Marriage.

So I've been thinking a lot about marriage. Let me start off by saying being married to my Jasha is the best thing ever. No doubt.

All the same, I wanted to address some things here about about it.... specifically mine.

I feel as if I have if I may be a hinderance or a stumbling stone to some of my sisters in Christ &

here is why: I know a lot of girls struggle with seeing marriage as an idol. I know I did before I was married. I thought marriage would be the thing in life that would make everything perfect...that I would be complete & life would be beautiful. In a way these things are true, but in another  way they are not. 

On this blog I tend to post a lot about the great things in my life, but not so much about the trials. Well one thing I can tell you for sure is 
marriage is hard.

It does not complete you, or your life. 

& No matter how amazing your husband is (and mine is pretty darn amazing) he will make mistakes...

& hurt your heart. And you will make mistakes, and hurt his heart.

It's life.

It is NOT perfect. 

Within us all are deep and sometimes dark things that marriage will drag out and bring into the light and as a couple you must deal with them... no matter how much it hurts.

It's a blessing...That is for sure. You grow, and hopefully fall more in love.

And its worth it, at least in my opinion, but these trials can literally be the hardest seasons in life you have yet to deal with.

I know they were for me.

So I urge the single ladies out there to bear patience and wait for their husbands...because your single years are a true blessing. And I'm not just saying that.

(Me in my single years... Maybe 17 or 18 years old)

So  I apologize if it ever comes across as if I am  glamorizing my life or anything that may cause envy or jealousy. I felt the need to say that because our church community recently did public personal confession and I felt like I should address this after I heard a lot of girls talking about marriage idol-ness. We did this as a way of turning to the Lord, and committing ourselves to the intolerance of sins... even of little humanities that many times pass by. It was one of the most beautiful and powerful things I have ever witnessed... and afterwards we all took communion together... but anyways... my point is  I do not want to hinder a brother or sister in any way, and I pray that my posts are encouraging more than anything. 

I appreciate all my readers, and love to blog for my family & friends. & I can't wait until my Asher is born so we can introduce to you all on here :)

Inspiration Tuesday/Deep Thoughts

Let's Start With Some Deep Thoughts: 

(The day after we were engaged)

Jasha & I knew each other for four months when we got married.

We had been engaged for two.

While it was a magical romance... I can say one thing for sure...

We were young. 

Age wise I was young... barely 20 when we wed. Jasha was 23.

Still he had only been a Christian for about a week before we met.

But we knew we were made for each other.. that can always make things hard.

Because we got married so quickly we had to deal with things in early marriage that we hadn't laid down to the Lord. To be honest we didn't even know some of those things were buried deep with in us.

The key word of our marriage has been GRACE.

God is so good. He knew we would run together into marriage... He knew we were young.

He knew we needed to learn, and break to be His... for our marriage to be His.

Praise Him. 

Now we haven't even been married a year and a half yet, but I can honestly say we have grown up so much from the beginning. When we talk of our early days... we always say something like... wow we were young.And I love that. Its our path. It was at times hard. 

Still we even turned down wise counsel from  a few people who said to slow down, and that there was no need to rush. This was good counsel. We're sorry about not listening. Truly, wise counsel is a gift. That's something we have learned as well. Especially being in a city that is a bit of a wilderness to us, and without much counsel...it's a gift, and something to be cherished.

 But life can't be lived looking backwards. Thinking about what if? 

& My life is beautiful. It's full of grace. I think all life is a work in progress. 

Hopefully getting to know the Father more, and shedding our selfish ways.

Beauty in the breakdown right? 

With this all said I also want to say

My husband amazes me. I can't even in words say how amazing he is.
All I can say is

 He is something. 

Everyday I grow more in love with him. Everyday I am excited to see him grow more and more.

Anyways so my point.. sometimes people tell me they think our story is like a fairy tale and I'll agree I think it is (at least to me anyways ha)

BUT this is always another side.. a human side. 

And God is good and loves us humans no matter what.

No matter which way we go. He will always be there to faithfully guide you, to love you, and help you grow in Him, in love and in life.

Sooooo....

This is pretty deep. 

I'm pregnant. I'm pretty emotional sometimes. Especially tonight.

BECAUSE...

I think I felt my little one kick!

I really do... a few lil bitty thumps. 

After I cried this song came on in my itunes (see below) and it made me think about my life and how much Joshua & I have grown and I just praise God! For our life.... for growth... for His never ending grace. We are so blessed.

It's a pretty awesome song, and the only part that reminds me of us is the "we were young" part. 

Still it's awesome, please listen

So concludes my Inspiration Tuesday... I'll count it for my deep thoughts ha ;)

Home Is Where The Heart Is

As I stated in an earlier post, Joshua & I live with another couple from our community group (the lovely Cory & Michelle) until we move to Virginia early next year.  We really love it here even the small space. (Sometimes we can be quite the minimalists... especially the hubs) Anyways I thought I would show you some of my favorite parts of our room... 

 A precious little thrift find: Weasley's Jesus Lover of My Soul

 Our official family bible made in the 70s...Never used... Half Price Books $10.00

A view of our little room from our balcony

Fun mini piano found at Shop Goodwill

Our nativity scene we leave out year around These pictures all show what makes our room feel like home to us. My Question for you is:  What makes your space feel like home to you? I also wanted to show you guys the awesome gift Joshua got me for our one year in August. I had long been wanting a locket. The only jewelry I wear are my wedding rings, but I just thought it would be nice to have something else that was special & this is what I Joshua ending up getting for me:    & I love it sooooo much! Joshua got it from this awesome Etsy store: Basil The Cat

 In the end of the day, I just feel so thankful to have such a wonderful husband, and also have someone who I can be completely goofy with me. (As seen below)

Many Blessings & Happy Labor Day! Hope everyone enjoys their day off from work & school!