Is There Hope for the American Marriage?

Is There Hope for the American Marriage?

I was thuroughly impressed with this article!

The Message

I wanted to share this version of this passage. It's from The Message version:

So don't you see that we don't owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There's nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God's Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!

This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what's coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him!

Romans 8:14-16

What This World Needs

"People aren't confused by the Gospel,
Their confused by us.
Jesus is the only way to God, but we are NOT the only way to Jesus!
This world doesn't need my tie, my hoodie, my denomination, or my translation of the bible.
They just need Jesus.
We can be passionate about what we believe, but we can't strap ourselves to the Gospel, because we're slowing it down.
Jesus is GOING to save the world, but maybe the best thing we can do...
Is just get out of the way."

This is taken from the Casting Crowns song What This World Needs. I adore this song! That whole album is AMAZING! So powerful! So inspiring and just makes me want to live my life better and gives me so much hope! It's AWESOME! God has truly blessed that group with some POWERFUL music!

So speaking of faith, God, and life in general. I've been going through lots of changes spiritually the past year, and I look back, and I can't help but cry for joy over so many things God brought me though and taught me. I know how hard they were going through them, but to be on the other side of so many emotional pains is such a blessing! I have so much more empathy for others, and so much more understanding, God is slowly peeling away my judgemental and phariseeical (not sure that's a word) attitude. I'm gaining more and more of a love for people, and it's awesome! I want to keep going, this is such a great process, and when it gets hard I feel more powerful because I know I can be assured that "All things happen for the good of those who love God, and are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28) ALL THINGS!!! PRAISE GOD!

I like all the girls, and all the girls like me...

When was your last cigarette?
Never had a whole one, took a puff off my sister's back like 2 Christmas' ago.

Is anyone ignoring you right now?
Jordan...sort off just playing his video games.

Do you have a best friend?
I'm lucky enough to say I have a few yes.

Did you ever go to camp as a kid?
Like "summer" camp that parents send their kids to when school is out and they need a daycare of sorts? Nope. Regular family camping, yes lots!

Do you think more about the past, present, or future?
Past...and what I wish I'd seen coming.

How long does it take you in the shower?
20-40 mins or so

Who was the last person that told you they love you?
Jordan and Phoenix.

How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
Depends on whether or not Phoenix makes his way into our room or not, but normally somewhere between 6-8hrs.

What do you wear to sleep?
Tank-top and undies...since it's getting warm out.

Are you easy to get along with?
For the most part I'd say I am.

What is your favorite time of day?
4:59pm M-F because that means it's time to go HOME!

Do you hate the last girl you had a conversation with?
Hate? No, I don't talk to those girls.

Do you hate the last guy you had a conversation with?
I don't hate any guys right now, and the ones I have issues with I talk to like adults.

Who was your last call from?
Arc of Spokane, wanting to know if I had any donations for them.

What was the last drink that you put in your mouth?
Mountain Dew: Code Red

Are you mad at anyone?
Not anymore.

What was the highlight of your day?
Joking with Alicia and Kristin about the quasi-sexual-harrassment that goes on in our row of cubes.

Last place you went besides your house?
Gas station and then Work

Kissed anyone with the name starting with an A, T, C, S, J or M?
If you're meaning EVER let's see...
Adair (girl)
Jordan (hubby)
Yeah that's about it.

When was the last time you were sick?
Does having my "aunt Flo" visit count? No? Ok well then back in Jan or Feb.

Can you honestly say that things are running smoothly for you?
No...but it's getting there.

Do people ever mistake you for being a different race?
LMAO! I was once told I looked Asian! GO FIGURE!

Have you ever thought about getting your lip pierced?
Lip, no. Tongue or nose, yes.

Does a kiss make you feel better?
90% of time, yes.

Have you ever passed out on the bathroom floor?
When I was 11, the day after I got stitches in my thumb from all the blood I'd lost the day before.

Do you start the water before you get in the shower or when you get in?
BEFORE! OF COURSE!

Have you ever brushed your teeth while in the shower?
I tried it once, but I didn't like not having a place to put my toothbrush.

Have you had more than 3 boyfriends/ girlfriends at the same time?
Nope.

Have you ever thought about your death?
Some times.

Ever been in love?
Been? I am IN love, no past tense here.

Would you rather be in a relationship or play the field?
Never really experienced either to their "truest" extent. But I definately prefer being in a relationship.

Have you ever had stitches?
Twice, once when I was 11 (mentioned before), and then once form y c-section with Phoenix.

When will your next kiss take place ?
Soon as I can get Jordan away from the video games LOL

Where did you get the shirt you're wearing?
Old Navy

What is the last thing a boy gave you?
Jordan gave me $40 to get my hair cut (pictures to be added soon).

Where is your phone right now?
Sitting on the dinning room table with the keypad locked.

Do you like to cuddle?
Yes.

How is life going for you right now?
Hectic, but exciting too.

What if you had a baby with the last person you texted?
Well that wouldn't really work since my SIL was the last person I texted LOL

Will tomorrow be better than today?
Of course, everyday has that potential.

Has anyone ever told you you were beautiful?
A few people...who actually ment it and WEREN'T related to me.

Did you have a good day yesterday?
It was nice. Really laid back and easy day.

I’ll bet you miss someone right now?
Yeah.

Do you think someone is thinking about you right now?
Hope so.

Who was the last person you took a nap with?
Phoenix.

Have you ever done something you told yourself you wouldn't do?
Yes!

No Envy, No Fear

Joshua Radin

I head that song on an episonde of Bones the other night and fell in love with it! I love Joshua Radin's voice and style! So enthralling really. But that's not why I'm taking the time to write this entry. It's casual aquaintences, past a present, that have impacted me so much I've been thinking about. One girl on my friends list Mila sent me an email reminding me how she and I have stayed in touch for over 5 years now! We've never lived in the same city, never spoken on the phone, and know very little about each other's daily lives...and yet we remain in contact.I have had so many chance encounters that will forever be with me. One that sticks out in recent memory was back almost 8 years ago...wow...seems like weeks ago. It was just after I'd turned 18 and things were starting to head down a really crappy path with my folks--they were tightening up on me more than before. I was making poor choices in friends and letting my anger and selfishness dictate my emotions more and more. Well, it was the 4^th of July, back in 2001. My family was celebrating with my cousin, Natasha's church...it was GREAT day. We all had so much fun. We started our own water fight, and there was a younger boy who joined us. I didn't recognize him from the youth from my cousin's church, I just figured he was someone's friend or family member I didn't know. It was obvious he was flirting with me...which was odd because guys don't flirt with me--at least not with serious intentions....yeah whole 'nother story. So I found it fun, some boy was interested in me...not one of my sisters. So I was bold, and brash with him, I would walk up very...VERY close and ask him a couple questions, then walk away before he would finish speaking. It was harmless flirting. Well I finally stopped being (my version) of coy and talked to him, found out he was 16, and from Idaho, and his name was Chris. He was visiting his grandparents for the summer. I told him I was 18...and not interested. He didn't seem detoured, he told me it was ok, he liked girls who were older. I got embaressed and walked away...he follwed me. He was hanging around my sisters and my cousin's, trying to talk to me. I was tired of being wet from the water fight and went looking for a towel, and came to find out one of my younger siblings had snatched up the last dry one. So I kept on saying how cold I was--there was a slight wind, and in Seattle, even on the 4^th of July it wasn't all that warm. Well before I knew what was going on, the kid stood directly behind me...blocking the wind. It didn't take me long to realize what he was doing...that made my day! Some silly little 16yr old boy named Chris was kind enough to want to block the wind for me...it touched me in a way that I won't soon forget. I was very disillusioned about guys by that point...and to have that young man block the wind for me...it was probably one of the sweetest and selfless things anyone has done for me--who barely knew me that is. Casual encounters can be something amazing, and terrible. I've had plenty of those...but somehow the good ones, always seem to outweigh the bad ones. I'm blessed in that respect, blessed to have good memories to draw on to remind me that I'm not as hard-hearted as I feel. Everyone I have ever met has served a purpose and taught me something valuable. They have helped mold me into who I am today, the good and bad, they have contributed to the woman I am today...and I hope that I can contribute to those around me. If nothing more then an open ear and heart to give them some hope. That's what I want...to give hope and encouragement...to be a light.

This Could Be Our Day

Addison Road

"New life is starting at every ending
We are a part of the story unfolding
This is the weight of the world we are holding
this could be our day

I was listening this song on break, and thinking about all the wonderful things this new year holds, but most of all...CHANGE! I've really come to appreciate change, while I rage against it when it's not in my immediate favor, I do see God's hand in each moment of change once past. I'm just hyper and so looking forward to all the plans we're making. One major thing is I will be having the IUD removed in March or April--no we're not trying for #2...yet--but we feel it's time to take it out. Plus, we can afford medical insurance right now, so that helps. There are lots of other things going on that I will share later. I'm just so happy!

So how are things? Well, Phoenix is giving me trouble with potty-training (it's been hard to even get him interested). I was getting so discouraged that I gave up for a while. Until I read some articles by some parents who had similar situations with boys his age--and OLDER--who almost refused to go potty on the toilet. So we're implamenting a new rule--you change your own wet pants! He loves to be babied and have someone ELSE do things for him, instead of trying to do it himself. He gives up before he even tries! And I've been enabling that defeatist mentality. Shame on me! So we're making him be more independent. He is a fully capable little man, and I want him to feel confident in himself, that sparkle in his eyes when mom or dad praises him for doing something on his own and "getting it" is priceless! I want to keep that going. Hopefully grandma will help with that...my mother-in-law loves Phoenix, and I know she wouldn't intentionally do something that would harm him...but I don't honestly believe she understands the ramifications of those "little choices" that effect long after they are made and gone. One little choice to not follow through will just created a snowball effect to other choices that require follow-through. I'm praying she helps us with this choice.

Anyways, my break is done. On to work for another 2 hours! YAY almost time to go home!