30 thankful days

Day 30: I am thankful to be married; thankful to have a husband to walk through life with; thankful to have a best friend who supports me and helps me be a better person; thankful to have a beautiful, intimate relationship with the love of my life knowing he is for me. I am thankful the Lord chose Brad Johnson as my beloved. I am truly blessed.

30 thankful days

Day 29: I'm thankful for the pillar strength of my husband. For the last few days I have felt withered and I'm grateful my husband is holding me up. He is remarkable. Thank you, Lord.

30 thankful days

Day 28: I'm thankful my husband is a trooper - through thick or thin, rich or poor, sick or well... and today he is sick. He's been sick for a few days. But he is still leading our family and taking care of us. Thank you, Lord.

30 thankful days

Day 27: I'm thankful my husband let's me be me - and he loves me just the way I am. He doesn't try to change me or judge me. He's patient and loving. He helps talk me down when I'm out of control and laughs with me when I'm crazy. He's a good friend. Thank you, Lord.

30 thankful days

Day 25: I'm thankful my husband encourages me to be a better person. He helps me see both sides of a situation and make choices that glorify God. I'm grateful he earnestly points me to Christ. Thank you, Lord.

Day 26: I'm thankful my husband leads our family in a godly direction. Life is hard and I'm thankful I can depend on my strong husband. Thank you, Lord.

30 thankful days

Day 24: I'm thankful for my husband. He is the love of my life, my knight in shining armor, my prince charming. I'm grateful I get to be in this life with him, learning everyday how to walk together through thick and thin. Thank you, Lord!

30 thankful days

Day 23: I'm thankful my husband likes to cook. Cooking Thanksgiving dinner with Brad is my favorite part of the holidays. Thank you, Lord!

30 thankful days

Day 22: I'm thankful my husband is a good protector. When someone is mean to me or makes me cry, his daddy-bear instincts kick in and he wants to fight for me. Rather than punch them in the nose, he prays for them. It's a great example of love your enemy. Thank you, Lord.

30 thankful days

Day 21: I'm thankful my husband is a good provider for our family. He takes very good care of us - filling our bellies with food, sheltering us from the cold, loving us, praying for us, making us laugh, supporting our hopes and dreams, and always pointing us toward Jesus. What a blessing. Thank you, Lord.

30 thankful days

Day 20: I'm thankful my husband shares two wonderful kids with me. I'm grateful I get to partner with him and parent these two beautiful people. I love my family! Thank you, Lord.

30 thankful days

Day 19: I'm thankful for my husband's prayers. I know he prays for me a lot. He prays for me all day and when we go to bed. Even while apart he prays for me over the phone. What a good man. Thank you, Lord.

30 thankful days

Day 18: I'm thankful that even two thousand miles can't separate me and my husband. From across the country I still received prayer and love and comfort from my adoring husband. Thank you, Lord.

30 thankful days

Day 17: I'm thankful my husband is my biggest fan. He cheers me on in good times and through struggles. He's always here for me, encouraging me, and loving on me. I like him! Thank you, Lord.

30 thankful days

Day 16: I'm thankful for my thoughtful husband. Almost every time Brad stops at a grocery store he calls me to see if I need anything. And he is always on the look out for new gluten-free products for me to try. I love that he thinks of me and takes the time to check in on me. Thank you, Lord.

30 thankful days

Day 15: I'm thankful for hugs from my husband. I feel tucked in and safe, loved and cared for. He's a great hugger and I'm thankful he's mine! Thank you, Lord.

30 thankful days

Day 14: I'm thankful my husband points me to Christ. I had a bad dream about Brad last night and he talked it out with me. As we talked, I realized the enemy was trying to push my buttons and cause division between us. The dream hit me out of the blue and I woke up trying to figure out what the Lord may be showing me. Brad reminded me that if there is a concern or worry on my part, I should remember to pray for him to be fortified against attack in that area. Instead of dwelling on my dream and "what Brad did to me", I am praying for Brad to be strengthened against the enemy's poisonous arrows. Thank you, Lord.

30 thankful days

Day 12: I'm thankful my husband graciously takes over mama duties when I've got to be away from the family. He's a faithful friend and I appreciate him immensely. Thank you, Lord.

Day 13: I'm so very, very thankful my husband makes coffee EVERY day without fail. Even in the worst of times he is faithful. There have been times I was sure he would only make coffee for himself or not make any at all and get his at Starbucks. I've been wrong every time. He always makes me coffee. Always. Thank you, Lord.

30 thankful days

Day 11: I'm thankful for my husband's cute smile. And I'm grateful I've been seeing it more often. Thank you, Lord.

30 thankful days

Day 10: I'm thankful my husband has a persevering heart. No matter the situation he doesn't give up. He's never once given up on me or our marriage. He never will. Thank you, Lord.

30 thankful days

Day 9: I'm thankful for all the grace my husband shows me. When I mess up, my husband chooses to show me grace and love me anyway. Thank you, Lord.

30 thankful days

Day 8: I'm thankful my husband is still in love with me.

In sixteen years we've been through a lot. And through it all my husband has not considered that he wouldn't be with me the rest of his life! Thank you, Lord.

30 thankful days

Day 7: I'm thankful my husband is computer savvy.

30 thankful days

Day 6: I'm thankful my husband loves Jesus!

30 thankful days

Day 5: I'm thankful for my husband's smile.

30 thankful days

Day 4: I'm thankful Brad likes making breakfast.

30 thankful days

Day 3: I'm thankful for Brad's gentle patience.

30 thankful days

Yesterday: I'm thankful for my husband.

Today: I'm thankful my husband leads our family in morning devotions.

falling apart

Broken tree trunks stacked together become fire fuel in the winter, drawing families together with their warmth.

Christ's body broken, blood poured out, saves us, brings us together with Him, forever.

Scars, hurts, disappointments - hearts falling apart, cling to the Mender and get knit back together by grace, hope & love.

Sometimes something has to fall apart for something better to fall together.




Have you seen Ann's blog yet? Take a moment to check it out. You'll be blessed, for sure! A Holy Experience.

meet me half way

One day Brad and I were in the car. As usual he had the a/c on. I was freezing so he turned the air off. He got too warm and turned the air back on and said, "Ah!" I smirked and said, "How do we make it together?" Without skipping a beat he replied, "By the grace of Jesus." Then he put the a/c control 1/2 way between hot and cold. I turned to him and said, "...and meet in the middle!"

Problem solved.

Naysayers

When Brad and I were dating the second time around several friends, including my boss, told me not to get involved with him again. They said I would just end up hurt. I admit there were so many times I was unsure. My heart said yes, my head said no. I’m sure I heard the Lord say, “Yes”.

Crystal Ball by Pink from her Funhouse album reminds me of those confusing days. It also makes me think of how we struggle at times through marriage and (hopefully) learn from our mistakes.

Pennies in a well

A million dollars in the fountain of a hotel

Fortune-teller that says maybe you will go to hell

But I’m not scared at all

Of the cracks in the crystal, the cracks in the crystal ball

Sometimes you think everything

Is wrapped inside a diamond ring

Love just needs a witness

And a little forgiveness

And a halo of patience

And a less sporadic pace and

I’m learning to be brave in my beautiful mistakes

Oh, I’ve felt that fire and I’ve, I’ve been burned

But I wouldn’t trade the pain for what I’ve learned

I wouldn’t trade the pain for what I’ve learned

Irony, irony is hate and love, hate and love

What it does to me, what it’s done to me, what it’s done, done

I’m glad I didn’t listen to those naysayers.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

get back up again

This past weekend Brad & I led a Faith Worship Community married couples leadership retreat in Lake Arrowhead. It was an awesome weekend focused on our marriages, the married couples group, relaxing, and being rejuvenated. The Lord showed up and we had an amazing "mountain top" experience.

After such an great weekend it should be no surprise that this week each of us are experiencing, to some degree, the poisonous arrows of the enemy.

Dang!

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12

Thankfully, we have intercepted with prayer and are getting re-focused. Isn't that what we're supposed to do? When you fall off your bike, get back on. When you fall, and get really hurt, call for help, then get back up again.

So, we're back up again!

If you're in the area and married, bring your spouse to the FWC married couples group. It happens every 2nd Friday of the month, 7-9pm at our house. Come struggle against the powers of this dark world and feel the comfort of the Holy Spirit as we walk together through marriage.

half of me

My husband, Brad, was recently gone for a week working in Carlsbad. Normally, I would relish these moments of not worrying about making a great dinner only he would enjoy, doing as many dishes, or doing as much laundry.

But this whole week I was really off my game. Why did I feel so lost? Why couldn't I get daily tasks done? Why was I so moody?

At first I chalked it up to hormones. The 5th day I realized what was wrong - or did the Holy Spirit whisper it in my ear? I was missing half of me! I was missing my other half, my beloved, my Sugar, my husband.

At this realization, my eyes misted with tears and I thought, "Oh, that's nice". That was a cool, new feeling for me.

“This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called ‘woman,’
for she was taken out of man.”

²⁴ That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.

Genesis 2: 23-24

say yes to here

My friend, Michelle, sent me a blog entry from A Holy Experience. When I finally read it it was just what I needed. Perhaps this is the key that unlocks my heart and helps me begin to heal and trust and stop being afraid.

A portion of the entry follows but I encourage you to check out this incredible blog for yourself and follow this amazing woman.

...The Year of Here...

...Yes to here. This gift, this grace, this moment.

When I am present to the Presence of God meeting us in this moment, I am not worrying, I am not regretting, I am not chaffing, griping, fuming, fretting.

Be all here: and be holy.

Be all here: and be happy.

Because the Presence of I AM always fills the present moment.

Be all here and be at peace… content… awake —- Alive. When I am mindful of this moment, the mind fills with God and the heart fills with peace and joy-thanks fills the prayers and isn’t the only way God can come to us is through the door of this moment? Here.

Notice now: and you win joy. God is beautiful here.

I say yes to Him and the year of here...

For the whole story check out A Holy Experience.