Reminders of What Marriages Should Look Like

So Valentine's Day.  As I've gotten older, I've thought about this holiday more and how it really should be no different than any other day.  Shouldn't everyday be a day to remind your spouse of how loved they are.  Now, I don't pretend to know much about marriage.  I'm nearly 30 and still single.  On top of that, I have parents who divorced when I was younger. But, I think my parents divorce did what nothing else probably could have.  It instilled within me a desire to never settle.  To wait for God's perfect timing for that life partner.  I may not know or have all the right answers or even the formula for dating and marriage, but I do know that in the process of waiting, I want to learn as much as I possibly can.  I want to listen to married couples and seek out their wisdom.  I want to read books on how to become a life giver to someone.  But I also know that these things will not translate into a beautiful marriage alone.  I now that it's going to require action.  I'm excited for the time when I will get to venture with some on this journey called life and help propel my life partner into all that God has called him to be.  I look forward to that oneness the bible talks about and how two people come together to serve each other and the world around them.  Listening to talk with Dr. James tonight reminded me of the beauty that marriage holds.  It reminds me that waiting is all part of the process.  It's not easy, but it is the most important decision (after accepting Christ) in one's life.  I'm not going to get this one wrong.  I trust Christ knows what's better for me than I do.  His time is perfect, his plan is perfect....my job is to prepare myself.  To make my character and thoughts more like Christ so that when the time comes and Mr. Wonderful comes my way, I can offer the best of me because I've been sculpted, molded, and formed into Christ's likeness.

This video and article remind me so dearly what marriage should be and what I will someday strive towards!

Marriage Advice by Dr. James

What Promise You Can't Keep in Marriage

Shelter

Today is my 6th snow day in less than 3 weeks.  The weather here has been crazy!  It's been so cold and the wind has been fierce everyday.  For someone who doesn't do so well in the cold, it's been somewhat of a blessing to have this time.  I feel rested.  I wish I could bottle up all this extra time and rest and save it for the times I need it.  Sometimes I think the weather is a lot of like our life.  I woke up in the middle of the night thinking my bay window was going to cave in because the wind was so strong.  It reminded me of an old song that I have become fond of.  It's a song about the shelter we have in Jesus Christ when real storms and life storms come our way.  I'm thankful today that I have a home to protect me from the shelter, but that I have a shelter in the arms of Christ everyday.  There is no trial deeper than His love.  As I sit here and listen to the wind tonight I am reminded of these lyrics.  They seem so perfect for todays weather and for everyday of life:

"I have a shelter in the storm
When constant winds would break me;
For in my weakness, I have learned
Your strength will not forsake me."

Christmas 2013

This year for Christmas we drove down the Greenville, SC and Charlotte, SC.  We were able to visit with family and see my nephew who turned 15 months on Christmas! 

Simple Pleasures

           This morning I headed to the gym for our normal Friday assembly, but got stopped in the gym by a teacher.  As I was talking to that teacher, two small arms found their way around my legs.  I looked down and it was one of my students giving me a hug.  This particular student is a delight to have in class, but had never given me a hug before.  Much less a hug first thing in the morning in front of all the other students.  I put my arm around her, and gave her a squeeze.  She hung on for a minute and then went to sit down. I realized later that in the process, I had never even made eye contact or really even addressed her as I was too busy talking with another teacher.  How often in life do we miss those small tender moments.  Those moments that are unexpected and yet unintentionally mean the world to someone.

 Well, towards the end of the day, that same student came back up to me at my desk and gave me another big hug.  This time, I stopped, fully embraced the moment and gave her a good hug!  I told that student how important she was in my class and how wonderful she was.  Maybe today, this little girl just needed an extra person to put their arms around her and let her know that she was loved.  Aren’t we all like that?  The truth is, that little girl’s hug was needed more by me today then she even knew.  I needed that hug today  I needed that innocent hug that was given to me first thing this morning.  She had walked into school, seen me, and wanted to simply say thank you and I’m glad to see you again.  It was only a hug, but it meant the world to me.   It reminded me on a day that I needed reminding that what I do matters.  That by the grace of God, I have been given the ability to love children.  I may never be great at data collecting, or differentiating the content, or grading papers in a timely fashion, but I have been given the gift of love.  I love the kids that I teach.  They are the people I spend my day with.  They are my kids.  I know them personally.  My prayer is that my students know the love that I have for them.  That little hugs and little hands that squeeze my thigh matter.  They are just kids who want to know that they matter and are loved.  By God’s power, my heart swells with love for them.  Simple pleasures.  My heart desires to cherish and embrace every single simple pleasure it receives.

10 Years Later...

        This past September 20th, marked ten years since my accident happened.  It's hard to believe it's really been that long.  I was asked by my college to come back and speak about what God has done in my life over the last ten years.  The opportunity was such a blessing.  It's amazing how God still continues to use my story to bring glory to His name.   This song, Never Once, has become my life song.  A song that reminds me everyday that despite any obstacles, I truly never do walk alone.  .

 

 

 

 

A Visit to Charlotte

                                      We went to visit the Billy Graham Center in Charlotte.

 

 

My little nephew Noah and I are matching as we cheer on the Illini from North Carolina!

Love this guy!!

Noah- 6 months

New Year...New Resolve

I'm not one who usually sets a lot of goals each New Years. Sure, I like to reflect on the past year, but I've never been the one to say I'm going to do this, this, and this. But this year, I feel like the last few years have been sluggish years and I want this year to be the year where I really enjoy life and live life. That I bring energy to life and that life doesn't drain energy from me. I want my goals to be attainable. So small simple goals is what I'm hoping to achieve this year.

I want to:

-use reusable grocery bags at the store
-memorize verses weekly
-allow myself to buy one new clothing item every other month
-meet with a financial advisor to start additional saving investments
-Start looking for houses
-look into maybe going on a missions trip this summer
- encourage one person every day via email, letter, verbally, text, etc.
- buy only items that provide my body with nutrients and are beneficial
- walk on the treadmill 3 days a week (in addition to other cardio)
-be more assertive in overall areas of life (friendships, socially, professionally, etc)
-fast once a week
- work towards possibly doing a marathon distance (on elliptical of course)
-call dad at least once every two weeks
-stretch everyother night at min.
-eat more veggies