When I was single and Waiting

     Being single is hard, when you have the desire to be a wife to a loving husband, and a mom to children of your own. It's hard to see friends around you get married, and have kids, and you're still at home, with no possible man for your future... or at least that's how and what you feel.
     I was there. For me, as I got closer to 22, I was wondering if I'd ever be married. 22 is still young, don't get me wrong, but, I had hoped to be married by 21, at least. The closer I got to 21 though, I realized, not only was I not ready to become a wife yet, but, God wasn't ready for me to become one yet either. Josh wasn't ready to be a husband yet... he was still figuring out his life. It's crazy how God works everything out for His glory.
     During my single years, my mom told me, "You have to keep yourself busy. Give yourself purpose. Never stop learning. Help and serve others as much as you can." That was probably the best advice that was given to me for my single years. Along with teaching Piano, being the Chauffeur of my family, studying to become a Doula, I also served. Once a week, I'd commit my whole day to helping out a family in church.
     If you sit around waiting for Prince Charming to come, what could you have gotten accomplished if you would've used your time more wisely? Will you look back at your single years and be grateful that you had an opportunity to serve others, or will you look back and wish that you'd done things differently? God knows when you'll get married. If you have a desire to get married, God will bring that man to you!.. in HIS timing. If you're a man waiting to find that right girl... she's out there, somewhere! ;) God will bring her to you, in HIS timing! In the meantime, serve Christ with everything you've got! Serve your family, and your Church. Make Christ the center of your life! And when that time comes, that Christ brings your spouse to you, continue to make Christ the center of everything! It'll all be well worth it! ;)

Isaiah 40:31

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Psalm 27:13-14

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Questions to Consider:

• Have you prayed to God and asked Him to send you a spouse? 
• Did you pray just once, or do you pray over and over again? 
• What has helped you to be patient and wait on Gods timing? 
• Why do you want to be married? Is it for selfish reasons? 

The Awesome Food Award

I've been nominated for the "Awesome Food Award"! Thank you Megan for nominating me! If ya'll want to check out Megan's blog, here's the link: http://farmgirlinmontana.blogspot.com/

The rules:
1. Thank the person who nominated you, as well as the link to their blog.
2. Answer the 10 questions provided
3. Come up with 10 more questions that relate to food
4. Nominate at least 5 people 5. Let those people know they've been nominated.
My answers to the questions:

~ What is your favorite food? Pizza, Taco's, and Burger's! :) 
~ Do you like chocolate?  If so do you like dark, milk or white chocolate better? I LOVE chocolate! I prefer milk chocolate, but I love white chocolate as well. 
~ Do you prefer to cook / bake food yourself or have someone else do it? I prefer to cook/bake food myself, but love it when people want to help me. :) 
~ What is your favorite food to cook / bake? I love to bake, so I love baking cookies, cakes, really any types of desserts. :) 
~ What are your 5 favorite desserts? Hmm... tough one. Anything chocolate! ;) I love cookies, cakes, muffins/cupcakes, puddings. 
~ Cake or pie? Cake! 
~ Hamburgers or hot dogs? Depends on the Hamburger, but I'll go for a hamburger any day!... you can ask my husband that! ;)
~ Nuts or cheese? Cheese.
~ Soup or salad? Depends on the soup and Salad. Probably soup. 
~ What is the one food that your whole family likes? In Colorado, my whole family loved Taco's. Here in Ohio, my husband and I love Chicken Salad melts. :) 

I nominate:
Crysyln from: http://bloggingcryslyn.blogspot.com/
Suzanne from: http://suzanneliveshere.blogspot.co.uk/
Ashley from: http://ashley-funfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
Chloe from: http://blooming-maiden.blogspot.com/
Sadie from: http://irishragamuffinslilsister.blogspot.com/
Stephanie from: http://theenchantingrose.blogspot.com/

My Questions for the Nominee's:
1.What are your favorite Soup's?
2. Do you prefer Scones with your Tea or separately?
3. What's your favorite kind of Pizza?
4. Do you prefer baking or cooking?
5. What types of foods do you like making most?
6. What exotic food have you tried that most people haven't?
7. Do you prefer cookies or cake?
8. Are you more the chips and salsa type, or just the plain old chip without salsa?
9. Do you like Chicken or Hamburger meat better?
10. What's your favorite Dessert? Why? 

Facebook and the Real World

     A couple weeks ago, I asked my husband, why he doesn’t post on Facebook about the good times he has with different people, and why it’s usually articles. He made a good point. He said, “I feel like at times, people post about all their good times, that it’s almost creating a picture that they don’t struggle in life. That they’re always enjoying themselves.” I agree with him. Occasionally I see people post about when they’ve had a rough day, but for the most part, people only put on a fake smile, and post about good things. So, all those posts that I’ve made about how great my husband is… it’s all true. ;) Yes, we’ve had our disagreements, and our days when we were frustrated with each other. Days when we’ve cried together wondering if God hears our prayers, and days when we have regrets about how we responded in different situations! Marriage has been very sanctifying. Yes, I've had bad days, just like everyone else. I also choose to see the joy in life. Instead of looking at how late I am to an event, I try to see it, as God protecting me from a possible accident that I could’ve been in to, or Gods just simply testing my patience… which I fail at most of the time. ;) It’s not always easy to see the sunshine, when you’re in the midst of the rain. Choose Joy rather than pain. Try to look at the bright side of things. It’s not easy, I can assure you, but I’m trying my best.

   
     Yes, I only post the good things about my husband. In 1st Corinthians 13, we’re told that “Love keeps no record of wrongs…” How would I be honoring my husband, if I put him down, and if I keep track of everything wrong that he does, or every sin that he’s committed? No. Instead, I choose to see the things that I value in him. I choose to see a Godly man who’s in need of a Savior, just like me. I see a sinner, who’s saved by the grace of God. I see a husband, that Gods blessed me with, when I didn’t deserve to have such an honorable man! I thank God every day for giving Josh to me! Josh has been a great man, who, yes, stumbles and falls just like me. Yes, they’re days when I’m in constant tears, and when I’m battling inside of myself. No, it’s not all fun and games, but it’s sanctifying. I praise God every day, because Josh is a gift that I open every day, and I can see what an honorable, Godly man he is!
   
     Now, what I'd encourage people NOT to do, is when you're in tears, and just having a rough day, to not post on Facebook about how you're having a good time... because, that's lying. However, I'd encourage you, that in those moments when you just feel so blessed, to write it down. It doesn't have to be for the world to see all the time, but people like to know that you're counting your blessings, and that you're doing okay. My friends from back in Colorado like to see pictures of my home here in Ohio, and what I do every day. They like to see that I'm doing good. :)
   
     The main reason I post on Facebook, is to keep in touch with everyone back in Colorado. They like to know how I'm doing, and if I'm adjusting okay. I assure them that I love it up here in Ohio! The church, community, friends and of course, my hubby! ;)

   
     So, when you post on Facebook, or any other social media sites, just be careful when you post. You don't want to post things that aren't true, or that make you look good, and make you look like a great person. Truth is, everyone has bad days. Days when you just want the night to come, so that you can go to bed, and start again in the morning. The day will be over before you know it, so enjoy it... even on those bad days. :)

• What do you generally post on Facebook or other social media sites?
• In what ways has Facebook or other social media sights helped you, if at all? 
• Do you feel like you've posted things that you regret posting doing later? 

   
      

Labor Day Weekend Fun!

     This past week, Josh and I headed up to Wisconsin to visit with Josh's family. While we were there, they threw a "We've-tied-the-knot" party for Josh and I. 

     We enjoyed our time in Wisconsin, talked a lot, laughed a lot, had fun, and enjoyed each other's company. While there, Josh opened his birthday gifts from his brother, Joel. Likewise, Joel opened his gifts from Josh. We all had Ice Cream Cake afterwords. I also tried Frozen Custard for the first time, and it was soooooo good! :)
     I posted some pictures below of what our weekend looked like. What did ya'll do for Labor Day and/or labor Day weekend? I'd love to hear! Leave a comment below! 

Josh enjoying the party!

 Grandma Narwold holding her first granddaughter!

 Grandpa Narwold holding Norah Jane for the first time!

 Uncle Josh holding Norah

 The beautiful outdoors

 Josh holding Norah, and Josh's younger brother, Joel.

 Daddy Narwold enjoying his sweet daughter!

 I love Josh and I's rings! <3

 On our way back we stopped at Mar's Cheese Castle. It was pretty neat!