9 years.......

It was 9 years ago this week that John and I met! Wow! He and I have been talking the last couple days about how we met, and how amazing this whole journey has been together. I never would have thought that 9 years later we could still be SO in love, and it totally excites me for the future. I just want to encourage any newlyweds or people about to get married...that it really can get even better with time! :) I remember wondering on our wedding day how I could love him any more then I did at that moment, and wondered if it would all just be downhill from there :)...but the answer is NO!!! It truly gets even better, with work and commitment. It's really possible. I am not just talking about how you settle in to each other and get so comfortable together...but we still get giddy to see each other....he still gives me butterflies..after 9 years! I love when one of us walks in to a room and totally catches the other's eye. It is still SO much fun to be together. Don't get me wrong, we argue, we drive each other crazy sometimes...but at the core of it all is a passion and a fire that cannot be quenched and it's awesome. So, if you're worried that marriage might be boring....trust us...it's not! After 9 years, it's as exciting as ever! It is not a fairytale, it can be hard work at times....but it is more then worth it. If you are reading this and you haven't found "the one" yet...don't settle...wait....it will be so worth it and you'll know when it is "the one".
I love you John!!!!!! Thank you for making me feel adored, beautiful, safe and confident.
Thank you God for flashlights!!!!!! hehehehe :)

Johnny Horseback riding in the rain!!!

This past Saturday we celebrated Drew and Hunter's birthday at The Birthday Barn! It rained, but the kids didn't care at all! Johnny was watching a couple kids ride a pony but when it came to his turn, he pointed to "the big one" and told the guy he wanted to ride that one. :) I wasn't sure he would let him, but he did! Johnny was all smiles. I was a little nervous, but the guy assured me... "We haven't lost a horse yet!" Yeah, thanks. :)

Why I don't homeschool :).......

Yesterday in the car, my 10 year old Josiah, informs me that he is non-partisan. (Did you catch that he's only 10!) :)
He said it's because he agrees with many Republican views and some Democrat ones as well. They both have some valid points, he tells me.
Then he says that if he could vote he would vote for Republican Presidential candidate, Mitt Romney.
Let me admit that I had NO idea of what he was even talking about. :)
Josiah said he was watching a program about presidential candidates, and he really liked what Mitt Romney stood for and had to say.
Really?
How could I homeschool this kid, I think he could homeschool me!!!! :)



**disclaimer** I am a fan of homeschooling, this is not a slam against it in any way. That comment was just to be funny. I am sure there are ways to home school children who are smarter then you. :)

In response to my last post........

Thanks everyone for your very nice comments :).
Emily, I wonder that too sometimes.
However, I don't ever want to promote my past as like "This is the way to REALLY fall in love with Jesus and know the true power of His mercy and grace..do what I did" I don't ever want it to seem like I wear my past as some sort of badge of honor.
It was a LONG, HARD road back. I don't recommend it! :)
Of coarse the ultimate goal is to walk with Him and stay the coarse all the days of one's life.
But, God knew what I was gonna do and go through LONG before any one else did and so He already had a plan in place. A plan of redemption, a plan of restoration, and He also planned to use everything I went though and lived.. for His glory in the end. He knew I was His.
That is the awesome part.
He had it all mapped out long before I ever knew I would need it.
So, of coarse I believe people can be just as deeply in love with the Lord and know the power of His grace without having to have a "story" or a "past". But, He surely has used everything I went through to deepen me and to grow me and to establish me.
I think before I went through all that I did years ago, I loved the Lord and His presence and had experienced His power but didn't walk with Him one on one intimately, personally. I prayed everyday and all that, but I was still finding my needs met through others, and a lot of my experience with the Lord was also through others. So, He used me hitting rock bottom and being incredibly alone to begin a very personal relationship with Him. So, I am thankful for the gifts I have been given through the dark seasons of my life.
:)

My story.....

I read this Psalms the other day and I was wondering if I wrote it or if David really did? :) I think David must know my story! :) For those of you who do know my story, I think you will find this Psalm to be so true of my life. It is truly as though David penned the very words of my heart to God.........

I love God because He listened to me,
listened as I begged for mercy.
He listened so intently as I laid out my case before Him.
Death stared me in the face, hell was hard on my heels. Up against it, I didn't know which way to turn. Then I called out to God for help, "Please God!" I cried out. "Save my life!"

God is gracious- it is He who makes things right,
our most compassionate God.
God takes the side of the helpless.
When I was at the end of my rope, He saved me.

Then I said to myself, "Relax and rest. God has showered you with blessings.
Soul, you've been rescued from death
Eye, you've been rescued from tears
And you, Foot, were kept from stumbling."

I'm now striding in the presence of God,
alive in the land of the living! (WOOHOO!) :)

What can I give back to God for the blessings He's poured out on me?
I'll lift high the cup of salvation- a toast to God!
I'll pray in the name of God,I'll complete what I promised God I'd do,
and I'll do it together with His people.

When they arrive at the gates of death, God welcomes those who love Him.

Oh God, here I am, your servant,
your faithful servant, set me free for your service!
I'm ready to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice and pray in the name of God.
I'll complete what I promised God I'd do,
and I'll do it in the company of His people.
In the place of worship, in God's house.
Hallelujah!

-Psalms 116 (msg)

That is my heart to You God! I can still remember those very dark days so well. I remember the pain and despair, and I vividly remember literally crying out saying "Save my life God, rescue me!". You heard my cry, and here I am!
You have rescued me from the miry clay and set my feet upon a rock. You have picked me up out of the dirt and seated me in a place of honor. Your praise will forever be on my lips. I will worship You forever. How can I not? You are my God. I love You so much it is overwhelming. You have made something out of nothing. You have taken what was broken and useless, and made it beautiful again. I am found in You. Thank you God. Thank You for mercy, thank You for Grace, thank You for restoration. I am Your servant.