5 Wonderful Years

Five years ago today, I married my best friend!

Jared and I have had so many amazing adventures since then. I'm thankful for even the difficult moments because they brought us closer together. We are learning every day to love each other greater and to honor God with that love. And we look forward to the many blessings, experiences, and years ahead of us!

As a photographer, I have made it a tradition to take our own anniversary photos each year. (Which let me just say, that it is much more challenging to take my own photos rather than someone else's...but I give it my best) So here are a few of the images I took last weekend at Stone Mountain Park here in Georgia. It was an absolutely gorgeous autumn afternoon and I got to enjoy it all with my favourite person in the whole world! :)

I still can't believe he's mine.

Just a glimpse of the beauty we saw that day...

Happy Fall Y'all! :)

See For Yourself....

If you have not heard Jon Weece, Lead Follower of Southland Christian Church bring the message then I encourage you to take a few moments to do so. You can watch and listen to past and recent series online at http://www.southlandchristian.org/.

Jared and I have had the opportunity to hear him speak at Southland before but because we have lived in different parts of the world throughout our marriage we have been thankful for the opportunity to continue to hear his messages online. Technology - when used right - is a powerful tool.

I always learn something from Jon's teachings. I am always inspired to improve my walk with God after hearing him speak. And I'm always left encouraged. (I also enjoy his approach and humor)His humble, proficient and practical delivery of the truth is refreshing and authentic. To reference one of his messages on spiritual gifts...he is definitely living in his "sweet spot".

We recently watched his online message series From Death To Life and I couldn't wait to share it with you. It is the best delivery of truth I've ever heard. If you are questioning who God is, if you are struggling to believe in the power of the resurrection of Jesus or even if you have already determined that there can't possibly be a God, then I urge you to watch the following video. In it, Jon asks some thought-provoking questions that perhaps you haven't thought about, but that are imperative in our search for truth. Not once will he ever tell you what to think or how to think, which is what I love about him. The best teachers tell you where to look, not what to see. So I encourage you to see for yourself....

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To quote Jon himself, "There is nothing in the life of Jesus that He wants to force on you. I'm just amazed that so many people are against Him without ever studying Him. I promise you, if you read Him, you will fall in love with Him. Here is why...because He loved everybody and everyone who came in contact with Him, fell in love with Him."

I can say with sincerity that the best thing I've ever done is fall in love with Jesus.

Georgia On My Mind

Jared has been home with me in the United States for just under a month now. In just a month's time we have celebrated his return in downtown Indy, enjoyed special moments with family and friends, moved to Atlanta, Georgia and as of today, we are officially debt free! Our God is a God who provides!!!

Living in Europe...more specifically...living in one of the most expensive countries in Europe, far from our loved ones and distant from our comfort zone, really stretched us in so many ways. The daily challenges we faced in the last two years were very overwhelming most days. But through it all we leaned on our faith that God will always take care of us. And He has NEVER failed us.

Sunday night we found our new church home at Passion City Church here in Atlanta and one of the worship songs that night called 'Always' by Kristian Stanfill shares these lyrics:

My help is on the way

Oh my God

He will not delay

My refuge and strength 

ALWAYS

I will not fear

His promise is true

My God will come through 

ALWAYS

I lift my eyes up

My help comes from the Lord

This song resonated with me because we faced some major storms and battles these last few years and I know we will face more in our future but God's promises are true ALWAYS. And the truth that "He will not delay"...even when in the midst of struggle and waiting when we are thinking "anytime now God!" ...He is not delaying His timing...He is ALWAYS right on time. Looking back I can see His perfect timing in it all. And because I have seen how He has taken care of us in every single detail up to this point, I can return to these words and trust in them when fear and trials come up again. 

We are so grateful to be where we are right now. We are loving our new city so far! We are within 5-10 minutes to all the major grocery/shopping stores, restaurants and everything we could possibly need. (no more hiking up and down mountains and catching trains to get anywhere! YAY!) We're in a quiet, safe area just outside of the city and are looking forward to doing some more exploring once we are fully settled in. 

It was like Christmas for us going through all of our things that have been in storage for over 2 years! It was heaven sleeping in our OWN bed for the first time in years! The cats seemed to feel right at home immediately too. They're already walking around like they own the place! ;)

More praise to share....Jared and I have been here in Atlanta for one week exactly. On Monday I applied at a local portrait studio, got a call back within the hour and had an interview the very next day. I had my second interview today and left feeling really good about it. I just got a call a few moments ago and was offered the job as the Senior Photographer! This is such a blessing! Moving to a new place as a photographer, it takes time to build up clients and because we will only be here for a few short months, it didn't make sense to invest what would be necessary to gain clients only to pick up and move again in a couple months and have to rebuild all over. With this job, I will still be able to do what I love and when we settle permanently in a few months from now, I will have this experience under my belt. I'm really stoked! :)

Just wanted to share a quick update for those who have been praying for us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for every prayer! We are so incredibly blessed and want to take every opportunity to shout how great our God is! 

So Long, Switzerland!

3 months. That is how long I have been apart from my husband.

Jared had to go back to Switzerland to tie up loose ends with work and our housing situation. I was forced to stay behind. Emphasis on the word forced. Neither one of us wanted to be separated from one another. But there were many reasons why me staying behind was best. Not easiest....but best.

When we first told our family and friends that the plan was for me to stay behind....not everyone was supportive. In fact, there were a few who made me out to be a terrible wife because of our decision. It was difficult to feel their judgement even though we both knew in our hearts this is what God was asking us to do.

I knew it was going to be tough...but WOW...it has been really tough! I can't stop and think too long about the day I had to drop him off at the airport and say goodbye. If I do, my chest physically begins to ache. I don't cry very often but that is by far the hardest I've ever cried in my entire life. I had to pull over for a good deal of time because I was incapable of driving back from the airport due to the constant flood of tears. It is something I never want to re-live.

Every day since has been difficult. When you get married, the Bible says you become "one flesh"...and that is how Jared and I live. He is a part of me, not just a part of my life. So it's like I've been trying to go through life as usual but now with a missing limb. It hasn't been impossible, but it has been a huge challenge. It has been frustrating, depressing and painful!

Sure, Skype has been helpful so I can see and talk to him but some days it's been almost more torturous because I want to just pull him through the computer screen and put my arms around him! And I can't. The one person on this earth that I want to be with most and I can't be with him. Talk about tough.

The time difference between us made for an extra challenge because we had a very short window of time where we could actually connect with one another. I became very protective of that time. There was once where we both had obligations that didn't allow us to see or talk to each other at all that day....and it was so incredibly heartbreaking and hard. But we would have our "skype dates" as I liked to call them every evening around the same time. We would share about our day, watch movies, eat dinner together...and my favourite was watching Southland Church sermons online together and then talk about what we learned from each of them. We would send love notes through email and snail mail. We did everything we could to keep our relationship as close as we could to what it would be if we were physically together. Seeing my husband for our "skype date" was my favourite and most anticipated time of the day!

I've definitely developed insomnia these past few months. When you're used to having someone next to you every night and then all of the sudden they aren't there - they are in a whole other country and timezone - a shift in your sleep habits is inevitable. I'm sure I'll sleep like a baby that first night he's home.

As tough as this has been, I can say this...our relationship is stronger. Despite the strains on us...we have not let it break us. In fact, we have reluctantly watched as marriages around us have crumbled under these exact same circumstances....but not ours. Ours remains intact. Why is that? Because we have never forgotten who our first love is. God.

We have both relied on His strength and grace and promises now more than ever.  When the decision was made that I would stay behind I had a very honest conversation with God about how this was not what I wanted....that I wanted to be with my husband, not apart from him. And God answered me: "Are you going to hold onto him or are you going to hold on to ME?" So I knew this was a test. And in this test....I had to let go. I had to put my full trust in God because up until that point...I was still holding some back. And He knew that.

This wasn't a "Him or me" ultimatum...rather it was God saying "If you just trust me, I want to show you my unfailing love." And that is exactly what I have experienced. On those nights when Jared couldn't be there...God was. In those quiet nights when feelings of loneliness crept in...God reassured me that He was there. When overwhelming thoughts circled my mind...He provided His peace. When I felt weak and powerless...God provided strength. God has been right there with me through it all. And I can always rest in His promises because He has already shown me that He is worthy of my trust and praise.

Tomorrow - after 3 long months - Jared will be home. My heart can hardly believe it. Second only to our wedding day...this will be the happiest day of my life! I cannot wait to wrap my arms around him and kiss his face!

In celebration of his return, I made him a Mt. Dew tower, Mt. Dew Cupcakes along with several of his other favourite American treats! I fully intend on spoiling him good when he gets back! :)

It's going to be an epic reunion! We are staying a few nights downtown at the same hotel where we spent our wedding night and we're going to make an entire weekend out of our first date night in months! CANNOT WAIT! :)

For all of you who have prayed for us and with us through this -- thank you! Your outpouring of love and support is priceless to us! Thank you for those who encouraged us along the way. We are so lucky to have such amazing people in our lives!

I'm going to attempt to get some sleep tonight...but I feel like a kid on the night before Christmas. Tomorrow is going to be SUCH a gift!!! By this time tomorrow...I will be back in my husband's arms! Right where I belong. ♡

Mental Vitamins: Faith Rises

Have you ever prayed for something and when it didn't happen according to your time schedule you began questioning God or became really anxious? If you answered yes then you are a normal human being. The rest of you are liars. ;) But in all seriousness...why do we do this? Why do we expect everything to fall together exactly how WE want instead of waiting for GOD's will? The Bible tells us that His ways are PERFECT, His thoughts are above our thoughts...why do we not believe in His promise to take care of us and trust that He will reveal His plan to us in His perfect timing?

My thoughts go to the story of Lazarus (John 11:5-6). Jesus and Lazarus are close friends, verse 5 says that Jesus LOVED Lazarus and his family. But the interesting thing is that when he heard Lazarus was deathly sick, he doesn't immediately run to his bedside and heal him. In fact, Verse 6 tells us that "Jesus stayed where He was for two more days." Seems a bit odd that Jesus, who has already performed many healing miracles, would not rush to the aid of His dying friend right away, doesn't it?

If we go on to read the rest of the story we learn that Lazarus actually dies while Jesus is away and everyone gives Him grief for not getting there sooner...for not being on their time schedule. But Jesus ends up performing one of His greatest miracles and raises Lazarus from the dead. Jesus knew what He was doing by waiting those two extra days. Jesus could have healed Lazarus when he was sick but by raising him from the dead, He provided everyone with the opportunity for a great teachable moment to RAISE our faith. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)

Jesus operates on HIS timeline not ours. So if we start to feel like God isn't moving as fast as we would like in answering our prayers, it's not because He doesn't love us or isn't listening to us...it's because He already has a plan and it is more perfect than any plans we have in mind. We need to learn to trust Him in the waiting.