Politically Incorrect

I don't know about you guys, but I get rather exacerbated by the political correct-ness floating around the world, social and other wise.

I don't mean this in a judgmental or condescending way, but I often feel that Christians choose to take the easy way out when it comes to standing up for things they do or should believe in.

For example, gay marriage. Don't jump my case yet. I know there will be differing opinions, but I'm going to go ahead and speak my peace. God made woman for man, specifically. Therefore as Christians we should trust that he knows the best method, right? And only "support" that? I'm not saying to go on a gay hating spree . . . I love gay people with the same Christian love that I love everyone with, in a effort to be Christ like.

I just find it disturbing that professing Christians adamantly support gay marriage rights, among other issues.

Also, on the topic of abortion. It's "PC" to say that a woman should have rights to control her body and make the decision on her own, but at what point is it okay to sacrifice your needs/wants for that of another human?

I understand that there are medical issues involved as well, and I don't honestly believe the government should be regulating our medical decisions or healthcare for that matter, but that is another post all together. However, as Christians should we not stand up to say that every life is as valuable as the next? Should we not stand the ground that God is the ultimate creator of life, and if he chose to create a life that he knows best?

So . . . I know, don't point out the speck in another's eye when there is a plank in your eye. I am completely saying none of this in a judgmental manner, but simply explaining my beliefs so please don't take it the wrong way.

But I feel that as Christians, it is often our duty to stand up against political correctness, and often the world's opinion to support that of our Lord and Savior.

I often believe that Christians, myself included, are hesitant to stand up for beliefs that are not mainstream or could be slightly controversial for fear of having attention thrown at them, or being judged themselves. While I understand that turmoil can often be difficult to handle, are we not here to be disciples of Christ?

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 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" ~ Matthew 5:14-16

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Giveaway & Great Deal

How is everyone's Monday going? I aced a test this morning so mine is kind of rocking at the moment! I have some great pictures from Trey's grandparents' anniversary party this weekend to share, but in the meantime I wanted to let you in on some awesome things going on in cyber world.

One of my good friends on twitter, Jenn, is giving away 2 blog designs, a twitter background, and 2 $25 gift cards to her design shop, Munchkinland Designs, in celebration of her design company's 2 year anniversary. Make sure to go check out her gallery and enter to win the awesome giveaway!

Also, Erin at Blue Eyed Bride, blogged about her awesome home organization notebook and introduced me to the amazing Erin Condren planners and stationary. Today on Plum District, they have her awesome planners (or anything else you want) on sale for $25 for $50 value. Also, you can use the code "inwithnew" and get it for only $20. Does it get any better than that? Well, if you need extra convincing look at these photos:

Hope you all had a great weekend. Now I'm back to editing pictures to share later.

Marriage

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ~ 1 Peter 4:8 

Marriage is not always easy, and can certainly be a challenge. Disagreements will happen.

Like when your spouse squeezes the toothpaste from the middle . . .

Or puts the dishes in the sink instead of the dishwasher . . .

Or leaves his socks by the foot of the bed to ward off monsters and intruders (I'm convinced that's the only reason those rank things aren't in the garbage) . . .

Or hangs your shirts in the wrong color sequence . . .

Oh, that's just me? Good, I'd hate to think other couples argue over such silly things. ; )

Marriage was a difficult adaptation for me because I've never really depended on someone going through life. I was always stuck on being independent after many people had let me down through the years. One of our biggest struggles in the early days of our relationship was Trey's insistence that I didn't trust him to help me and support me.

He was right.

In marriage (and life), change is a good thing.

Marriage is like getting a pair of socks broken in. At first, they are so tight that they give don't give you any room to breathe. But with time, their grip loosens to a comfortable snugness. You know they're going to keep you warm, protect you, and cushion you at all the right times.

Okay, dumb analogy, I know. But really, I believe that for marriage to be successful you both have to be willing to adapt as you both age, and to compromise as you both change.

Have you ever watched water after the rain? It starts as many small streams and eventually merges into one raging river that carves it own path, able to overcome anything blocking its way.

A strong marriage should be like that raging river.

The two of you should be on the same path, but willing to change that path together through compromise and adaptation.

The two of you, through communication, can sweep obstacles out of your way.

You can overcome boundaries and hurdles together with the power of a strong marriage.

I've heard all the cliche' advice: Never go to bed angry, Have patience, Keep him satisfied, Keep your own hobbies/friends, Happiness is about perspective, etc . . .

In my marriage, communication is key. I have also had to learn that my way is not the right way.

When we got married, and even when Ryanne was born, I critiqued Trey's ways of doing things rather than being glad that he was doing them.

I had to learn that in this small sense, and also in the bigger sense, that your ways are not always the right ways and often there are no wrong ways.

If the two of you can come together, and someone get everything done through communication and compromise, it doesn't matter how you got there.

The way the towels were folded, the diapers arranged, or the water boiled is not the issue, but rather that the two of you are working together to build a home which is the most beautiful thing of all.

Above all else, keep God at the center of your marriage, your life, and your friendship with your spouse and your marriage will be wonderful.

Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned. ~ Song of Solomon 8: 6-7

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.   ~ Colossians 3: 13-14

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Our Love Story: Part 1

"Delivery for Leah" the lady chimed as she brought a gorgeous bouquet of orange roses into the lobby of the bank.

Who in the world are these from? I thought to myself as I set them questionable down beside my computer and went back to cashing checks.

As soon as I could catch a breath from the Friday madness, I snuck into the bathroom with the card to read it to myself.

"Please go out with me? - Trey" it read. Ha! I laughed and blushed all at the same time.

Trey and I had shared many of the same teachers since he moved to town in the third grade, and I never really noticed his existence until junior high. He was a nice guy, but dating him or anyone for that matter was the last thing on my mind.

I dismissed the flowers only after giving him a courteous thanks, and went on about my life. The next week there were more flowers. He brought me sonic sweet tea. (Genius, right?) He brought me chocolates. He even brought the ladies I work with small gifts in an effort to coerce them to his side as I continued to deny his date requests.

Finally, one of the girls I worked with talked me into agreeing to go on a date with him. One date. I made him promise he'd leave me alone after that. Boy, did I not know what was coming.

You can read about our first date here.

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Patience is hard

The other night, I sat in the rocking in chair in Ryanne's room swaying gently as we sang Jesus loves me. The moonlight poured softly through the window onto her tiny, but not so tiny toes.

Her once short hair laid on my shoulder as she breathed softly onto my chest.

These are the precious moments. The ones we will never get back, and the most important ones to cherish.

As she drifted to sleep, I ran my fingers through her toddler fingers and gazed at her toddler toes, remembering the baby she used to be.

Her petite body once could rest on my chest in a ball no bigger than a cantaloupe. Now I stare at her dangling arms hanging not only of my body, but out of the chair too.

Her tiny torso is now bigger than she ever was two short years ago, and her arms and legs probably rival the length of her body at birth.

I never knew how time would fly until now, until this moment.

I cherish the few times she will cuddle with me, when she's not so busy bossing me around that she will actually be still and be my baby for an instant. There is nothing more wonderful than watching your child grow and thrive, knowing they are healthy.

But in the same breath, my soul aches to hold a tiny baby again. I want to run my fingers along their wrinkled but soft and precious skin as they breathe lightly onto my chest.

I want to feel those tiny breaths, and cherish the joy of a newborn yet again.

I know my day is coming, but sometimes patience is more difficult than it sounds.

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