welcome to my weekend

I'm here again to share a little weekend recap with you all! As always, pictures tell the best stories :) 

Friday, we visited our (almost) townhouse! We were approved by the bank, but are now waiting on a closing date! God is faithful! We are continuing to trust Him! 

Saturday, I took senior pictures! It stopped raining for about 2 hours...and was perfect for pictures :) 

Sunday, was spent mostly at church! We put on a spaghetti dinner and raffle drawing to raise money for our youth missions trips this summer! Such fun! 

We also spent some time watching the news and praying.

A tornado hit Minneapolis, devastating homes and families.

I'm praying for peace and hope for these families! 

My week ahead is a very busy one! Every day is packed full, but there are many exciting things! Work, school, marriage counseling, work picnic, two bridal showers, grad party, and a week from today is my prince's birthday!! Phew!

Bring it on week, here I come! 

marriage

This past week my prince and I began our marriage counseling classes. We are going through a book called Marriage 101, back to the basics.

This weeks lesson was centered on 1 Peter 3:8

"Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it." 

After skimming through this verse a couple times, I had to go back to the last part and read it again. The part that really stood out to me was the command to repay insults with a blessing....What! How unfair! That was my immediate thought...

until this morning I coincidentally was reading in 1 Peter 2. (vs. 21-23)

"He (Christ) is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered."

This passage just happens to come before the chapters on husbands and wives, and the verse that I had just read in my marriage counseling book! 

So here is what I am learning...

Marriage's sole purpose is not my happiness. (gasp!)

Marriage is actually an extension of God's calling on my life.

Marriage is an opportunity for me to become more like Christ.

God says that if we follow Christ's example in our relationships, "he will bless you for it." 1 Peter 3:9

Hmmmm it seems to me that the key to a good marriage is backwards to what the world tells us! That means I must be intentional and purposeful in how I approach the holy unity of marriage. 

"Keep your eyes on Jesus"

well hello!

Wow. I have not blogged for quite awhile! May I offer a few  excuses  super good reasons?

First of all, there are 72 days until the wedding. I am beyond excited, but also overwhelmed at all the things that I still need to accomplish before then!

With the wedding coming closer, and all those dress fittings...I am trying to fit in exercise somehow. Key word = trying.

My spring semester of classes are OVER, but I am taking an online summer class. I have to make sure I make time for this class...since naturally I am a procrastinator.

well...I must work to earn money for the wedding, and the house we put an offer on! We are so close, but are still waiting and praying for God's perfect timing in this process!

Through all of this, I am continually learning to love more and better. 

Hopefully I'll be back soon :)

About Me

Kady from Kady Did honored me with my first award! 

My directions were to tell you 7 things about myself that you might not know! 

Here I go....

1. I love fresh garlic! In my opinion, it is an essential flavor in many meals :) 

(It is also VERY good for you!!) 

2. My meal is never complete without dessert.

3. I have an obsession with clouds. I have almost crashed many times while driving because I can't stop looking at the sky...

4. I know nothing about history. It has always been my worst subject in school :/ 

5. I have two fake teeth.

6. I worked in a coffee shop for three years, and continue to visit one at least once a day!

7. My favorite color is teal, I am NOT a night person, I LOVE chick flicks, I can be a drama queen, and my favorite season is fall!

(deep breath)

I had a hard time just choosing seven :) but now you know a little more about me!! 

NOW, 

I send this award to my dear friends:

My Walk to I do

Playing House

Running With The Lord

Check out their lovely blogs, and have a wonderful day!! 

Giveaway winner!!!!

Congratulations!! You are the winner of my first ever giveaway!! 

(I used a random number generator)

please e-mail me your address at thur0031@gmail.com

:)

Phew!

Phew! I had a busy, fun, picture filled weekend!!!! 

Friday and Saturday I hung out with cute and crazy Jr. and Sr. High girls from our youth group. We had a girls sleepover and Spa day! It was such a fun time :) 

Facials :) 

 (I was taking the pic). 

We painted flower pots for our moms! 

These pictures speak for themselves...major Spa Day! 

We even had chair massages! So relaxing! 

Here we all are! It's so fun to be a girl :) 

Sunday was mother's day!! I love spending time with family!

My wonderful parents!

My prince :)

All the ladies!

love!

:)

haha.

Next we visited my prince's family!

My prince and his mom!

Happy Mother's Day!

This is Peppi (My prince's grandma's puppy).

:)

I took a bazillion more pictures, but figured this was enough for now. 

TOMORROW (Monday) I WILL BE ANNOUNCING THE WINNER OF THIS GIVEAWAY!!!!!! WOOT WOOT!! 

to my mom

Today is a special post in honor of my

Mom.

I could not ask for a better mother, role model, and friend. 

Mom,

Thank you for all you do and all that you are.

Thank you for your example as a woman of God.

Thank you for loving truth, prayer, and God's word.

Thank you for shopping dates.

Thank you for laughter.

Thank you for being spontaneous.

Thank you for being you.

I love you!

Happy Mother's Day :)

I'm excited to spend the day with my mom and wonderful family!

On a side note...I will be announcing the winner of this giveaway on Monday! There is still time to enter! 

Sunsets!

Sunsets are hands down one of my favorite things in the world. 

Every time I see a sunset...I am in awe.

I could stare at sunsets for hours (if only they would last longer)! 

 Tonight, as I was driving home from class, I saw the sunset.

Wispy clouds, bright pink and orange! The sky was filled with beauty. 

I soon had to get on an exit that was facing East. Since the sun sets in the West, I suddenly was staring at a grey sky again. Just behind me the sky was amazingly colorful and breathtaking, but I could only see a glimpse of it in my rear view mirror. 

As I was driving (and almost crashing as I attempted to see the sunset) I suddenly started to cry. God spoke to me. It was so clear! 

First He told me how much He loves me...that this sunset was for me. (hello tears).

Then He told me that He has great plans for me...specific, purposeful, plans for my life.

He showed me the sunset to remind me that his ways are good, awesome, breathtaking, and beautiful. His plan leads me to His glory...His beauty.

But if I go the wrong way on the road (life), then I miss it! I may see a glimpse in my rear view mirror, but I will not experience the presence and greatness of all he has for me! I must turn around, and follow his road! I must step into HIS PLAN for my life! 

Too often I want to follow my own directions, take my own road, my own plans. But when I do this, what am I missing out on? Am I missing the sunset? The breathtaking beauty that God wants to show me, to bring to my life? 

The Lord is always trying to get our attention. He is a personal God, and I am so thankful. How is He speaking to you today?

“The Lord will guide you continually …” (Isaiah 58:11)

Don't forget to check out my first ever giveaway!

GIVEAWAY!

Happy Monday !!

I want to announce my first ever GIVEAWAY! This is in celebration that I have reached 100 followers. I am so blessed to be able to hang out with all of you. Thanks for being a part of my journey! 

I decided to give away a couple of things that I love...

1. I love peacock feathers...so I will be giving away this fun, feather headband!

2. I love chick flicks. I will be giving away the movie, letters to Juliet. It is for sure a cute one :)

How to enter the giveaway:

1. You first must be a follower of Learning to Love :)

2. You must post about the giveaway once on either your blog, facebook, or twitter. 

3. You must comment on here telling me your favorite chick flick movie! 

Then you will be entered! Yay for giveaways!