Confessions of a not-always-so-gentle-wife

It was a week of victories.  Battling the flu and trying to keep a good attitude, but (mostly?) winning.  Embracing the unknown, living out my calling as a wife, teacher, sister, friend.  But not every week has victories.  Some weeks I am just plain ugly inside, and that ugly slips out onto the people around me.  This past month on the Letters to My Sisters blog, the topic was 'anger'.  Here are my thoughts and reflections on that issue...

Dearest Sister,

It is hard to admit that I struggle with anger.  Perhaps you understand, as it is not exactly a ‘feminine’ quality!  Certainly not the ‘gentle and quiet spirit’ that I am called to exemplify.  But nonetheless, I will be honest and tell you that I have been quite surprised to see this in myself since getting married.  Now mind you, this cannot be blamed on my husband, but I will say that marriage can bring out the best—and worst—in a person!  More often than I’d like to admit, I can be short-tempered and easily frustrated with my beloved husband.  As I thought through this issue, I came across this quote:

“Anger and bitterness are two noticeable signs of being focused on self and not trusting God’s sovereignty in your life.  When you believe that God causes all things to work together for good to those who belong to Him and love Him, you can respond to trials with joy instead of anger or bitterness.” –John C. Boger

Read on, over at the LTMS blog...

Blessings on your fall weekend!

Ruth

The vow, and the reality

If you live by the passage, 'let your yes be yes, and your no, no,' you realize that your word is a solemn promise between you and whomever you speak with, share life with.  My husband can tell you, I have a lot more words in a day than he does.  :)  Thankfully, he's a wonderfully patient listener.  He could also tell you (though he won't, because he's too kind), that I've made a promise that I don't always keep.  A little over 18 months ago, I made a promise to Paul to love and cherish from that day until our final days on earth.  Pretty hefty promise!  Hard to make, even harder to keep.

Over the past few weeks as I've been silent on this little online corner of the world, God has been working in my heart through a marriage seminar, a bible study, loving friends and loyal husband.  I've seen that not only do I need to grow as a wife, but I need to grieve my sin towards God and my husband.  (And yes, lest you begin to believe that I hold Paul up on too high a pedestal, God has also shown me my idolatry in placing him higher than my Savior at times!)

It's amazing how God shines the light into the dark places of our soul, the places that we'd rather hide than deal with.  But when He shines the light, and cleans out the sin-sickness, He also fills us with His joy, His presence.  A much better option than the slavery of our sin!

There are many things that I have been learning, and hope to share with you over the course of this month.  Perhaps God is speaking to your heart on a certain topic, something you can't avoid any longer.  What is it?  How will you respond this time?  Have you repented and need to accept His grace?  It is all-sufficient.  He longs to welcome us all back into His arms.

This past Saturday, I welcomed my husband home from a business trip and realized that my heart had been changed.  A deeper respect and appreciation was there, for his kind and patient nature, his wisdom, and yes, his quirks :) .  I had prayed earnestly for his safe return, trusting I'd have more opportunities to show him the love and respect I've promised.  As he drew me into his arms, I realized again that we love, because He first loved us.  What a solid foundation on which to build our often imperfect promises.   

Here is a song we used in our wedding, that reminds me to make Christ central in our home.  It also reminds me to make others feel welcome in my heart, especially my husband.  Am I cultivating a heart where others feel safe and loved with me?

Bless you, in your marriage journey!  Ruth 

What God has joined together....

Today is Friday.  :)  That's great for a lot of reasons!  But one of them is that it is Five Minute Friday time again....  Join Lisa-Jo and the community of writers over here, if you want to play along on your blog.  The topic today is 'JOIN'.

image source

Matthew 19: 6 "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate.”

Knowing that God has joined us helps.  It brings joy, and also courage, when everything around us tries to pull us apart.  There's the chores, the expectations, the big and small things.  And there's an enemy.  Though not as strong as our God, he's still on the loose, like a rapid dog, unconcerned with anything but its own ferocity.  This 'rabid dog' has threatened to eat at my will and good intentions to love my husband all week.  It can be a vicious fight, this fight to love, to prefer another, to lay down my own desires.  And often we are left bloody, even as we stand victorious.  That's when I remember that God has done the joining, and no failings on my part can undo what God intends.  What a precious truth!  Dictionary.com tells me that 'join' has several meanings, and I see them all at work in my marriage:  to connect, to come together for a specific purpose, and to enlist in the armed services, (among others).  I know the 'already, not yet' principle is at work in this 'joining' God does.... for I see that we, my dear hubby and I, are connected, but we must choose to connect every day.  I see that we have come together for specific purposes, but we must choose to remain united for those purposes.  I see that we are enlisted in this army of God, but we must choose to fight.  JOIN.  Jesus Offers Incomprehensible New life....as we give ourselves to one another, and remained joined as we were on that very first day.

Blessings to you....
Ruth

Recording 1000 thanks, and seeing that He cares...

This morning I sat with my newly revamped 'art-prayer-thanksgiving-goal-dream' journal, meditating on God, where He has me in life.  A bit surprised, I must say, that I did finally reach 1000 thanks...{with thanks for this book, this author...}  It's just that one thousand snuck up on me!  I started recording my thanks, knowing it was good for my soul; it was also reminiscent of my childhood at Faith Chapel, and Mr. Haynes leading us in 'Count Your Blessings'.  But what I didn't know is that it really would change me. Reading One Thousand Gifts was a delight, don't get me wrong...However, I love reading, devouring words really, and unfortunately many of them are a 'feast of words', that I never share with another soul.  Sadly, I do admit this.

But I suspect this lesson is different, and penning #1000 this morning underscored exactly what I have learned: "I enjoy the fact that You care deeply for me..."

15 months of marriage and counting...

Counting blessings, gifts from my Father God, has shown me just this...He DOES care deeply for me, and fill me, not because I give thanks, but giving thanks gives me eyes to see His goodness!  No need for me to doubt this, again.  Period.  Everywhere I look, in big and small ways, God has shown up these past 15 months of our journey.  There have been challenges, for sure...but years past, it has been easy to give in to self-pity, doubt, and many other sins that separate me from my Father.  This year, with weak, and sometimes doubting faith, I have opened up my journal, and five, ten, fifteen blessings come spilling out of my pen each day.  I'm shocked every time it happens.  But why?  Doesn't His word tell me it will be so?  The Israelites doubted God's provision, even as they accepted the gift of daily bread {read more on that here}, and so do we all.

As I type, listening to the Christian radio artist singing of God's power to overcome, I make this choice:  I will trust.  I recall this passage from Habakkuk 3:

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will triumph in Yahweh; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation! Yahweh my Lord is my
¹⁸ strength; He makes my feet like those of a deer and enables me to walk on mountain heights!"


And my own version:  though my life is not what I thought it would be, it feels as if I have failed more than I've succeeded, the budget is tight, doubts and fears plague me, yet I will rejoice in my perfect God and Savior, He will help me walk through the coming days....with joy...and thanks!  Amen.
¹⁹ Related: One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

Recap from The Gospel Coalition Women's Conference: Part 1

I'm struggling for words.  I just attended an amazing conference this weekend, and I wish I could download it all for you right here!  Okay, so I'm going to try, but do yourself a favor and check out the Gospel Coalition website in a week or two, for the videos of every main stage plenary session.  Over the next few days, I'm going to give a {somewhat?} brief summary of what I learned from this incredible event, and I hope it encourages you and helps you see our Great God more clearly, as it did for me!


Pre-conference:  Three great speakers, even before main event Friday evening started....


Tim Keller (senior pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian in NYC) and wife, Kathy, Marriage in Gospel Focus

Marriage is wreck in the United States, let's face it.  Not all marriages, but the large majority have unreal expectations and even if Christian, oftentimes are distorted in their effort to display the Gospel and Glory of Christ and His church.  Tim and Kathy gave some staggering statistics, including one widely known:  the divorce rate in and out of the Church is 50%.  The secular view of a 'me-centered' marriage is devastating, and besides being greatly flawed, it is more likely than not, very unsuccessful!  Tim and Kathy pointed out the incredible impossibility of finding someone who wants to give in to the other's 'me-centered' viewpoint, and even worse, if both have this viewpoint....I have heard it described as having 'two ticks and no dog'... :)  {Thanks, Evan and Bev} The idea of love as covenant is based in Christ's love for us, and is not only legal, but deeply spiritual.  Another point that struck me, was Tim's comment that the 'thrill' of the early days of love actually serves to stroke one's ego, and is not 'real' love....the deeper love comes later, after days, months, years of self-sacrifice.  And this is only made possible through Christ.  Kathy finished with a reminder that BOTH husband and wife get to display aspects of Christ to the other; Jesus displayed submission, through accepting the Father's will, and Jesus showed headship, in providing for His bride, the Church.  She also commented on the great danger we face in marriage, of idolatry to our spouses....This talk left me excited to live up to the calling I have received as a wife, a tremendous opportunity to display Christ's love to both my husband, and the world.

Don Carson:  I missed this talk for lunch {the sessions were jam-packed next to each other :) } but check back on TGC's website soon for the complete video.

John Piper (Pastor for Preaching & Vision at Bethlehem Baptist):  The Search for Joy and the Supremacy of the God in the Gospel

Wow.  I was so excited to hear Piper speak!  My expectations were {happily} met, as he discussed the Good News with great passion and a genuine heart of love for our Savior.  It is obvious that Piper believes what he preaches!  But on to the summary....Piper has one main point, in all his writings, all his talks, and that is the truth that Jesus is our all-satisfying treasure, as seen in the Gospel.  His definition of the Gospel was this:  "the great work of God through the death and resurrection of Jesus, in which He destroys every obstacle to our joy, and shows His glory most fully by becoming the object of our joy."  He then went on to lay out 7 obstacles to finding joy in Christ:  the wrath of God (Rom. 5:9 and Gal. 3:13), our alienation from God (Eph. 2:13 and Rom. 5:10), our guilt and sin (1 Peter 2:24), our absence of righteousness (Rom. 3:10, 2 Cor. 5:21 and Rom 5:19, our death from this life (Heb. 9:27 and Rom. 8:11) , spiritual deadness (Eph. 2:4) , and the fact that Satan hates our joy (Col 2:15).  He followed with the question:  how do we know if we have experienced the Gospel?  His answer:  "if we realize that these 7 obstacles are only a MEANS to the Gospel.  So, you might be thinking {as I was} What IS the goal of the Gospel, if it is not these 7 things?  Well in true Piper fashion, he lured us in with these 7 points and came back with his main point {always is his main point :) }, that the goal of the Gospel is "to enjoy, savor, be satisfied in, and walk with God."  "No one praises what he/she does not enjoy," said Piper.  "We are to be filled with happiness in Jesus at the expense of everything else," he said, followed by recounting the parable of the man who sold all to buy a field (Matt. 13:44).  He closed with this:  "We are called to an unremitting pursuit of happiness in Jesus and not the world, or broken cisterns," (Jer. 2).  I came away from this talk with a renewed desire to pursue God as my greatest joy, not as an obligation or duty...what a privilege we have to be called His children!

Blessings...and stay tuned for more on the conference...

Ruth

  

Hope deferred, Joy found {and a review}

This weekend, one of my earthly hopes was deferred, again.  Maybe something you've been hoping in was not granted either.  If so, you understand the pain.  These things we hope for, they seem like good, godly things, right?  Is it wrong to hope for a loved one to accept the Lord, our character to be transformed, a child to be born, an elderly relative or neighbor to recover?  And the list goes on.  No, of course it is not wrong to wish for things, but it becomes wrong, misplaced hope, when our eyes are fixed on this more than on heaven, and the eternal life that is offered to us now through Christ.

Greetings from sunny Florida!

I love reading with my husband in the evenings, and this weekend, this book brought clarity to my discouraging situation.  I cannot do it justice, but if you are struggling to hope in Christ, I would strongly recommend this book.  Paul Tripp does not disappoint, and I was both challenged and convicted by his wise prose.  More than anything, I came away from this book with hope not only for eternity, but hope that is given in this life, through Christ.  You see, focusing our eyes on eternity makes all things come into perspective, and that is what had happened to me--I had lost perspective.  

Now I will say, my husband's silliness all weekend, intended to cheer me up, certainly helped as well.  (He is normally quite serious and I am the silly one.) I am so thankful for him, and the way he can help me see things with clarity.  Watching Emma together was also wonderful, as I know it was a big stretch from his preferred action-let's-see-how-many-things-we-can-blow-up movies!  

I trust God is shining joy into your days as well.

Enjoying our marriage journey

Blessings

Ruth

Choose Thankful Submission...and Restore Childlike Wonder and Joy

A reminder every morning to value our union

It was Saturday afternoon, and I had had a rough morning. There was some tension between me and my sweet man, and it was largely my fault. I had spoken harsh words, and was not willing to yield some of his ideas...and the result was a collision of wills.  My lunch had burned, and it added insult to injury...but my audio book version of 1000 gifts struck a chord with my hard heart.  Thankfully, I was now willing to listen. She spoke of the joys of surrender, of opening ourselves up to the ways of God, and how this restores our childlike wonder and joy.  I recalled my photo adventure just a day earlier, as I had chosen to look for little displays of grace and beauty in my world.  God did not disappoint. I will leave you with some of those grace-moments, and urge you to pick up your camera, and go on a beauty-hunt yourself!

A welcome to others by our front door--the joys of hospitality

You will be amazed at all the beautiful things around you, that will open you up to living with childlike obedience.  

Reminders of our special day

Stepping out on our patio for some fresh herbs!

Bird of paradise flower, thoughts of our eternal paradise that waits

This happy hibiscus

Mama duck and her babies

 I pray that moments like these will help you turn from your rebellion and hardness of heart, and find the joy and wonder that I have found in true surrender.  I have realized again,

that choosing to submit to God and my husband, is really a door to joy, that can be found no other way.  Choosing my own ways over His, over my husband's (apart from following into sin) is really not the answer.  Joyful surrender is becoming more and more of a delight.


And finding the beauty all

around me in these joy moments, little snippets of grace, makes the hard days oh-so-bearable.  How do you fight through the hard days?  Please share in the comments.


As for the conclusion of my tough day...in his ever gentle ways, my honey helped me find my way back to repentance, the refreshing streams of Grace that only God can offer, but that often come to me through Paul's words and actions.

It's the Little Things: Walking with My Hubby

Today I'm linking up with the Time-Warp wife's Titus 2sdays!  This link-up features homemaking, marriage, housekeeping, and Titus 2-related posts!  Enjoy!

As I think back on this, our first year of marriage (actually 13 months in 2 days), I think about a little habit that has become foundational for us.  Every day, 2-3 times a day, we take a walk together, discuss what's on our hearts, and in the mornings, we make it a habit to pray as we walk together.  On the really hard days, we pray together at night too.  (We've had nights with tears, thoughts of the unknown future....and prayer is the BEST solution to our concerns.)  While it might only be a short walk (15-20 min) or a longer walk (25-30 min), it gives us the chance to find out more about each other in a very natural way.  For men, I've heard its easier to do something while we talk, and for me, as long as we talk (a lot :) I'm pretty happy.  I'm so thankful that Paul makes it a priority to call me at lunch every day, and we walk 'together', though I am home and he's at work.  Sometimes there is nothing earth-shattering to discuss, but other times, there is a conflict that needs to be resolved, and this practice keeps it from getting blown out of proportion.  (Besides, laughing at the ducks in our apartment complex, or tracking down our neighborhood owl is pretty entertaining!  Cheap fun is our style.)

Our walks started when we were dating :)

We have the luxury of time right now, not having kids or many big responsibilities, so it is easy to work in all this time together.  But I've heard many couples say that even just a little 15-20 min talk at the end of the day, when the kids are in bed, is something they are able to make a habit.  Having this practice as a habit makes it hard to ignore issues, which is good for both of us as 'pleasers'.  We would never get around to discussing conflict if not for our walks and talks!

These walks make me feel so loved and cherished by my honey and I am so thankful for his conviction that we do this.  Often when we are frustrated, taking a walk is the answer, even if we don't talk much.  Just getting out and away from the situation for a while is helpful.  (It also helps when Paul brings home his meat-lovers pizza from work, so we don't grow in ways we'd not desire :)

What do you do together that you can't live without?  How do you find ways to connect with your spouse on a regular basis?  Leave a note in the comments so we can all benefit!

Have a blessed day,

Ruth

Good-bye and Hello

So glad to have him by my side as I say 'good-bye' and 'hello' to many things

Goodbyes are hard.  And sometimes I avoid them altogether!  Just today I was thinking about certain elements of others seasons of my life that I miss, but I felt the Lord's nudge to keep moving forward.  I'm in a bit of a slump and just like when running a race, if you don't keep pushing ahead, you'll be tempted to stop.  However, that doesn't mean we ignore how we are feeling.  Let's explore that a little.

In college, I had a mentor at summer camp who was awesome (I mean really awesome....not many people as stellar as Anna!)  When this thought came up in my mind post-college, she encouraged me to think through what I really enjoyed or was missing about that particular season.  That was always helpful to me, because then I could work to include some of the things I loved from past seasons of life.  But I really believe it is also important to think through why God may have moved you on to a new season.  Today I'm thinking about that.....what I've said hello to, and what I've said goodbye to.

Goodbye to:

~some really great friends
~a job I loved and felt passionately called to
~proximity to family
~a super-cute home and backyard
~worship team
~an ultra-safe town and neighborhood:  biking everywhere was an option
~an excellent roommate!

Hello to:

~a fabulous, more-than-I-could-ever-ask-or-hope-for husband!
~a church where we both really feel comfortable
~a more relaxed schedule
~my calling as a wife and homemaker
~new friends
~new opportunities for ministry
~the chance to explore a new area and make memories together!

The Why?  Well, I'm still thinking through this one....but a big part of the answer lies in growth, I would imagine.  My Father God seems to like to push me ahead to new things once I get comfortable (and stagnant) with the old scenario.  Oh, you too?  :)  I'm learning to accept the blessings of the new season, and be grateful for what I have now, all the while appreciating the memories from the past.

I trust you are able to go through this process for yourself as well.  Post a comment so I can encourage you in your journey!

Blessings on your weekend,
Ruth

Following Christ When We Think We Can't....

Several weeks ago, I accepted a job to teach a 5th-6th grade class in the fall, and am waiting for the class to be filled so I can be offered a contract.  In the meantime, I've been all over the place in my thoughts and actions, doubting more than I'd like to admit.  Today at lunch my husband's questions both pierced and healed me:  'Why don't you think you can do this?'  'I don't want to fail, to disappoint anyone.....,'  I trailed off as I thought of how ridiculous that must sound....knowing I am able to do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  I have heard the opinions of others.....and I have to go back to what God is calling me to, for this season.  I will keep you posted on what happens, but will leave you with some thoughts from my journal, and my thanks on this Multitude Monday.

"Thank you for speaking to me [Lord]....You are helping me to trust my husband……and therefore trust you.  I’ve met with the love of my husband, and unconditional acceptance and support that I have known no where else.  He gives it to me freely, and shows me Christ in this.  I waver, and he stays true…..moving forward every day towards Christ.  I doubt and fear and wonder...and he keeps loving me, u.ntil I believe that I am loved.  

Lord, help me to do this job you have called me to!  Help me to prepare, believing that You will give me all I need to do this job.  I have wavered....You’ve already gone before me and prepared the way.  Why would I not come?  Why do I trust my own understanding more than your perfect will....Oh that you would crucify my flesh and make me new in you again, my Lord.  That you would kill the part of me that resists your goodness and grace.  That I would rise with confidence in all you are doing.

I come to you empty-handed, expecting a feast as I sit before the enemies that plague me—doubt, fear, unbelief, stubbornness, sloth, the opinions of others, and so many more.  Feast with me, my Lord, let us fellowship together at the table of Love.  Amen."

Inspired today by this Chris Tomlin song....

My multitude of thanks:

~my dear husband, who can speak to me with confidence, grace, and truth, always in love guiding me towards Christ

~the job that is waiting for me in the fall

~the ability to do what you have called me to

~this season of rest that I am in right now

~new friends who accept me as I am, encourage me to be more

~the fun Segway tour this weekend--happy birthday to Paul and anniversary to us both!

~evenings reading and watching BBC Planet Earth, TED talks, and Ray VanderLaan with hubby

~my new HCSB iPad app--can't wait to dig into this more!

~the chance to sing in this River Oaks Easter Choir this past Sunday, See What a Morning, indeed!

~my Science student passing his semester test missing only 1/2 point out of 40....and the encouragement on this from Paul
~the eternal life brought to us through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Christ

And some photos of our weekend:

Our first stop on the Segway tour....yummy bakery!

Outside the resort where tour was offered

Ron Jon Resort Lobby

Paul takes a break while I snap photos at the beach

A small jet flew over the beach to wish us all Happy Easter!

It was a {mostly} beautiful day: what to do with expectations

Our anniversary came and went, and I enjoyed just about every minute.  The moments I could have done without were the ones where my sin nature and expectations for my husband put a dark cloud over the sunshine of the event.  Paul had done a great job thinking through how to make our anniversary special:  first it was the plan to take a trip on the Rivership Romance here in Central Fl, but we eventually found out it closed last year.  Then it was the Melting Pot--wow!  I thought that was a great idea, and so did Paul, but the thought of feasting on unhealthy food, and gouging our pocketbook didn't sit right with us.  So I scoured the internet for fondue recipes and ideas.....(I'll include the recipes we used below).  In the meantime, my attitude could have been better.  I felt neglected, for some silly reason (sin) and my dear sweet husband had to put up with me while I sorted out my feelings.  It turned out to be a wonderful day, having lunch together at Paul's workplace, taking a walk together, and then fondue and fruit pizza for dinner (followed by reading and enjoying the evening at home).

I am so thankful that God brought my sin to my awareness, and on our morning walk yesterday I was able to confess this to God and Paul.  {confessing sin is step number one!} Shortly after, God brought the fun ideas to my mind and I could sense Him quickly turning things around for us.  Oh, did I mention that Paul wrote me an incredibly sweet love letter and brought some lovely flowers home too?  Just like I doubt God, it is easy to doubt my dear husband (through no fault of his own).  But it is Grace to see my sin, repent, and walk a new road.  {walking a new road in Grace is step number two!}  I'm learning, even if slowly.  Enjoy the photos and blessings on your day!  Ruth

 Let's start with dessert!  (I made this the night before)....

Okay, so I was really proud of my creation :)

This tradition was started by Mom & Dad

Mom's Fruit Pizza

1 cup flour
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter
8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup granulated sugar
Assortment of fresh and/or canned fruit
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 T. cornstarch

With a fork, combine flour, pwd.sugar, and butter until coarse
crumbs are formed. Sprinkle evenly over a 12 or 13 inch pizza pan.
(Sometimes I take 1 1/2 times the recipe and use a larger pan.)
Press crumbs to form a crust and bake for 15 to 20 min. in a 325
degree oven.  Cool.
Combine cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar and spread over cooled crust.
Chill crust while preparing fruit.
Reserve 1 cup juice from a can of peaches or pears and combine with
1/4 cup sugar and cornstarch in a small pan. Cook and stir till mixture thickens and bubbles.  Cool and spread over the fruit which has been arranged over the crust. Chill.

***I used Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free flour and xanthan gum in place of regular flour as we are trying to stay away from flour for health reasons.  It still tasted great!

Paul at our anniversary lunch, card with photo memories of our honeymoon

Power Salad for lunch (thanks, Mom, for this one too!):

Makes 8-10 servings, prep: 25 min, cook: 27 min, chill: 2-12 hours

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

2 1/4 lb sweet potatoes (about 4 medium), peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes

2 lb. Granny Smith apples (about 4 medium), cut into 1/2 inch cubes

2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice (about 2-3 limes)

2 Tbsp. no-calorie sweetener (I used coconut sugar, my fave)

3 Tbsp. raisins

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 cup plain fat-free yogurt (I used Greek)

3 Tbsp. reduced-fat mayonnaise (I used Olive Oil mayo)

1.  Heat nuts in a small nonstick skillet over medium-low heat, stirring often, 8-10 minutes or until lightly toasted and fragrant (I actually forgot to do this and they were still okay if you are short on time).

2.  Arrange sweet potatoes in a steamer basket or stainless-stell colander in a 4-6 quart Dutch oven over boiling water.  Cover and steam 16-17 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender (I would recommend longer as mine were not quite done).  Plunge potatoes into ice water to stop the cooking process; drain.

3.  Place apples in large bowl.  Sprinkle with lime juice and no-calorie sweetener; toss gently to coat.  Stir in sweet potatoes, raisins, salt, and 3 Tbsp walnuts.

4.  Stir together yogurt and mayonnaise.  Add yogurt mixture to sweet potato mixture, tossing gently to coat.  Sprinkle with remaining 1 Tbsp. walnuts.  Cover and chill 2-12 hours.  Enjoy!

We also had Snapea Crisps--a new discovery at Walmart that is healthy (I think?) and just as yummy as chips.

Pizza Fondue!

Pizza Fondue Recipe for dinner

I used grape tomatoes, pineapple, green peppers, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, and gourmet meat slices, such as capicola for the dippers.  It was a hit, and much cheaper and healthier than The Melting Pot!  We felt no need to overeat because we had paid a fortune, and we also have leftovers for tonight! :)

Lovely and thoughtful flowers from Paul

Risking Identity for Christ-like Love

I'm re-reading The Mystery of Marriage as I think through our first year together, looking at how God has worked and how I'd like to see Him work in me in the months to come.  I came across this passage from the book that sums up exactly where I am.  I hope it is encouraging to you as it was to me.  I've recorded some of my one-year thanks down below as well {smile}

From The Mystery of Marriage, by Mike Mason, in reference to losing our self in our love for our spouse:

What is called for is an abandonment so deep and drastic that what we ourselves perceive to be our identity will almost certainly be lost sight of, set adrift.  We must be prepared to enter a no-man's-land, a limbo of self-perception, a state that for any other reason but love would be insanity.  Was this not what the Lord Himself chose to do when He threw away the transcendent, invisible cloak in which He had been wrapped since the beginning of time and became a man--and not only a man, but a tiny baby?  He must have entered some limbo of self-identity, a limbo such that all the theologians of twenty centuries have been unable to pin down exactly who or what category of being this Bethlehem baby was.....it is not that the death of our identities, in and of itself, has any grand meaning or importance.  Such a death may accomplish nothing more than to gain us entrance into a psychiatric ward.  No, what is necessary is to die for another.  If we go out on a limb, we must do it for someone else.  We must get so close to the center of another's soul that we feel the ground slipping out from under us and fear our sanity.  We must come our from our dark, protected corners and go near the edge, consenting to the dizzy, bewildering pull that others are able to exert on us.  For God has not kept Himself immaculately sterilized in some hermetically sealed heaven....We do not really want our Lord to have hair on his body, let alone blood oozing out of His wounds.  We do not really want love to be breathing down our necks.  We never asked for that.  Yet that is the sort of God the Lord is, and the simple truth is that in Jesus Christ this God has drawn far too close to us for comfort, knocking against our heart and leaving a messy broken body on our doorstep.  And this is supposed to be the pattern fo love.  Getting too close for comfort.  Identifying whole heartedly with others, regardless of the messiness, heedless of the risk to our own identity, in order that we might be identified with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Grateful for:

~my Savior and King, who is so patient with me as I learn to love
~my wonderful husband, who is an excellent model of this Christ-like love
~our time here in FL, to get away and really build our new life together
~all the challenges, for they have drawn us closer to Christ and each other
~the many encouraging words we have received from others along the way
~new opportunities springing up to help us grow
~River Oaks church, and the encouragement it has been to us
~our lovely little 2 BD apartment, a place to call home
~new grace for each day
~learning to understand and appreciate each other more every day
~the year ahead, and all the surprises, blessings, and challenges it will bring
~our Faithful Father, King, and Shepherd, who has and will lead us every step of the way

Springtime Adventures

The weather is just gorgeous down here, and we've had friends and family in, doing all sorts of exploring....so I've been AWOL from my online world, sorry. :(  Just having fun making memories and sharing life together.  Dear friends from PA, my aunt and family, and then time with Paul have kept me busy for the last two weeks or so....and there are more visitors to come!  I guess that is one of the positives of living in Florida--everyone wants to visit :)  So feel free to look us up if you are in the area, and we will show you around :)

Orchid gift from the Ladies' Tea I helped to host--thanks Meghan!

Trying to keep these tasty herbs growing is fun!

Pancakes made on the Old Spanish Sugar Mill Restaurant,  DeLeon Springs

In case you want to put in your order....

Interesting antiques inside the restaurant

Aunt Ruth, Uncle Dave and a 'portion' of their family--believe it!

The springs are beautiful and great for wading and swimming

The outside of the Sugar Mill Restaurant--was in use years ago

Beautiful New Smyrna Beach

This little guy was having a ton of fun!

I just love wading in the shallow water

'Nothing like reading and relaxing on the beach!

Time for a hike at Wekiva Springs State Park, Longwood, FL

The palmettos are a common plant in Florida

We hiked in the hot sun for a while--it reflects beautifully off the palmettos

Paul, my fearless leader.  What a great guy.

Our one-year anniversary is coming up next week, and we have all sorts of fun things planned--starting this weekend and continuing into next.  So I'll be sure to post more pics.  I just have to say briefly however, I am so thankful for my wonderful husband and all the special memories we have had together so far.  God is so good to us, in the good times and bad.

Blessings be on your day,

Ruth