Life now that I'm married

      I've been asked by many of my friends, "what's life like now that you're married? Have you adjusted well from being away from your family and friends? What do your days look like?"
     Quite honestly, my life is fantastic! Marriage is a beautiful thing, and I'm learning how to love my husband more and more every day. I'm still a sinner, and I'm still an imperfect person. I loved the quote I saw the other day that said, "Relationships- it's more than just the dates, holding hands and kissing. It's about accepting each other's weirdness and flaws. It's about being yourself and finding happiness together. It's about seeing an imperfect person perfectly."  I can't tell you how many nights that my husband and I have cried... together; laughed... together; fought side by side...together, and how many nights we wonder how the other person see's us with such beauty.
     Life now that I'm married? I still do the things that I did when I wasn't married... only... for my husband instead. I cook meals, make sure the house is clean, read, bake, have fun playing the piano and making songs up, catching up with friends through calls/texts/social media. I make sure to have dinner ready and the table set when my husband gets home, I do laundry, try to figure out how else I can decorate our home, do Bible Study's, keep myself busy, babysit, I do grocery shopping, head to the library. I enjoy walks, and being outside. I make sure to make time to talk with my family through FaceTime. :) My life is... busy! ;) It doesn't slow down just because you're married... after all, I'm not just a daughter and sister... I'm now a wife to an awesome and amazing husband! ;)
     Adjusting to married life? It's been really great actually! It's been a smooth transition. It helped when my mom and I came out here back in October, and than I came out here another 2 times before Josh and I got married. It helped to get to know the Church family down here. They've welcomed me in with warm, welcoming arms, and I love them! I miss my family, but because we FaceTime every week, and talk on the phone more than once a week, it helps. :)  Serving others in the Church has been such a blessing to me, and I've been keeping busy with babysitting, and now teaching piano lessons! ... Taught my first lesson here in Ohio last week... it was refreshing to start teaching again. :)
     When Josh and I were going through pre-marital counseling, our pastor encouraged us to stay involved in the church. To serve others, and to make sure that we put others before ourselves. To keep Christ in the center of our Marriage, and to make sure that we set aside time for each other in the business of our lives.
    I'm reminded every day of Gods many blessings. It hasn't been all sunshine days. There have been rough days as well, when Josh and I have had to walk through some things, but in the end, we've grown even more closer in our marriage. The tears come at times, and Josh has been the best husband that I could've ever asked for, and I'm truly blessed!
    So, married life? ... it's fantastic! Being married to your best friend, and being able to see them every day, is a blast! I'm very grateful!
     "Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established... A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." ~Proverbs 16:3, 9~

Siblings, Friendship and Peacemaking Part 1

 Recently, my mom and I talked about different ways we can interact with some of my siblings. Each person learns in a different way, and trying to figure out which sibling fits which category, is not easy! ;) 

As my siblings got older, they started to work, attend college, and other life events… the time for me to spend with them, wasn't as often as I used to be able to. I was no longer able to say on the spot, “Hey, you want to go see a movie with some friends?” We now, had to schedule it in.

     My older brother, works full time, so, the time we get with him, is not very much. My two younger brothers, between jumping from jobs and doing school, and homework, the time we get with them, like I said, isn't as often as it used to be.

     Real “life training” begins at home when your sister won’t share her toys or when your little brother scribbles all over your new coloring book. It continues as you grow up and learn how to respond to daily trials and conflicts (big or small) that you experience at home. If you can’t succeed at home in the “small conflicts,” how will you be able to deal with bigger conflicts later in life? 

     Our brothers and sisters are one of the biggest blessings that God has given us! But sadly, many siblings fight, argue, and miss out on the close relationship that God intends. The problem is not just the surface battles, but the underlying attitudes, wrong concepts, and offenses. Many broken relationships never get fixed. Few enjoy the special, lifelong treasure that God intended. God desires that we not merely “get along” with our brothers and sisters, but that we become best friends! 

     Is this possible? Absolutely! God's Word has the answers for every situation, and the Lord gives grace to those who ask for it. (James 4:6)

     So, how do you stay connected with your siblings as you get older? To some families, it’s a piece of cake, because they were raised with it, and to make it work! … To others, it’s a little more difficult. Granted, asking questions to your siblings isn't always easy! I had read the book, “Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends” by Sarah Mally, about 3 years ago. I wanted to be intentional about having a deeper relationship with my siblings. I knew it’d take a lot of work on my part… and pride
would get in the way many times. 

     You have to really want a deeper relationship, as well as make an effort to be with your siblings. Maybe you think that it’s too late with your siblings to start a relationship with them; maybe you don’t have any siblings; and maybe you don’t want a relationship with your siblings… they did something to you many years ago, that you've never been able to let go past you, or forgive them about. Whatever the case may be, I’d encourage you to try to make it work, and to forgive, and not let it get in the way of a wonderful relationship you could have. After all, that's what peacemaking is all about. :)
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." ~Matthew 5:9~
"Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." ~Psalm 34:14~