His Presence In Our Life

I wait for the phone to ring, to hear his voice, and to know he's okay. I wait to hear the door unlock and to hear a sigh of relief. Those are the things that I wait for each night. My husband is a State Trooper (they're called State Police in some states). Anyone can be gone in a blink of an eye, but it seems those in Law Enforcement or the Military can go sooner. Some nights if I don't hear from him when his shifts ends it worries me. I have a lot that may go through my mind. I think about the days events and how things were between us. I can't help but wonder if I'll see him again.

Come be encouraged as I write at The Imperfect Wives today.

He'll Catch Us When We Fall

While reading about Jonah in my boy's home-school lesson one evening, the Holy Spirit began to speak to me. Jonah willingly ran from God's command to go to Ninevah. He not only ran, but He told God he wouldn't go. Most of us know the story how Jonah was thrown into the sea and swallowed by a big fish. If not for the big fish Jonah probably would have died we can safely assume. Despite Jonah's blatant disobedience to God's command, God still had a rescue plan for Jonah. 

I'm over at Laced With Grace today, won't you join me?

Adorning Our Character

These days most movies or t.v. shows portray the husband as the butt of the jokes. Other t.v. shows or movies portray a fighting husband or wife. It's not hard to see that our society does not value authority or marriage. Women are degrading and men are disrespected. It's sad and heartbreaking really. What God created and blessed, we have defiled with our sinfulness.

I'm over at The Imperfect Wives writing today. Come join me and be encouraged!

A Love Going Strong

Today marks eight years that I said 'I Do' to my awesome husband. Eight years ago on a cold December morning in our first home (apartment) we vowed to love one another no matter what.

No matter how we felt

No matter how we looked

No matter how things were going

No matter what came our way

I can say that we have done that. We're still together. We're still loving one another, forgiving one another, laughing with one another, getting frustrated with one another, and praying for one another. We're definitely not perfect. We sin. We aren't always nice or happy, but we're growing. We're learning, living, and loving. I love this man more now than I ever knew I could. A man I never saw as a romantic interest. A man who I grew to love and who grew to love me.

We've had some hard things happen to us in these eight years. Many schools and trainings for him and pregnancies for me can wear on a couple. Missed holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries due to work can put distance between a husband and wife. We're not a couple untouched by tragedy, disappointment, or struggles.

Our foundation is what keeps us together. 

Our choice to keep open communication with the Lord and each other keeps us together. Choosing every day to forgive the wrongs and embrace the rights. It's not easy. It's messy, but it's beautiful. Two lives being merged together with failure and success. Two becoming one in more than a physical way. Marriage is a sacred thing. It's so precious. I love the man God has given me. I love how we compliment each other, how we push each other, and how we love each other. I so don't deserve this man in my life, he's way too good to me, yet God saw fit to write our love story. It's not finished yet, it's only really beginning. Finding your soul mate is only the beginning of the story. I pray we let Him finish our story well.

I encourage you ladies (and men) to love your spouse well. See them as God sees them. Pray for them. Kiss them long and passionately. Hug and snuggle together. Laugh together and grow together. Don't let the struggles hinder you, just push through and press on.

Here's to a lifetime of growing old with my man.

His Love In Us

I can't tell you how much I love my husband. I never knew I could love someone so long or so much. We've only been married for 8 years in December, but life has brought us some hard struggles. He's seen my best and my worst. We've been at the top of the mountain and down in the valley in these almost 8 years. One thing I can say that hasn't failed is my husband's love for me.

I'm at The Imperfect Wives today, come be encouraged!

Thankfulness Printable!

My awesome friend, Hollie, made a printable to go along with my post from last week called Having A Thankful Heart. I wanted to share it with you all.

You can click here to print your copy.

I pray you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends!

Weekend Links

I pray y'all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We enjoyed it with our families and friends. Now for some encouraging posts!

Giving Thanks In Sorrow by Kaitlin Wernet at She Reads Truth.
Kids and Porn: The Slippery Slope by Monica Swanson at Monica Swanson grommom.
Life Lines and Stains and Scars, Oh, Yes! by Trisha at The Good Life.
Five Ways To Encourage Your Stressed Child by Christy Fitzwater at Club 31 Women.
Rocks and thorns and Well-Trodden Ground by Heather at Laced With Grace.