Dylan and I...

are jobless, and hence careerless

are homeless

are foodless

are whitepicketfenceless

are medicalinsuranceless

But by the grace of God...

I have a temporary job that will start next month

We have loving family who lovingly, without a second thought, will take us in

...and who feed us:)

It is scary being married...we are a family now and have to take care of one another

I can't just go along on my own accord...Dylan's still here

Things have not exactly turned out like we planned they would a month ago when we said our vows...and that's okay and in some ways expected

We're okay with God throwing up these roadblocks...we're growing and growing together during these struggles.  But when will God provide housing, food, jobs, insurance?  Weren't these struggles supposed to come later...as in not the first month we are married?

We are slowly realizing that we trust God to provide...but are we faithful?  Are we faithful that He will provide in His own time?  Are we faithful that these struggles will not only stretch us, but we might actually gain wisdom and faith far beyond what we expected to learn during the first month of our marriage? 

We love being married.  We love being married and serving our Lord and the people around us.  

          -that sums up our first month of marriage

Day 111

Thankful For...

Wisdom

I don't know if I have ever or will ever capture a photograph that perfectly illustrates the concept of wisdom...

something of age
something that shows signs of endurance
something soft and yet stern
something full life
something that portrays a past
something that listens to the softest sounds
something that effortlessly teaches

My journey through Proverbs is still in full swing
So much learned and yet to be learned

It is amazing
For the past few months, sleep has been exhausting...crazy right?
I was so worried and stressed that I didn't even desire to sleep
Proverbs has cast my worries into unknown territories
I can now sleep through a whole night of rest
Wisdom...
Relief

Day 102

Thankful For...

My Job


The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

for attaining wisdom and discipline;

for understanding words of insight;

for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,

doing what is right and just and fair;

for giving prudence to the simple,

knowledge and discretion to the young-

let the wise listen and add to their learning,

and let the discerning get guidance-

for understanding proverbs and parables,

the sayings and riddles of the wise.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and discipline

but whoever listens to me will live in safety

and be at ease, without fear of harm

I found out today that I once again will supervise some amazing probation kids in the coming months

Oh the lessons I wish to teach this children that I have yet to learn

And thus begins my 31 days of Proverbs

Day 47

Thankful For...

God, Provision, Peace, Encouragement, Wisdom



This is an email I received tonight from one of my Bible study girls:

DMC Golfing...Tonight was so much fun, Steph! Thanks for being a great leader! :)

 

There are times when you just need to hear something...

 

The Lord Provides

Day 45

Thankful For...

People

Today I was blessed with wisdom, encouragement and love from the people around me

This fact alone makes an incredible and very memorable day

Not because this rarely occurs

No no...

But because it is nothing short of a true blessing in my life

Day 34

Thankful for...

Heat

Blankets

Food

Warm Shower

Sock Slippers

Water

Dylan and I were driving in downtown Springfield tonight.  We almost hit a homeless man crossing the street.  We couldn't be angry...he was pushing a cart full of all his possessions...and I didn't see a blanket

Could we have done something?
I feel like a lot of people would say there wasn't a whole lot of opportunity in that situation...but really?  
We were driving in a warm car
On our way to buy some food to eat
And then eventually return to a warm house with a shower and bed
What more resources do I need?

Day 27

No pictures today...just me.

Yesterday I witnessed a close, very loved friend experience hurt.  

As we tried to work out the situation, I kept thinking of how very blessed I am:

Thankful for the blessing of relationships

Thankful for the blessing of wisdom

Thankful for the Truths that flow out of God's Word

Thankful for experiences and lessons learned

So very thankful that one day God grabbed me up from merely living and showed me the never ending truths of this life.

Day 24

Thankful...

       For The Past

Isaiah 59

Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save,

nor his ear too dull to hear