Sunday, July 26, 2009

And just like that...he was gone.


I am not usually very fond of this time of year, mostly because my hubby has to work out of town so often. This stretch wasn't too bad, it was two weeks. It was long enough. Michael came home to spend the weekend with us and just left a couple hours ago on a plane to go back to work. He's been working up in Reno for the past couple weeks and still has a few weeks of work left to do up there. We used to take part of the summer and just go to Reno, but with the track that my kids are on they aren't even done with their 08-09 school year yet. siiiiigh.
This weekend was nice, calm, relaxing. Just what we needed. I am so completely in love with that man I cannot even put it into words. I love that God knew exactly what I needed in a husband. He has an amazing work ethic and has worked hard for our family even before we became a family. He has loved me at every stage of my life, sinful, god-fearing, thin, fat, comfortable, poor, cute, ugly, kind, irritable, ... he's been so wonderful through all of those different sides of me. He has the ability to make me laugh on a regular basis and is attracted to me even when I can't stand myself. He's the one who is in it with me for the long haul. I confess that I am human and find myself, on occasion, making a mental list of things that I would like to change about him and even think that God would probably appreciate my help in changing my husband. (embarrassed sigh). Nope. God made him exactly the way he is supposed to be and he did a wonderful job at that. I do hope, however, that God will change me in the many many ways that I am in need of. I am praying for our marriage regularly as well as the marriages around me. There are seasons of good, bad, and ugly. Seasons I love to remember, and seasons I pray to forget. There is an evil enemy who is absolutely out to destroy marriages everywhere. I have witnessed it first-hand. It is a sadness I cannot explain. In keeping with the point of this post, I will end on a happy note: I love my husband so very much, and I am thankful for the continual challenge and blessing of my marriage. I am thankful for God's mercy and grace as I do my best to show my children what a healthy marriage looks like.

Monday, July 06, 2009

BECAUSE THEY LOVE ME...

My life has been like the lives of so many others lately, stressful. I have been letting my circumstances overwhelm me to a point where I lose my joy. If I had as much faith for myself as I do for everyone that I love I wouldn't have such a problem in this area. I know God hears my prayers, He loves me, He has a plan for me. One thing I know for a fact, that which I thank Him for regularly; God has showered my life with amazing friends. Friends who pray for me on a consistent basis, who love me in spite of how rotten I can be, friends who encourage me when I need it (which is often, lately), who speak truth to me even when I don't want to hear it. They aren't the kind of friends who jump on my bandwagon when I am angry or judgemental; but instead are able to remind me of who it is that I am striving to become and steer me in the right direction. The women of God that I am speaking of stretch to other parts of this city, other cities, across this country and to other countries. Sometimes in the midst of thanking God for these women, I feel my heart fill up with love, and at the same time, sadness for those who don't have people like this in their lives. A couple of the adored women that I include in my treasured group of friends, Jessica Baldwin and Jenene Boardman, came over to my house today while I was out and did an unbelievably beautiful makeover on my upstairs loft. They painted, and decorated with items and furniture that they found in different areas of the house, turning my cluttered office/loft into a calm and wonderful reading and prayer retreat for me. The love that went into the makeover is what makes my eyes sting even as I type. I can't put a price on my friendships. My heart is full.


Shelves with all of my bible study books, devotions, and references...


a few crosses from around the house including my favorite, Molly's art.


The one item that was added, the best gift ever, framed picture of Jess, Jenene, Shontell, and me. (happy sigh)


The beautiful tapestry that my mom bought for me in Jerusalem a couple years ago. It matches perfectly.