Life in Louisville.....

I wanted to start by including a few pics from our day. I was one of those brides who wasn't really keen on having a wedding.....and my husband was adamant that we were. So I conceded...since I knew it was so important to him....and boy am I glad I did. Our wedding day was SOOO incredibly special. It was full of laughter, tears and way too many sweet moments to count.

And now I've been a wife for almost 2 months...and I could not be happier. My husband is a true gift from the Lord. We recently finished up a Bible study called, "Love and Respect" by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. This Bible study is a MUST for anyone who is married, engaged, or even dating. As a woman, I know how important love is in a relationship, but I never knew how important respect was to a man. In fact, to a man, respect is MORE important than love.....yes, you heard me right. To a man, his need for respect supersedes his need to be loved. Now as a woman, this is a foreign concept. We, as women, would rather be anything than unloved. We crave love like we crave breath. But that need does not hold true in the same way for a man. AMAZING!!! ....but true.

And as a woman, I didn't know what it was to respect a man, particularly my husband. I found myself acting in disrespectful ways without even realizing it. I could come across as disrespectful to my husband just by the tone of my voice...go figure. Don't get me wrong, I am by NO MEANS an expert...I mean I've only been married for two months. But we joined this study with several couples ranging in married lengths from 45 years to 2 years and they all said the same thing.....this study changed the way they spoke to one another...it changed their whole behavior toward each other.

So, if you get a chance...if you have a spare minute, check out this study....it's truly an eye opening experience.

We're getting MARRIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, so apparently I've jumped quite a few spaces ahead... :)

Well, Bill and I actually got officially engaged on Easter weekend. We love to hike and go camping and were home visiting Bill's family Easter weekend. Well, we had hiked to the top of a large hill and Bill had called me over under the guise of asking me a question...I knew he was talking, but I was focused on a tag on my shirt that was driving me batty....I wasn't aware of a word he said until he went down on one knee....that caught my attention but I was still unsure...thinking to myself, "is he doing what I THINK he's doing????....surely not!!!". Oh but he was!! He then asked me to marry him and after many happy tears I answered with a resounding....YES!!!!

We're actually getting married on May 17th of THIS YEAR!!!! The reason for the rush is that my brother has enlisted in the Air Force and ships out on June 1st, so if i wanted him at my wedding it had to be soon...so May 17th it is.

So, please pray that all goes well and that we are able to get all taken care of before the big day.

My sweetie

Here's a pic us at New years. I spent a week in Louisville for the holidays...it was GREAT! I've met LOTS of family and friends, but we're flying to Orlando to meet his mom and step-father on Valentines...I'm nervous ;-)

WOW....I mean really, WOW!!

Ok, so many of you know that I had applied for a visa to move to England. Well, September 6th that visa was declined by the British Consul. They say, when God closes one door He opens another. I had joined E-Harmony a while back but had never really done anything with it. On September 25th, God brought Bill Campbell in to my life....using E-Harmony.

I have never been a firm believer in on-line dating, but I have to tell you, God was in this meeting. Bill is an amazing man, he's a Godly man and genuinely kind. I look back to my life 3 months ago and I cannot imagine not having him. We are taking each day as it comes and we continue to pray constantly about our relationship. But I have to tell you, I am happier than I have ever been.

I never thought that God was all that good at romance, but I've changed my mind since meeting Bill :) I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God brought him in to my life. I'm amazed and giddily happy. So, if you know someone wonderful who is having a bit of trouble meeting the "right" person, please tell them about E-Harmony. Just tell them to sign up and pray...God will do the rest.

Thank you Father for blessing me with this wonderful man. And I just ask that You continue to be our center and keep us focused on You. Amen

Words.....

Do you ever wonder what affect your words have?? The little things we say each day and how they effect those around us. I personally don't think about my words all that often...I'm sort of a speak before she thinks type of person. My lips move faster than my brain can process....for those of you who know me, I'm sure that this is not a surprise ;o)

On Saturday, I said something to someone..... It was just a passing thought that popped in to my head and went straight to my lips. I never thought another thing about it. Later that day, I got a call from this person thanking me for my comment. I was floored! I honestly had to think back to what they were talking about. I had no idea that this little comment, these words that I had not even given credence to could make such a difference. But to this person, it was a big deal. To them, it touched them in a special way.

That scared me. It scared me to think that words are so powerful. In this instance, my words were used to bring joy to someone. But how often do I bring pain and not even realize it. How often do we say things in anger or frustration and, while we don't give it another thought, those words can harm. They can have a lasting effect that we don't even realize.

It's given me pause to say the least. I want to be more aware of what I say, more aware of how I treat others. I know from personal experience that words can last forever. Once something is said, it can't be undone.