This one’s about the future!

Well, here I am again. I’ve already written one blog post for the night. But since I am still wide awake, do not currently have a migraine (Praise the Lord!), and I have more thoughts on my mind, I thought another blog post would be great!

Chris and I have been doing pretty awesome as a couple in our first year and a half of marriage (not bragging, just super excited of how nice it’s really been!). I mean, we argue from time to time, and we are nowhere even close to perfect, but honestly, I am super proud of him and how patient he is with me. For this is not an easy task. I remember before I was married and I was attending college, I would go home on break and within the first fifteen minutes of my arrival my mom and sisters would be saying things like “Why did she come back?!” and “It was so much quieter when you were at college.” Of course they were joking, but I tell that story to give you an idea of how easy it is to get impatient with me around. Yet, my husband remains awesome! (Thank you, Lord!)

More recently, Chris and I have noticed something missing though. Not in our relationship per se, but almost like a hole in our hearts that is meant for something greater than ourselves. You want to know what it is?

SERVICE

We have been so caught up in the busyness of our lives. Running a business is no easy feat, especially when you (me) have no clue what you are doing. It has been so easy to get overwhelmed and feel as if we are drowning in business and busyness that we have neglected one of the only things we are called to do while we are here on this earth. SERVE.

Let me tell you something. When the day comes that you (we) realize that life is not about us…that will be (is) one of the most glorious days of our lives. It is the day we finally know that abundant life isn’t about just us and our needs, but also others and their needs. There is no better feeling in this world than to know that you are exactly where you are supposed to be, doing exactly what you are supposed to be doing. And one of the things we are called to do is serve.

When we serve others, not wanting anything in return (not even recognition), there is a void in our hearts that is filled that cannot be filled any other way. It’s true. I promise.

I said this one’s about the future, and it is. Chris and I have decided that we NEED to serve in order to be filled completely. Showing God’s love by serving is one of the ways that we feel closer to God and that He feels closer to us. Not to mention, it will bring others to Him, too, which is awesome!

We have already begun looking for local places that we can get involved and help serve. Unfortunately, (yet fortunately at the same time) there are not homeless shelters or children’s homes around us…Goodness, if I could volunteer at a children’s home–that would be a dream come true. I love children! But just because those two things are not an option right now does not mean there aren’t others. I have been able to locate a few food banks that help out people in need of food and I am continuing to scout out other opportunities as well.

Oh yes, this is a marriage adventure we are most definitely looking forward to!

But even if we don’t get in contact with these community wide services, there are other ways to serve. They may seem small, but I promise, they mean the world to the ones you serve! It could be as simple as babysitting, tipping your waitress some extra cash, doing simple favors for your neighbors/family/friends.

We can’t all be superheroes. I know. It’s absolutely shocking and depressing all at the same time. I always aspire to be Super woman…but I know I fall short. No need  to get down about it though. It just means you have to be super in your own way (super in serving others, that is! You’d be a super server! HAHA! :D) .

Think on this:

John 3:30 “He must become greater; I must become less.” (That’s my favorite verse!)

So let me hear about the ways you serve others. (I definitely want to hear about it, and it may give me some ideas as well!)

Comment below and let me know!

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Feels like forever

Forever is such a funny word. I use it all the time, although most of the time, I don’t use it accurately. But here it is past midnight on a Thursday evening/Friday morning and it’s one of the only words that seems to be a constant in my thoughts.

It’s been forever since I’ve written a blog. I’ve thought about different ideas and stories to write about, but never actually sat down to write them because it’s been so busy.

It’s been forever since it’s not been busy around here. There is ALWAYS something to be done. If not at work, then at home. If not at home, then at church. I’m not exactly complaining. I love having a adventure full life filled with things to do. But it seems like it’s been forever since my hubby and I have had some REAL R&R.

It’s been forever since I haven’t had migraines. Haha! This one’s funny because technically on Tuesday of this week I didn’t have a migraine, but I have about 3 or more a week still. It feels like answers are so close, yet forever away.

It’s been forever since I’ve seen my family. This is definitely not true. Of course, forever means forever….and not six months or less. 😀 But I sure do miss them!!!

Then the big “forevers” turn into smaller ones.

It’s been forever since it snowed last! But then when it snows, and gets miserably cold I will be saying that it feels like Spring is forever away!

Falling asleep tonight feels like it’s taking forever! (I knew I shouldn’t have had that Mocha Frappucino at 9pm…In hindsight, I should probably not do that again.

Yes, forever is such a funny word. It almost makes it sound as if this whole blog is complaining! But, really, I am not. Because the point of this blog is that forever never lasts as long as it seems.

As I sit here on the couch, illuminated by the sparkling lights of our heart-warming Christmas tree, I reflect on this past year. (I know it’s not New Year’s yet, but hey, I’m thinking about it now, so why not!?) Yes, it’s been a tough year, ridden with migraines, trials of all sorts, frustrations, and failings. But it’s also been a year full of learning, good times, smiles, joy, family, friends, service, Thankfulness, blessings, and triumphs.

The battle is real. That’s one thing we’ve been learning through our family and friend Bible study we’ve had at our home this year. The battle for the heart and soul. The enemy so wants to steal, kill, and destroy. And he’s been trying so hard to do that this year! But Jesus came so that we may have life and have it to the full….even during times of trial. The fact is, God is so good to me. I am blessed to have a roof over my head, all kinds of food to choose from to eat, a husband who loves me more than I thought any one person good love me, and never really need for anything. I mean, that’s AWESOME! And that’s only scratching the surface.

This year, we’ve taken a few different trips: we went snowboarding in West Virginia, visited family in Kentucky and Missouri, celebrated birthdays, had a blast with those we love, traveled to Amish country, celebrated our first Wedding anniversary, took another trip to the mountains of West Virginia and stayed in cabins, went fishing, hiking, swimming, built a dam, rode some bikes; saw the Transiberian Orchestra in concert and met them in person, and had some great mini adventures as well!

On top of all the travel, we have been working super hard with my husband’s appliance business. We’ve taken so many steps forward and continue to do so. It’s getting there. Hopefully by this time next year, we’ll be caught up on things, more organized, and (in my case) smarter about the ins and outs of how things run. 😀

In the subject of health, the migraines have not stopped. But we are continuing to press forward. We may even be finding some answers in February, when we will take a trip to Michigan to see a doctor who seems to have things a little more figured out than most doctors we’ve met. (February seems like forever away! HAHA!)

I don’t mean to ramble on. I guess what I am really try to say here is this: Cherish where you are in life, what you do, who you are, who you love, you loves you. Cherish both the good and the bad times. Really they are both there as part of the big picture. Don’t be like me and take things for granted. Like migraines. Most of the year, I was in a sour or depressed mood when I had a migraine. Complaining about how I couldn’t do this or that because I had a migraine, or whining about how much I hated being still for so long. It was only recently that God helped me to see, that those things could be blessings too! Maybe I needed to be still because I am always on the go. Maybe when I can’t do anything physically, I should be praying for others. Maybe, just maybe, I shouldn’t take those migraines for granted. No pain, no gain, right!? God is good. Even when I have migraines, even when  I get sad, even when something bad happens, even when my attitude is the crappiest Christian attitude on the planet. There are millions of people in the world right now that are probably far worse off than I am. I have no right to complain. The Bible says to not complain about anything, to be content…I’m getting there. Progress, no matter howl little it be, is still progress. 😀

I was blind. But now, I see.

This year has really opened my eyes…to not focus on my misfortunes, but on my blessings, and to take joy in them (whether it’s a “good” day or a “bad” one)! It seems like forever ago that I learned that exact lesson, but maybe I have not cherished that lesson enough, which is most likely why I am having to re-learn it.

Some say “with age, comes wisdom.” I’m not sure how true that is. But after another year, I feel slightly wiser. And I can only thank God for that.