OH The Joy

This time of year is my favorite. I love spending time with my family. I love shopping for my friends and family and I love the sweet way my husband looks at me while I wrap up the gifts under the glow of the tree and when he can't take how "cute" I look so we dance to the Christmas music. I love how cozy our cabin is right now.

Tonight: before I went to the gym I stopped by my inlaws house to visit and Grace-Marie tricked me into playing a card game with her.It was a lot of fun. We couldn't find the rules so I just made some up and soon her older brother Jesse wanted to play.

We had a good time.

I love babies-

I always have baby fever but I'm making a new kind of fever.

A kid fever.

After the card game we played "Sorry" (G-M won!)

We really enjoyed eachother and as a newlywed wife I get kind of lonely. Coming from a big family and then BAM there is just two of us

(which don't get me wrong it's nice having hubby all to myself)

But I miss the JOY that children have. How they can laugh at nothing and be silly because they are just kids.

Christmas future: Children gathered all around their Papa and Mama, fire crackling, hot cocoa, music in the background and a love for God the creator of life.

Snow Day!

We love snowboarding.

On this day, Ryan my 10 yr old brother was learning.

We found out he has no fear and after "racking his stack" fifty times he still hopped back up and yelled "ohhhhh baby!" while bombing down the hill.

I felt like an over protective parent wincing as I watch him go down the hill so fast just waiting for him to wreck. Ryan is actually really good for his first time. I caught him going off a few small jumps on our last run- crazy kid.

My friend Jeri came and skied- traitor!

My brother, Isaiahs' sister.

We had a fun safe trip- hoping for many more this winter season.

This World Is Not My Home.

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

I haven't thought about death very much but the past few weeks have forced it upon me.

At the hospital I did my first post mortem cares. It was strange taking care of a body with no soul in it and it got me thinking as I drove home that night. I took a look at my hands, my arms, and my legs and feet and it hit me. This is not who I really am. There is more to me than just this flesh. I've heard it over and over in church. This life is short, your body is temporal, your soul is eternal.

My body is just a vessel taking my soul through this life and when it comes to an end I will leave my vessel and enter Heaven.

All that day I looked at bodies and wondered how their souls was doing.

So many people worry about their vessel instead of the precious cargo it is carrying.

I'm not scared to die- I know where I'm going. I have believed on the name of Jesus Christ and I am saved from my sins and hell.

I have peace about death.

The past week my Grandpa has been dying. This morning they gave him 24 hrs to live. He is in no pain. My Dad told me he is sleeping. I'm not worried about him. I know my Dad has told him about Jesus and that my Grandpa has accepted Him into his heart. In a way I'm jealous- I wish I could go to Heaven now. As Paul said "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

There is a reason I'm on this earth and that is to glorify God and my job is not done and that is why I am alive.

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Thanksgiving

The festive table clothe, the huge turkey, home made rolls, mashed potatoes and corn, pumpkin pie, family and friends gathered all around. The setting of the table, the choosing of the seats,

and the Dad asking the blessing.

This is what I think of every year around Thanksgiving.

I love traditions!

When Isaiah and I get older and have a bunches of kids I can see what our Thanksgivings will look like- we will have ham and turkey

I will make a pumpkin cheese cake and apple pie

We will always have mashed potatoes. ( A smile to my mother-in-law)

Isaiah will make his yummy succotash.

And as I was thinking about how stuck I am in traditions and how I like things to be just so.

I find I'm missing the important part of the day.

To stop and thank God for all His blessings He has given us.

So a few things I am thankful for this year:

Right now, as I rush to turn off the kitchen sink faucet , that when my sink overflows it over flows to the other side instead of the floor.

That I have a car that runs (with a warm heater) and for the job it takes me to.

For babies- they bring such joy into life.

God has really given me a lot in the past few years.

My cup truely over floweth.

My church family.

A husband that loves me so much.

And that he is super cute too.

Shame on me for complaining in my head.

So tomorrow I'm going to just be-

Thankful for every moment I get on this earth.

As I laugh and smile with my jolly family and friends.

I will thank God for life with all it's joys and sorrows.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Prayers, Blessings, And Lessons

So I did the math.

To save $500 a month for a new vehicle I would need to work 20 hrs a week.

There was no way I could really do that being on call.

My boss asked me one Friday a few weeks ago if a full time day shift position opened up if I would take it.

With a really long pause... probably too long I said,

"My husband works nights so I would like to work nights." The end.

I walked out feeling good- I know what's important to me and my husband is more important than my job.

When I told Isaiah, he told me thank you, I told him my dream job at the hospital would be 3days a wk, 12 hr night shifts on hospital side (I really like working in the ER).

Two weeks ago the guy working that shift called in sick- I got called in.

One week ago he resigned.

Very hopeful but asking God what he would have me to do.

Last Thursday- working in medical records, talking to an older lady who has worked there for years about it she told me her husband worked opposite shifts for 13 yrs and it was hard on their marriage and advised me not to do it but fight for the night job.

Came home, Isaiah got a raise....again...3rd time this yr :)

So I prayed.....and waited for the shift to be posted...but it never did.

Yesterday the December schedule came up and guess who has his shift?

Yep, God gave it to me.

There were two other gals that wanted it and should have gotten it if they wanted, more experience ect.

But I'm very thankful and excited to be the night shift CNA.

We got our first snow!

It's so magical when the first snow comes.

Makes me excited for ice skating, sledding and snowboarding trips.

The house gets so cozy- the heating bill goes UP....right now there is no snow on our roof because the heat does't like to stay inside he likes to sneak out any crack he can in this cabin.

One thing that is an amazing blessing is our down comforter- where would I be without you my big white warm friend?

Last Saturday

Isaiah and I raced our last race.

It was a 5k that turned into a 4 or 5 miler when we followed the crowd that took a wrong turn.

Yeah...life lessons to be learned there- go straight, don't follow the crowd, pay attention to the signs and it was the turtle who won the race.

Psalm 19:5
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

At Work, At The Store, At Home

Today was crazy....

like most my days that I go to work....but no one spit on me.... hit me or cussed me out

like Wednesday. I did get told thank you a lot and that always helps- and it was a bonus shift and those are always nice but it was a morning shift and those are always crazy. But as crazy as things get it's always worth it to help people...even if they are out of their minds half the time :)

At the store....

I felt like getting ice cream...and pickles.

No reason just wanted those two things. I already have a reputation in our little store- now to add to it I buy crazy food items :)

So the cashier looks at my food and asks: "Are we pregnant?"

I had to laugh- and sadly tell her no....I think...I will let you know in a few wks.

At home....finally home.

Clean, clean, run 2 miles as fast as I can before the rain comes, shower, nap, take my hubby lunch- LUNCH DATE! Back home, sigh, time to write and relax.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

God be with you-

Scrubs

The past 3 weeks I've been working at the hospital.

Our hospital is small, one side is long term care and the other...well.. the hospital side.

Well I might as well tell you what I really hate before I go all super positive about the job:

I HATE complaining coworkers.....yep...I'd say that's the worst thing.

I love the feeling I get when I go home. I love when we have a lot of visitors at dinner.

It makes me glad most of our residents have a loving family that comes and visits them.

I love being in the ER and making someone that is in a lot of pain laugh for a second.

I love watching someone get stitches...yeah weird...but it's interesting.

I love pretty much all the nurses and so far I have one Dr that is my favorite. She was a fire fighter, ambulance driver, CNA, and nurse before she became a Doctor...and she is going to have a baby :) so I think she is pretty cool.

I love being told thank you over and over again.

I love being around people.

Now my boss also would like me to work in medical records when needed.

The medical record room is small but organized.

I love organized.

I love my husband- he's happy for me.

I don't think this is my calling forever and dream job....but it is a step towards it.

My dream job is being a wife....well I already am one of those...and a mother.

God is really showing me to be thankful, joyful when others are not,

and to be willing to learn new things.

This job is just a growing step.

Experience is priceless.

Happy First Year!

To my Beloved Husband.

Many waters connot quench love neither can floods drown it...

I'm currently writing a post on some firsts and what makes them so special.
More first anniversary pics to follow in that.

We had a wonderful first year.

I connot sum up all the happiness in a small post....

or the small trials we overcame.

I'm thankful for it all and that God made the beginning

a little rough so we would draw closer to God and to each other.

Isaiah didn't have a job for a month

We had one little crappy truck (that is still running)

We were on a $15 a wk budget for food (Isaiah still thinks I'm a wiz for figuring this out)

But God took care of us, we HAD to depend on Him

we were together and so happy-

It was harder than we thought

I'm thankful that it was

And we feel pretty rich right now :)

First!

Firsts.

There is something about firsts. Maybe it's that you don't know what to expect or that it's exciting and new.

Since this blog is all about our newlywed life. I thought I would write about some of our firsts.

It seems like yesterday.....

When I first saw Isaiah McGuffey. He looked a little unhappy, he wore cowboy boots and the ugliest shirt I'd ever seen. I'd sworn off boys for some time when I met him and I wasn't in the least bit attracted to him-BUT I didn't know him yet.

The first youth group activity he came to involved work, painting, he brought some music and happened to have my favorite song The Turkish March by Mozart on one of his classical CDs.

We had something in common and became friends.

First missions trip, first time out of the USA Isaiah McGuffey, my friend, was with me.

First love letter.....well I saw it as a love letter...it was more like a thank you letter but sealed with red wax(uhhh huh!). My best friend Katie gave me an excited look when he handed it to me in front of everyone. As soon as he left we ran to the girls bathroom and opened it. We thought it was so cute and nice. I was full to the brim with happiness.

First gift

Isaiah gave to me was on my 17th birthday. It was late. it was in a small white paper bag.

It was the most special necklace I'd ever seen! I loved it! I wore it everyday until I got my engagement ring. It was something that I wore that said 'I'm taken." I really treasured it a lot and I still have it and wear it for special occasions.

I could go on and on...they first time we hugged,said"I love you.", held hands, and kissed.

They were all very special moments in my life I will always cherish and look back on as the "good 'ole days". You only get those firsts once...and I treasure each one.

Our first year married has been a time of learning. We are out in the BIG world now. And it isn't so bad...in fact I really like it. I keep telling Isaiah I'm studying to be a wife...and I want a PHD in it too! I take my job seriously especially with marriages falling apart all around me it makes me rush to God in prayer for my marriage. I know what I value the most and things that are temporal. What I need to spend my time on and what is not so important (but some older generation think is).

For example....

One day as I walked past my house I saw a couple walk out of my driveway (this isn't too odd the driveway forks and goes up the mountain but still they were strangers not neighbors) I shouted out a Hello and ask how they were...small talk...

They were from Seattle,older, and dressed a little too nice for hiking. The first question they asked me was what I did for a living. They wanted to hear about my career and education.

I'm a wife I said. It sounds so simple. It's not what you hear everyday not every wife is all out labeled as a helper to her husband. I told them about my hubby (kinda crazy about him) and our goal to build a debt free house...right over there where that hole is behind the little shed right next to the gravel strainer. Yeah.....they changed the subject.

The point is I'm content.

If God wanted me to be a dentist (I actually wanted to be one at one time) I would do that.

But I have been called to be a help to Isaiah to be the nurturer of this family.

This past yr I have been grounded in my calling. God has put me in my place and I am not to wish I had this or that job. My dreams are his dreams.

Wherever God leads him I am to follow. This first year has showed me I am the happiest, most

joyful when I am doing what God has created me to do.

Glorify Him.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee...

2 Corinthian 12:9

Nephews and a Niece

Last week-end I took my nephews and niece out to stay at our house while their mommy was away in CA

and their Daddy worked.

We had a blast! We went to the park, ran through the sprinkler, and Isaiah took us fishing Saturday.

I now understand why some mothers think I'm bored and have nothing to do.

My life is just not as exciting as theirs but I do try and stay busy.

BUT never Mom busy.

Meet My Nephews and Niece.

Bransen caught his first fish this past Saturday.

He is sweet, sensitive and a big helper.

He is 5 yrs old.

A red head but not a trouble maker.

Meet Bella.

She has an opinion about every person she meets.

She will let you know that your hair is messy and doesn't like it.

She washed my dishes for me.

She is up for adventure and hikes well in flip-flops.

She is 3.

A bright red head- but no trouble maker.

Meet Gabe.

Short for Gabriel...you know the angel.

He is into everything. He likes to climb and fall.

He will poop 3 times in one day.

He pokes, pinches and pulls his sisters' hair.

He is 1 yrs old.

He doesn't have red hair but he is the trouble maker.

Very cute...but a trouble maker.

Isaiah helped them fish-he is pretty sweet and a nice dresser.

Bella and Bransen hiked about 1/2 mile to this lake.

Gabe wanted to but I held him.

"Down Aunt Becky, I walk!"

We found that frog...I captured it...but then it hopped up in my face and I threw the whole net into the water.

Isaiah gave me a look.

The kids wanted to stick their feet in the icy cold water so like a good Aunt I said go for it.

JUST STAY ON THE ROCK.

And they did.

Very sweetly they sat and atecherries.

It was so peaceful and the lake was magical. You could see right through to the bottom the water was so clear. The sun hit it and it sparkled. The woods surrounding it so quiet. The stream running to it steady but thin.

And the people coming to visit very sad to go.

Wanting to return soon.

Date Day

Not Date Night.

Date Day-

Isaiah took me out to lunch at the Golden Chopstick.

Best Chinese food ever! We looked forward to chatting with the smiley lady that takes our order, standing in line soaking up the Superior air and sunshine.

We took our food to a quiet park.

Our little picnic was full of my favorites ...coffee......cherries...and truffles!

We had a lovely time chatting it up.

He told me some of his childhood memories I'd never heard before. It was nice to just spend time together alone after last week and not seeing much of each other.

Later-

We went to the museum.

An informed lady named Kay gave us a tour. She showed us so many interesting things I can't believe how much she knew, you could tell she loved her job. I really enjoyed looking at the old pictures the most and hearing the stories of the people in them. One couple she told us about showed up in mineral county with fifty cents to their name. Years later by being frugal and developing good friendships they become very wealthy, having no children of their own, they started a scholarship fund with the money they left when they died.

I thought that was pretty neat of them.

Another couple she told us about (yes, I'm kinda into stories about couples) had a picture in the museum that was taken on their wedding day. She wore a beautiful black dress (b/c white was 'in' yet). The tour guide was showing us that they had the dress donated and she couldn't believe how skinny the waist was on it- then she looks at me and says "She was skinny like you and you are so skinny it's disgusting!" I should have said thank you but instead I looked down at myself and had to giggle ( Isaiah didn't laugh-he has more self-control than me).

I consider myself a little on the athletic side....so disgustingly skinny is not me.

A picture of a man without his wife told the story of a horrid wife she wanted him buried face down so she could kick him in the pants after he was dead. And this man was known to be a very generous mine owner who donated a lot of his money to the school, hospital, and court house building.

Anyways it made me wonder if one hundred years from now or two hundred years from now a picture of Isaiah and I was found...what would we be known for? I'd hope the tour guide would say- this couple really loved God, they built their house slowly debt free (which was no popular in their time), they had many children and gave a lot of money to missionaries and those in need. That's what I'd hope they'd say.

It was a good time with my hubby no house work-it was just a date day.

I'm glad we are best buddies.

And his feet are lovely.

Okay...I Finally Did It.

I put in my application at the hospital.

http://www.mineralcommunityhospital.com/

Yep all by myself...I told Isaiah to stay in the car.

This was all me.

Well the lady in charge of hiring was out on lunch break so some other nice lady took it.

Hmmm I saw that same lady at the store later....

Small town!

So....

It's been5 months since I passed the CNA course.

Gee I'm such a procrastinator!

Well I did have some other things on my mind and running goal I wanted to reach.

I really enjoyed taking the classes, Loved my teacher, enjoyed working with other people, I even had someone ask me about God and church. I haven't seen her Since so maybe I will get to bump into her.

So now it's up to God whether I get hired.

Pray for me.

My hours I can work are weird since Isaiah works nights...

I want to work nights too so we can still see each other...

otherwise God will provide something else for me.

And I have to say I'm content with whatever that is.

I hope I'm a light wherever I am whatever I do.

House Progress is Slow but Steady

We are building a shed. It's almost done and looks exactly like this one...I just have any pictures of ours yet. I think all that is missing is the doors.

We worked on the roof today and it was very HOT. I can't wait until it's done and we start filling it with tools and other house building supplies(it's exciting).

The electrical permit was sent off yesterday so we should be getting power in the next 2 wks or so. Then we can pour in our footings...start building the stone walls. I can see our home very clearly.It's very romantic...made to be a haven and shelter but it will look more like a fortress or castle.

It's not a pop up over night house but like one of those videos of flowers blooming...you have to speed it up to see anything happen. I hope you will pray for us that we have wisdom building this house. Isaiah is doing a lot of research online and books. While we work I pray "Lord please give my husband wisdom, show him anything he forgot or missed, and let this house be a blessing to all who enter it."

"Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:"

A lot of people would get a loan slam bam a house up and make payments on it for most of their life....not us.

Patience is our strength. Our house might get done next yr or in 3yrs. Slow but steady...every day do something little to make progress debt free. Yes, I know we are crazy :)

It's nice to make progress no matter how little it is.

Silverwood / Missoula Fair

So we went to Silverwood on Saturday. Woke up early and stayed up that night.I think I'm still a little tired from the lack of sleep.

It was a fun trip we packed our car full of friends and siblings.

Lines, lines and more lines.....

One line took us an hour and a half !(everyone else thought it was worth it...me ehhh).

Some lines went fast some were slow...but it seemed like we spent most of the day in line talking and I was glad I was with my friends.

At one line some group of guys (surely looking for a fight) cut in front of our group....

Isaiah is pretty happy go lucky...me...I'm kinda all about rules and fairness ;) But I wasn't the first to speak up...it was Jeri... my quietest friend. I couldn't hear it all but the guy ended up saying "Mind your @#&$-ing business, do you work here, I don't think so?"

so I said

"Hey did you see that sign back there? It says no cutting. You will get kicked out"

The guy replied with I just want to be with my friends blah blah blee blah

Isaiah tapped me and I hushed....they left eventually....so it didn't even matter. I think what made me the most mad was him swearing at my friend. But we didn't let it ruin our day. That's where I'm really thankful for Isaiahs' good attitude about stuff.

We forgot to take pictures- we were having too much fun I guess. My brother wanted to go to Olive Garden afterwards so we went and I'm glad we did it was super yummy! We do not have an Olive Garden in Missoula so it was a real treat for us.

Sunday we drove to church, I had nursery during Sunday School (infants) they were so good for me and I love having the babies, they are just so much fun.

The message for Sunday morning was on faith. One of my favorite subjects to hear preached because I always need more faith. Isaiah has so many big dreams and ideas. And sometimes I lose sight of what we are working towards...I can't see a house we built ourselves or lots of kids running around...I can't see our dreams. Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen. Those things aren't spiritual but sometimes I can't see the spiritual things happening either....yet when I believe and have faith I can see.

After church we went to work at the fair booth.

We have 3 things God cannot do at the booth behind 3 doors.

1. God cannot Lie

2. God cannot Change

3. God cannot Let Anyone Into Heaven Unless They Have been Born Again.

We passed out a lot of gospel tracts and got a chance to talk to many many people about Jesus.

It was a blessing. It was probably the best part of the week end for me.

Rodeo

Last wk-end Isaiah andI took Ryan to the rodeo here in Superior. He took this picture of us with my cell-phone (that's why it's such poor quality). We had lot of fun. Ryan got to chase a baby calf (oh course it's a baby...that's why it's called a calf). A girl barrel racing almost got hurt really bad, her horse surely did and the guy behind the fence that the horse ran into....he flew back 20ft, it was scary-

Isaiah got a group of boys (I say boys b/c they looked like they were 12 and 13) to help him in the wild cow milking, Isaiah is very good at milking, those boys were not good at holding the wild cow. I cheered really loud! It didn't help :(

But we had a good time and we even dressed up to get into the mood- aren't we cute...well Isaiah is..

We didn't dance afterwards...we wanted too just not with a bunch of drunk people and we don't know how to dance...we try..all the time and have lot of fun. Here's how it goes...

The credits to a movie starts to play. Isaiah gets up and starts dancing I'm laughing so he pulls me up into it....and I pretty much got the moves (not) but we do try and have lots of fun. Someday we will take dancing lessons and be really good- we definitively have the enthusiasm.

My favorite part of the rodeo was: the older couple in front of us...yeah I'm a sap! They were being so cute and sweet to each other (they were like in their 40s) kissing every 20 mins or so, hugging, laughing at their 3 teenagers and their friends. They were really sweet.

Today we are going to Silverwood-

Tell you about that later-

Listen to this playlist: Trillium91's Playlist

Next Month-

One

More

Month

Time flies by so fast when you're having fun. I almost forgot our anniversary is next month. Isaiah and I were at the pharmacy yesterday and the check out lady asked when it was and Isaiah spoke up real fast

"One month and one day."

"Do you have any plans?"

I hadn't really thought about it yet so I looked at Isaiah.

"Yes. But it's a surprise."

Well I love surprises and I really love them when they are from Isaiah so I can't wait!

Children are a Gift.

Lately I've been day dreaming...

About someday being a Mother.

A mother is a teaching, a protector of the home, 2nd in command she is a leader.

A comforter in time of need. She should also be a wellspring of JOY in the home.

She is there with time no matter how busy she is to listen to all your worries and fears.

This is someone I've always known I'd be someday...

Today I was tutoring my 6 yr old sister in law and had a lot of fun.

We sang and shared smiles.

She is my little buddy and we filled the whole house with joy together.

Kids are the future so what is more valuable than investing time in them?

If you don't have time for them you don't have time for life.

Some parents don't enjoy their children. I do not understand this. They can't wait to get away from them like they aren't their own flesh and blood.

My parents enjoyed spending time with me. When I wasn't old enough to work with my Dad my Mom took us kids everywhere...I never had a babysitter that I can remember except for my older siblings and grandparents.

When I worked with my Dad I got to spend the whole day with him.

We talked in-between jobs and worked great together- I really liked it.

One of my first memories is of my mother taking me to the post office. It was just up the road from our house. When she was pregnant with Ryan the last baby in our family we would go walking together and this told me she cared about me because she spent time with me.

My husband and I talk often about out future kids, activities we will do with them.

How things might be. What godly things we want for our kids.

We are excited to start a family- we both want lots of kids- how ever many God gives us.

I'm enjoying this stage of life...being a newlywed....going on dates...having my hubby all to myself...but I'm excited for the next one too.

I have two main role models-

And I hope I'm as joyful and cheerful as Debbie Pearl

And as calm and peaceful as Michelle Dugger.

But I am Rebekah McGuffey and can only ask God to make me into the mother I will be.

Whenever it happens.

New Hair Cut

A little bit of bangs...a lot of a trim.

New flowers I never saw before.

Half-mowed lawn...I ran out of gas :(

Other than the pile of clean clothes, napping, and the yummy dinner.

This is how today has been.

I will bless the Lord at all time His praise shall continually be in my mouth.....

the humble will hear thereof and be glad.

Hey Lady!

Sorry,

But I'm not an independent woman.

Yeah... maybe I could provide for myself and be all alone and everything

But really I'm not into that-

First I depend on God to supply all my needs.

Emotional

Physical

Spiritual

I'm a girl....with a lot of emotion.

I see babies and I cry.

God has bottled all my tears.

I'd like to thank those who have always been there to put their arm around me and let me cry. And those that have laughed their hearts out for joy.

My parents for guarding me and helping me keep my most precious ones for

my husband.

My husband is an amazing man- he is manly and tough and likes to sail the sea, kill dear and stick his hands in their guts. But he also is a big time snuggle bear and has always just listened and held me when I cried...about nothing....nothing at all.

Some of you girls know what I'm talking about.

My body is a temple of the Hold Ghost.

I'm a girl that likes to stay on the move.

Running, hiking, snowboarding, volleyball, yoga

are my top favorites.

But really without any support and encouragement

what fun are these by themselves?

Running for example I never thought I could go so far- or as fast

But the people that told me to push it and told me I could do it- I owe it to them to say

thank you

Lizza, Abby, Isaiah!

What would I be by myself...a girl who couldn't even run a mile, couldn't serve over hand pretty much lame.

Spiritual

I need my Bible everyday- I can't be without it!

I need to talk to God!

My church is very small

But boy can they sing,

the preacher can PREACH and I think he could jump to the moon if he wanted.

The Bible is taught and souls grow closer to God.

My heart gets pricked about my sin.

All by myself I am a sad little sinner.

But a saved one that still needs God every day.

My God is very BIG.

So to all the independent ladies....

Go for it-

But I won't join you in a million years.

First Catch Today!

This is where my husband is....

Catching all this!

On a boat like this.

And I miss him-

Dear Dad

Thank you thank you thank you!
You have given me so much love
and those slobbery bearded kisses
You taught me how to read
and told me to keep my fingers out of my mouth while I do
You spanked me when I was bad
and hugged me afterwards when I was sad
You taught me to work long and hard
and for that I'm very glad
You were always there to listen to me talk
and talk and talk and talk
You taught me to love God
and now I live for Him who died for me
You will always be my Dad
and I will always be your Becky-booster-club
I love you!!!

Another Alaska Adventure

Oh, I thought I would be bored... I thought I would have plenty of time to blog- it's been a week and I'm just getting to writing this.

Well, it turned out the past seven days has flown by.

For those of you that don't know my husband went to Alaska to commercial fish for 7 weeks...yeah..forever.

Last Friday we had a good last date at Red Lobster-

I had my very first crab and lobster....and it was soooo yummy!

Then we went to the mall for awhile and

took these pictures in a photo booth, saw a movie, and headed back to our car.

Uh, OH! We had a traveling mouse problem that more than

likely started at our house...YIKES!

I couldn't keep my feet on the floor so I sat like an Indian, eyes wide, and Isaiah tells me to quite jumping at every little noise. I did promise not to kill myself driving home-

and I didn't I kept the radio up so I couldn't hear a thing.

Saturday morning I woke up to Isaiah running around our room, I looked at the clock, crap, it's 4;45am and his flight leaves at 5am. It ended up working out for the better and he caught the next flight right after he kissed me goodbye.

The last kiss I would get for a long time.

Back to my main thought- what I expected from this first week of him being gone and what I actually got.

After he left I tried sleeping, didn't work, so I tossed for awhile and headed down stairs to breakfast. I hardly felt like eating so I was kinda just sitting there

by myself trying not to cry when God sent me some encouragement.

"Eating alone?" I looked up to see a couple in their 40s sitting a table away from me. I proceeded to tell them why I was eating alone and all about how crazy I am about my husband while battling a sob in my throat and tears from bursting from my eyes. They told me they were on their 17th wedding anniversary date and that it seems like yesterday they were newlyweds

and they can't really remember how life was without the other there.

They were really cute and later they told me they want to be missionaries to Papua New Guinea. They cheered me up and I had a fine drive home.

I'm really excited for this adventure that he gets to go on and I really wish I could go with him

...someday....

but there was the coming home into an empty house, going to bed alone and no one to snuggle up to. I don't know how long I was crying thinking about this when he called- but I think he was kinda flattered he was missed so much already. What can I say he's the most wonderful guy...at least I think so :)

I love you Isaiah!!!

What I expected my whole first week of him being gone is what how the first day was.

The rest of the week I've been running (30 miles woohoo!), working for some friends that have an herbal business, tutoring Grace-Marie, and I had a friend come stay with me for a few days. So all in all this hasn't been the worst week ever.

Cat and Dog at my in-laws

Voices by Me-

Run Run But Not As Fast As You Can.

Monday after noon I asked my two younger sister if they would run a mile with me. After they agreed I started coaching- telling them to land flat on their feet, don't go too fast, and try to yourself :)

I don't think either one had run a mile without stopping so this was the goal and they did really good. Ever since I fell in love with running I've been trying to get as many people that are interested out the door and enjoying it to. So it went really well and I hope I got them started on loving running as much as I do.

I know when I first started I thought it was all about speed so I'd run as fast as I possibly could and feel terrible and getting low mileage. It wasn't until I told a good friend of mine my problems that she told me to just try to go a certain distance no mater how slow and then once I could comfortably go 3 miles then work on speed.

Oh, my results for the river ban run!

I did a 10k, a 5k and a 1 mile in 1:31:26 so it was a little over 10 miles total so I was averaging 8:55 min miles- I'm pretty happy with that! Now I'm training for the half marathon in July-

Blessings!

Showers of blessings we need!

Isaiah and I have recently been blessed with some material blessings- it was totally from God and no man can take any credit for it and it came not a moment too soon but right when we were ready for it.

My heart was bursting with thankfulness and still is. Praise God!

But one thing I would really want and desire to have above all earthly riches is

Wisdom.

It is the guide for life. And God will give it to those who ask-

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and boy am I scared- in my flesh dwelleth no good thing and I am scared everyday that my flesh will get the better of me.

There have been a few times in my life when the fear of God brought me to make a good decision.

I was eleven years old, I grew up in church my whole life and I hadn't given my life to Christ yet. I understood, I just wanted to make my own decisions and not let God lead my life. I was dumb but I got some fear in me. At a preachers meeting a preacher put the fear of God in me. He seemed to be preaching right at me (although he wasn't), he told me how my life would go without God running the show and I saw it too.

I came forward and my pastors wife prayed with me- she told me "Well, you know what to do." and I did- so I did it! I asked God to forgive my sins and run my life.

First best thing I ever did. The biggest blessing I ever got to receive.

Thank you Lord for dying on the cross for my sins!