Understanding the "WHY" in my marriage

I have been debating on how I should start sharing how God has blessed Alan and me with a wonderful marriage.  I felt I needed to start with a scripture, so as I was looking through Titus (a great picture of how a woman is the help meet to her husband) I started thinking about how I was raised by a wonderful momma.  So, I’ll start with her example.

 I use my momma’s “worn-out” Women’s Devotional Bible when studying the word.  She passed it along to me after I was married and I enjoy reading her notes from sermons and her personal meditations.  I have learned that momma was not strong in nor of herself. Reading her notes and scriptures that are highlighted, it shows me areas that Momma needed God.  These areas range from parenting, faith, marriage, patience, and many more.  I found myself laughing out loud while studying the book of James.  As I said in an earlier post, James was writing the book to express how we should live daily by showing in all we do that we love God.  There are many headings to the different verses.  Some of those are…..submit yourselves to God, two kinds of wisdom, taming the tongue, faith and deeds, patience in suffering, and many more.  I noticed Momma had highlighted or underlined just about every word under those headings.  As always, I took this as her needing help from the Lord in those areas.   There was one section, however, that did not have a single highlighted word!  I found this strange.  I glanced across the page and started laughing as soon as I read the heading.  The heading was, “Warning to Rich Oppressors”.  Rest assured, there was an area that she didn’t need guidance in.  I have told her this story and we both laughed together. 

My momma has taught me many lessons.  One of those lessons is how to make do with what you have.  She was not raised with much and neither were we as kids.  She taught me how to clean and cook.  My daddy worked hard for what we had.  Momma was a stay-at-home mom and worked from the time she got up to the time she went to bed.  She made just about everything from scratch such as, our clothes, our presents, and our food.  I remember a Valentine’s Day pillow that she made.  My room was decorated in bears. She cut bears from material and ironed them onto the red pillow she had sewn.  The stuffing was made from grocery bags.  I still have it. Another example of how she “cut corners” was canning and putting up vegetables from the garden.  It is fun for me now, but man did I dislike tomato and potato canning days as a child!  She still cans a lot of stuff today because she enjoys it, but when we were kids, she did it out of necessity.  She taught me how to plan and buy a bill of groceries on hardly any money at all.  It’s not like she sat me down at the table and taught me all these things.  It was her example and I watched her. 

As the preacher said this morning, “Sometimes the closest thing to a Bible that a person will ever read, may be you.”  My momma is like a walking Bible.  I’ve known and felt that for years.   Her example to me has always been a big part of the testimony of my having a wonderful marriage.  I said she had taught me many things.  One of the most important lessons I have learned from her is how to be submissive through God in my marriage.  As I said earlier, Daddy worked hard for what we did have.  Momma’s job was to stretch what he made as far as it would go.  He took care of the mechanic shop and Momma’s part was anything and everything in the house.  That included raising three kids too.  Mom washed, ironed, and put away all the clothes.  Not to mention, she made most of them too.  She cooked three meals a day every day.  The shop was next to the house, so Daddy had to have lunch.  He didn’t do leftovers very well.  So, usually lunch and dinner were separate meals.  The rule was no pizza, no hotdogs, or spaghetti. He wanted "hot" meals. Momma did as he asked in everything.  She didn’t have a break as most moms’ do today while the husband goes off to work and the kids off to school.  As a young teenager, I remember saying the words, “I will not take home economics as an elective! I will never be waiting on my husband hand and foot, cooking, and raising kids by myself!”  Wow, that seems so long ago and I was so wrong.  I was looking at it all wrong. 

I shared in one of my first posts that Alan and I married young at 19.  I had a great example of “how” to be a wife.  There were ups and downs as I was trying to do the “how”.  After being married four years, we had our first child, Will.  This was about the time I realized I was missing out on the reason “WHY” my momma was submissive and showed respect to Daddy the way she did and still does.  Everything she did for him and our family was for God first.  From cooking to cleaning to taking us to church by herself for years, she did it for God.  The lesson I learned seven years ago was to do all things for the glory of the Lord.  The rest will fall into place.  She didn’t ask for appreciation, respect, or HELP from Daddy.  She showed and gave Daddy these things through God because she loved Daddy.

 1Peter 4:11  If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever.

 I never heard her complain or have resentment toward him.  Man, did she have reason too!  I remember her not joining in on all the conversations with the other wives when they were bashing their husbands.  Usually it was about their husbands not helping or listening to them.  My mom could have joined in and at times I felt she had all the ammo she needed to shoot him down.  She never did.  She respected him because she respected God.  She submitted to him, because she was submissive to God.  This made her different and a prize for my Daddy.  A lot has changed for my parents and their marriage.  As an adult, I was able to witness my Daddy give his life to God and be baptized.  I also got to hear him preach at the church he attends.  I was almost an adult the first time I sat in church with him.  He now shows respect and love to my mom that she greatly deserves.  All those years, Momma never gave up on him, nagged him, or held anything over his head because she knew God was stronger than either one of them.  

 I am blessed to have a wonderful husband that loves the Lord.  I am so blessed to have a wonderful marriage from the beginning of saying "I do".  I am so blessed to have a wonderful example in my momma.  She is one of the strongest women I know. 

Titus 2:4-5 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

The verse from Titus was lived out by my momma as I was a child and she is still doing this today.  She taught me these things by showing me the way God had intended a wife to reverence her husband.  We, as married women of faith, are to be teachers.  Just as my mom was and is.  My actions and how I conduct myself and treat my husband just might be a silent witness to someone I know.  I had a friend once ask me, "Why do you treat him so importantly?" My response to the question of "WHY" was because I love God. It is not easy and I fall short daily in submitting to Alan.  Praying and a lot of silent forgiveness takes place that he doesn’t even know about.  Don’t worry, if you read the book of Titus you will find directions from God for the husband also.  He doesn’t only give the Word to us wives.  My mom held in there for a long time, but never failed.  God never fails either.  As a result, my mom and dad have one of the strongest relationships of anyone I know. 

In the verse from the book of Peter that I referenced earlier, it teaches us to do everything for God.  Well, we sometimes don’t apply this to our marriages.  Our marriage is the most important part of our family, right after God.  My momma’s example was just this.  I remembered.  I want my boys to remember how Alan and I treated one another. I pray they will strive for a Godly wife and be the same example to their children.   It was started by God and God will see all of us through! 

The topic of marriage is one that I enjoy discussing.  It has nothing to do with me being a perfect wife.  I am so completely far from that it is not even funny.  I do, however, understand the "WHY" and love sharing God's plan for our marriage. 

Pinterest Inspired misc!

Pin, Pin, Pin.......It was time I actually started putting all those pins to use! Some of my favorite boards on Pinterest are recipes, cleaning/organizing, and teaching ideas.  Here are few pins I decided to give a try.



These are chicken and cream cheese crescent rolls.  I really didn't go by a recipe or one certain pin.  I was "makin' do"  with what we had, as my husband says.  I boiled 3 chicken breasts with a bit of Italian seasoning.  I shredded the chicken when it was finished and stirred in a block of softened cream cheese, garlic powder, dried chives, onion powder, and Grill Mates Italian Herb Chicken blend.  Season to taste.  Roll into two crescent rolls with the seams facing down. I brushed an egg wash over the top and baked for about 15-20 minutes on 350 degrees.  We dipped them in pizza sauce.  It was so good!  This recipe was kid friendly too!  The boys loved it!

 

This was so easy and probably one of the most pinned ideas!  I love organizing our home and making life easier!  I was tired of not being able to find what I needed without knocking everything over!  I love this idea!  I pinned the idea a long time ago and I'm glad I finally did it!

 

So far, one of my favorite Pinterest inspired ideas is the tub cleaner!

I didn't us the exact measurements or the same products I read about. 

This is the before : (

and....

This is after : )

Amazing!  It only took about 20 minutes to clean!

Here is the mixture that I used:

(Not exact measurements! I take after my grandma!  "A little of this, a dash of that!" I miss her!)

about 3/4 cup white vinegar - warmed in microwave

around 2 Tablespoons of Melaleuca Lemon Brite liquid dish washing soap-any brand could be used, but Melaleuca doesn't have all the harsh chemicals : )

Pour together in a spray bottle.  Spray the walls and tub down.  Let it soak for about 10 minutes.  I used a scrub pad to wipe away all the yuck.  A few areas of the tub needed extra attention.  For the most part it was as easy as wiping it down.  Rinse with only water when finished.  Make sure the window is open or the fan is on!  My son, Will, thought I was dyeing Easter eggs!  Let me know if you try this! 

This is my latest project!  I had so much fun painting our kitchen cabinets! The color is Valspar Cabin Red. Here are a few pics during and after. 

Even though I enjoyed doing this project, I was glad it was finished!  It took me a week to complete!  My back finally feels better! : )

The book of James......short, but says a lot!

I have always read my bible and searched for scriptures that seemed to fit my current trial or need. All the while knowing I was going about "reading the Bible" the wrong way.  Recently, I have started really getting into the Word of God.  One of my favorite books of the Bible is James.  It is a really short book with all of 5 chapters, but it says a lot!  Ever had the feeling that the pastor was preaching directly to you? I read each chapter in one sitting for the first time and my toes were almost throbbing from being stepped on.  I felt ashamed and rattled to the point that I humbled myself before God and repented right at my kitchen table.  One of the reasons I chose to read James was because my son's nightly devotional book discussed the question, Can others see God shining through you?  I wanted to be able to help my son Will with his behavior choices by giving a few verses for him to memorize.  For him, not for me at all of course.  James wrote this to urge Christians to express their faith in daily living.  From time to time, Will and I have the discussion about witnessing to others through our actions.  Regretfully now, I have actually said these words, "Let's act like we are saved."
 My point of regret came when I read James 1:22-25. "22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

This is when my toes started throbbing. I realized I was not “practicing what I was preaching” to Will.  How in the world was my  7 year old supposed to truly understand how to control his actions if his mother was not adhering to the Word?  I knew all along, just reading it in that moment made it clear.  Now I am making a more conscious effort to let my light shine.  It has made a huge difference.  I saw a post on Pinterest that says, "When they are older, they will not do as you said.  They will do as you did."  Very profound quote.  I can't help but wonder if there once was a parent out there somewhere who received those words while she was sitting at the kitchen table humbling herself before God to show her how to help her son. 

Coincidentally, this renewed revelation not only helps with parenting for me.  It has had a great impact on my marriage and the relationship Alan and I have together.  That is a topic for another day. 

A few crafty things...

We have a small country home with lots of character.  I like the rustic, country feel so most of my craft projects relate to that theme.  Below are a few of my favorite projects.

This is so true! I found this saying in a country decorating magazine.  I have a Cricut scrapbooking machine that I used to cut the vinyl lettering.  I love my Cricut!  I painted the board and used sandpaper to "rough" it up a little bit.  It hangs in my living room.  From time to time, I look at it when I need a good laugh! : )

I painted this several years ago, but it is just about my favorite project!  This window was out of an old rent house Alan and I lived in when we were first married.  I used acrylic paint and painted the back of the window.  This is also in our living room above our couch.

I also used my Cricut machine to cut these vinyl lettering and designs.  This is above our bed and headboard. A sweet reminder!
The headboard is actually another project.  My fabulous husband built it to resemble a barn door.  It has the Z pattern with a board in a diagonal position in the front.  I did the painting!  I used Valspar-Macadamia Nut paint and primer in one as  a base coat.  Next, I layered a coat of crackle solution that I bought at Lowe's.  The top coat is a solid black.  I love the old crackled texture.  I'll try to post a better pic in the future. 
I recently painted our kitchen cabinets.  I have before and after pics of that project coming later!

Meet my three guys!

These are the loves of my life! God has blessed me so much!  My husband, Alan, and I have married for almost eleven years. He is, by far, the most amazing man I know.  He has a strong Christian faith and is a wonderful husband. We married young and for sure before our parents thought we should. We scared them!  Everyday we fall more and more in love with one another.  Alan is also a fantastic dad to our two sweet boys. My oldest, Will, is 7 years old and very handsome.  A few months ago Will accepted the Lord into his heart and was baptized.  This was complete joy!  Will loves baseball and has been on the All Star team the last two years.  He loves the Texas Rangers and Texas A&M. He is very energetic and loves attention. Will is going to be right across the hall from my classroom in 2nd grade this year!  It is going to be a special year for the two of us.  Our youngest, Lucas, is 3 years old.  He is so cute and very spoiled by us and his big brother!  Lucas is starting daycare in a couple of weeks for the first time.  We were blessed with a wonderful babysitter who was able to watch him in her house.  Alan and I decided it was time to get him used to interacting with other kids his age before Pre-K sneaks upon us.  He is so excited about going to his new "red school". Lucas enjoys swimming and watching his Disney shows.  He has recently started having an interest in his brother's wooden train set.  These guys (all three!) keep me busy and feeling very loved every day! 

What do I have to share?

The purpose of this page is to share some thoughts, devotionals, my classroom pics, recipes, my hobbies, and my wonderful family. I also love sharing how God has blessed my marriage through seeking Him.  It is one of my favorite topics to discuss.  Hopefully something you see or read will be an inspiration!  Enjoy!