Month Full of Blessings

It's official.  I've been married a month.  I'm totally, completely, madly head over heels in love with RC.  Like seriously.  I admire him, I am amazed at how smart he is, I feel absolute, unconditional love from him and I think he's just the cutest, sweetest husband. EVER.

Ok, so I'm biased...shouldn't I be?  God has entrusted me with a man who loves Him first, strives to love me as Christ loves the church and who treats me like a princess.  I have never felt so blessed that I can remember.

Life isn't perfect of course.  Living between two houses and his commute is not so much fun.  There are still bills to be paid and never enough money to pay them all.  I feel somewhat in limbo between my home church and RC's church in the transition and that feels weird.  Time is of a premium and I'm not making a dent in my 'to do list' just yet.  You know, the everyday stuff that is life.

One of the things I heard in a sermon last weekend was that I need to be a contributer and not just a consumer in my life.  Now in the context that it was given originally, it pertained to being involved in church and giving of time and energy and resources to help the body of Christ reach out to the unchurched and to be connected with that body of believers on an intimate level.  But it's gotten me thinking about just everything else that takes an effort.  I have to contribute some of my 'down time' a.k.a. tv, facebook, pinterest, just being lazy time...in order to achieve my goals.  I can't 'consume' my whole day with stuff and then expect the work to magically get done.  Time management has always been a struggle for me and when I feel overwhelmed as I do with all that I have in my house to do...it just creates an unproductive environment.

I am praying that 2012 will bring about some changes in that.  I have to buckle down, committing to spend at least a few minutes each day working on a bigger task.  I have the time.  The energy kinda comes and goes and there will ALWAYS be excuses for that 'one more thing I need to do first'.  But I desire to live a simpler life, with less 'stuff' and more time for my sweet husband and the things we enjoy doing together.

Bottom line is this.  I have been blessed with an understanding and patient man who I absolutely adore.  I want to be able to spend unstressful, relaxation time with him without thinking..."oh I should be doing______) So that's my goal...spending a few minutes a day on a task that I know can't be done in one day, but little by little...I'll get there.

Blessings to all who have come by here!
Stephanie :)

Blessings

I have almost been married for a month?!?!  Time is flying by so quickly and my life is so busy with  making the adjustments to marriage, living with someone for the first time in a long time and just fitting everything in!  I don't want to blink and miss anything!

Tonight we are taking part in a Night of Worship at RC's church in SC (side note ~ I guess it's technically my church now too, but I'm not at that "I've changed churches from my childhood church of 30+ years" yet stage...I'm getting there though, slowly but surely) as a married couple, reading Psalm 57 together, and I must say I'm nervous, excited and most of all just feeling very honored and blessed to have a strong Christian husband who is leading our marriage.  I am far from the perfect wife and learning every single day how to be in a marriage like ours, biblically speaking of course - being quick to listen and slow to react doesn't come naturally to a head strong, opinionated, can be sassy mouth Southern girl...I'm just sayin'.

I am just so excited about the direction of our lives and while somewhat anxious about some aspects, I feel so very blessed to have the unconditional love of the sweetest man I know and without question completely trust that he loves me no matter what may come...and I have NEVER experienced this feeling before!  The level of comfort and security I feel...I just can't describe it....it's just awesome!!!

On to the busy weekend ahead...thank goodness next week seems to be a little calmer...Blessing to all that have passed by this blog!  You are God's creation...don't ever lose sight of that!

S

New Year and Blessed Beginnings

Well, December came and went and I only got one post done...with wedding planning and just holiday madness, there was simply no time.  I was living life and enjoying my engagement.  It's January now and no letting up in sight.  We have hit the ground running and are managing two households and work and meetings and church and on and on.

But I am so stinking happy I just don't even have the words to type here.  God has so richly blessed me with the sweetest, kindest, gentlest husband I could have EVER imagined.  I really don't even know how our marriage could be better at this point.  I know the day will come when we disagree or bicker, but I have such a peace in my heart about RC's unconditional love for me, I say 'bring it on'.  Making up will be fun too right??? ;-)

2012 will bring about a great deal of change for me and in many ways, some things will never be the same already.  I have taken a step back from my responsibilities at my church and we are attending RC's church when we are at his house on the weekends.  I have mixed emotions about not playing and singing with the praise team...I miss the time with the team for sure, but I know that this season of my life is dedicated to being a wife and helpmate to RC and bringing our households together.  I know God will lead, guide and direct me to where I should be serving in the future.  I am praying to not be anxious about any of it and just let Him lead.  While I am glad that others have stepped up to serve in my place at CCH, it is bittersweet since my whole life for many years revolved around my service and volunteer time at church.  I know that there will be new opportunities to serve at RC's church as time permits, and I am thankful for the welcoming arms of new friends and people I'm meeting in the area.  God's plan for me is yet unfolding, but very exciting!

I have married into a wonderful family and am so blessed with loving inlaws and friends!  This group shot was taken on the island in the lake where we were married.  The weather was perfect, the reception was exactly how we planned it and the honeymoon was more than I could have ever dreamed of.  I hope to get back to blogging more regularly soon and keep everyone updated on the craziness that is my life!  Blessings to you all, S :)



Twenty Six Days

It's been a while since I've posted...and it's not for lack of trying or lack of material to blog about, trust me...it's just crazy busy 'round these parts getting ready for the wedding...you guessed it ~ in twenty six days. We've kinda kept the details of our event under wraps, not to be secretive necessarily, but just private.  And we'll continue to do that.  Just because it's the way we want it, no big production, just RC and I exchanging vows and beginning our life together with some of our closest friends and immediate family.

Recently I shared a letter with RC that I wrote LAST November that began with "Okay, if I could just straight up talk to you without fear of rejection…this is what I would say"  I never planned to mail it or give it to him, just needed to get my thoughts out...In it I discussed how I felt that the Lord had a plan for us to cross paths and I that I was open to whatever He had in mind.  I also told him how much I enjoyed his company and was indeed interested in seeing what the Lord's plans were if RC was also interested.  Funny thing is...I never gave the letter to him, but the Lord prompted me to share almost the exact words I wrote a few months later when at a crossroads of sorts where I let RC know without question how I felt and left the next step up to him.  I hadn't remembered the wording of the letter, but upon rereading it later, I was amazed at the confirmation I felt that God's hand had been guiding me to that very point.  A couple of looooong months went by without much contact other than a dinner or two before RC came to the beach in July to talk and pray with me about us making the decision to be in a relationship.  He proposed to me two months later and we'll be married this month.  Really? I mean, seriously??  God is THAT big.  I am so in awe of the way He has transformed my heart and filled it to overflowing with love for RC...more than I even understand.  Ephesians 3:20-21 is a favorite verse of RC's and pretty much sums up how I feel about the blessings God has poured out on us as a couple.  I can't ever imagine feeling so unconditionally loved and cherished ever before in my life.  It's quite remarkable the freedom that comes with that feeling and I can't tell RC often enough how much I love him, even though those words themselves seem inadequate.  I know that's a seriously mushy statement that may make you wanna hurl, but it doesn't change the fact that it's how I feel.  And I want to shout it from the rooftops that my God has so richly blessed me beyond what I could even imagine...and that He loves YOU that much too.  Maybe He'll show it to you in a different form, I don't know...but I know that He will do great works in your life if you let Him, if you pray, if you trust in Him and serve Him...It really is an amazing feeling to feel the tangible works of God.

I am so very excited that in twenty six short days, I'll be married to the man of my dreams, be given a second opportunity to be a wife in my short life and begin a married life that is focused on Him first.  I am so very blessed and grateful for God's grace, love and mercy...I just can't thank Him enough.

Thank You...

This past Sunday I went to NRCC with RC and the pastor shared about being grateful, saying thank you and meaning it!  Click here and select "2 Words that Can Change Everything" to hear the sermon yourself.  You'll be blessed for sure!

From Arthur's sermon...5 Gratitude Observations:

1. True gratitude is seen and heard
2. Gratitude prolongs joy and blessing in your life
3. Gratitude begins where my sense of entitlement ends
4. Grateful people can find a blessing, enlarge a blessing or create a blessing in any situation
5. Gratitude will make you magnetic for the favor of God to follow your life.

I think the thing that stuck with me most was his statement that "Unexpressed gratitude is a lost opportunity to praise God"...It got me thinking about how many times have I missed that opportunity...not only missing a chance to praise the Lord, but also I could've blessed someone in my life in the process as well by taking time to share a heartfelt thank you.  I remember when I was younger, my dad used to drive me crazy saying "praise the Lord" for EVERYTHING.  Even when his car got stolen from his office...when he walked out the door and realized it was gone...he shouted..."praise the Lord, someone took my car"...Now it wasn't because he wanted the car stolen, of course, but rather we are instructed to praise God in ALL situations, in all phases of life, no matter the circumstance.  I always kinda thought he was nuts, but he made such an impact on those around him with that attitude that I still hear people telling me stories about him 15 years after his death. 

I have so much to be thankful for in my life.  and I don't want to be someone who can't find a blessing, has such a bad attitude I can't receive a blessing or can't reach out and bless someone...While my life has hardly gone as I would've thought it would, I have so many people in my life that are a regular blessing in my life and I am going to make sure I let them know that. 

I don't know who wanders by my blog on a regular basis and if you've stumbled here for the first time, welcome!  I thank each and every person who reads this blog...it is a great outlet for me to share the blessing in my life!

I leave you with this...Who do YOU need to thank for something they have done for you????  Take time to do that today!

I heard this song at NRCC this weekend as well...It's not necessarily related to this post, but I want to share it anyway, because it was a blessing to me and it just might be what you need to hear today!  Click the link below to hear it!!! Blessings to you! S

Give Me Faith

Peru - Post Five

This is my last post about my Peru trip.  But the prayers and thoughts for these precious people are still strong in my heart.  The top two set of pictures are just random shots from the Bellavista neighborhood. I am so blessed and fortunate and have taken so much for granted and this trip has truly been an eye opener. 

This group of precious folks made our work in Peru so much easier.  Each member of the church, each host, each translator helped us do God's work in our communities.  My experiences were greater and more of a blessing because God was able to use them!

This last group of pictures are just some random shots from the week from mine and Randy's groups and the areas we worked in.  I hope you have enjoyed looking through these posts...I have certainly enjoyed sharing these wonderful faces and places with you!



Peru - Part Four

Thank the Lord that RC is feeling better and is back to work as of yesterday!  We were able to share with my church on Sunday about our trip and it was such a blessing to hear him share his heart and love for the people of Peru!

We spent Wednesday and Thursday doing discipleship with some of the families and getting to know them better, praying for them and working through some of their questions as new believers.  This top picture are the families I have committed to pray for specific needs they shared and for their families and communities.  They are all so special to me and I am so blessed to have been able to spend time with them!

 This picture makes me want to sing Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world, red, brown, yellow, black and white they are precious in His sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world...Each of these children represent a mom, dad, sister, brother, child of God who need our prayer and love...I hope you will join me in lifting them us as Children of OUR God!