A Letter to Married Couples

Dear Married Couples of Many Years,

Love. Something we share every day. As we begin to make plans for our wedding, and marriage, love is constantly "in the air". I find myself watching other couples enjoy each other and their married life. I used to watch the young ones, the ones who were just married, but more and more I find myself watching you. The ones who've been married for decades upon decades.

Has it been easy? Hardly! Yet you've stuck together through it all. Some of my favorite couples at work have been like this, and they enjoy each other's company. They come have coffee and chat for an hour before going out about their day. One of my favorite couples from church came in for a waffle cone (and lunch!) the other day. Feeling inspired about my waffle cone post, they headed out for a tasty treat.

I loved watching them. Always giving each other their full attention. Holding hands; putting her arm around his waist; sharing an ice cream cone; enjoying the front porch bench. Same at church, he plays the piano and she smiles wide as she closes her eyes to listen to him. He always makes sure she is taken care off. Always looking out for one another. Just being together. It is beautiful.

John has learned that quality time is one of my favorite things. I can tell I'm loved when he just sits there on the couch with me while we watch a movie, or play a game, or I read a book. That's when we have a thought or a question come to mind that spirals into a deep conversation. Some of the time we just figure out how to resolve an issue, or what we can do that is best beneficial to the other.

Love is a subject you could never write enough about. There are not enough words in the heavens to cover all the aspects and facets of love. This is a snapshot of love, the love I'm excited to share with John. Knowing in the life ahead it'll be hard, but every night when the day is done, we can end it by being together. Remembering the love we share by God's grace and glory.

So thank you to you, the older couples I see daily, weekly, monthly, or even once a year. Your love for each other is shown through the time you spend together. I see it in your eyes for your spouse. I see it in the way you put your arm around the other during service, in line, for no reason except to say "I'm here and I love you."

Thank you for your example,

Moriah

"And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."

Philippians 1:9-11

March Musings - Day 12

I saw the sweetest thing today, which made me think of the verse above:

(this happened at Church)

Momma came into the room to give her daughter a bracelet for Children's Church. As the little girl walked away, they began to pray to end Sunday School. Momma stayed on her knees where she had been in respect to the praying. The little girl saw that her Momma had stayed there on her knees so she came back and got down on her knees next to her Momma until the group had finished praying. When they did, she got up to join her friends before leaving for Sunday School. The little girl knew that Momma was praying along with the speaker. She showed respect to those around her by following her Momma's example. It was one of the sweetest things I have ever seen during Sunday School. For those of you parents raising kids in this day and age, don't give up hope! Continue to "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."

(Proverbs 22:6 ESV)

March Musings - Day 8

I got Facebook yesterday....

Shocked most people that I finally did it...others rejoiced greatly!

I found friends I haven't seen or heard from in years, friends that I know from camp, church, work, dance, and more.

It's definitely proven to be interesting so far.

I shall have to update you on my adventures as the month progresses!

Beautiful Blessings - 7/24/16

~ new sunglasses

~ worshipping at John's church this week

~ getting the first half of my ServSafe training done

~ a quiet winding ride home to decompress

~ 279 blog views within the past 48 hrs!

Hats for the Holidays! Day 24

Yes another black velvet one ;~) This was one that was my Mom's! I always think of going to Church in this one. Again, I love the bow!! Tis perfect for our chapeaued countdown to Christmas!!!

Did you know its only 30 days till CHRISTMAS?!?!? :~D

Hats for the Holidays! Day 11

I love this hat <3 Its among my top five favorites, if not top two favorites!

Makes me feel like a princess in it! Its actually a very memorable hat. I wore it to Church once when I went away to camp, and the following year, someone came up to me, and said "I remember you! You had that sparkly hat on last year! How are you?!" Heehee!!

Mono: Seven Things I Have Learned!

As we near the 9th month since I came down with mono last winter, I was thinking back about all that happened, and all that I learned. How am I doing now? Well, I'm still getting migraines. I'm slowly regaining my stamina and strength. Its taking a while, but as Ive told several people, God will heal me completely in His timing! So now, Id like to discuss seven things Ive learned while having, and recovering from, mono!

1. Mono is very depressing to have. You cant go anywhere. You have no energy. You watch everything you love to do fall by the wayside. I got very depressed during the mono. I remember I would just cry some days in my bed because I didn't feel up to doing anything else. Sometimes even getting dressed made me cry! Praise God for the day He came to me, held my hand, and got me out of the depression! Isaiah 41:13 was an incredible encouragement! As I read through my journal during this time, I wasn't very depressed on the outside...and it wasn't until God pulled me out that I realized just how much I was! God is so very good! 
2. Sleep. Constantly. Tired. Exhaustion. You actually grow to dislike being in your bed because you're in it so much. And the couch for that matter. And sleep....golly when I first had the pneumonia (got that first during all this illness) I remember one day I slept 9 hours, got up for 3 or 4, went to bed for another 5 and was up for another 3 or 4 before I went back to bed for the night. You actually count down hours until you get to take a nap. I also recall a day in which I was thinking about the future and planning naps, 3-5 YEARS in advance! (Not normal for me, in case you want to know. lol!)
3. I said this a little in the first thing, but, you miss out on a lot. I missed dance, and Church! I couldn't do St. Patrick's Day, and ended up not doing my ballet recital either. I went to Irish Step once during all this, and my teacher told me I looked dreadful...which I did! It was very hard for me to give up dance! I missed Church for 7 (or so!) weeks in a row! And when I first started going to Church again, sometimes I had to go home early because I felt so bad. 
4. I missed seeing people during this. I had one friend who would come and visit a couple times a week, and I was so thankful for that! I didn't have a lot of energy, but its always nice to have someone to chat with for a little while. Some friends came from out of time during this, but I couldn't spend much time with them because I just felt so dreadful. I did spend a couple hours with them one afternoon, but when I got home I went to bed for the same amount of time! I was so thankful when my birthday came! I started planning it in early March so I had something to look forward to! I got to dress up and spend the evening out with my friends! I was wiped out the next day but it was worth it!
   
5. God changed me during this! My faith is much stronger than it was when it started! As I read through my journal, preparing for my post, I was amazed to see how much I praised God through it all! God was faithful through every bump and trial! (2 Thessalonians 3:3) He helped me through all the tests I had! I was scared when I had all the various tests scheduled for various things, but God gave me a boldness! Psalm 138:3! As my one friend told me, during this, I went from being a scared chicken to a bold bunny!
6. Prayer! Prayer is so important! It kept me together as it was one of the few things I could do! I was able to pray for others as well! I also (and still am) was so thankful for the people at Church who prayed hard for me while I was sick. Some of them still are praying for me since I'm still battling the migraines. Prayer is powerful. Never doubt the power of prayer! Prayer has gotten me this far through this chapter of my life, and it got me through all the battles. Ephesians 6:12 comes to mind. I am so thankful for prayer!
7. Encouragement kept me going! Notes, birthday cards, get well cards, emails, messages, hugs, small gifts, time to nap from Mom, pictures from the kids, and so much more was such a blessing! God was so good throughout it all! 

God was so good, is so good, and continues to do so much for me! Psalm 116:12 comes to mind. So many things to be thankful for about the mono! I grew spiritually, it happened during my junior year of high school instead of my senior, and just the fact God is always with me...will never leave me or forsake me! So I can say with confidence, the Lord is my helper! (Hebrews 13:5-6 if you want to look up the exact verses!) Through the trials you're going through right now, remember God is with you! Turn to Him and ask Him to help you! As I end this, I shall leave you with 2 Corinthians 12:8-10. It was one of my favorite passages throughout this!

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (ESV)

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

Other posts about my mono and pneumonia:

Pneumonia, and Why I'm Thankful For It

A Mono-logue!

Beautiful Blessings - 8/19/15

~ Pausing with T-bug to listen to the rain! <3

~ Getting much needed rain!

~ Celebrating a marriage between a couple from our Church! And rejoicing over another marriage of someone we know!

~ T-Tot's excitement of riding a ride she has been wanting to ride!

~ Waching the other girls' delight!

Beautiful Blessings - 9/17/15

People...each person is special. Each talent they have is special. And you know, the world isnt so bad after all when you look at the people around ya, and see the good in them!

~ Seeing an older couple walk down the street, hand in hand!

~ Seeing a mother care for her crying baby! <3

~ Passing a Church as a choir is practicing!

~ Watching my Mom patiently care for my Great Grandma! <3

~ Seeing how even the smallest can help others! She helped me with the tablecloth!

Beautiful Blessings - 9/6/15

~ Lil' G's newest treasure!

~ Our first Sunday School class for the year! I cant wait to see how the kids in 3rd and 4th grow! <3

~ Finding wild animals in the yard ;~)

~ The delicious apples on my tree!!

~ A campfire! And scrumptious corn cooked over it!

Beautiful Blessings - 8/30/15

~ Laughing with Heidi before service about something nonsensical...shoulder eating butterflies to be precise. We were laughing so hard we couldn't breathe, our stomachs hurt, and our eyes began to water. I love laughter!

~ Singing with the congregation! I havent been able to due to my headaches.

~ Having Dad hug me after service and say he missed hearing my singing voice <3

~ Going over the hills in the countryside and seeing the fields abounding with crops!

~ Rejoicing with L-Jo that Minnie Mouse has been found!

Beautiful Blessings - 8/23/15

~ Face painting kids at the Church picnic! T-bug wanted to be a teddy bear (so Mom did that) and then later on wanted a bunny on her arm (so I did that)! :~D

~ Lip-syncing & dancing with T-bug on our way to Church!

~ Beginning with my daily Bible reading again after a long hiatus!

~ Psalm 138....verses 3 and 8 in particular!

~ Hearing this quote in the sermon:

God has a purpose in where he has placed you. Be satisfied and productive there, and do what you can to prepare where he may take you. 

Beautiful Blessings - 8/2/15

~ Getting our picture at the piggy rock!

~ Having communion with the body of Christ!

~ Joining hands as a congregation and singing "The Family of God"!

~ Unexpectedly running into friends!

~ Safely getting home!

While playing restaurant...

While playing restaurant...

...sometimes it's fun to use the Church bulletins for your menus! 

Creativity at it's finest!

Venerable Vintage Hats: Timeless Simplicity!

A timeless beautiful chapeau of simplicity for Church! I can envision light streaming through a stained glass window upon the lovely lady who wears such at stylish timeless hat!

"In character, in manner, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity."

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Observations of Titus 2 Women in Real-Life

If you've read enough blog posts by Christian women, there's a trending theme: Titus 2 Women. For those of you who don't know what that is, that's when older women reach out to younger women in the Church. It is based off a few verses of Titus 2, Titus 2:3-5 to be exact.

I've done a lot of thinking about this, and while in the land of bloggers, this is a fancy-schmancy thing, it's different in real-life. In the land of bloggers, they place them on pedestals, while in real-life they are humble women who are serving because God has called them to that place.

This past Tuesday, I was able to join a group of women for an evening of fellowship. I honestly felt out of place, as I was the only teen, and with knowing that, the youngest. The majority of the women were at least twice as old as I am. As I knew I'd be rather out of place, I wasn't sure how the evening was going to go. 

I was among the first to arrive, with my Mom. A couple of the ladies were already there, one of them had set out some snacks. Delicious fruit, granola and yogurt, cookies, and other tasty things! I placed my Bible on my chair, and stood there, not sure what to do.

As the other women began to arrive, I really felt out of place. As I stood there observing, I watched as I saw the Titus 2 Women come to life. I've never really seen "it" in real-life. It was just a "thing" from the land of bloggers. As I watched, and yes, eavesdropped, it opened my eyes!

To see women in my Church ask with genuine concern how they, (the other women) were doing, what they have been up to, seeing how their prayers may or may not have been answered, encouraging one another, and just taking the time to fellowship, was so encouraging to me!

It got me thinking, why do we make such a big fuss about Titus 2 Women? Why? Why do we? They are women just like us. Just serving where God has placed them to serve. Some women have this gift, and some do not. God has placed us all in different areas to serve in different ways.

Then I had another thought. When these women are unable to serve, or pass away, who is going to be here to continue to pray and encourage the women in the Church? Myself, and the other young women in my generation! We are truly the next generation. We young women need to start and/or continue to reach out, to pray and encourage, to shine God's love!

Many times it's easy to forget, many times we are unable to, but we need to start now, for someday we'll be the ladies who are setting out some delicious snacks; who are washing the spoons leftover from the fruit, yogurt, and granola; we'll be the ones who set up the chairs; and who will be there to find out how each other is doing.

Here comes the part where I don't want to be misunderstood, or thought to be bragging. I personally love to see where God places me. He always places me where he knows I'm needed, and I just do what he asks. If someone needs prayer, my heart breaks for them until I know the prayer has been answered some way. If someone is having a wonderful day, I rejoice with them for this is yet another day that God has made!

I know this isn't one of my usual posts, but I ask you to think about this. If you are a young woman, I encourage you to pray and ask God how he wants to you serve. If you are a young man, I encourage you to share this with the young women you know, and that you'll take some time to study Titus 2:6-8. 

 And if you ever need someone to pray for you, I'm here for you!

 Matthew 5:16 (ESV)

In the same way, let your light shine before others, 

so that they may see your good works 

and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

In His Own Image

Genesis 1:27 (ESV)

So God created man in his own image,
    in the image of God he created him;
    male and female he created them.

It amazes me that in the Church, how many people hate their body. 

They feel that they are too tall, too short, too small, too large, too fat, and too skinny. 

They feel that they are ugly.

I've been thinking a lot about this recently.

To the world I'm too tall, too fat, too blah, too tanned, and too gangly.

But to God, I'm perfect.

Because he made me.

And he made you too <3

The world is full of lies, and we need to block them out.

Ephesians 4:27 (NIRV)

Don’t give the devil a chance.

 

Don't let him convince you that you are not lovely.

 

You are precious and perfect just the way God made you!

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

 

 When you complain about your body, and listen to the world's lies, you are not glorifying God.

You are basically telling him that being made in his image doesn't mean a thing to you.

And that makes him sad.

Today, I want you to thank God for the glorious life and body he has graciously given to you.

Always remember that you are precious to him no matter what you look like. <3

Flower Blossoms!

The blossoms were so pretty yesterday, I just had to take some pictures! So we went for a walk after Church. :~)

This one ^^^^ looks like a painting!

 I love this one! ^^^^

And some tulips :)

The girls had fun on our walk!

People of Jordan: Karen, Bill, Mary and Kelly

(Karen, Bill, Mary and Kelly)

These lovely people donate 3 hours of their week for the weekly Clothing Ministry that is held in the old parsonage of the First Baptist Church of Jordan N.Y on Thursdays. They started last February, on February 14th to be precise. They giveaway clothes, household items, personal hygiene items and food. Everything is local. If you donate something it goes to the community. They raise money for the ministry quite often, in fact they are getting ready to have a "Bunny Breakfast" on the 19th of April. All the proceeds will be donated to the Clothing Ministry. They have a wonderful ministry to the community and they are glad to be blessing the community.

People of Jordan: Father DeLorenzo

Father DeLorenzo is the Pastor of our local Catholic Church. He's lived here for 9 years. He told me that he "loves the simple, less complicated, more peaceful life here." He also has noticed that "there is a spirit of friendliness in the community." and that "The local churches often work together collecting food for the food pantry." When I asked him what advice he'd give about life he gathered his thoughts for a moment and said, "Remember God and His love for your. Take God seriously and if you do that, you will be happy, truly happy."