Thankful...a year and a half

Today marks a year and a half of marriage for us. We feel like we've been married for much longer than that though. I guess we've grown up a lot since our wedding day. I am so thankful that the Lord saw fit to bring us together. I was thinking back on when we were "getting to know each other" and dating. It was such a giddy time for me. Jonathan was my first everything. He treated me like a treasure. He pursed my heart with gentlemanlike valor...and he won it.

I cherish those memories of being young and in love. Still, you know what? Today's memories are better. Though our dating years were sweet, the past year and a half has shown me the depth and meaning of sacrificial love. I tear up just thinking about how blessed I am. I have seen my husband's love for Christ and for me in a new way these past few months. He has supported me ever since the Lord led me to quit my job and start something new. He has taken on the full burden of providing for us and given up so much. He has helped me build and given me the tools I needed. All of this has been without a single complaint. I sometimes feel like I've become a burden, but then I see just how much he loves me and my worries melt into nothing in his arms. Marriage is such a beautiful thing.

Still, I won't pretend that we feel lovey-dovey all the time. We are two very different people and those differences get annoying sometimes. We are just a pair of sinful, imperfect souls, but love covers that. It has been a blessing to learn all these things in the past year and a half. I look forward to the rest of my life with my wonderful husband. I look forward to building a home, pouring our lives into ministry, teaching our children to love Jesus and walking together hand in hand on this journey. There isn't anyone else I'd rather be with. I only pray that I can be as much of a blessing to him as he is to me.

"An excellent wife is the crown of her husband." - Proverbs 12:4

When my husband looks back on our marriage I hope he can say that I have been a crown to him. I want to bring him honor and never shame. I want to be of great worth. I want to be a blessing. I'm excited about learning to do just that in the years to come!

I'm more in love with you today than ever babe!





PS: Don't forget to enter the GIVEAWAY to win the cute "elsie" cowl!

Road Trip | part 1

We're back! Our trip has been quite eventful to say the least - we've been to 4 different states and back! Needless to say, we are so glad to be home. At the beginning of our trip, we went up to Chattanooga to view the new NorthFace line for my husband's work. It is such a beautiful place! On our last day there we visited Rock City Gardens before heading to our next state. I hadn't been there since I was a little kid.

Where we live the colors of Autumn, are well, less than vibrant. We have a lot of evergreens. Chattanooga was just the opposite. Everything popped with bright shades of orange and red. I said "Oh wow, this is so beautiful" more times than I can count. 

The weather was a little chilly, but perfectly overcast for photos. My hubby was actually totally into taking pictures. He definitely prefers taking photos as opposed to being in them! Hehe! He really has a good eye, so all I had to do was show him a few things about lighting and focus! A lot of these are his shots. We had such a good time setting up the tripod and being silly.

It was a little chilly! I didn't mind though. I grew up in Florida and winter there is almost non-existant. Seriously, it was 80 degrees on Christmas more often than not. Thus, I enjoy wearing scarves, hats and coats whenever I can!

Just as we finished the trail, it started to rain. Shortly after that we sat down in their restaurant for lunch, and not a minute later the power went out! It was so perfectly timed! Chattanooga loved us well. If we had to move there, I wouldn't hate it! :) It is 2 hours from Knoxville, Nashville, Birmingham, and Atlanta! Not to mention, Chattanooga has majestic mountains and a river that flows through the city. (Can you tell I've thought about this? Hehe!)

Well, that was only the first stop on our trip! There is more to come :) I'm off to catch up on emails and everything else! I hope you all had a good week while I was away.

On the road...

Happy November you all! So far we've spent the first few days of November on the road. We came up to Chattanooga for a work event for my hubby. It's been fun to get away for a little while. We sure are enjoying being at a nice hotel! It's a fun little treat. Today we are leaving Chattanooga and traveling to two other states and then heading back home. Whew! If things are a little quiet here, you'll know why! :)

I hope you all are having a great week so far!

PS: Thank you so much for all the sweet comments on my last post. It was very encouraging to me.

Birthday Weekend

This past weekend my hubby had a few days off from work. It is quite rare for him to get a whole weekend off, so we decided to take advantage of the time and go on a road trip for my birthday. On Friday we packed up and went up to Tuscaloosa to visit Jonathan's sister (she's in law school there) and bro-in-law. That evening we enjoyed a little exploring and dinner at a quaint Italian place. I was more than happy to have an excuse to wear the dress my hubby gave me for my birthday. :)

Saturday we decided to to a little hiking at a nearby lake. (Sigh!) I long to live somewhere closer to the mountains! It'd take somewhere with any hiking trails really! It is so refreshing to be immersed in nature. I have such fond memories of our yearly family vacations in the mountains. My brother and I used to go off and have grand adventures...you know, being spies and saving the world just by climbing a mountain. :) My imagination was unbridled for a while as I took in all the sights and sounds. I could spend all day hiking!

The lake was beautiful!

Hehe. We're so silly!

Later than night we went to a Mexican restaurant with such posh decor. I'm pretty sure I spent several minutes just admiring the details and creativity. Don't you love the star lights?

Don't Jonathan and his sis look so much alike? Neither of them look much like their parents though. Weird! We had such a fun weekend in T-town them. It's always nice to get away for a while, even if it's just a few days. Oh and please notice my blondish roots showing! I think it's time to dye again!

Being silly again...this is our usual selves. :)

Sunday we had the pleasure of going to The Church at Brook Hills, where David Platt pastors. We even got to meet him after the service! It was so encouraging to hear the Word preached, without the uncomfortable and hard parts being left out. We left humbled and more in awe of Jesus, not feeling better about ourselves. You definitely don't just "attend church" at Brook Hills. They are the Church. They live like the Church out in the world. (More on that coming later!)

Now we're back and I have to start packing for Ethiopia! I leave on Friday! Craziness!


PS: Thank you all for your sweet birthday wishes!

23.

Today is my 23rd birthday. Here are 23 photos from the 23 years God has blessed me with, from birth to present day. :)

The first born to loving parents. Hey look, I already have a roll of film in my hands! Hehe.

I was little. miss. attitude.

My brother and I dressed up all the time. This one on the right is actually on halloween...I think.

More dress up. :)

Me and my sis...pals from the beginning. 

I've always had a love for animals. Hehe. I had a hamster that I really thought was my baby. I even gave him a for real funeral when he died. We sang "It is well" and read his eulogy. 

Art class...what fun memories. 

Highschool. Oh me oh my! Can you tell that I skipped some of my horrific middleschool memories? ha!

Gracie and I were best friends since 2nd grade. We did so many dumb things, but it was all awesome. I love those memories.

I met Ashley in college. We are true kindred spirits and will be friends for the rest of our lives. LOVE that girl. She is a gift. We've been through so much together!

The last year of college I fell in love withe the most amazing man in the world. The memories seem like a fairytale.

Ok, this last "photo" is more like 4 photos, but I didn't want to leave out the last year or so of my life. It's been too wonderful! :)

I am so thankful for the 23 years I have lived thus far. I look back on these photos and think of how greatly blessed I have been. A week from today I will be on my way to Africa. I can't think of a better birthday present than to be able to share the love of Christ with the people of Ethiopia. My cup is full and overflowing. Sure, I've had bad times but I choose to remember all of the blessings God has given me. Scars, joys, tears and laughter...I am so thankful for it all. Here's to another year!