Today starts one of my favorite seasons of the year. Ok, it is THE favorite season of the year. Thanksgiving is on Thursday and that means Christmas decorations go up on Friday! (Ok, so we cheated a little and put up our tree on Saturday--but did NOT decorate it yet). I never understand why but I get this anxious/excited feeling every time the Holidays are around. I'm ALL about starting traditions for our family that Miles and I will continue and hope that our children continue throughout their lives as well. We have a Halloween tradition where some weekend night October we make carmel apple cider, pumpkin cookies, carve pumpkins, and watch a Halloween movie (this year was Casper). We are still working out our Christmas traditions, but coffee cake on Christmas morning, getting up REALLY early to open presents, and reading the Christmas Story in the Bible each year are up there.
I have such amazing memories of Thanksgiving and Christmas growing up, and I hope that we can provide those same amazing memories for our children so they experience the same excitment that both Miles and I feel at this time of year. God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
God at the center
Since I was a little boy in Sunday school coloring in Bible characters I have been subjected to the cliche' words of Christianity. Anyone who has spent any time in the culture knows what I am talking about. I know they all (most) have validity and are known to be Biblical truths. The problem with cliches is that when repeated so many times to young minds, that do not comprehend the real meaning, they lose power and the purpose is lost. As I have aged I have tried to understand and comprehend the last 24 years of Christian cliches, some successful and some not. One that I have come to understand in the last few months is an answer to much prayer and an answer to many questions.
Ang and I have been married for almost two and a half years already. The first few years are supposed to be the most difficult for a married couple and like I have said before if this is true, the rest of the years must be unfathomably great. Yet, we realized a few months ago that although we are great together we were still separate in a few aspects of our lives. The cliche' "two shall become one" kept coming into my mind. What does that mean? How do two people created by God to be different become one in His eyes. I prayed about it, sought counsel and then it hit me. Its me. Its my responsibility to seek her heart on a level no one else has. It is my duty as a husband to force our faith to be one. It is uncomfortable and it is awkward at first, just like everything else in marriage, but when a husband steps up to the plate and takes responsibility God will bless the relationship and make you power through any discomfort. Since Ang and I discussed this we have grown more than I ever imagined was possible. I am still learning to lead and she is being very patient with me all the while loving me in the most respectful way. I really believe God is beginning to view us as one.
For any husbands reading this who have not experienced this, it falls on you. You are the leader of the relationship and it is your responsibility to make this happen. Your wife wants you to lead even when it seems she doesn't. She will respect you for stepping up to the plate. You will fail at it and she will be there to pick you back up. Granted my wife is the most amazing woman in world and because she is I can be more vulnerable and be more transparent knowing she is going to love me anyway. It takes lowering yourself, eliminating your pride and showing your wife that God is your guide. Once you do that He will be the center of the relationship and the two will become one. Cliche' or not, it is the most amazing feeling I have ever experienced.
I know I am rambling but I can hardly contain my excitement at the way God has blessed us and our relationship. Don't get me wrong, though. I/we have soooo much more to learn. Trials will come and I will fail as a leader and husband. God is teaching me to be a leader of our family and teaching Angela to be a great wife (she needs little instruction) and that is the source of my joy. I don't have it all figured out and never will. But God has blessed us and I hope He does the same for you.
Ang and I have been married for almost two and a half years already. The first few years are supposed to be the most difficult for a married couple and like I have said before if this is true, the rest of the years must be unfathomably great. Yet, we realized a few months ago that although we are great together we were still separate in a few aspects of our lives. The cliche' "two shall become one" kept coming into my mind. What does that mean? How do two people created by God to be different become one in His eyes. I prayed about it, sought counsel and then it hit me. Its me. Its my responsibility to seek her heart on a level no one else has. It is my duty as a husband to force our faith to be one. It is uncomfortable and it is awkward at first, just like everything else in marriage, but when a husband steps up to the plate and takes responsibility God will bless the relationship and make you power through any discomfort. Since Ang and I discussed this we have grown more than I ever imagined was possible. I am still learning to lead and she is being very patient with me all the while loving me in the most respectful way. I really believe God is beginning to view us as one.
For any husbands reading this who have not experienced this, it falls on you. You are the leader of the relationship and it is your responsibility to make this happen. Your wife wants you to lead even when it seems she doesn't. She will respect you for stepping up to the plate. You will fail at it and she will be there to pick you back up. Granted my wife is the most amazing woman in world and because she is I can be more vulnerable and be more transparent knowing she is going to love me anyway. It takes lowering yourself, eliminating your pride and showing your wife that God is your guide. Once you do that He will be the center of the relationship and the two will become one. Cliche' or not, it is the most amazing feeling I have ever experienced.
I know I am rambling but I can hardly contain my excitement at the way God has blessed us and our relationship. Don't get me wrong, though. I/we have soooo much more to learn. Trials will come and I will fail as a leader and husband. God is teaching me to be a leader of our family and teaching Angela to be a great wife (she needs little instruction) and that is the source of my joy. I don't have it all figured out and never will. But God has blessed us and I hope He does the same for you.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Patience
When I asked my hubby to post another blog, he said he was waiting for me to post first, I figured I better get on it because I LOVE his writing and want to see him post another!! :)
Here we are at the third trimester of this pregnancy and things are changing for sure.. the beautiful leaves here, my body, our house (we painted little Fiver's nursery), our country (election day tomorrow) as well as my fears of becoming a parent. I was reading something today that reminded me that I don't have to be the kind of parent that I think I SHOULD be (from seeing others parenting well), but I should be the kind of parent that God wants me to be. Great--awesome.. but what does that mean? I don't know right now or have all the answers, but I know what it DOES mean is that I just need to let Him guide Miles and I, pray unceasingly for our parenting and for our children, and go at everything together with Miles. Thus far in life together we have had minimal trials... but we know that as the days, months, and years progress we are bound to experience some whoppers.. I have peace knowing that God will walk through each step with us, and although we are bound to make mistakes, we will not fear for He is with us.
"Trust in the Lord and do good... Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn... Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him" Psalm 37: 3, 5, 7.
This verse gives me comfort that I don't need all the answers today. So I patiently wait and trust...
Here we are at the third trimester of this pregnancy and things are changing for sure.. the beautiful leaves here, my body, our house (we painted little Fiver's nursery), our country (election day tomorrow) as well as my fears of becoming a parent. I was reading something today that reminded me that I don't have to be the kind of parent that I think I SHOULD be (from seeing others parenting well), but I should be the kind of parent that God wants me to be. Great--awesome.. but what does that mean? I don't know right now or have all the answers, but I know what it DOES mean is that I just need to let Him guide Miles and I, pray unceasingly for our parenting and for our children, and go at everything together with Miles. Thus far in life together we have had minimal trials... but we know that as the days, months, and years progress we are bound to experience some whoppers.. I have peace knowing that God will walk through each step with us, and although we are bound to make mistakes, we will not fear for He is with us.
"Trust in the Lord and do good... Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn... Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him" Psalm 37: 3, 5, 7.
This verse gives me comfort that I don't need all the answers today. So I patiently wait and trust...
Our First Blog
Hello everyone! This our first blog post of many to come. Angela and I will both be posting to this blog often about our life in Albuquerque as parents-to-be and new parents. We have a lot to learn and a lot of great life experiences ahead so we are very excited.
As it happens, today will be our second chance to see our little peanut through the wonderful invention of sound waves passed through flesh creating an image. It really is a marvel of technology. Anyway, the first time was about a month ago and it was amazing. It made the fact that there is life inside of Ang all more real.
It also raised some interesting fears and anxiousness with the anticipation of the total life change we are about to experience. We have a bookshelf of books to teach us how to do the right thing at the right time, but it just doesn’t seem to ease my/our anxiousness. I don’t have doubts about my ability to discipline, but more ability to nurture something so fragile. The stress of having family around telling me I am doing it wrong will make me want to sprint out of the house. I am praying for patience and peace about all of this but mostly about a healthy son.
I will be back around soon to inform about how the ultrasound goes this afternoon along with the new excitments and fears is brings up. Until then!
As it happens, today will be our second chance to see our little peanut through the wonderful invention of sound waves passed through flesh creating an image. It really is a marvel of technology. Anyway, the first time was about a month ago and it was amazing. It made the fact that there is life inside of Ang all more real.
It also raised some interesting fears and anxiousness with the anticipation of the total life change we are about to experience. We have a bookshelf of books to teach us how to do the right thing at the right time, but it just doesn’t seem to ease my/our anxiousness. I don’t have doubts about my ability to discipline, but more ability to nurture something so fragile. The stress of having family around telling me I am doing it wrong will make me want to sprint out of the house. I am praying for patience and peace about all of this but mostly about a healthy son.
I will be back around soon to inform about how the ultrasound goes this afternoon along with the new excitments and fears is brings up. Until then!
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