So recently I started designing a header for my coworkers' style blog. I LOVE Nashville Styled. I need Ashley to come to my closet and help me put together all the unique kind of combinations she comes up with!
Funny thing is, Ashley didn't ask me to design her a header. Why then did I make her one, then ask her if she wanted it? lol
This last Saturday Logan and I spent the afternoon enjoying the beautiful weather! It was a wonderful break from all the rain! I was so excited because I got off work for Good Friday, and didn't have to work that Saturday, thus, a 3 day weekend! Such a beautiful thing.
So on Saturday morning Logan and I researched hike paths and found on that was only around 20 minutes from our apartment. We packed a lunch and took our time sitting on docks and benches, and reading about all the animals and trees around the path. So relaxing. On the way home we drove down almost every path that diverged from the main road.
As I was sitting there full of joy, with the windows down, knowing all the words to the country station playing, I realized..how uncharastic this is of me! I have such horrible allergies that driving with the windows down is asking for swollen eyes and throat, counrty roads used to make me feel trapped, being so far from "civilization" as I called it lol, and I definately don't normally listen to country music! It's funny, Nashville has had an effect on me. I used to be a Dallas girl for goodness sake! Either way, I am excited to grow and change and enjoy new aspects of life that I never before understood. Now... this doesn't mean I'm ready to go CAMPING or anything crazy like that. Baby steps.
This last Sunday I was blessed by a sermon I heard during service at Otter Creek. We have been exploring The Sermon on the Mount, and it has been an eye opening and refreshing experience. Josh, the preacher, doesn't steer away from tough subjects like divorce.
He first addressed the abusive misinterpretation certain scripture used to create a legalistic code against divorce. I was surprised to hear that there are people who actually believe that divorce is an ultimate sin. Clearly, there is no logic in that, nor is that idea remotely supported by scripture.
On Josh's blog he makes the point the legalistic loopholes are not Jesus' way....
I believe and am confident that God does not want couples and individuals staying in marriages that are full of physical and verbal abuse. A marriage is made up of two completely broken people making a covenant to each other to become partners in life, a life that consists of mutual respect, patience, grace, and love. It is inevitable that sometimes relationships crumble beyond repair, and bring nothing but grief. I believe in the grace of God, and that when trusted, he will either bring conciliation to the pair as a couple, or if parted, a healing to each.
My favorite part of the sermon that resonated most with me and where I am at right now, was when he said that "Marriage is a witness to God's love for us". I must say, my marriage with Logan is really the most beautiful thing I've ever known. I didn't know that such an intimate companionship was possible.
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. --1 John 4:7-8
But through it, I understand my relationship with God so much better. If he can bless two broken, selfish people with such a love, imagine what He Himself can offer. Logan and I are blessed to be where we are at right now, and like a spiritual high, it is the commitment, practice, and deep love that pulls us through the trenches of doubt, loneliness, and insecurity. We will all combat those feelings reguardless of whether we are married, single, or divorced...it is how we battle it and who we lean on that matters.
A Time for Everything There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.... --Ecclesiastes 3
Life is made up of a combination of "times", and that is what makes it beautiful.
Goodness. I miss her so much. She is living in Virgina right now with her husband Jake. Jake is in law school at Washington & Lee, and Kat is teaching english at an alternative school. So amazing! Seriously, she is having kids that have been in and out of jail actually enjoying reading for the FIRST time in their lives. Really, a student set her classroom couch on fire last month, while people were on it. Her strength amazes me.
So, our dear friend Wallace (who I have talked about on his blog before) passed away a couple of weeks ago. It was one of those heart breaking moments where as much as he was in pain before he passed, the loss of his presence was overwhelming. I especially hurt for Benita, who's first husband was unfaithful to her, second husband died of cancer, and never thinking she would ever marry again, lost her final husband and love, Wallace.
He proposed on her birthday.
I just wanted to dedicate a post to him. I am so thankful that Logan and I got to be a part of it.
