.  I normally don't drink it often, because coffee plus rich creamer tends to not settle well with me, but last week I tried something: mixing about half a cup of coffee, half a cup of milk, and a teaspoon of coconut oil and foaming it with my immersion blender.  Folks, I may never drink coffee any other way again.  It tastes as good as any coffeehouse drink, isn't too sweet or rich for my stomach, costs pennies, and tastes amazing.  My immersion blender is a pro at foaming up the warm milk and coffee!  I'm loving this variety in my life.

I'm thankful for the knowledge of our soon-to-come summer vacation.  Next week is our last week of classes, then we have finals, and then school is DONE for the year.  I can hardly wait.  Bubbling in my head are so many plans and ideas for the summer...when I FINALLY have free time!

On that note, I'm thankful for vocation--specifically the ones of wife, homemaker, student, daughter, sister, friend, that God has given me.  I'm excited to focus on "wife," "homemaker," and "friend" this summer, and put "student" away with the books for a few months!

I'm especially thankful--today and every day--for the victory that I have over Satan, sin, and death in Jesus Christ my Savior.  Because of his life, death, and resurrection, the battle against the devil is already won.  We, as believers in him, are victorious!!

What are you thankful for today?  Can you come up with a "V" word in your list?

P is for... {Thankful Thursday}

I feel like I need to start today with a bit of an apology.  I haven't been getting around to visiting as many bloggers as I really want to.  We have less than three weeks till the end of the semester at my college, and that means paper, tests, and projects are all coming due here really soon.  I've barely had time to get posts out every day... but I HAVE posted every day!  And for that, I am thankful.  I'm also thankful for those of you who stick around and visit regularly, for those who comment, and for the two people who just told me in the last couple days that they often read the scribbles I put out here.  That means more than you will ever know.

I'm also thankful that today's letter is P, because that's so much easier than "J" for coming up with words!  Today I am thankful for...

peace, even in the midst of this busy, stressful week...and in the midst of the evil that we have witnessed this week.
prayer, by which I can talk to my God and Father whenever I need and want to.
patriotism, which has been displayed by so many people this week, despite the tragedy in Boston and, now, the one in Waco, Texas.
princess--who I am as a daughter of the King of Kings.  What a gift.
my mom, Paula--the most wonderful mom a girl could ask for.  We're better friends now than we've ever been, she is always there for me, and she's taught me so much: especially what it means to love God and love my husband.  I love you, Mom.
pink and purple--two of my favorite colors.  yellow's the other.  I love how God created this world with color.  It would be so dull if everything was in black-and-white!
people--again, a dull world if no one lived in it.  Life is made interesting by the humanity with whom we interact every day.
pancakes, peas, pineapple, potatoes, pistachios, pumpkin, and whatever food begins with P!  I'm thankful for all that we have to eat.  (Also, I made roasted sweet potatoes last week, and they were amazing.)

What about you?  What are you thankful for this week?  Anything that begins with P?


Linking with: black tag diaries, The Fontenot Four, lovely little whimsy, There's Just One Mommy

Marriage--More than I Expected

I got married at the tender age of 19-not-quite-20.  I don't regret it one bit--my husband and I are growing up together, get to spend tons of time together, get to learn and experience life together, and will have several married years before we start having children.  Marrying my man when I did is the best decision I ever made.

But I'll be the first to admit that I really had no idea what I was getting myself into when I got married!  Marriage has brought a lot of surprises--some pleasant, some not as much.

I didn't expect that marriage would force me to mature so quickly.  In the last almost-two years, I've had to learn to really be an adult.  I've had to learn how to be selfless (that's a work in progress).  I've had to learn how to handle finances, jobs, taxes, car repairs, medical issues, and more.  I have learned to release myself from childhood and from the mindset of being dependent on my parents.  Now, my husband and I take care of each other.  I knew, cognitively, that all those things would come with marriage, but I didn't realize how quickly I (and my husband) would grow up.

I didn't expect how hard marriage would be.  It's so worth it, but it's not always easy.

It's harder than I expected to come up with new date night ideas so we don't fall into the rut of "same ol', same ol'."  To keep the house clean, orderly, and comfortable, day in and day out.  To keep up with the never-ending jobs of laundry and dishes and scrubbing the toilet.  To plan healthy, yummy meals...three times a day, every day (although this job comes more easily to me than others).  I didn't expect it to take so much work to die to myself every day and intentionally love my husband the way he needs to be loved, not the way I want to be loved.  To bite my tongue instead of letting an angry word slip past my lips when my temper flares.  It's a lot more work than I expected.

But there are other things about marriage that are more than I expected.  Amazing, wonderful things!

This love that comes out of my heart, directed at this person with whom I share, literally everything,  is beyond anything I have ever experienced or could ever imagine.  I never knew it was possible to love someone so much... or, just as wondrous, to be loved by them so much.  Now I know why God uses the example of marriage to explain to us how much he loves us.  It's a love that surpasses description, and cannot be expressed in words.

Marriage is more full of joy than I expected.  You know the old adage about how two people can halve each other's sorrows and double each other's joys?  Well, in marriage, that is SO true.  Happy things are twice as happy.  Hard things are twice as easy to bear.  I mean, I get to spend the majority of my time with my best friend, who happens to be a really fun person to spend time with, who makes me laugh, who puts a lot of effort into making me happy, who directs me to my Jesus, and who loves me more than I will ever understand (as explained above).  How much better can life get?

In marriage, there is more laughter than I expected.  There is more encouragement.  I didn't realize how much of a team we would be.  We're each other's "buddies"--we always have the other's back, and we might sometimes get on each other's nerves, but just let someone else say something mean about us and watch out!  We're there for each other.  And let's just say... there are other aspects of marriage that have far surpassed my expectations, and I couldn't be more thrilled!

Marriage is so much more work than I expected...and sometimes, it brings pain, because we can hurt the most the ones we love the most.
But those hard things are so worth it, because in marriage, the love, joy, and happiness are so much more than I expected.  I am in awe of this gift with which God has blessed us.

And I can't wait to see what other unexpected things life brings our marriage.  The future isn't scary, because God is already there, leading us on, and I know that my husband and I will be hand-in-hand every step of the way.

What in your life has been more than you expected?  Share in the comments!

Linking with: Exceptionalistic, A Proverbs 31 Wife, What Joy is Mine, The Alabaster Jar, The Modest Mom, Yes They're All Ours, The Better Mom, To Love, Honor and Vacuum, Messy Marriage, Graced Simplicity

I am a sinner and a saint.

If we're all about the "I" today, I'd like to talk about what I am.

I am a sinner.  Born into sin, because of the sin of Adam and Eve that has been passed down to me through all those generations.  And I live in sin, because of the sinful choices I make every day.  We live in a sin-filled world, and that's just reality.

But I'm also a saint.  No, that doesn't mean I'm perfect.  I am a child of God.  In my baptism, the Holy Spirit came into my heart and gave me faith.

God lives in me.

That's an amazing thing.  As a result of this, my soul belongs to God and lives in harmony with him.  That's the saint-side of me.

It's hard to understand, I know.  I don't fully understand it myself.  But I know it's true.

Just as every minute of every day I am sinning--doing things in opposition to God--so also, every minute of every day, I am living a life that is obedient to God and pleasing to him.

How can that be?  How can I, just sitting here, be obeying God?

That's the same question I asked a professor a couple years ago, when we were discussing this in a class.  What he told me I will always remember.
"Well, you're sitting here in class," he said.  "In doing so, you're fulfilling your vocation of student.  You're giving attention and respect to me, as your teacher, someone in authority over you.  You're preparing yourself for whatever future vocation God has planned for you.  You're contributing to the discussion and helping others learn and grow.  So, just by having your rear in that chair right now, you're obeying and honoring God."

I had never thought of it like that before.  Even without meaning to, without doing it intentionally, my whole life is one of obedience to God.  Why?  Because the Holy Spirit lives in me and enables me to wholly serve, love and obey God.

It's not about me.  If it was up to me, I would only be sinning all the time.  It's only because of God's grace, mercy and forgiveness that I am able to be obedient to Him.

That gives me so much joy.  One of the biggest goals of my life is to give honor to my Jesus.  And because of His love for me, I do that all the time!  It's wonderful how He helps me so much in my desire to live in obedience to Him.  He knows that if it wasn't for His help, I'd never be able to do it myself! :D

You know what's wonderful?  If you're a baptized believer in Jesus, you're a sinner and saint, too.  Sure, you'll struggle with sin all the time.  But don't despair--because of Jesus, you are always a saint.  And someday, when our earthly bodies have died, our eternal souls will live forever with Jesus in heaven--in perfection!

Forgiveness, and why it's amazing.

On Saturdays I'll be talking about a "serious" topic for the A to Z Challenge.  If you're a new visitor (especially if you're visiting from the Challenge)--welcome!!  I'm so happy you're here.  Check out my "About Me" page HERE, some of my favorite posts on marriage HERE, and my two most popular posts HERE and HERE.

Of all the blessings of being a child of God, forgiveness is one of the ones I'm most thankful for (besides salvation!), but it's the one I often find hardest to accept.

The concept is a difficult one for our minds to wrap around sometimes.  Here's how God's forgiveness works:  We sin.  Jesus died to pay the price for that sin.  We confess our sin and our desire to repent, to turn away from it.  God says, okay, your sin is gone.  My Son eliminated it.  It's no longer on your record, I'm not going to remember it, and now you get to try again, and I'll help you.

Sometimes there are consequences, even when we are forgiven, but the guilt is gone.

What Satan often tries to do (and sometimes succeeds) is to make us think that we're still guilty.  Or that we have to do something to earn forgiveness.

We're not.  And we don't.  Forgiveness is a gift.  It's not something we deserve, it's not something we earned because we're good enough, or because we're faithful enough.

We have forgiveness--we NEED it--because we're not good enough.  That's why it's a gift.  It's all about grace: God's undeserved kindness toward us, because of His Son Jesus.

Another amazing thing about forgiveness is that we get to share it.  Because we've been forgiven, we are free to forgive others.

Sin is a part of life.  It's inevitable.  It's inescapable.  But IT HAS BEEN CONQUERED.  Christ's death destroyed forever the power of Satan, sin, and death.  We still fight the battles against our sinful natures, but the war has already been won.  Because of this, we have the ability to pronounce forgiveness to others.  Because we have been shown God's grace, we can show grace to those who sin against us.  And we can tell them the good news of God's forgiveness.

It's funny, I struggle with remembering that I'm forgiven, and with forgiving myself.  But I have no trouble reminding others that THEY are forgiven!  Sometimes I need to preach to myself as much as I need to encourage others.

That's when I turn to God's Word, and the words in 1 John chapter 1:

"If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  But if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  (1 John 1:8-9)

A rant. Still blessed!

Because of this post and this one by Sheila at To Love, Honor, and Vacuum, I feel like I can write this post. :)

I don't get sick often.  But when I do, I get sick.  I woke up in the middle of the night with, shall we say, digestive issues... which haven't entirely quit yet... and now the rest of my body is feeling like I've been tossed down about four flights of stairs.  And I'm pretty sure I have a fever.  I've been freezing cold but sweaty all day.

Why is it that it has to be both miseries at once?  Why not one or the other?

I guess on the upside, I'm killing two birds with one stone.  At least it's not two separate illnesses at two different times.  And I'm not the only one... this bug, or one like it, is all over campus.  At least three of my friends are sick today as well, and everyone knows that misery loves company!

But I tell ya what, I HATE stomach issues.  The, erm, regurgitation itself isn't so bad.  It's the anticipation thereof that's the worst.  Since I was little I've had a phobia of vomiting, which means that if I think I'm going to be sick, I get really worried and tense.  Once I actually get it over with, it's not so bad.

On the other hand, there's a lot to be thankful for about today.  My husband didn't have to be gone much so I haven't been alone hardly at all.  One of our two classes for today was cancelled anyway, and I could submit the homework for the other via email.  I've gotten to sleep a better part of the day.  I'm still in my pajamas and robe.  And the best part?  I haven't had to cook, clean, or do dishes all day-- and I don't even feel bad about it!  

Ideally, I'll be fine by tomorrow... I have plenty of things I'd like to do.  But I'm going to enjoy the rest while I have the opportunity to do so!  I think that sometimes God lets us get sick as a loud-and-clear message that we need to rest.  I'm going to listen to that message! :)

Seeing God in all things

It's been another crazy week, people.

We went back to school after spring break, and it seemed like a whole BUNCH of homework assignments jumped on us all at once.  After being home for a week, going back to the routine of being gone for most of the day, every day, has been tiring.

And other things have added to the weight of this week...
remembering one of Joshua's high school classmates who died in a car accident last week
the news of a friend of my parents' who was in a car accident with her daughters and who suffered massive head injuries (please be praying)
...other things.

Sometimes you wonder how much more frustrations, sorrows, and suffering one world can take.

But then I look for God in everything.
God, who has blessed us so much this week through family, friends and strangers
God, who has given us rest, good health, a home, a car, plenty of food, clothes, etc....
God, who welcomed Joshua's friend home to heaven
God, who protected the little girls in the car accident and is now surrounding their mama with His presence
God, who blesses us in ways we often don't expect
God, who is in control of all things

Many of my friends are getting ready to graduate.  Soon it'll be our turn.  Thinking about the end of college gets me wondering sometimes-- will Joshua be able to find a teaching job right away?  Where will we have to move?  How will we make new friends?  What will it be like, being in a totally unfamiliar place?

But then I remember...
God has great plans for us.
God has our future in his hands.
God loves us more than we can imagine (he sent his SON for us!)-- and has blessed us in the past.

So we can trust that he will continue to bless us in the future.

And for that, I am SO thankful.


Linking today with Loved and Lovely, The Fontenot Four, black tag diaries, There's Just One Mommy

The Antidote to Worry, the Source of Peace

I struggle with worry.

If you have read my scribblings around here for long enough, you know that.  God's constantly trying to teach me how to trust, despite my circumstances.

I had another lesson in trust yesterday, partially due to my mother.  My mother, who has been blessed by this woman, dear Ann, and who in turn has been able to bless others.  My mother, who said once,

Thankfulness is the antidote to worry--

the source of peace.

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

Yesterday I was reading Ann's words in her amazing book, One Thousand Gifts.  
I realized, once again, how my fear of the future can be conquered.  How my worry about the unknown can be vanquished.

Thankfulness.

How does this work?  Well, like everything, it starts with God.

God, who loves us so much that He has given us everything-- from the food in our refrigerators to the incredible forgiveness won for us by His Son on the cross.

God blesses us.  He promises in His Word that He will always bless us.  He will always make sure we have everything we need (see Matthew 6).

We look around us, and see those blessings, and count them.  (I sporadically keep a gratitude journal... working on making this a daily habit, and I highly recommend it.)  When we recognize those blessings, and thank God for them, we are reminded of His faithfulness.

We are reminded that He ALWAYS keeps His promises.

That means He will continue to bless us.  When we look toward the future, we can know, with absolute certainty, that God will provide for us there as He has in the past.

Then we can kick that fear out of our hearts.  That worry about the future?  It has no place in my life.  God's got the future in His hands.  That fear of the unknown?  God knows everything.  He has seen what I needed in the past and provided for it.  He knows what I need for the future.

How does thankfulness become the source of peace?
When we realize that as God has blessed us, so He will continue to bless us.  We can count on Him.

We can trust Him entirely.  He has fulfilled the promises He made in the past-- we KNOW he will fulfill the promises He's made for the future.  We can have absolute faith in that fact.

This kind of faith brings joy, joy that isn't dependent on circumstances.
It brings peace--peace that passes understanding, because it is a peace that comes from the Holy Spirit in our hearts.  Not a peace the world can understand.  Peace that God alone gives.

Just like He gives everything else.

God's blessings lead to our thankfulness for those blessings.  Our thankfulness leads to the strengthening of our trust in Him, because we can count on Him to continue to bless us.  Our trust leads to peace and joy, because we have nothing to fear in this life.  Nothing at all.

Blessings.
Thankfulness.
Trust.
Peace.
Joy.

All gifts from God... all starting with the amazing love He has for us.


Linking today with: The Fontenot Four, black tag diaries, Loved and Lovely, lovely little whimsy, There's Just One Mommy, Our Simple Country Life, Raising Mighty Arrows