Our One Year Anniversary!

Today, my husband and I celebrated one year of sweet wedded bliss!

November 1, 2008

A Catfish Date!

Last Thursday my husband and I celebrated our first six months of marriage with dinner out! We went to a place my husband loves for their "all you can eat" catfish, called....."The Catfish House!" How appropriate!

This place has the BEST hushpuppies and the sweetest tea. We both ordered the catfish, and 15 fish later we were stuffed!

I am very grateful for the time we spent together, especially enjoying something we both love! When I was growing up, my grandparents had a pond and loved to go fishing just as much as they loved eating them! It brought back fond memories of summers with my grandparents and my brother. I wouldn't trade those days....or these days with my sweet husband for anything!


Do you have a memory of the past similar to mine? I'd love to hear it!

Six Month Celebration

Last Friday, my husband and I hit our first six months of marriage. It has been such an amazing adventure since we have gotten married. The things that we have learned about one another are incredible. Just when I thought I knew it all :D

I have loved being Jonathan's wife these past six months. Has it been easy? No. But has it been wonderful? YES! The times it has been hard is when I'm having to learn more about MYSELF. It is very easy to get offended when I cook something he doesn't care much for. Or get tired of doing things around the house. Truth of the matter is, sometimes I don't even like some of the things I cook! I'm learning what dishes we like, and don't like. And when it comes to working around the house, I like to do it myself...the way I like to do it. It's just so easy for me to get the, "I do all the work around here" attitude, even though he offers. Don't worry. I don't get that way often...but it has crept up a couple times. The Holy Spirit quickly convicts me and I must ask for forgiveness from my husband. I love taking care of the home, so it's really my joy to do it!

The Lord has incredibly blessed Jonathan and I. He has provided so many things and wonderful opportunities for us. He as blessed us with a great church and church family. Even though we currently rent an apartment, we enjoy our home so much. It is our first home together and we know that God has richly blessed our home...even though we don't deserve it. Our friends and family were so generous to us in the gifts they gave us. I look around our home and so much of this we would not have if it weren't for them.

I love that I married my best friend. I love being at home from work before he gets home. I love cooking his favorite meals for him. I love how he says, "YES!" when he hears we are having pork chops!

I love our Bible Studies together every night. After we got back from our honeymoon, we began reading in the book of Genesis. I'll never forget giggling as he would read. I know that sounds so bad....but it was a happy giggle. He would read aloud and as he would read, "And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament," I could not control myself. It was just so new and hearing him read, I was like a little giddy teenager. We have come a long way :D It is so amazing to grow together...and to pray together.

I love how we sit at the table together even after supper and just talk. We talk about one another's day, and what we have planned for the rest of the evening at home. We definitely spend a lot of time laughing at the table as well. Our grandparents would send us to bed early for sure for "snickering" at the supper table :P

I love that even though Jonathan is head of the finances, he always wants my input on what I think. Sometimes I don't know, so he'll explain to me the situation and how it could work best for us. I think sometimes he just wants to talk about it, and I'm obliged to listen. :D

Being the "grown-ups" in our home, often means still being kids. We race each other up the stairs. We see who can find a book in the Bible first (we do this at church too....he gets a Texas-sized grin when he finds it first). And sometimes, just sometimes, we have cinnamon rolls for supper...or candy for breakfast.

Even after six months, I will look at my dear Husband and say to him, "Can you believe we are married?" He always says, "Yes," and grins. He is a wonderful husband. :D

The great thing about it, I know that the best is yet to come!

One year ago....

....Jonathan proposed! What a wonderful day that was!

Professional Wedding Photos!

A sweet prayer before the wedding. Dad was smiling
in this picture.

Jonathan and I chose to see each other BEFORE the wedding.
This is not a against scripture and made perfect sense, so we did it,
and it was all captured. :D
Dad escorting me in with my eyes closed.

Jonathan and his Dad were waiting on us.

Our dads shook hands and left the room
together, then I saw my Groom before me.

I think I was saying, "Do I look pretty?" And crying
at the same time.


Here comes the Bride!


Notice the only man looking at me was my Husband-to-be!
Jonathan's uncle performed the most
amazing communion. With tears in his eyes,
he spoke to us right from his heart.

We're married! Our smiles were huge!
We greeted guests as they left the wedding, including
our sweet uncles. We loved seeing our family and friends.

MORE to come later (if you're not tired of them :D )!

"An Excellent Wife: What God's Word Says" Part 5

I really enjoyed doing this series of posts. I've always heard that the characteristics of a virtuous wife could be found in Proverbs 31, but to actually take time to look deep into what each verse really says is really a lesson to me. As times have changed and women no longer rely on servants, as their washing machine and oven help amazingly, and there are less children running about in the average home, that doesn't mean that the attributes of a godly woman should change.

Many people, Christians as well as non-Christians, have this notion that two-child families are ideal and only big families are for "weird" home-schooling families who are unsocialized, and that mother must work outside of the home so the family can be well provided for. Let's look at where the truth lies....in the Bible. Who feeds us these lies about what family life is really about, or should be about? The World, that's who. So when the question is asked, what is a godly wife? Where does one look? Well, it should be the Bible. However, as one looks at the Bible, he or she will then turn the the World. Suddenly you have this weighing game. "Hmm, the Bible says this, but the World is really like that. I don't want to be different. I chose the World." You can't! You can't be like the World! The Bible very much applies to us today. Open your Bible, dig in deep. It's amazing how "modern" it may seem, because God's Words are very much eternal.

Verse 28 says,

"Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also praises her, "Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all."

Modern: This verse makes me smile every time I read it. It's not every day that I hear of a child that truly admires his or her mom. Sure many children might "mind" their mothers, but how many of them admire them? How many little girls, or teenage girls for that matter think to themselves, "I want to be like my mother." Not very many from what I can tell. What a blessing it would be to a woman for her child, especially an adult child to say, "Mom, I admire you."

What about husbands? How many husbands admire their wives? When a man looks across a crowed room and spots his wife does his heart jump with joy and happiness as he thinks, "Oh, there she is". Does it make his heart smile to see her? An excellent wife's husband is more aware of the value she has in his life.

30) Charm is deceitful, and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

Modern: I love this verse. For some reason I always think of Zack from "Saved By the Bell." Zack thought he could knock any girl off her feet with his charm and good looks. However:

Charm is Deceitful = misleading and manipulative
Beauty is Passing = The outward beauty will get wrinkled and sag. Outer beauty will not last forever. Eek! You don't say?!?

But a woman who fears the Lord will be praised. She was created for God's glory, and that alone will be where she will find her true joy and happiness. There's nothing more important to her relationship with the Lord, and others realize that.

31) Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Modern: She fulfills her duty with such grace and honor that she is well known without any personal gratification.

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Do people know the truth about you? What do you think they say about you? Would they see a Proverbs 31 woman in you? Just something to think about......

"An Excellent Wife: What God's Word Says" Part 4

Sorry it's been so long, I'll get back on track with verse 25:

25) Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.

Modern: I really struggled with this one. At first glance I take it to mean that her clothes are strong and she wears them with honor, meaning with high esteem and respect. Respectable clothing is most definitely what a lady should wear!

What about the rest of the verse: "She shall rejoice in time to come." Does this go along with her clothing? Any help?

26) She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

Modern: She is always ready to give godly advice. She wants to see her husband do well and is ready to give advice when asked. Her children obey her instruction as they trust her to know what is best for them.

I believe the last part is really destroyed when parents try to bribe their children so that when the parent instructs them to do something the children refuse to obey if no reward is in store. If a reward was offered and the parent doesn't uphold, which often happens in bribes, then the parent has lost the child's trust, and their own creditability. When a mother instructs her child to do something, the child should trust the mother knows what is best and obey her.

27) She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Modern: She is very up-to-date on what is going on in her home. Who's watching what on TV, or which child is feeling down. She doesn't have to depend on the babysitter's accounts to know what her children are experiencing.


Also, she is not lazy. She uses her time wisely (yikes!) and does what is necessary to remain on task! No soap operas!

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Which of these verses are do you find the most difficult?
For me it is verse 26, not wait, 27......actually it's both.

26: I think sometimes I give biased advice to tailor to the advice-seekers desires rather than what God's Word says.

27: I often don't make good use of my time, okay, I ALMOST never make good use of my time. It's really a problem for me that needs serious attention!

"An Excellent Wife: What God's Word Says" Part III

continuing with verse 20.......

20) She extends her hand to the poor; Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

Modern: She cares for those who are in need, and does not ignore their needs. She is willing to help them with what she has.

21) She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet.

Modern: Her children are always bundled up for winter. She might have to wear an out-of-style coat so that her children can have new coats as they constantly out-grow their old ones.

How often I've seen children not properly dressed for the season, meanwhile their parents have coats on. (I do understand there are some children who hate coats, or insist on wearing shorts in winter, even in the snow!) I'll never forget seeing a child in a Wal-Mart in the middle of a Kentucky winter (below freezing) with only a dress too small on, not even shoes or socks on her dirty little feet. Meanwhile her parents were dressed in layers, and buying packs of cigarettes.

22) She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Modern: If she wants nice clothing she either makes them or buys them when they go on sale (now that's something I can do, the sale part anyways!) Here's a great example of a lady who should probably take some of us shopping with her great finds! See how she uses her talents to really get more bang for her buck!

23) Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.

Modern: Her husband is respected by those in the community as they have never heard her say a harsh word against him. She also respects his position in the community and understands it's importance.

24) She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants.

Modern: She helps contribute to the income in some way. Often by sewing or making crafts and selling them.

Many wives contribute just by simply budgeting what she spends the household income on and by cutting costs as much as possible.

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What are some ways you help cut costs in your home to help contribute to your family's income? We could all use the advice!

"An Excellent Wife: What God's Word Says" Part II

Continuing with Proverbs 31:15.....

15: She rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants.

Modern: She wakes up early to provide a morning meal for her family, even if it is cereal and juice.

16: She girds herself with strength and strengths her arms.

Modern: She is strong. She becomes strong through chores, playing with children and being physically fit.

Personal Experience: When I started working at "The Bakery" I always had to ask for help lifting the 50 pound sugar bags. Kindly, my boss or co-worker, whoever was available, would run to my aide and grab up the bags of sugar. It amazed me because at over 50 years of age they were so strong and here I was, younger and whimper. Then the day came, the New Girl started and I trained her. Boy, it didn't take much for me to show her how I could lift that big bag of sugar! Amazing what a lady (me in this case) can get done when it's up to her to see that it gets done!

18: She perceives that her mechandise is good and her lamp does not go out by night.

Modern: I'm not completely sure about the merchandise mentioned above. I perceive that it could mean that if she sells something at market then it is made, or produced well. However, I'm not really sure.

In any cause, an excellent wife will often stay up late until things are in order.

19: She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle.

Modern: She has the ability to mend clothing (buttons, hemming, and small tears).

"An Excellent Wife: What God's Word Says."

Recently on another post of mine, Michelle commented in regards to one of my favorite books, "The Excellent Wife" by Martha Peace. With this comment, Michelle asked what my opinion was for what an excellent wife would be. Here's what I have to say:

Today while at work my mind was constantly pondering, what does an excellent wife look like? What qualities does she possess? First of all, no woman is perfect, not even close. Fortunately for us, excellent doesn't mean perfect. In fact, Dictionary.com tells us it means possessing outstanding quality or superior merit; or remarkably good.

As a Christian, what God's Word says is most important. That's where I base my beliefs on what an excellent wife is like. In Proverbs, King Lemuel's Mother was giving him advice on what to look for him a wife. Although this was written thousands of years ago, God obviously found it of great importance to putting it in Solomon's heart to write down for us to read years later. By the way, EVERYTHING in the Bible is very important to us today.

As I studied Proverbs 31:10-31, I decided it best for us to study it together. Hence, I have broken this down into several posts. I do not want to take any of God's words out of context. I am giving an example of how it clearly relates to us now (if you feel I have taken something out of context, please let me know!). Let's look at verse 10:

10: Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.

Modern: The wife seeks righteousness. To her husband she is highly valued. This woman is not like the world. She is different, and she is precious, just as a ruby is valued.

11: The heart of her husband safely trusts her. So he will have no lack of gain.

Modern: Her husband can deeply trust her with his concerns. He also has confidence in her integrity, ability, and good character. Therefore, he will lack nothing when it comes to what is important.

12: She does him good and not evil, all the days of her life.

Modern: She does what helps him, and brings him up, instead of what hurts him, or his character.

ALL the days of her life.....clearly this speaks for "till death do us part". Forever!

13: She seeks wool and flax and willingly works with her hands.

Modern: She seeks out what she needs to operate her home, in those times it was wool and flax, which as changed a bit. She works hard with her hands to see that her home is well in order. I'm quite sure she doesn't worry about ruining her manicure.

14: She is like a the merchant ships, and she brings food from afar.

Modern: She spends time selecting the best foods she can to bring nourishment to her family. Also, she always has groceries in the home.
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Here I have provided scripture (NKJV), always read for yourself, check your sources! More next time.....