Lately...

I have been

~making a budget

~trying out various recipes

~long sunset walks (as if PA actually has ever had a sunset with all of these stupid mountains everywhere)

~teaching Smudge tricks

~housework

~building a wonderfully strong sisterhood with Dylan's sister, Kelsie

~mastering the art of feminine fertility

~putting together a delicate address book in hopes of spreading joy this Fall with notes of encouragement

 Cactoctin Park (Where we suspect Camp David is...)

There is a little boy inside the man who is my brother ...
Oh, how I hated that little boy. And how I love him too
 ~Anna Quindlan

 He's growing like a friggin weed these days

Wednesday

Finally...

I have found a potato salad my husband likes!

http://www.joythebaker.com/blog/2011/08/salt-and-vinegar-potato-salad/

The feeling of a somewhat satisfied wife

I do not ask for easy paths
Along life’s winding roads,
But for the promised grace and strength

To carry all its loads. —Meadows

Prayer

I need prayer this week

Yesterday marked my first unemployed day since 2004

Tomorrow marks Dylan's first work day while I live in PA

I need prayers

I naturally equate my self worth to my natural love for a good day of hard work

I love working...whether I am being paid or volunteering...I really do LOVE to keep busy

I have already created a list of to-dos which I will slowly accomplish until I am employed

Dylan works 2nd shift

I will have no car while he is at work

I am in a new town and miss my old friends dearly

Will you pray for me?

God is certainly stretching me

In Pennsylvania...

and unsure

There are many aspects of Pennsylvania that I love

or that I will learn to love

I don't love Pennsylvania yet and I don't hate it yet

I do know that I woke up this morning and a mountain was covering the sunrise...anyone know how to move a mountain? 

When Dylan and I tied the knot we were very practical

We did not go all out and purchase the top financial tier we could afford

We came in under budget

We focused on what was important: glorifying God through our vow and union before Him

We felt so loved by our family and friends

But, this wasn't the happiest day of my life

Many say their wedding day is the bride's day

The wedding day is when you can put on that fairytale white dress and be treated like a princess

Was this a good day...even a great day?  Of course!


However, we are loved by our family and friends every day


I am daily treated like a princess by my Father (and Dylan)


Dylan and I are consistently attempting to glorify God through our marriage

I can think of family gatherings, foggy morning sunrises with God and days where my husband and I serve together...our wedding is placed somewhere in the middle of all of these fond, cherished memories

Hmmm...peaceful memories

Here's a fun mini series of...how our marriage operates:)

Strangely, I can't wait...

For my next loan payment! 

Call me crazy, but we have paid on our student loans all through this summer and i love doing it!  I have literally been checking the mail for days

Every time I write the check, lick the seal and stamp the corner...man, I feel like 1,000 bucks!...at least that is how much I have lost, haha

We are so determined to live simple, frugal lives

Yes, to become debt free...

But also so we can give to others!

So we can sponsor mission trips!

So we can possibly adopt unloved youth!

I love paying student loans!

I really hope this joy doesn't diminish...like so many others have told me it will:)

Here's a little inspiration for a somewhat frustrating Monday

I recently started journaling after a four month fall out with my notebook.  

It feels so incredibly freeing to write down all the precious moments that would usually slip my mind after a week.  

I love walking Smudge in the mornings before work

The sun is rising, birds chirping, fog lifting from the flat Ohio fields...

Last night I pondered with Dylan if heaven would someday resemble this image

I have often wondered why people need televisions when they can sit and watch the clouds float by, the breeze stretch from tree to tree, the shadows slowly accumulate on the earth's surface

These are some of the few images I sketch in my journal, hoping that someone will open it someday and realize how vast God's love for us is

So thankful God has given me the resources to remember these moments

An evening in Ohio...I will dearly miss you

Can I please surprise someone over here?

I have probably sent in more than 30 applications that I am fully qualified for

And no job...

3 months since obtaining my diploma

And no job...

Let me be frank...

I trust the LORD

I serve the LORD

I pray to the LORD

I will not be swayed

Thankful for...

Smudge:)

This is our new addition to the family

We called the dog warden while he was driving to have this little guy put down...

The Lord has perfect timing

This little guy is not only going to show me love and affection, but teach me patience too:)