what will their life be like?

The hubby and I sometimes talk about the generations to come. We wonder what the world will be like when our kids are growing up...

            what will public school be like?
            what issues they will face in their lifetime?
            what new technology will exist?
            what will the government be like?

We've even talked about what they may think of us! Well, our kids will grow up knowing we didn't live together before marriage, but what will their generation think and those following? I tell people now and they're a bit shocked. Outside of the church community the reply I receive is blatantly "oh really?" How much more rare will even this be?

The only thing I keep coming back to, my hope, my assurance, is knowing that I can trust in my Lord. Whatever trials may come, whatever issues we face in the years to come, my security... and that of my family, will rest in Jesus Christ.

"It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man." Psalm 118:8

some days start early

Sunday morning started early. 3am early. The hubby had to be on a plane at 6am for work. I was the lucky one to be able to fall back asleep for a few hours after he left.

When we first started seeing each other and things began getting more serious. It took me a few weeks before I was ready to say, "ok yes...we're together". I somehow knew early on that if I was saying "yes" to dating, I was saying "yes" to a lot more.

We both knew early on we'd get married someday, yet we never talked of it!

So when we finally said "we're not single, we don't want to be single, we're together, we've been together for a while!" in my heart I was accepting it all. And that meant early mornings, late evenings and days with him gone. BUT I knew I'd rather be with him, with his job taking him away from home, than not be with him at all.

So occasionally there are 3am alarms and being woken up by a kiss on the forehead when he returns past midnight. But I love him with my whole heart and I love my life.

And so last night while I was missing my hubby, I thanked God for our home. I thanked Him for the time I had to do a load of laundry and vacuum so that while my hubby IS home, we don't have to worry about that sort of thing. And all of this... fills me with joy.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

a family of two

This family of two LOVES saturday morning. No 6am alarm. No job to get to. It's all cozy clothes and coffee. Before we were wed we talked about the traditions we wanted to start. One of them - big saturday morning breakfasts!

So far there has been pb & j pancakes one morning, and french toast, eggs & bacon another.

Great conversations, great coffee, and great food, all shared at our table set for two.

This morning... the smell of apple crisp is drifting from the oven...

We talk about life, traditions, and what we'd like to share with our children someday. What will be their favorite memories, favorite meals at home, favorite traditions?

What do we hope to pass on? A passion for life, a love of food, maybe even the tradition of big saturday morning breakfasts. But MOST of all, we hope to pass on a love and knowledge of Jesus Christ, a desire to know Him and talk with Him. To trust in Him.

And we want them to grow up in a family with parents that love each other. We know this is only possible with Christ...

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.

the day job

Monday to Friday

8am - 5pm...

I sit at a desk,

in an office.

I have a hard time being content here sometimes.

Ok ok, more often than just sometimes. But I just got MARRIED! I want to be home, cooking, cleaning, making a home, getting things organized, and researching new recipes! I want to be with my husband when he has days off during the week. We're best friends after all! We would spend every minute together if we could.

But, as I said, I have this job that takes me away from home. But God has called me to be fully present when I'm at work, not to be dreaming about what I'd like to cook when I get home. I'm to be a diligent worker, not a distracted dreamer.

So I struggle daily, knowing it's God's plan for me to hold this job right now. God has me in this office for a reason and I want to find joy even in the "mundane" days and tasks.

Lord, open my eyes and give me a greater heart for those around me...

with these rings

I stare at my left hand...I'm easily distracted these days. I see 2 beautiful rings that now adorn a once jewel-less hand. The emotions instantly wash over me, I'm blessed.

A wise friend once told me "Stef, when you least expect it, when you're not even looking and totally focus on God, then He will bring your man into your life". I agreed and said, "yeah... you're probably right". She was speaking from experience. I wasn't looking, I wasn't interested in "getting to know" any of the guys around me. And when I met this man my heart continued to say "Lord, only you".

But God, in His infinite wisdom, had planned this meeting and He changed my heart as time went on.

And I am blessed. I am now the wife of my best friend. And these rings daily remind me of HIS goodness, faithfulness and provision.

Psalm 13:6 - "I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me."

Psalm 16:11 - "You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

when days are busy and evenings run late...

There never seems to be enough hours in the day anymore! I think when we started off our engagement and the wedding planning it was on our own strength... and we only got so far (which wasn't very far at all). We couldn't find a reception venue we could afford on such short notice and I started to get discouraged.

 

We stopped and prayed, "Lord we can't do any of this without you. You've brought us together, You guide our steps."

 

It's been easy to focus on the wedding, but that's not most important, planning for the lifetime that follows is. Trusting in God now for these details... will help us trust in the future for the details still to come.

 

So we may not have everything planning and we're still making lots of decisions, but we're actively working and seeking God, trusting in His provision.

 

What I'm most blessed by: knowing that in 17 days I'll become his wife <3 

one year of knowing him

Little did I know 1 year ago today, that my life was about to change. I got ready for church that Sunday morning and headed out on my own. I'd been attending a new church for 3 months in the city. Stepping out of my comfort zone each week. This day was the same as each Sunday prior (or so I thought)...
 

Standing at the door was a man I hadn't met yet, but this happened every week. I was constantly meeting new people. He introduced himself to me and asked if I wanted to sit with him and his friend. So I said "sure". We talked more after the service ended. He was quite talkative, friendly and very outgoing. We laugh now about this day. After talking quite a bit about the young professionals group he was involved with he asked for my number, he wanted to try to set up an event with Wegmans. I wouldn't give him my number - that's why we laugh. I gave him my email address instead. He used it to try to find me on facebook, but never once actually emailed me. Yes, we laugh a lot.
 

So today we'll celebrate a special day.
 

I still remember seeing him, leaning up against the door frame leading into the sanctuary. I still remember what I was wearing. I still remember it being the first Sunday in 3 months that I actually wanted to join the group after service to hang out. And I still remember getting home from church that day and saying to my mom "I think I met someone today".

God had finally brought us together.