Here lately God has truly been overwhelming Ry and I with his goodness!! I find myself feeling so undeserving! Undeserving of His love and His thoughts over me... How cool to know that everyday the Lord is thinking about us! How vast our His thoughts for us! This verse has been in my heart and I want to share it:
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.
Psalm 139:13-18
How beautiful to think that God created us the way he did and to plan our lives before we even came into existence! And especially how He thinks of us daily... so when it's easy to feel like no one cares, think again!
Friday, January 20, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Passion, please.
Life is back to normal.
I'm studying nonstop. House is fairly messy (we are working on picking up after ourselves so it doesn't get SO bad). Supper is a little less elaborate, but hey! I still made supper so that's a success in my eyes. Hubs is working a little later since I'm studying. Me & Jack chillin' on the couch. I bet if he could talk he'd be a pretty smart weenie dog, he's been here for all my study sessions. I'm sure he could pass the NCLEX.
Ah, life as we know it.
So we bought a new truck. Ryan has been dreaming of driving a nice diesel truck ever since he opened his own shop. I have to say, it's really nice, even if it is a douly (or however you spell that) LOL. Saturday he should have all the bells and whistles done, including a detail, new tires, & windows tinted. It's so cute to see the hubs get so excited over this. I love when his eyes light up about trucks and mechanic-ing on them. It truly is his passion!
So tonight, as he ran out the door to finish up some mechanic work on his truck, he made me think....
Passion is something I want to have in life.
I want to be PASSIONATE about life, just like Ry is about trucks. I want to have things that make my eyes light up, things that truly inspire me and make me who I am essentially. I want things that make me come alive! Sometimes it's easy to get in a "rut". Just going through the motions, day after day. I've been there and it's not hard to get there, as life is so busy & tiring at times. BUT if I don't want to live that way! Life is too short!
So, I thought about it, and here is my list of things I'm passionate about. These are things I want to focus more on everyday. Because at the end of the day, it's who I am at heart. I want others to see my passion and excitement for life & for it to be contagious!! I want to be a more passionate person!!
I'm studying nonstop. House is fairly messy (we are working on picking up after ourselves so it doesn't get SO bad). Supper is a little less elaborate, but hey! I still made supper so that's a success in my eyes. Hubs is working a little later since I'm studying. Me & Jack chillin' on the couch. I bet if he could talk he'd be a pretty smart weenie dog, he's been here for all my study sessions. I'm sure he could pass the NCLEX.
Ah, life as we know it.
So we bought a new truck. Ryan has been dreaming of driving a nice diesel truck ever since he opened his own shop. I have to say, it's really nice, even if it is a douly (or however you spell that) LOL. Saturday he should have all the bells and whistles done, including a detail, new tires, & windows tinted. It's so cute to see the hubs get so excited over this. I love when his eyes light up about trucks and mechanic-ing on them. It truly is his passion!
So tonight, as he ran out the door to finish up some mechanic work on his truck, he made me think....
Passion is something I want to have in life.
I want to be PASSIONATE about life, just like Ry is about trucks. I want to have things that make my eyes light up, things that truly inspire me and make me who I am essentially. I want things that make me come alive! Sometimes it's easy to get in a "rut". Just going through the motions, day after day. I've been there and it's not hard to get there, as life is so busy & tiring at times. BUT if I don't want to live that way! Life is too short!
So, I thought about it, and here is my list of things I'm passionate about. These are things I want to focus more on everyday. Because at the end of the day, it's who I am at heart. I want others to see my passion and excitement for life & for it to be contagious!! I want to be a more passionate person!!
- my husband (this includes fulfilling my role as a wifey, making him smile, and making everyday life exciting with him)
- family (mine is the best ever and they have proved to be my best friends- I'd rather spend time with them than anyone)
- traveling/exploring new places (with my hubby especially)
- nature (it's where I feel closest to God, whether it's hiking, camping, or just sitting there enjoying it)
- coffee on my front porch
- worship music (especially worship sessions in the morning driving into school)
- striving to be a healthier, more active person (even though I'm not 100% consistent, especially with my diet, I love the topic of health & exercise- it's something I'm super interested in!)
- running (so freeing)
- game nights (i'm super competitive, I love games!)
- my Granny's front porch (honestly a place that touches my heart, I feel alive there)
- my future career, nursing (I'm looking at it as a huge ministry opportunity)
- star gazing (including deep convos about God & life & love)
- dogs (especially my 2 little furballs, but they all melt my heart and make me smile)
- shopping (it's something I like to do with my mom- good girl time!)
- loving others (it's a work in progress, but I'm striving to be friendly, smile, & radiate love)
- laying out (i could do it all day, ever day. oh how I miss summertime!)
Soooo, my goal is to enjoy these more often, to let myself COME ALIVE and be a happier, more passionate girl.
What are YOU passionate about??
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Conversations Seasoned with Salt
Today I'm so cranky. Man, I don't even like to be around myself on these days LOL. I think it's because it's a beautiful Saturday and so far all I've done is sit and read an insanely long chapter out of my med/surg book.... all alone. Ryan had to work today. Bummer. I had wanted to go on a hike.
So I opted for taking a walk/run and now to blog a bit....
Yesterday morning was much more enjoyable. I had a coffee date with my sister-in-law, Jess, and our friend Jennifer. She has sort of taken us in and discipled and mentored us the past year or two, and what a blessing it's been! I can always expect good coffee, laughs, and some serious sharing of what God has been doing in our lives. It's conversation that I can't have with many other people. But why?? It's the most meaningful conversation to have, to talk about how you are growing, struggling, or what you are learning from the word. It made me think, why is it only every so often I have those types of conversations? Why is Jesus so hard to talk about? Why isn't it our #1 topic, encouraging one another, growing together, and stressing its importance the way we should?? That's something I want to strive for, in all my friendships to talk about our walks with God and try to encourage my friends more in that. Otherwise, aren't we all just floating through life never talking about our most important relationship or real purpose here?
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. -Colossians 4:6
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. -1 Thessalonians 5:11
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. -Hebrews 10:25
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. -Galatians 6:2
And just like that, I'm not near as cranky. Funny how just reading some of God's word puts you in a better mood. And sitting on the porch in the sunshine sure helps too :)
P.S. The pic is of mine & Jess's boots yesterday!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
AthLEANX Day 3
Day 3 into AthLEANX and I'm really sore. I like the program because the workouts are high intensity for about 30 minutes and then it's over. You don't really expect to be as sore as I'm finding you will be. But that's a good sign, because my muscles have not been sore in ages, which means they really have been used in ages. Which explains the lack thereof throughout my whole not-so-toned body.
But that's what this new program is for. And let me tell ya, the hubs and I are having fun at it. One of our things we've really been wanting was to find a hobby we both enjoy together. We're both always "into" fitness. Well, we used to be. Before we got married we never missed a day at the gym and we ate fairly well 90% of the time. Now our "into" fitness is more like us sitting around eating pizza saying "maaaan, we really need to start working out and eating healthy again." LOL. SOOOO I think it's gonna be good for us as a couple! We've laughed and enjoyed the mornings together. Plus, it gives me a chance to be a good wifey by packing his lunch & snacks for the day and making breakfast for us!
Working out is not the hard part for me. It's FOOD. Oh how I love food. Sweet foods, salty foods, greasy foods, spicy foods, tangy foods... okay I need to stop before I breakdown and eat a cookie. =] Last night, yes although it was only day 2, I was sitting on the couch while Ry had to run to the shop all alone. Watching Biggest Loser & craving something SWEET. See, this diet is mostly lean protein & veggies. The only carbs are 100% whole wheat (which I love) but they are limited for the most part. The carb-lover in me started dreaming about cinnamon rolls, donuts, etc. etc.
SOLUTION?= I logged onto Pinterest and looked at the Fitness page. It gave me the motivation I needed to push through! I had ate PLENTY that day, dinner was actually salmon, brown rice, salad, and mixed veggies. It was simply fighting off the cravings I usually caved into and knowing that my body was full of wonderfully healthy and yummy things already. Most of the time when I eat bad it's not because I'm physically hungry, but more that I WANT/CRAVE the food.
So we will see how this program works... or how long I last... =] Hehe, but I'm really hoping to complete it. Not for some vain reason, and not because I think you have to be "skinny" or "in shape" to be pretty. Honestly, it's so that I feel good again. I love feeling active and feeling like my body is strong. I love being able to run without dying every step. I love putting on clothes and actually feeling okay in them. And that's been awhile, so that's why I'm doing this! And simply to have a hobby with my hubby & enjoy some time for us in the mornings.
So wish us luck!
http://www.athleanx.com
But that's what this new program is for. And let me tell ya, the hubs and I are having fun at it. One of our things we've really been wanting was to find a hobby we both enjoy together. We're both always "into" fitness. Well, we used to be. Before we got married we never missed a day at the gym and we ate fairly well 90% of the time. Now our "into" fitness is more like us sitting around eating pizza saying "maaaan, we really need to start working out and eating healthy again." LOL. SOOOO I think it's gonna be good for us as a couple! We've laughed and enjoyed the mornings together. Plus, it gives me a chance to be a good wifey by packing his lunch & snacks for the day and making breakfast for us!
Working out is not the hard part for me. It's FOOD. Oh how I love food. Sweet foods, salty foods, greasy foods, spicy foods, tangy foods... okay I need to stop before I breakdown and eat a cookie. =] Last night, yes although it was only day 2, I was sitting on the couch while Ry had to run to the shop all alone. Watching Biggest Loser & craving something SWEET. See, this diet is mostly lean protein & veggies. The only carbs are 100% whole wheat (which I love) but they are limited for the most part. The carb-lover in me started dreaming about cinnamon rolls, donuts, etc. etc.
SOLUTION?= I logged onto Pinterest and looked at the Fitness page. It gave me the motivation I needed to push through! I had ate PLENTY that day, dinner was actually salmon, brown rice, salad, and mixed veggies. It was simply fighting off the cravings I usually caved into and knowing that my body was full of wonderfully healthy and yummy things already. Most of the time when I eat bad it's not because I'm physically hungry, but more that I WANT/CRAVE the food.
So we will see how this program works... or how long I last... =] Hehe, but I'm really hoping to complete it. Not for some vain reason, and not because I think you have to be "skinny" or "in shape" to be pretty. Honestly, it's so that I feel good again. I love feeling active and feeling like my body is strong. I love being able to run without dying every step. I love putting on clothes and actually feeling okay in them. And that's been awhile, so that's why I'm doing this! And simply to have a hobby with my hubby & enjoy some time for us in the mornings.
So wish us luck!
http://www.athleanx.com
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Created To Be His Help Meet
I just finished the book "Created to Be His Help Meet" by Debi Pearlthat I have been working on for quite some time. What a blessing it has been to me! Honestly, when I got married I had no idea of what my role was as a wife. This book opened my eyes to what it truly means to be a godly wife- contrary to the beliefs of this world.
It's easy to think that marriage is about me. What my husband can do for me; like showering me with love, words, surprises, dates, trips, etc. How good he makes me feel inside, how happy he makes me. Can you see that the key word here is ME? I still battle these thoughts and motives, finding most of our fights stemming from me being disappointed because I feel like I wasn't getting enough attention, time, or sweet words from my hubby. Honestly, most of our fights from day one of our marriage have been about what he hadn't been doing for me. Ouch... that's tough to write. How selfish I can be. But in all honestly, I'm glad I can say that. Because I have learned that being in a marriage is not what I can get out of it, but rather focuses on one of the highest honors ever--- to exemplify the relationship of Jesus and His bride, the church.
I've posted on that before, but how beautiful of a thought that is to me! And how sad to me that I've failed so many times at my role of a wife, when I could have been honoring God and experiencing joy with my husband instead of being cranky, picking fights, and feeling sorry for myself.
I wish it was as easy at all times as the sentence is short, BUT as wives our calling is to simply honor. Not honor when we feel he is right, when we feel he is spiritually strong enough, or even when we think he has done enough for us to deserve it (all of these are our own standards).... we are to just HONOR (which is God's standard). By doing this, we are serving God- we are pushing past what our flesh wants to do (like nag, gripe, get our feelings hurt, etc) and resolve to love him and serve him anyway, because that is what we're called to do. The book goes on to say when we as wives begin to do this, the husband will in turn begin to feel love, respect, and like a man is supposed to and start loving us the way we've been dreaming of all along. It's not just us serving and slaving away with no return, but rather, when we truly begin to fulfill our role, we see our husbands begin to come alive!
Here are some of the tidbits I got out of it. All so important in making a marriage glorious:
*Have a merry heart! (A merry heart doeth good like medicine, but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22) Men are attracted to smiles, that includes your husband! When he first fell in love with you, you were a sweet little thing, full of laughter and fun. Continue to be that girl!
*Practice joy and thanksgiving! Learn to enjoy life, be thankful, smile. When you catch yourself becoming irritated, stop and laugh at the little things that steal your peace. Count your blessings!
*Quit trying to change him! If you fight his inadequacies, both of you will fail. If you love him & support him with his inadequacies and without taking charge, both of you will grow. Wisdom is knowing what you "bought" when you married the man, and learning to adapt to him as he is, not as you want him to be. Instead, pray for him and let GOD do the work!
*Find your life in his! From the beginning God meant for us to be a comfort, a blessing, a reward, a friend, an encouragment, and a right-hand woman to our husbands- supporting him in his goals and dreams, even if we don't see the point.
*A wise women understands that her husband's need to be honored is not based on his performance, but on his nature and his God-ordained position. She learns to support his ideas or plans with enthusiam and love. She looks for ways to reverence him & knows this is God's will for her life!
There are so many wonderful points, I can't begin to share them all.
Some of the simplest are easy to overlook, but maybe the most important:
*Greet him with a smile & a hug
*Have dinner ready when he gets home, even if it's nothing extravagant.
*Don't be mad when he's late, just think it's probably minor compared to the things he faced all day at work.
*Have the house looking nice & relaxing for when he gets there, it should be his safe haven to come home to!
*Let him be the person you go to for advice & to tell all your important/exciting news- your greatest confidiant.
Ok, I hope those were fun little tidbits for all you wives out there... I totally recommend the book.
I'm so excited to begin working on these things, trying to serve Ryan more, love him more, honor Him more. I want to do this to see how it transforms our marriage, but more importantly to know that I'm serving and pleasing God. It's all a work in progress, but I want to focus less on me and my wants and more on HIM and his perfect plan for us.
It's easy to think that marriage is about me. What my husband can do for me; like showering me with love, words, surprises, dates, trips, etc. How good he makes me feel inside, how happy he makes me. Can you see that the key word here is ME? I still battle these thoughts and motives, finding most of our fights stemming from me being disappointed because I feel like I wasn't getting enough attention, time, or sweet words from my hubby. Honestly, most of our fights from day one of our marriage have been about what he hadn't been doing for me. Ouch... that's tough to write. How selfish I can be. But in all honestly, I'm glad I can say that. Because I have learned that being in a marriage is not what I can get out of it, but rather focuses on one of the highest honors ever--- to exemplify the relationship of Jesus and His bride, the church.
I've posted on that before, but how beautiful of a thought that is to me! And how sad to me that I've failed so many times at my role of a wife, when I could have been honoring God and experiencing joy with my husband instead of being cranky, picking fights, and feeling sorry for myself.
The whole message of the book was simple.
Wives, honor your husbands. (Ephesians 5)
I wish it was as easy at all times as the sentence is short, BUT as wives our calling is to simply honor. Not honor when we feel he is right, when we feel he is spiritually strong enough, or even when we think he has done enough for us to deserve it (all of these are our own standards).... we are to just HONOR (which is God's standard). By doing this, we are serving God- we are pushing past what our flesh wants to do (like nag, gripe, get our feelings hurt, etc) and resolve to love him and serve him anyway, because that is what we're called to do. The book goes on to say when we as wives begin to do this, the husband will in turn begin to feel love, respect, and like a man is supposed to and start loving us the way we've been dreaming of all along. It's not just us serving and slaving away with no return, but rather, when we truly begin to fulfill our role, we see our husbands begin to come alive!
Here are some of the tidbits I got out of it. All so important in making a marriage glorious:
*Have a merry heart! (A merry heart doeth good like medicine, but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22) Men are attracted to smiles, that includes your husband! When he first fell in love with you, you were a sweet little thing, full of laughter and fun. Continue to be that girl!
*Practice joy and thanksgiving! Learn to enjoy life, be thankful, smile. When you catch yourself becoming irritated, stop and laugh at the little things that steal your peace. Count your blessings!
*Quit trying to change him! If you fight his inadequacies, both of you will fail. If you love him & support him with his inadequacies and without taking charge, both of you will grow. Wisdom is knowing what you "bought" when you married the man, and learning to adapt to him as he is, not as you want him to be. Instead, pray for him and let GOD do the work!
*Find your life in his! From the beginning God meant for us to be a comfort, a blessing, a reward, a friend, an encouragment, and a right-hand woman to our husbands- supporting him in his goals and dreams, even if we don't see the point.
*A wise women understands that her husband's need to be honored is not based on his performance, but on his nature and his God-ordained position. She learns to support his ideas or plans with enthusiam and love. She looks for ways to reverence him & knows this is God's will for her life!
There are so many wonderful points, I can't begin to share them all.
Some of the simplest are easy to overlook, but maybe the most important:
*Greet him with a smile & a hug
*Have dinner ready when he gets home, even if it's nothing extravagant.
*Don't be mad when he's late, just think it's probably minor compared to the things he faced all day at work.
*Have the house looking nice & relaxing for when he gets there, it should be his safe haven to come home to!
*Let him be the person you go to for advice & to tell all your important/exciting news- your greatest confidiant.
Ok, I hope those were fun little tidbits for all you wives out there... I totally recommend the book.
She sums it up at the end saying
"When you approach him with light in your eyes, that light will reflect back to you."
"When you approach him with light in your eyes, that light will reflect back to you."
I'm so excited to begin working on these things, trying to serve Ryan more, love him more, honor Him more. I want to do this to see how it transforms our marriage, but more importantly to know that I'm serving and pleasing God. It's all a work in progress, but I want to focus less on me and my wants and more on HIM and his perfect plan for us.
Marriage is the most precious relationship we have on earth. -Debi Pearl
Monday, January 2, 2012
2 0 1 2
I saw a friend post a recap of this last year & then post her new resolutions for 2012... It really made me think about mine, so here ya go!
Recap of 2011
- Finished my first year of nursing school
- Took our first cruise
- Bought a new truck (it should be done & ready for the road at the end of this week!)
- Saw God answer our prayers regarding where we needed to be going to church & serving Him at (it was neat to pray about something consistently as a couple & then see God provide an answer in His own perfect timing!)
- Made some wonderful new friends
- Moved Advanced Diesel Solutions from Harrison to Denver- big/scary step of faith for us!
2012 New Years Resolution
- Complete AthLEANX workout program (3 months long)
- Run a 5K & 10K
- Pass the NCLEX on my first try
- Get my first job as an RN!!!!!
- Be consistent in my "quiet times" (reading my Bible & praying daily)
- Learn more of The Word (B-i-b-l-e, yes that's the book for me lol)
- Be a better wife (more loving, more encouraging, more of a serving heart, less needless fights/griping, and praying for my husband more)
- Be a better friend to others
God truly blessed us with an amazing 2011! I feel like we really grew as a couple, learning each other more, learning to support each other in difficult times of our lives. And we definitely grew as individuals. Ryan was streched as he moved his shop to Denver & also hired 2 mechanics to work alongside him as his business is really growing!! He has learned to handle the craziness, busy-ness, and stressfulness of owning his own business and then be able to leave it at work and come home to just be my hubs. I have been stretched by going through what I think is the hardest season of my life so far- nursing school. I have had to learn to sacrifice some of the things I love to make time to study, practice, and study some more. Weekly tests that have everything riding on them takes a lot of courage & confidence and can be extremely stressful. Managing my time is a huge thing I have began to understand this past year.
I am looking forward to what 2012 will bring- I remember seeing it as my college graduation date & thinking it would be a million years away and take forever.... but it's here! Who knows what it will bring.... new job, new friends, new fitness, new travels, etc. etc. The list could go on and who knows maybe it could include things like new car, new house decorations, new baby??? Ok, so that is a BIG who knows.. but still :)
SO BRING ON 2012! The Smothers household is ready to take you on & see what you have in store for us!
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