my weekend to remember

recently my husband and i had the privilege to attend a Weekend to Remember by FamilyLife. i didn't know what to expect or what we were getting into, but i just prayed that we would have open hearts to receive what we heard. besides, it was a weekend getaway! who doesn't want one of those?!?!

the theme of the weekend was "oneness". Merriam Webster defines oneness as:

the quality or state or fact of being one: singleness: integrity, wholeness: harmony: sameness, identity: unity, union

what great words to describe what we should have in a marriage. each session was poignant and powerful. some of the topics included:

why marriages fail
communication
intimacy
unlocking the mystery of marriage
what every marriage needs
conflict survival
God's plan for marriage
how marriages thrive
leaving a legacy

at times the information was overwhelming and very challenging but how else do we grow? i walked away with even more of a desire to be the wife and mother God created me to be. i'm still trying to process all that God showed me. i'm hopeful by writing about it that it stays fresh in my mind and also encourages others in their relationships.

hello, old friend

goodness, life has finally caught up with me! i haven't had time to blog like i would like but i'm trying to get back into the groove. i love to write and always have, so having a blog has always been cathartic for me. it's an outlet for me to express myself freely and creatively. so i'm glad to be back writing again and sharing my thoughts on life and my relationship with Christ. i hope you'll come along with me on this journey...

It's been a long, long time

Well, I managed to get behind in my blogging again...seems rather typical. : ) However, I have a good reason. Since I've announced my pregnancy, I've been rather sick. It seems like I've had it all! Along with all of that, I haven't much energy to do much of anything, let alone talk on the phone or type on the computer.

This pregnancy has been quite a journey. I've experienced happiness, sadness, frustration, depression, loneliness, joy and a myriad of other emotions. It's been a time when I've had to totally depend on others and depend on Christ. It's not easy for me to ask for help...I would rather not ask. But through this experience so far, I've realized that when I need help, I need to ask. There are people in my life more than willing to lend a hand. It's true of my heavenly Father. He is there no matter what...and He wants me to go to Him for help. Even though He already knows my needs, He wants to hear it from me. Of course it's easy to go to God in times when there is pain and suffering and ask for healing and for things to be restored but He wants to hear from me as a friend, a child...I've had so many good conversations with my parents during this process and I think, "do I talk to God the same way?" God wants that from me and I need to remember that He is interested in every part of my day, every part of my pregnancy, every part of my life.

I hope that encourages you too...do you speak to your heavenly Father in the same way each day? Meaning you say the same words or pray for similar things? Or do you just talk to Him like you would your best friend or parent? My most meaningful prayer times are those not when I'm closing my eyes, but when I'm sitting, driving, cleaning, etc and just talking out loud in a conversational tone like I would do with someone that is right there with me.

Recent Updates!

Just so you know there are some new additions to my blog. I added a Christmas Countdown...it's time to start thinking ahead! I also added a "Verse of the Day" feature. So make sure to check that out. You can now "Subscribe" to my posts and become a "Follower". Make sure to look for those additions on the left side of the page. As we get into fall (which of course I'm not experiencing being out in the desert) I will make some color changes to my blog. So stay tuned for more aesthetically pleasing blogging. :-)