Guest Post- Coffee with Smmer

Hi guys! Today I am over at Coffee with Summer. Please check out my post on her blog!
Summer is an awesome blogger and while you are over there reading my post, check out some of her posts as well! She is a fantastic God-lover with a passion for intentionality!

Click here to view my post.

Lovely Week Recap

This week was pretty packed-full of activities. I am so thankful for fun in life and that God gives us that. He doesn't have to, but out of his deep love for us, he gives abundantly.

Last weekend there was disc golf with my man again. We had a blast. The old lady hip came out to play again, but we still really enjoyed it.

There was also lots of fun at the park with my friends, Jess and Mary Beth and my dog, Molly. We took Molly back and forth from playing in creeks, going for walks, and playing at the dog park :)

I spent the week writing, cleaning, reading in the sun, and taking Chamomile salt baths :) I also made my own rose bath salts. 

And Wednesday was bible study. We always enjoy it, but this week seemed particularly fun to me. I'm very thankful for my friends. I love that no matter where I go, I can always find wonderful God-lovers, if I only look <3 God always provides what we need if we ask.

In addition to all the awesome things mentioned above, Taylor and I also had dinner with his parents several times, I watched a movie with his mom (it was really good), and I was able to talk to my family on the phone a few times. Family time is always good!

I love talking about my week with you. It makes me realize all over again just how blessed I am. Even though I had a great week overall, Thursday and Friday weren't the best. But when I look back (even just over one week), I see all the blessings that the Lord has given and it helps bring me out of my little funk. Thank you God.

How was your week? Did you do anything exciting?

The Singleness Misconception

Have you ever noticed how many single's ministries there are? Have you noticed how many people say "singleness is a time for drawing near to God"? I am starting to realize that this is a huge movement.

While I agree that singleness is a gift from God and that each person should use that time to grow in God, I feel that making these statements give the wrong impression.

Singleness is a gift from God. Yes. A woman should find her identity in Christ, not a man. Correct. But what about women who have a boyfriend, a fiance', or a husband... Isn't that just as much of a gift? And shouldn't they be growing in God just as much as a single person?

Don't get me wrong. I think it is absolutely wonderful that single women are being ministered to and being made aware that being single is not bad. Every single woman needs that. But when you start making a woman feel like they have to have it all together spiritually before they enter into a relationship, that's where I start getting annoyed.

You are never, ever, going to have it all together (maybe that could be a new Taylor Swift song)! Dating, engagement, and marriage are not only for enjoyment. They are mainly for holiness. If you are with the right man and living in a godly relationship, you will then, more than ever, realize your flaws, and all that needs to be corrected. And you will also realize more than ever how incapable you (and your man) are of fixing those problems. This is a good thing. This is growth. Realizing that you can't do it on your own, and seeing your sins more clearly is growth! And if you are with the right man (and by right I mean a God-given, compatible, godly man), that man will help you grow and get better. It may be a fast process, or it may be (and most likely will be) a slow process, but he will encourage you in godliness and away from your sins.

When I see things like "pledge to not date for a year", it really rubs me the wrong way. I know that stuff like that has helped some people, and that's great. I am genuinely happy for those people. I also know that the people who started those pledges were well meaning people who have a heart for the Lord. But, when someone feels like they have to make a pledge to not date for a year in order to draw near to God, something is wrong. We should always be drawing near to the Lord. We should always be seeking him and loving him. Everyone always says, "don't put God in a box...", but isn't saying, "Don't date for one year" unintentionally saying "God's not going to bring me a man in the next year, and if he does, I can't date him because I'd be sinning by breaking my pledge".... I don't know. That just seems pretty boxy to me.

I don't mean to ruffle feathers or hurt anyone's feelings. I am only saying that maybe sometimes the focus is too much on singleness and not enough on Christ.

Do you identify yourself as a single, Christian woman, or as a Christ follower? Your singleness (and my married-ness) is not our identity. Christ is our identity. So maybe, instead of saying, "during this time of singleness, I need to focus on God", it would be much more productive to say, "no matter what stage of life I am in, I need to always focus on God".

Growing in and with God (#1- Prayer)

Hello all! I hope you are all having a wonderful day!

Today I am linking up with Katie over at Hot Tea and the Empty Seat. She has started a link-up called "Growing in and with God".

This week's "Growing in God" is about prayer and things that help us in our prayer time with God.

Prayer is something that is essential to the Christian's life. If we don't spend time talking to God, we forfeit our "all-access pass" to an intimate relationship with our Creator.

God has laid out very plainly that we should be in constant prayer:

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.  (1 John 5:14-15)  

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling. (1 Timothy 2:8)

I could easily find 100 more verses talking about praying and calling out to God, but I figured these three would be enough ;)

Prayer is so important, but I know I neglect it often, only praying about my wants or worries. I leave out praying for others and selfishly only think of myself. I also fail to pray that God's will be done. I ignore the fact that his way is best and in all my asking, I avoid acknowledging that no matter how God answers my prayers, his way is still perfect (and mine is not).

One thing that really helps me when I pray is typing out my prayers. Before I read any scripture or devotional, or write a blog post of my own, I sit down and start praying. I type it out because it helps me focus. I don't go off on rabbit trails or day-dream nearly as often. It also makes me more aware of what and how I am praying. Sometimes I look back and realize that I haven't thanked God for anything as I've prayed that day, which helps me refocus and start talking to God as I should.

I also like to follow the Lord's prayer (at least as a general rule) to know the best way and best things to pray. We can, of course, come to God about anything, but Jesus did teach us how to pray and I think that if Jesus, who is also God in human form, had a "best way" to pray, it's probably a good idea to follow it.

Is there anything that you do that helps you focus during your prayer time? Do you have a favorite spot to pray or a journal that helps you focus? Comment below.

Not-Yo-Mama's Homemade Granola

Last Tuesday, I was going to Zumba with my friends Anna and Jess and wanted a healthy snack for after my workout. I looked through my cabinets and realized that I had the makings for homemade granola "bars".

It's been a long time since I liked one of my concoctions this much! This granola is seriously amazing!

The Recipe

* 1 1/2 cups raw almonds

*1/2 cup pistachios

* 1/2 cup sunflower seeds

* 3/4 cup natural peanut butter

* 1/2 cup local honey (or store-bought)

* 1/2 cup dried cranberries

* 1/4 cup raisins

* 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Chop up almonds and pistachios. I used a Ninja Chopper.

Mix together all ingredients thoroughly in a large mixing bowl. Make sure that the honey and peanut butter are mixed in really well.

Spray a cookie sheet lightly with cooking spray, or grease it lightly with the cooking oil of your choice. Spread the mixture evenly on the cookie sheet (about 1/2 inch to an inch thick).

Place on middle oven rack and let bake for approximately 20 minutes. However, watch it very closely, as it is easy to burn.

The mixture is done baking when it is toasty and golden, and not runny in the middle of the pan.

Let the granola sit out to cool (about 30 minutes). After that, cut the granola with a knife into bar-sized pieces. Then, place the pan of granola in the refrigerator for about an hour. 

When the hour is up, your granola is ready.

I cannot promise that these won't fall apart. Mine did not stay in bar-form, but I didn't care since it tasted so fantastic! 

This granola made a pretty big portion. I had it four different mornings for breakfast (mixed in with vanilla Greek yogurt, which was super yummy and I highly recommend it!), I shared it with  people at bible study, and me, Anna and Jess had some the night I made it. It keeps very well in the refrigerator and will stay good for about a week and a half.

This is not at all a low fat recipe, but it is a very healthy recipe. Nuts (and nut butters) have good fats that your body needs, are high in protein, plus have nutrients that help with anxiety and depression. Honey (if it is local/not processed) helps tremendously with allergies. Cranberries and raisins help with digestion, along with a fairly long list of other things. And chocolate is just yummy and fine in moderation ;)

I hope that you will try this recipe and that you enjoy it. Even though the prep time is a little long (just under two hours total), it is well worth it to have a week's worth of yummy, healthy granola at your fingertips :)

Living a Healthy Lifestyle

I love food. I love comfort. I love snugly blankets, big comfy chairs, my PJ's staying on all day. And though rest is good, food is a necessity, and it's fine to love fuzzy blankets, these things all working together turn into laziness and a lack of care for my body.

Although Taylor and I have been pretty good at going to the gym lately, and we are trying to improve our eating, we still love food. When I get stressed, I eat a whole bag of potato chips. Taylor eats a pint of ice cream.

But treating our bodies like this is a sin. God created our bodies to work for us, not against us. But when we constantly put bad things in our bodies, and decide not to go to the gym but sit around instead, we are setting ourselves up for failure.

God commands us in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 to take care of our bodies:

God commands this of us because we belong to Him. Our bodies are his and our lives are his. If we spend our lives not taking care of our bodies, what kind of witness are we being to those around us? In my eyes, we are basically saying "Hey, I follow God and Jesus saved my life, but I am not willing to take care of what he has given me... I'd rather eat". Through my daily actions, this is what I am doing. I am unintentionally spitting at the command to take care of my body.

Is it a sin to miss going to the gym, or to eat a sugary treat? No, I don't think so. What is a sin though, is to live a lifestyle that constantly avoids exercise, accepts unhealthy eating, and encourages laziness. That is when it's a sin- and I'm the worlds worst for doing all of those things.

Just as God called us to be good stewards of the earth, good stewards of our money, and good stewards of our families, God has also called us to be good stewards of our bodies. He wants us to take care of what he has blessed us with. If we don't, we are missing an entire element of being a good witness, and we are not "working with all our might, in all we do, for the Lord" (Colossians 3:23).

So, as I am now challenging myself to be more mindful of how I have treating my body, I'd encourage you to do the same. Aim to take better care of your body. God not only commands it, but it will benefit you and glorify him.

My Week in a Nutshell

Hi everyone!

I hope you are all having a great day. I personally am barely awake and sipping plenty of coffee :)

As I mentioned in my "Favorite Things Friday", this week was really busy for me. I think it felt busier than it was though because a few of my days were extremely stressful.

But, despite the busy-ness and stress, Taylor and I still feel really blessed and we were able to have a few really fun times within the craziness!

Last Sunday was a really good day. Even though it started with me being overly tired and not feeling great, it was still very relaxing and I ended up feeling better later in the day, which was good because the weather was too perfect to stay inside.

Since it was so beautiful out, after Taylor got home we decided to go play disc golf.

Even though I am not very good at it, I love disc golf. It is exercise (because of all the walking) but it's very leisurely and chill. It also has a special place in my heart because Taylor proposed while we were playing disc golf.

We only played 9 holes (half the course) because my grandma hip started getting angry, but it was still so fun.

Monday night after I finished babysitting, Taylor and I were both stressed, so we decided to have a bonfire by our creek to relax. We sat and talked for about an hour before we headed in to do some chores. It really was nice. I love when we just sit and talk like that.

Tuesday evening was really fun! My friend Anna came over for afternoon tea, ate dinner with me, and then we went to Zumba with our friend Jess. It was just the three of us in class that night, so we got to exercise but also be super goofy. I also made homemade granola for after our workout, which I will post soon.

Wednesday I babysat again and then came home and ate dinner before bible study started (we host it). We have such a great group for bible study! It is a huge blessing!

Thursday I just worked...nothing really eventful happened.

Friday I had a meeting with my supervisor at a fun little coffee shop in Maggie Valley, NC, and then I sat around all day watching Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Not the best thing to do with my time, but I was exhausted.

When Taylor got home last night (Friday night), we loved on the puppies for a while and then headed over to our friend Zach's house for dinner with he and his fiance', Mary Beth. We had a great time. We had been trying to get together for far too long!

And today I am sitting here with my coffee, typing all this out to you. I've got some cleaning I have to do, but otherwise, it looks like it will be a nice day today, so I will probably lay out in the sun or go for a walk or something. I'm looking forward to it!

Happy Saturday, all!

Happy Thursday!

Happy Thursday, everyone!
I wasn't going to post today, but I found this video and decided everyone needed it in their lives!

via

Thanks, mom, for making sure I saw this video! :)

Comparison: The Thief of Joy

Lately I have been thinking a lot about comparison, and figuring out a way to avoid it. Why? Because comparison is a thief- one that tries to steal any amount of joy that it can.

This is what comparison does to me:

1.) I compare my body to other people my age or others at the gym who are thin- doing this keeps me from appreciating the progress I am making each day.

2.) I compare the fact that we rent our home, to my friends who are buying houses- this makes me forget how much I love our home and that I am happy right where I am.

3.) I compare my walk with God to my friend's, family member's, and husband's walk with God- this makes me feel inadequate and condemned when I see that I am not growing at the same rate or in the same things that they are.

4.) I compare my personality to other women's personalities- this makes me feel that I should be just like them, and makes me not like myself as much. Or conversely, it can make me prideful, if I am comparing myself to someone who is obnoxious or hard to get along with.

God never intended these things in my life. He never wanted me to feel inadequate, condemned, or like a failure - and He never wanted that for you, either.

Ecclesiastes says that there is a time and a season for everything (Eccl. 3:1). God grows us all at different rates in our walks with Him. His timing for marriage, buying a house, kids, etc is different for each one of His children. God made us each with different traits, personalities and purposes, so that we could all help each other in our weaknesses...not so we could wish we were someone else.

All comparison does is cause jealously, a lack of thankfulness, and a lack of contentment- all of which are sins. Comparison destroys, which is Satan's favorite game.

Don't become a player in Satan's game. Refuse comparison, and put on thankfulness, trust, and hard work.

In what ways have you been comparing yourself to others, and what are some steps you can take to change that?

What We Can Learn from St. Patrick

What is the history behind St. Patrick's Day? Who was St. Patrick and what can we learn from him? Find out who St. Patrick is and how we can learn from him today.

No.

When you are invited somewhere that you don't want to go, what do you do? Do you politely decline, do you think of an excuse, or do you just flat-out lie?

I think that most people feel a little stressed when they are asked to do something that they have no interest in. There are several reasons we may feel this stress. Some feel it because they don't want to hurt other people's feelings. Some because they are a people pleaser, and some because they fear that people will judge them or look down on them.

Whatever the reason for the stress, people (myself included) really need to learn to say no sometimes. I know that I tend to try to make excuses when I don't want to go somewhere. I try to make sure that they are legitimate, so that I am not lying, but it would still be better if I just said, "No thanks. I think I'll pass this time". There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, and yet for whatever reason, most of us feel like we owe people more than that. Like somehow us making excuses is better than being straightforward...backwards much?

I know I am guilty of this sometimes, and I know my friends have mentioned that they struggle in the same way.

So today, I encourage us all to choose to just say "no" instead of making up random excuses, or even lying (please don't do that). If someone is really our friend, they will not get mad at us for choosing to opt-out on certain events.

And like-wise, don't make your friends feel guilty if they give you a "no". Don't you want to feel like you don't owe anyone an excuse? Well, let your friends have that right too. Trust them. It's only fair.

I'm not really sure why so many people have an issue with this, but it really is a problem. Let's do our best to correct this bad habit!

Oreo-lympics

Good morning and happy Saturday!
It occurred to me a day or so ago that I never posted about last Friday's Oreo-lympics! Shame on me!

Last Friday was National Oreo Cookie day (apparently), and Faith Community Church (a church that several of our friends attend) hosted a "Young Adult Oreo Cookie Olympics" - loving shortened to Oreo-lympics :)

To start the evening, there was hot chocolate, hot tea, three different kinds of coffee, and fried Oreos. I had never had a fried Oreo before, and I was skeptical, but they were so good! I ate way more than my fair-share of fried Oreos that night!

The leaders of the event did a wonderful job. There were different competitions for the night including "building with Oreos", "Oreo art, "Oreo chicken pocks" (hence the Oreos stuck to my face), and several others.

 I actually think my favorite game was the chicken pocks game, because Taylor and I battled head-to-head. His team beat us by one.... Booooooo!

It was such a fun evening. I got to hang out with my hubby, several of my friends, and meet some new friends too. Faith Community has been working on consistently putting on youth-adult events lately and Taylor and I have both been really impressed. What an awesome ministry opportunity!

*Photos were taken by Jessica Ponton and Will Roberts :) Thanks, guys!

Are You a Good Steward?

Within the last year or two, I have realized something very disturbing about myself: I am a terrible steward of what God has given me. Terrible.

When I survey the untidiness of our home, where we spend our money, how we use our time, yada-yada-yada, I am appalled. Why is it that we can't quite get it together?

God has blessed me and Taylor with so much, and we both want to use it for his glory. We want every aspect of our lives to be glorifying to Him. But when we've been out all day, the last thing we want to do is come home and vacuum. If we are exhausted, the last thing we want is to cook dinner so we go out, hurting our waistline and our bank account.

Being a good steward is about taking care of what you have. This means that we must not use our money on frivolous things (like constant fast-food or that soda we didn't need) and instead, tithe consistently and obediently. It means taking care of our home, not leaving it in constant disarray, and making sure that it is in a state of cleanliness and organization. It means taking care of our bodies by putting healthy food in them and exercising. It means making sure our temples are working properly so that we are able to go wherever the Lord calls.

Really and truly, most of our stewardship issues stem from laziness. We'd rather lay around than clean, cook, give the dogs a bath, etc. But the Bible speaks to laziness fairly harshly, and for good reason...

He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth. (Proverbs 10:4)

When no work is done the roof goes in, and when the hands do nothing water comes into the house. (Ecclesiastes 10:18)

He also who is slack in his work is brother to him who destroys. (Proverbs 18:9)

For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread. (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12)

The Lord desires that we work hard for Him! This doesn't necessarily mean manual labor. Everyone has a different call. My mom has a mini farm and she is called to work hard at that. One of my best friend's is a graphic designer, and she is called to work at that with all her might; as is my friend who has her own pottery studio. And I have a blog. I am called to work hard at it...not so that I can get more viewers or get people to like me, but so that the Lord may be glorified and so that someone, somewhere, may come to know him through what I write.

But our careers are only part of it. Being a good steward means taking care of everything we have for God's glory. 

Do you have a garden?
Tend it.
Is your house messy?
Clean it up.
Do your pets get neglected?
Change that. You committed to taking care of them when you brought them into your life.
Are your finances a mess?
Get on a strict budget.
Do you watch Netflix mindlessly and then forget to read your bible?
Change your priorities.

This is my goal. I want the things in my life that are wrong to change. I want to be so thankful to the Lord for all that he has given me, that I take excellent care of it! I want to give back to him by using what he has given me to it's highest potential. I challenge each one of you to do the same.

Join with me in striving towards being a good steward of all God has given us; not to earn his favor or his salvation, but out of a grateful heart for all his blessings.

*Note: being a good steward is not about earning God's favor or love. Salvation and the love of Christ is a free gift. We should work hard for the Lord because we love him; not because we believe (the lie) that we must earn his grace.

What is the Lord showing you that needs to be better cared for in your life?

Why I Don't Watch Scary Movies

When I was 11, I saw my first scary movie- I Know What You Did Last Summer.

I only watched half of that sucker before my friends decided we would turn it off and finish it the next morning. By the time morning rolled around, I was absolutely terrified. I couldn't watch the rest so I left the group watching and went outside with my friend's mom. It was a traumatic experience for me. I spent the next two nights sleeping in my parent's room and the rest of my life checking in closets and behind shower curtains for murderers.....yes, I still do it.

That one movie, watched through my own fingers over my eyes, has altered the way I live for nearly 14 years!

After that, I made up my mind that I would not watch horror movies any more. I broke that decision once in middle school. We watched White Noise...only to wake up in the middle of the night to a radio blaring legitimate white noise that none of us turned on! Talk about freaky!

Because of those two experiences (and a few others from creepy shows I had no business watching), I battle living in fear when I am home alone. It isn't right, and it isn't Christ-like, but it's true.

Fear is not of God (2 Tim. 1:7). Fear is actually anti-God because when we are afraid, we typically aren't trusting God. We see our fears as bigger than God and un-defeatable, which is just a lie!

The bible tells us over and over again "fear not" (source). I believe this is because God knows that we are a fearful race; but Christ broke the chains of all sin- including fear- so that we could be free from it. So in my mind, when I watch a scary movie, knowing full-well that I'll come away pee-my-pants terrified,  I believe that is extremely displeasing to God.

Some people don't get nearly as scared as I do. They don't worry the next day about murderers or rapists or demons; so maybe it's ok for them to watch scary movies... I honestly don't know, and it's not my job to judge that. If someone doesn't think it's bad to watch horror movies, that fine, I just won't be joining in on the festivities.

Not watching scary movies is a choice I made a long time ago. Fear is a big enough battle without adding a movie that makes me want to crawl in a hole and stay there forever...and that is why I do not watch scary movies!

Do you watch scary movies? Why or why not? Do you have anything that you abstain from for similar reasons? Comment below.

3 Throwbacks That Make Me Happy

Despite my low-energy and the arthritis in my hip, I am a total kid at heart. Silly things make me giggle, I still laugh at big burps, and I'd rather watch Phineas and Ferb than Law and Order or The Bachelor.

Though there are a bunch of things I could think of from my childhood that make me smile, there are three that stand out the most.

Pokemon

Pokemon has been a part of my life since the 3rd grade. I started playing to impress my crush (because what's cooler than training imaginary animals to fight each other....), but I ended up loving it. I taught my little brother to play when he was around 5, and at that point we started playing together. Now, at 24 years old, I still play every once in a while. When I get sick, I take out the good ol' DS and train away. I mean, come on! You gotta catch em' all!

N*sync

Oh man! Where do I begin?

N*sync was my favorite band for at least 5 years! I was going to marry one of them (of course) and I wrote my first fiction "book" about just that! 

I still remember the words to their songs and when questioned, I may be inclined to admit that I periodically enjoy my N*sync Spotify playlist. 

Anything Mario

Super Mario 64, Mario Sunshine, Mary Party, Mario Baseball, Mario Kart... you name it, I probably owned it and loved it! My all-time favorite is Mario Kart (the Game Cube version is obviously the best), but I'm happy with pretty much any Mario Game. Lately, the hubby and I have been playing Mario Baseball after dinner... speaking of which, that may need to happen after I finish this post ;)

What things from your child-hood make you feel good? Is there anything you did in 3rd grade that you still do now? 

Homemade Caramel Mocha

Easy, quick, and delicious - homemade caramel mocha.

If you are anything like me, the best thing you could do in the winter is wrap up in an unnecessarily fuzzy blanket, coffee in hand,watching Netflix until someone makes you turn it off. But sometimes, just plain ol' coffee can get boring *gasp.shock* and unless you are making bank (can we trade?), you can't really afford to go out and buy Starbucks everyday.

For days like these, we really need to know how to make our own specialty coffee drinks, enabling us to keep our fuzzy blankets in tact!

So instead of spending way too much money on a drink that you have to go out to get, try this homemade caramel mocha. It'll quench your coffee craving without you having to leave the comfort of you home!

Ingredients

* 1 cup very strong coffee ( or 1 cup water and 1.5 Tbs. instant coffee)

* 1 cup milk of choice

* 1 Tbs unsweetened cocoa powder

* 3 Tbs. caramel sauce (I used Ghirardelli)

Directions

Brew coffee (make sure it's strong)

In a small pot on the stove, heat milk on medium-low, continuously stirring.

As you stir, add in cocoa powder and caramel sauce.

Add in coffee to mixture.

Turn up heat on stove just long enough for the mixture to begin boiling, continuously stirring (be careful that the milk doesn't burn or curdle). 

Serve and enjoy.

This recipe serves two and is approximately 180 calories per serving. If you prefer a thicker beverage, use whole milk and add a packet of hot chocolate. Doing so will increase the calorie count by approximately 75 calories per serving.

Do you have a favorite homemade coffee drink recipe? Share it below!

This post is linked-up at the Motivational Monday link-up over at A Life in Balance. Check it out and link-up your own post as well.

A Grateful Heart (For my Husband)

March 1st was a big day for Taylor and I... it was our one year wedding anniversary! I can't believe it! In most ways, it's astonishing how this year has flown, but in other ways, Taylor and I were immediately so comfortable with married life that it feels like we've been married for a few years already.

I have such a grateful heart for the blessing Taylor is in my life. I am so thankful for the strong, passionate man of God that he is, and for his patience towards all of my weirdness. I'm grateful to have someone who is constantly talking about God's word and combating the wrong thinking of the world.

I'm grateful that our first year of marriage went so smoothly. We had our challenges, but for the most part, the first year was easy. God carried us through with a lot of grace. We learned to live together, learned to communicate in more detail (an essential part of daily married life), and learned a few hard lessons about ourselves.

I'm grateful that despite our individual selfishness- our wants, our needs, our whining - God carried us through and he continually uses our marriage (and flaws) to shape and sharpen the two of us. 

I'm grateful that my husband's desire (as is mine) is to let our marriage be the gospel to the world. A marriage that shows the forgiveness, mercy and unconditional love of Christ is what we are called to and what the world needs to see. I'm thankful that, despite our brokenness, we both have that same goal, and we both belong to the God who wants that for us and will help us achieve it, for his own glory!

My Grateful Heart List

• My husband
• Coffee
• Fuzzy blankets
• God's grace and blogs that continually remind me of that
• Chocolate Chip Cookies
• My Nana

This post is part of Ember Grey's "A Grateful Heart" link-up. Click the button at the top of this post to view the link-up! Anyone with a blog is welcome to write a Grateful Heart post and participate!

What are you grateful for today? Is there anything you need to be more thankful for than you have been lately? Comment below!

Depression-Fighting Foods

There are many foods that can help us fight against depression and anxiety. Learn what foods help with anxiety and depression today.