March 2009 update

...Some recent pictures of Chad and me...
It has been quite awhile since I have updated this, and I have absolutely no excuse...I have a new job and a lot more free time! I will not promise anything, but would like to be more faithful in updating, because it is such a cool way to keep in touch.

So, a few weeks ago, I began caring for little Chloe, a precious one-and-a-half year-old. She has some neurological damage which has affected her ability to move normally. She has therapy every day, stretching and therapies at home, and a big battle to overcome at such a young age. But, I am praying for her full healing and believe she will walk, run, and maybe even DANCE someday. Chloe and I sing all the time, and her vocabulary is extensive for her age. It is hilarious when she repeats things that I say, especially big words like "choking hazard"...haha! She talks about "Chat" all the time and we always remember him in our songs..."We love you Chad, oh yes we do. We love you Chad, and we'll be true..." Hopefully he will get to meet her on Tuesday after her therapy.

My days spent with Chloe are confirming my belief that God has called me to be a wife and mommy in the future. It brings me so much joy to care for her and her family's house...I feel like it is preparation and practice for what I want to do someday. It is a blessing that Chad agrees that raising children is an important calling and that he wants me to be able to stay home to do so when that time comes.

Speaking of Chad, as days go by, I often find myself sitting back and thinking about how good and faithful God is, and how grateful I am that He brought Chad and me together. As I think back on years and years of praying for my future husband, it amazes me to see how Chad is the answer to all my prayer requests, and even things I didn't think to pray for. Not that he is perfect or that our relationship fulfills my every desire or need. (Only God can do that.) In fact, already, Chad and I have experienced our fair share of difficulties, both in our relationship and as individuals. But God is good, and I believe that slowly, surely, He will change us to look more like Jesus. I thank God that He has designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy. I pray that our marriage will make us both holy and happy. In the end, I kinda think it will. ;)

I just finished reading the book Boundaries by Dr's Cloud and Townsend and have learned some life-changing principles that I am trying to put into practice. After almost 23 years of being a compliant person, it is hard to take responsibility for my life, feelings, decisions, etc, and learn how to set boundaries, especially with controllers! But, as I am doing so, I already am experiencing feelings of freedom and empowerment. Hallelujah! Here's to a new challenge!

In my relationship with God, I'm getting back into Scripture memory. I have neglected this over the past couple years, but I know that having the Truth at the front of my mind is life-changing. Believing and speaking the Truth changes things. I'm learning to put my fears in God's hands and trust Him even more with my life. I want to be more faithful to pray as a first response to difficulties, disappointments...anything I face.

Well, I could go on and on, but I won't. I'll finish by saying that I am thankful to the Lord for this season in my life, all the things He is teaching me, and His nearness. I'm thankful for the people He has blessed me with, and the ways He is using me. Soli Deo Gloria! (Glory to God alone!)