Five on Friday: WAR Feature

Happy Friday, ladies!

I'll be linking up with April, Amanda, Karli, and Andrea for Friday 5 and Friday Favorites. Go visit their blogs and show these ladies some love today!

One thing I've really felt the Lord tug on my heart about for this blog is featuring organizations or shops He is using to really make a difference.

While Jon was stationed in North Carolina, we got involved in an organization called The Defender Foundation.  One night of reaching out to women (and men) who find themselves in human trafficking and/or prostitution situations and my mind still remembers the names and faces of these dear, sweet, lost people.  God's children, they are. Every single one of them.

Human trafficking is the fastest growing organized crime in the United States.  Organizations like Women At Risk, International are seeking to save at-risk women and children from this horrendous, illegal industry.  I found out about WAR when they partnered with Defender to do a jewelry sale at our church in NC.

All products are made by or sold in support of these precious women.  They have everything from jewelry, to home decor, and even things for children and men! Today I thought I would share 5 pieces that I absolutely adore.

Happy Shopping, Ladies! :)

Thoughts for Thursday

Happy Thursday!  Today I'm linking up with Annie.  Show her some love today!

 

This my friends is where I share a little piece of my heart. Ready, go.

Any big move can make you feel like you've had a rug pulled right out from under you.

The most difficult challenge for me is staying connected to the Lord in the midst of all of these changes.  Even in the most beautiful of places, with the most wonderful of husbands, I am disgusted by how much I find myself distracted from just listening for Him.

Jon gets up early. Like super early hooah style.  I've been pulling myself out of bed with him so I can see him off and stay on relatively the same schedule.  The first thing I've been doing in the mornings is getting into God's Word. (well of course after I make a cup of coffee you know...can't be falling back to sleep on the Lord.)

I've been so hopeful for this time, and I still am, but to be real, I'm surprised at how much I'm still struggling to hear Him. I know He's there. No doubt about it.  I feel like I can so easily fall into the morning routine of checking social media or turning on the Today Show. (I <3 the Today Show... Jon and I were on it in January)<--- You see, there I go getting distracted again.

Once I get to clicking on Instagram or Facebook or into the day's latest headlines I feel like my mind has already been compromised over things that are so fading.

So I've been getting up super early, and getting right into what the Lord has to say about this life.  What's so crazy to me and so disgusting is still the attitude of my heart.  For example, I read something like Proverbs 2:3-5: 

yes, if you call out for insight

    and raise your voice for understanding, 

 if you seek it like silver
    and search for it as for hidden treasures, 

then you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find the knowledge of God.

and I think, yeah, this is me seeking insight.  This is me seeking understanding, Lord.

What really struck a nerve with me was "if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures" because immediately I thought, gee, the only thing I've been seeking like silver is a font for the blog and I've been searching like my hidden treasures were included in the Nordstrom Anniversary sale.  Sad, I tell you. And mighty difficult to swallow.

The Lord wants so much more for me.  For you.  I'm still so unsure of how exactly to seek Him, or what that looks like.  However, what I'm beginning to realize, probably for the 63789783788th time is that seeking things of this world is not seeking Him at all.

Yesterday

My emotions were completely wrecked over a woman I don't even know.  I'm still pretty laid back in my involvement with this here blogging community, but I do follow a lady named Jessica.  I've enjoyed reading her light-hearted posts and seeing pictures of her adorable kiddos, but yesterday, her post was much different.  While the title included the name of a woman I had never even heard of, my heart instantly began to break.

I encourage you to read the memoriam Jessica wrote on her dear friend Leslie, a 30 year old mother of two baby girls. This post is just one of many that reflect the sweet soul of Leslie.

When Jon got home from work I couldn't help but share the story that  had weighed so heavily on me all day.  As I choked back tears, I kept repeating to him, "she's a stranger, I don't even know her, why am I so upset?". I felt so silly crying over the loss of a person I don't even know.

Today the Lord brought a verse of scripture to my heart about the Body of Christ.

"If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together."
[1 Corinthians 12:26]

You see, Leslie is not a stranger at all, and as weird as this may sound, she's my sister, not through our own blood, but through the blood of Jesus, and that alone is enough to cause us to grieve along with those who knew her.

In honor of Leslie, a memorial fund has been set up for her two sweet babies, Caroline and Ainsley.  If you feel led to support their family, you can find the link here.

Thoughts for Thursday: Perfect Love Casts Out Fear

 "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." [1 John 4:18]
 
Fear.  No one likes to talk about it; perhaps because talking about it makes it feel more real to us.  I had a beautiful study this morning with some of my Women of the Chapel ladies.  As we sip our coffees and share amazing recipes, I think each of us is hoping, praying that the Spirit would work in us to stir one another up and to encourage one another in our weakest, most vulnerable moments.

The Lord undoubtedly worked among us today to break down barriers, to cast out fear; and ladies, it was amazing.  You see, it's difficult as a military spouse to be moving around frequently and develop close friendships.  It's even more difficult sometimes as a sister in Christ to go beyond that to levels of deep, trusted, vulnerable fellowship.  In other times, it's amazing to see the almost immediate connection you can have with other believers when the body of Christ comes together.

So what keeps us from sharing? from being vulnerable? from trusting other sisters whether we've known them for two weeks or two years?  My dear friends, I think it's fear.  Yes--we have all been stomped by putting ourselves out there, but I think the enemy uses that stomping, that previous hurt, to keep us from trusting even among the body of believers.  Is there a chance we can be hurt by sharing our deepest hearts, our "silliest" ideas?  Yes, but to assume that will undoubtedly happen is to live in the bondage of the lies of the enemy.

"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." [Galatians 5:1]

Sisters, we are free.  Free to live without fear.  (I need to say this to myself in the mirror each morning. Perhaps I'll start that.)  I definitely live in fear, believing the lies, but all I know is that sitting with beautiful sisters this morning, His perfect love cast out the fear, and we were vulnerable, and broken, and because of it we were able to more clearly gaze upon the magnificent beauty of our Father.


Linking up with Annie and Natalie for Thoughts on Thursday.

Hello!...from our new Home!

Hey y'all!  Oh my goodness, I feel like it has been forever since I have written.  Honestly, we've had internet in our home for the past week and a half, but I just haven't been able to "find" the time to post.  I hope you all are doing well, and I can't wait to start catching up on your lives.

I never want this blog to seem like a forced thing, to feel the pressure to write a certain amount of posts in a certain time frame.  I have found myself over the past few days thinking "man, I used to blog...I guess I don't do that anymore?...".  The truth is I have been spending a significant amount of time seeking to discern where God wants me to be in this season.  I recently quit my job, got my awesome husband back from deployment, moved into a home with more space than we know what to do with, and am steady meeting amazing people through ministry and military spouse get-togethers. I also eat ice cream every night. Life is great, y'all.

What I feel God reveal to me more and more though is that regardless of how great life can be, my ultimate fulfillment comes from being where He would have me.  Apart from that, life is just kind of "blah".  So, I don't know where I was going with this other than, God has recently instilled in me a deeper desire to seek His face in how I spend my time, and in the relationships I am making here at our new duty station.

I really like the military.  (other than deployments of course)  I've really enjoyed meeting the spouses of the soldiers working with Jon.  It's super cool to be forming bonds with them as our spouses do the same in the workplace.  I'm also thankful for the fellowship that God has provided Jon and I with since we arrived.  I guess our largest prayer currently is to be used by God, to hear His voice and know where He wants us.

Love you guys!  Hoping to "find" the time to write more soon.

ps--I experimented with a paleo Pinterest recipe tonight that totally rocked our world.  I've gotta share it with y'all asap.

#namesofGod2014//post 2

Hello from Starbucks again, my friends!  It seems as though this has become my only place to sneak in some blogging time as Jon and I are moving.  We officially leave post today, will stay the weekend with my family, and report to our next duty station on Monday.  So exciting!  Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers during Jon's deployment, and now as we experience our first PCS together.  It has been wonderful catching up with friends in the area over the past two weeks that Jon and I have had here.

Anyway, enough of that for now. :) I am so thankful for the study Rachel and Nicole are leading/hosting in our sweet blogging community.  Even if you ladies haven't had the chance to follow along this go round, I highly recommend it.  If you are going through the study with us, I sure hope you'll join us for the link-up that they're hosting today.  Just like some of you have said, I am a few days behind in the study as well, and I love that that's okay.  The point is not the speed at which we get through the study, but what the Lord is teaching us in the midst of it.  I am so thankful that He gives us freedom from the crazy timelines of this world.

A couple of days ago, I was reading through the section that talks about God as our El Roi, the God who sees.  Upon first glance, this didn't seem like any new, mind-blowing thing for me.  That is, until God breathed some major truth my way.  In studying our El Roi, Arthur had us look at the story of Abram, Sarai, and Hagar, particularly through the eyes of Hagar.  Now, I've definitely never been in a position like Hagar's, but we all have experienced what it's like to feel unheard or unseen despite our desperate attempts to be heard and seen.  Ah, sweet sisters, how this spoke to my heart.  

^"So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me." --Genesis 16:13

Oh my goodness, what a sweet message of promise this story offers us.  How desperate and deep the longing is in each of us to be heard and seen.  I'm so thankful to the Lord for unveiling the gravity of a longing I quickly overlook or don't understand. We are designed to desire this, but specifically desire it with our Father.  I can't quite describe with words the natural temptation to seek fulfillment in being completely heard and seen by my husband, my friends, my coworkers, my family.  While I am totally blessed with an amazing husband, friends, and family, they, like me, are sinners.  How wrong I am to seek or expect to constantly be fully heard, seen and understood by anyone or anything other than my mighty Creator.  Praise God for breathing truth that this desire is real and that it can only be fulfilled in Him.  How precious. How real. How faithful He is.

Just as Hagar was freed from her attitude of contempt toward Sarai because of what God revealed in Himself, I am so thankful for the freedom that God offers us as our El Roi.  Although the enemy, along with our flesh, will always attempt to deceive us, we are completely set free from the frustrations of ever feeling unseen.  What beautiful rest He offers us in the comfort of knowing that He sees.  We need not ever fight to be heard or seen, sweet Sisters.  He always sees us exactly where we are.

#namesofGod2014

Hey there, Sweet Sisters!  I'm sorry it's been so long since the last post!  I'm definitely not professional enough to have planned posts ahead in my absence.  However, I have been quite occupied with Jon RETURNING from deployment and all!:) Praise God!  I promise to post more on that in the near future.  Our schedule is crazy right now, with me snagging time in coffee shops to read and write as we move over the next week.  I love you guys, and even though I'm not always a faithful blogger I appreciate you following along on this little adventure.

One thing I have managed to make time for is the amazing Bible study I'm doing with Rachel and Nicole.  They are two outstanding women of God, and it has been so encouraging to see the Lord moving in their lives.  Right now they've invited everyone to join in reading Kay Arthur's Lord, I Want to Know You.  I hope y'all are reading through with us.:)  

Although I haven't had the opportunity to post on the study yet, reading along with you ladies has been such a tremendous blessing to my heart.  I have no particular structure to posting on this study, so I'm just going to go with it.  Arthur reminds us in her introduction that "What you have learned, God intends for you to share."  This was such a great reminder to me that anything I learn in this study isn't just for my own knowledge or growth, but to be shared.  It seems so simple, but the hard reality is that I probably don't share half of what I learn from the Lord.  I'm so hopeful that God will enable us to learn, grow and share with each other in this study.

She also makes the point that "to boast in" also means "to trust in".  How many times in fellowship do we encourage each other to boast in the Lord?  This is so much easier said than done for me.  It also caused me to revisit "boast" as a parallel to "trust".  It's crazy to me that I have somehow developed a way to openly tell others about the Lord, all while the actions of my life fail to display trust in Him.  Praise God for revealing this to me. 

Arthur reminds us that in biblical times a person's name  represented their character.  In this study we are focusing on the names of God not just to know His many names, but to know Him.  How wonderful and merciful He is to give us the gift of knowing Himself.  This is the only place where true peace, rest and delight are found, and I thank Him so much for opening our eyes to this truth. "Let him trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God." --Isaiah 50:10

One of the names of God we have studied is El Elyon, the Most High.  This is the name that designates God as sovereign.  The sweet reminders of God's sovereignty could not have come at a better time as Jon and I are making the next big move and transition in our lives.  It's so so easy for me to get wrapped up in the lists the world helps to create for us, and to feel God's sovereignty in it all is the largest blessing that I do not deserve.

I hope He's using this study to encourage each of you where you are.

Being Still in the Midst of Transition

Hey there, Sweet Friends!  Is it really Thursday already?  I can't believe how the days just sneak on by.  I hope y'all have had a fabulous week so far.  Jon gets home in less than two weeks now, which makes me absolutely ecstatic.  It doesn't even seem real.  While I am undoubtedly over the moon to be reunited with my husband in just a few short days, I feel like I have 861919 things to do in this narrowing (thankfully) window of time.  You know what I mean? 

I started a "to-do" list for work and for home, as well as "to buy" and "to pack" lists.  As soon as I'm scratching something off I feel like I'm adding two additional things back on.  I guess that's the story with life though, right?  I'm scheduling dinners with friends and trying to savor the time I have left with my parents.  I'm finalizing projects at work and preparing a guide for my replacement hire.  It's such a bittersweet-exciting time, this period of transition.  It's a time I've literally counted down every.single.day. for the past six months.  I am so so thankful it's here, but at the same time I'm leaving family, a church and a career I that love.  In the midst of this transition, I am sad to leave people and things behind, but  I am so excited for whatever God has for us in the coming months in our new home.

Dad and I did some figuring the other day and realized that this next move with Jon will be my 14th move in the last seven years.  I'm averaging about twice a year, y'all.  Crazy.  If you have moved, you know how stressful it can be.  I somehow fall for the deception each time that if I just make a list to mark off from, and if I just do a good enough job of taping and labeling the boxes, and if I successfully manage to contact all of the proper offices and stalk out the floor plan enough, and bubble wrap our breakables enough, then I will be completely in control of the situation, on top of it all.  It seems that these transitions are when I need time with God the most, and also when it's most difficult to find that time to just be still with Him.

“Be still, and know that I am God" --Psalm 46:10

How vital that time is, friends.  I'm sure y'all can relate.  How do you find time to be still with our Father in the midst of transition?

A Blog Bible Study

So, if y'all don't already follow Rachel and Nicole, you definitely should.  They are two of the sweetest lovers of Jesus that I have met through this blogging community.  Oh my goodness, how I can't believe the fellowship that this little blog has provided.  You ladies are such an encouragement.  On Monday, Rachel and Nicole posted here and here about doing a bible study together.  They selected Lord, I Want to Know You by Kay Arthur and invited everyone to join them in the six week study kicking off on June 30th.  I am so excited! This was a hands down yes for me, especially since I just wrapped up  Arthur's Lord, Teach Me How to Study the Bible in 28 Days with a small group of ladies from my church.  I never thought the books of Jonah and Jude could be so packed with lessons.  We learned so much, and I loved it!  And get this:  Rachel and Nicole did a giveaway for the study, and I won!  I seriously never win anything.  I was totally shocked!  This gift totally blessed me. Thank you ladies so much.  I simply can't wait to get to know the Lord more fully alongside you sweet sisters.

Y'all should totally join in, and encourage those around you to study as well! 

Marriage: God's Faithfulness & My Selfishness

So, I'm not gonna lie y'all, the past few days have been tough.  It turns out that I'm still a selfish sinner.  Go figure, right?  It's funny how desperately I need to be reminded of this at times.  It's quite impressive when even in the midst of being so so tremendously blessed I still find a way to be discontented, to say, "What I have is not enough.".  Ugh, how it disgusts me to admit this. Even more disgusting is being confronted with how I still desire to put my interests and passions before Jon's.

I know we're only eight months into marriage with him being deployed over half of it, so we are by no means supposed to be experts.  However, I am convinced of this:  marriage means loving your spouse more than yourself, and loving them unconditionally...a beautiful picture of the Gospel.  Wow, how much more easily this is said than lived out in my everyday.  How much easier it is to focus on how others could change to benefit me, instead of me changing to become more selfless. I hope I'm not alone here.

As I push to plan my life the way I think it should  look, I fall into the trap of selfishness and control.  Praise Jesus I have a husband who sets a beautiful example for me of what it means to desire God's will for his life rather than his own.  I am so humbled by it.  One thing I feel so blessed by is God's faithfulness to reveal my selfishness to me.  Although the realization that I can be more selfish than I ever thought possible doesn't exactly feel good, the sense of God's nearness and faithfulness to mold me into His image for His glory sure does.  While confronting, it is so cool to navigate this journey with Jon as we identify his passions, my passions, and God's passions; surrendering our own and receiving a new heart for His.

Peace: In the job search

So, I have begun the job seeking process again, y'all.  For the first time since college graduation  I am resume tweaking and filling out applications.  Ah, how I had forgotten the anxiety and uncertainty of it all.  I have been tremendously blessed to have an awesome career in my field for the past three years, but with Jon and I changing stations upon his redeployment, we have reached the bittersweet period of transitioning to the next chapter.

I had forgotten just how vulnerable the job search could make me.  As I sit and write my heart out to try and impress my potential employer, the pressure to 'earn' recognition and success can become overwhelming.  I think, "If I just had the perfect wording in my cover letter..." or "If I just had one more letter of recommendation...", then I could get that dream job.  While working to gain skills and experience that better equip us in the workforce is important, I have been all the more humbled and struck by the reality that my career, like everything else, is ultimately in God's hands.  While having an awesome resume might seem to increase my chances for employment, I am thankful to find confidence in the fact that God is in control no matter how tweaked the resume.

This has filled me with such peace.  I have been going through Sarah Young's Jesus Calling this year, and yesterday's reading was super impactful...a great reminder that we need only trust in Him.  I hope this snippet helps you find peace today wherever you are, Friend.

7 things I love about my Husband

Happy Monday, Y'all! and Happy 7 Monthiversary to that sweet husband of mine!

In honor of seven months of marriage I thought I would share seven things I love about Jon.

1. He loves Jesus more than he loves me.  This one is by far my favorite.  I know it is so often said, "find a man who loves Jesus more than he loves you".  I had heard it plenty of times before God blessed me with Jon, and I'm convinced that it's only through His grace that Jon found me, but ladies, this saying is so so true.  It's difficult to even explain other than saying we were designed to love God the most.  It's interesting that the world has adopted the idea of "the one", or how you are supposed to love your spouse more than anything.  This so keeps us from living in the freedom of God's Truth and experiencing love with our spouse in the deep, beautiful way He has designed it.  Again, it's hard to put into words, but because Jon loves Jesus the most, He is able to love me with a love far deeper than he ever could by centering His life around me; He is able to love me with the one, true love, the love of Christ.

2. He's a great leader.  It's so funny to me that this would be my number two, and even more funny to me that I would ever reach a point where I would be excited to be led by a man.  Again, the world had successfully convinced me that I was totally capable of leading myself, being self-sufficient, and that the idea of male leadership was a thing that should be left in the past along with all things that, to the world, made women seem inferior.  Oh my goodness, how my heart has changed on this issue. (All glory to God.)  Again ladies, it has everything to do with God's design.  For the majority of my life I have been able to say "God's plan is better than my own" without really living like it. (Haven't we all?)  But seriously, I have been a champion at this.  If God's Word basically says that Jon is supposed to lead me who am I to oppose that?  I thank God that He has totally changed my heart on this issue by showing me part of His great design of male leadership through such a Godly husband.  Jon is a great leader even at times that He's unaware that He's leading me simply by fixing his eyes on our sweet Savior.

3.  He humbles himself in the midst of my selfishness.  Eee. How I still cringe at this one, but oh my geez, how it's one of my favorites!  Well, I'm sure y'all can agree, no one likes being confronted with their own selfishness.  It never feels good.  Jon is a champ at loving me even in the times that I am being so selfish.  I really don't know how he does it.  I think Jesus helps him a lot. :) Seriously, nothing humbles me more quickly than Jon's unconditional love when I'm acting like a total brat.

4. He's a hard worker.  Jon is such a hard worker, and I am so proud of him.  As I've posted before, Jon is in the Army, and we're just over halfway through a deployment now.  He has been such a trooper through it all.  He never complains, and always seeks to see what God is teaching him through his career.  Most importantly, I admire how he is able to work hard while still knowing that God and family are most important.

5.  He's smart.  I had a hard time when Jon and I first started dating because I never thought I could handle being with someone who was smarter than me.  :) He is so smart y'all, and I feel as though I learn so much from him in the time we spend together.  One of my favorite things to do is just sit and chat with him for hours over coffee.  Somehow the man has great ideas that would never cross my mind, but shhh.. don't tell him, because I like to let him think I'm the one with all of the good ideas.:)

6. He loves to dance.  Seriously, the man is a dancing fool.  I grew up dancing and always looked forward to being able to dance a ton with my husband.  Jon is definitely that guy.  We have so much fun dancing together, whether it be a night out or a night in. So fun.

7. He encourages me. He always says I'm a good cheerleader, but I think he takes the cake. This man encourages me no matter how big or small the obstacle.  Most importantly, he always encourages me to seek Jesus and to grow in what God has for me through current circumstances. He is such an encouragement to me.  Recently I started running, and I am no runner, but Jon knows just the right things to say to keep me going.

I hope y'alls week is off to a fabulous start!

One Year Ago Today: The Proposal

Happy Monday, Y'all!

I am especially happy today despite the sleep deprivation of daylight savings time.  Jon proposed a year ago today, and we have so loved talking and reminiscing about this special time in our lives.  :)  We feel so blessed and humbled to look back on everything The Lord has done in the past year.  He is so good.

Read our proposal story here.

Hope

Good morning, sweet friends!  I hope everyone's Monday is off to a great start!  Mine has already been eye-opening.  I have a little over an hour commute each way to my job, which serves as the perfect opportunity to pray and praise Jesus while jamming with Pandora.  As no surprise, one of the first things I pray for is my sweet Jon.  I pray for his protection spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally and largely for his safe (and rapid) return.  Prayer is very interesting.  To me, it is the clearest window to our hearts, so as I pray I can usually determine the desires of my heart pretty clearly.  This is a great gift, which can often be very convicting, because I feel it also shows me what I am placing my hope in.

This morning I felt The Lord shining light on where I have been placing some of my hope.  While I think it is totally acceptable for me to hope tremendously that Jon has a safe return, I cannot find the hope of my life in it.  I felt very clearly that God was trying to remind me that I have all of the hope I will ever need in this life.  He has already given it to me, in His son, Jesus Christ.  What beautiful news.  I hope you ladies are able to find your hope in the only, true Anchor this morning.:)

What I'm Reading Link-Up: February 2014

Hey y'all!  So today I'm starting a link-up with Ashley over at The Christian Wife Life for her What I'm Reading Link-Up.  If you haven't checked out her blog, please do it!  She is an extremely inspiring wife and woman of God.  I'm sure you'll enjoy her posts as much as I do.

My February 2014 Reading List:

1. Redemption:  Freed by Jesus from the Idols We Worship and the Wounds We Carry by Mike Wilkerson

I'm currently reading this book along with a group of women from my church.  We get together once a week to discuss how God is working through deep issues in our hearts and in our own lives and the freedom that Jesus has given us in those struggles. So far, it's a great, very confronting book.

Redemption: Freed by Jesus from the Idols We Worship and the Wounds We Carry By Mike Wilkerson "Redemption. The word is so familiar its meaning is often taken for granted. In everyday use it suggests recovery, repayment, rescue, or vindication. But what does it look like in real life with real people who are broken, wounded, or addicted?" --From the Introduction

2. Psalm 91 Military Edition: God's Shield of Protection by Peggy Joyce Ruth

I was given this book in a goody bag at a pre-deployment briefing.  I started reading it before the deployment, and am currently still working through it.  This book has some great stories of God's protection in very dangerous situations.  I have found it to be a little dangerous myself because it sometimes causes me to think myself or Jon is guaranteed to be physically protected if I pray in faith. This is obviously not the case.  However, it has caused me to more fully consider God's gift of promise and protection, but spiritual protection over physical protection.

Psalm 91 Military Edition: God's Shield of Protection By Peggy Joyce Ruth Blessed assurance for battlefield dangers! Offering an in-depth look at "protection" promises from a military viewpoint, Ruth walks you through Psalm 91 verse by verse to reveal God's presence. Her hope-filled insights will help you turn away from fear and put your trust in God's supportive shield that surrounds you.

3.Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence - Devotions for Every Day of the Year by Sarah Young
Obviously this is a popular one.  I have been meaning to read Jesus Calling for a while now, and I decided that January 1st was a great day to start.  I was a little skeptical because of how it's written, but let me tell you; this book is so good!  Y'all should definitely check it out.  It is so amazing in how applicable it is to my daily life.
Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence - Devotions for Every Day of the Year

By Sarah Young


After many years of writing in her prayer journal, missionary Sarah Young decided to be more attentive to the Savior's voice and began listening for what He was saying. With pen in hand she embarked on a journey that forever changed her along with many others throughout the world. The result of these meditations is the classic devotional, Jesus Calling, Enjoying Peace in His Presence. In these powerful pages are the words and scriptures Jesus lovingly laid on her heart. A year's worth of daily readings from Young's journals are now available for you, in order to bring you closer to Christ and move you deeper into His presence and His everlasting peace.

That's all for now, ladies!  I'm praying y'all are finding good reads to encourage and grow you in God's presence this month.

God's Greatness & The "D" Word

Hey guys!  I know, it's been another whole month since I've written, but I've been quite busy with life changes.  For those of you who don't know, Jon is in the Army.  I haven't made a big deal over us being a military family on the blog for several reasons, I think.  There is the obviousness of career being a personal thing to post about on social media.  However, way more important than that is the conscious effort for both Jon and I to find our identities in Christ alone, not in being a military family, or anything else for that matter.  With that said, the Army has been absolutely wonderful for us.  I hope Jon can say the same, but I absolutely love it aside from the time he is away from home.  Since becoming an Army wife, I have been extremely impressed with all of the resources and networks the military works so hard to provide to assist us in our day to day lives.  I am beyond grateful.
Then comes the "D" word...deployment...the word I'm currently struggling most to be grateful for.  He's been gone about two weeks now.  It's interesting because Jon and I knew it was coming, even months before the wedding, we knew.  We talked about it, planned around it, prayed over it.  I do not say this for pity, sympathy or attention, but it really is true that deployment is something you cannot understand the feeling of until your experience it.  I'll tell you what; it so makes me appreciate all of the families who have done this before.  Thank you.
What's more important than the worldly trials we experience are the lessons God teaches us in these trials.  It is so easy to adopt the "why us?" mentality in difficult seasons, but that mentality is exactly the wrong one to have.  The reality is that this life is not about Jon and I, but about God.  Oh my goodness, how my flesh fights against this incredible Truth.  In looking ahead to this time, I knew deep down that the trial would be good.  I knew that 3 months of happily wedded bliss would be an appropriate amount of time to enjoy what a beautiful gift God had given us, but also enough time for Jon and I to begin to be tempted to look to one another in areas of our marriage where we should be looking to our Father.  Submitting to this in my mind was much easier than submitting to this in my heart, and I praise God for His grace and mercy as I have struggled in my heart with His great plan for our lives.  Time and time again, we learn and say how much greater His plan is than our own, and it continues to amaze me how much selfishness I exhibit when placed in a position to struggle and growth in the Light.
It has been so evident to me just how much God desires our hearts.  To me, that seems to be a huge reason for why He has us in a deployment now...not because God is punishing us, or wants us to be unhappy, or because He doesn't care, or because He is so busy being God that He doesn't see our struggle, but because He loves us and desires our affections.  What better way to bring Jon and I to our knees than this?  Above anything this deployment shows us how deeply God desires for us to be in constant dependency of Him, and how strongly He wants us to trust Him.
One thing that has had me in complete awe is the tremendous sense of God's nearness in this situation.  In every other serious trial of my life I have cried out to the Lord, not knowing where He is or what He is doing.  However, throughout each day of this struggle I feel God so close and so eager to be closer.  It really is amazing.  To be in such pain, such heartache and longing, but to feel such comfort, peace and hope in the nearness of Jesus is something I cannot begin to explain, but it's there.  He is there.  This has led me to ponder deeply over joy.  Again, so many times in bible studies we talk about what it is to be joyful, and that joy and happiness are different.  It's now that I experience joy, pure joy, in the inexplicable nearness of a God who will never leave us nor forsake us, a God who desires us far more than Jon and I could ever desire one another and a God who knows the pain of heartache and longing far more than we could ever fathom even in a deployment that separates us.  To know Him more, even in the midst of pain, we are so joyful.

Five on Friday

Happy Friday, Y'all!

Today I'm linking up with Christina at Carolina Charm, Darci at The Good Life Blog, Liz at A. Liz Adventures and Natasha at Hello! Happiness for Five on Friday!  Please join us!

-one- Again this week, my #1 is that I get to see my husband! Yay!  We've had to do long distance again this week so I could finish up work, but I'm heading straight to him this afternoon! Thank the Lord!

-two- Jon and I are in the process of moving into our first "home" together!  Although it's only a one bedroom apartment we are so thankful to be able to call it our home for the next 2-3 months. I'm praying for patience and understanding as we get settled in, and also that God would create in us servant hearts to open our home to others.

-three- Our wedding photos are in!  They are BEAUTIFUL!  Please stayed tuned over the next week as I share our precious memories.

-four- Dunkin Donuts. I'm not sure about y'alls places of work, but in my office, someone is always dropping by with tons of sweets.  This morning I've already enjoyed two delicious donuts. :) Looks like someone may need to visit the gym later.

-five- Getting more time in God's word.  Let's be real.  With maintaining a full-time job, what has been a long-distance relationship, commuting two hours a day, planning a wedding, packing for a move AND getting a healthy amount of sleep, it's difficult to "find" time to read each day.  I read most days, but I look SO forward to having time to enjoy God's word, to savor it, to swim in it, to clearly hear my Father speak to me and not just be "making time for it".  Have I mentioned what a beautiful example my dear husband sets for me?  He often gets up at the crack of dawn to spend time with the Lord before work.  His hunger for the Word is so humbling and encouraging.  One morning while in Tampa, we had the opportunity to read together before I dropped Jon off for his class.  I love precious times like these.

Tampa: Go there.

OH.MY.GOODNESS.  Jon and I got to spend all of last week in Tampa.  It was amazing, y'all.  No kidding. Everything was perfect.  We were there for Jon to attend a class at MacDill Air Force Base.  Seriously, all of you Air Force wives, go there.  It is absolutely beautiful.

First, it was just plain amazing to finally be reunited with my husband after only getting 3 days together following the wedding.  The trip to Tampa was about 10 hours, crazy I know, but wonderful and fun when shared with your best friend.  We stopped at Perard's in Jacksonville to grab pizza.  Best. decision.ever.  It was amazing.  If you're ever in Jacksonville, check it out.

While Jon was in class during the day I read, adventured around and hung out be the pool in the gorgeous 90 degree weather of October, not a bad life. :)  I also got to have lunch on base with him each day, so that was nice.

Our first evening we ventured out to Clearwater Beach, which was a little drive from Tampa, but totally worth it.  We felt like two spoiled kids swimming about in the water, and basking in the warm sun.  We ate at Frenchy's on the beach, a restaurant recommended by a friend.  I wish I had pictures y'all, but the food was just too delicious to stay on my plate.:)  Before leaving the beach, Jon and I had to check out a good local coffee shop.  Spending time at coffee shops is our favorite thing to do.

The second day we decided to check out this place Jon found on the map, Picnic Island Park.  Love love love!  It's a sweet little park surrounded by water with a beach, a dog park, picnic tables, grills and playgrounds.  If we lived in Tampa, we'd go to Picnic Island often. Seriously.

Later, we ventured to downtown Tampa and checked out Bayshore Blvd and the bay front area.  It blows my mind that people really live here.  The homes are breathtaking.  The restaurants are endless, and the scenery is so gorgeous I tear up.

 One thing Jon and I wanted to do while we were in town was visit an authentic Cuban restaurant.  I'm fairly certain The Lord was placing us in the exact, most perfect places to experience Him in the most amazing ways.  While mapping our way to one Cuban restaurant, we end up at a different one, Lincoln's.  You would not believe how amazing this place is.  Hunt it down.  I am drooling just thinking of it, and my heart warms thinking of the sweet staff there. Best.service.ever.

The next evening we went for a stroll in Hyde Park and did dinner and a movie at Cinebistro.  I have been to a Cinebistro a couple of times, but Jon had never been, so I thought it would be a new, fun activity.  We saw "The Escape Plan", which I really enjoyed.  It was a nice time for the two of us to just sit back and relax.  Afterwards, of course we grabbed coffee at another local shop and sat out in the park.  We actually struck up conversation with a sweet believer nearby, and she told us about South Tampa Fellowship, the church she is active in, so Jon and I checked out one of their sermons on the car ride home. :)  Also, we had an opportunity to pray for her, which was awesome.  God is so good and so faithful.

Thursday, we headed over the Busch Gardens.  Jon and I are just about as opposite as a couple can come when talking about amusements parks.  He's a total thrill seeker, running to all of the most intimidating roller coasters, while I am a feet-on-the-ground kind of girl, petting the animals and eating funnel cakes. :)  Fortunately, our love for one another creates some sort of unit that seeks the thrill of roller coasters (even if I'm screaming at the top of my lungs out of fear), and also one that enjoys strolling about and taking pictures with all of the animals. :) Love him.

One thing that was so striking to both Jon and I throughout this entire trip was the incredible, unmistakeable outpouring of God's love and blessings.  So often we felt ourselves stop to question whether or not we were having too much fun, or enjoying ourselves too much.  Surrounded by all of the beauty and wonderful, Jon and I were not oblivious to the fact that what we were experiencing was almost abnormally wonderful, if that makes any sense.  It was seriously one of the first times in my life that I was completely aware that although I was experiencing absolutely beautiful things, I had done nothing to earn any of it, in fact, I am completely undeserving of it, and God chose to bless us simply out of His affections for us, and for His glory.  This was humbling, and allowed me to truly enjoy things for the first time in a light that I had barely experienced before in a world that seeks to instill in us that we must earn gifts, or that we are somehow entitled to them.

Oh, how He loves us, and oh, how I love Him.  To Him be all the glory. Forever.

 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
 --1 Timothy 6:17

 

WE'RE MARRIED!

Eeee!  My heart leaps with joy as I type this post!

JON & I ARE MARRIED!

We are so unbelievably blessed.  Everything was wonderful.

Our families were wonderful. The weather was wonderful. The food was wonderful. The dancing was wonderful.

God is so wonderful.

I hope to be able to take more time over the coming weeks to share details of our sweet day with all of you.  :)  Life has slowed down a bit, allowing me an opportunity to catch up on things like cleaning, packing and blogging.  Jon & I had 3 precious days together before he left for Germany.  (Life of an Army wife, right?)  My plan has been to stay at work until he gets back in a of couple of weeks.  However, it appears as though the Lord is already showing us a different plan, allowing us to make decisions with limited communication from opposite sides of the world, a valuable skill in marriage. He is good. 

I'm sure many of you are aware of what is going on with the federal government shutdown.  Although I work for a state agency, my state agency happens to be one that is 100% federally funded.  In any other situation this is beneficial, but unfortunately in this one it means myself and most of my coworkers are furloughed until the government reaches a resolution.  Jon & I are very fortunate so this doesn't impact us as tremendously as it is impacting some of my coworkers, and many men and women across our country.

I ask that you join me in prayer, prayer for our country, prayer for resolution, prayer for peace and hope, true hope that is found in Christ alone.

I love you all, and thank you for following along as I prepared for such a precious day that we will forever cherish.  I'm so excited to share it with you.:)

Love,

Mrs. Voss

Wife After God: Day 3, The Need for Companionship

Companionship has been a tremendous thing to reflect on this week.  Companionship is something that Jon & I both longed for this week.  As I said the other day, he has been in Poland for work the past few days, & although we wouldn't have seen each other during the work week (he's in NC & I'm in VA), it has still been a sad, strange feeling knowing that the man I'm becoming one with has been half the world away.

This devotional brought me a lot of comfort in missing Jon.  Sometimes I think we try to tell ourselves that 

we're silly for missing loved ones... that we just need to better occupy our time.

I know I'm guilty of this.

The truth is that we were created for relationship, created for companionship.

God created Adam because he desired to have relationship with him, to know him, to walk & talk with him & to protect him.  God created Eve as a companion for Adam to illustrate the importance of relationship.

As I was reflecting on this, I was better able to understand the deep feelings of missing Jon, of longing for him.  I was created for that.  The major conviction came when I realized that

however much Jon & I desire to be in relationship with one another, God desires to be in relationship with us SO much more than that.

It's been amazing to me how much my relationship with Jon helps me to better understand & know who God is.  I am very thankful, & hopeful that he will use our marriage in so many ways to teach us & draw us closer to Him and closer to one another. :)