The new me!

I am not going to lie...I have missed this blog world a little lot.

Therefore, I have decided to return! :)

Since I have last blogged, MUCH has happened. Including me becoming a wife. Yes, it has been a month since I have become a married woman!

I LOVE being a wife, and am learning a lot. It is not easy, but I am encouraged to know that God loves marriage. In fact He designed it!

The emphasis of Learning to Love is that I am always learning...I never know all the answers...and I always look to Christ's love as an example.

I hope to be honest, encouraging, and real as I share thoughts, experiences, and pictures of my life.


Will you join me again?! (or for the first time :))

Check out our wedding highlight video here! 

distractions

Do you ever get distracted? Maybe you have had an agenda, list, or goal that somehow just didn't get done...this has been me lately. 


Where did the time go?
Why didn't I get more done today?
What happened to last week, last month?


First of all, I am getting married in less than three weeks. My procrastination mindset thinks (three weeks is plenty of time!)...however my common sense mindset reminds me how quickly I can get distracted. 


I am the queen of taking a couple of hours where I should be accomplishing things, and instead end up doing other things that aren't really urgent or productive. 


I get distracted from my goal...thinking that there will always be more time.


I do this with homework, and wedding planning...

and I think we do this with God too. 

How easily we get distracted from our urgent goal and purpose in life. To love God and love others. We think that life is about our happiness, comfort, success, etc... but often these things become distractions from what life is really about. 

I have been struggling with finding time in the word. I just don't have time this morning is usually my reasoning. However, I have time to do my hair, makeup, eat breakfast, check facebook, and get coffee? 

What is my focus? What is distracting me from my mission? What really matters in life? 

The book of Ecclesiastes explains that everything apart from Jesus is completely meaningless. The danger of distractions is keeping us from daily connecting with the source of life and meaning. 

What distractions in your life may be taking your focus off Christ?

"Your focus becomes your reality"

"Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in."

update on life!

I miss blogging. I decided that it has been WAY too long since I have shared and connected with all of you...so here I am! 

I suppose I should give you an update on life? 

My last post began with our "almost" townhouse. Let me tell you our story since then.

Ever since we put an offer on our townhouse, we were unsure about timing. It was a shortsale, and there is never a definite answer in dealing with those. My prince and I were confident that this was where we wanted to be, but we were trusting even more that God's plan and will would be revealed.

We were trusting in God's perfect timing. 

Well we finally received the news that we were approved by the bank...we simply had to wait for a closing date...which is also very up in the air. This happened the end of May, right before Memorial day weekend.

We continued to trust God. We prayed that we would be able to close by the end of May. (My prince was moving out of his apartment Memorial Day weekend, and was going to have to move back in with his parents. Also, banks like to close at the end of the month).

Thursday, May 26th was when we got the call. There had been a cancellation at the closing office, and we were scheduled to close on Friday, May 27th. We were told that it was a miracle we got in before the end of May. (Yes...and an answer to prayer)!

My prince and I are now home owners. It is exciting and strange all at the same time. One thing I know for sure is that God is faithful. We do not deserve anything He has given us, and we give Him all the glory. Since then I have realized that although my prince and I own the house on paper, it ultimately belongs to God. He has allowed us to use this gift for His glory...and that excites me the most.

My prince is living in the house, and I will move in after the wedding. However, I have spent alot of time there....PAINTING, and DECORATING :)

One of the first times I was there after the closing, I opened up a piece of Dove Chocolate. I looked at the message on the inside of the wrapper, and I felt God whisper in my ear...

"You are exactly where you are supposed to be." 

My greatest desire in life is to be in the center of God's will. Knowing that God is in control allows me to worry less and trust more.

 Thank you Lord for your perfect timing. Help me to trust you in every blessing and sacrifice that comes my way.   

This is a tiny sneak peek of our living room!! More pictures to come!!

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!!