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.