Last month my grandmother had surgery. It went well but was followed by sickness. There was a second surgery that was suppposed to happen at the beginning of October but, because of the sickness afterwards, my grandmother cancelled. Before we knew it was canceled, my family booked flights to go see her. With her sick and in the hospital, she would need additional care and so would my grandpa. Even after we heard the news of the cancelation, we just figured that the surprise (we had no intention of telling them) would help her with the healing process.
Well the beginning of October came and off we went to visit.
Thankfully the few people who knew that we would be coming didn't spill the beans this time and we were able to surprise a handful of people! A good friend of the family and her entire family were shocked to see me. My grandparents were the most shocked out of anyone. Well, they were the only ones to cry...
It's great knowing that there are still a few people who value us and enjoy seeing our faces when we visit.
Unfortunately, my husband isn't able to cross into the U.S. yet. We are set in crossing the "right" and legal way, so we must hold our horses! But let me tell you, it was more difficult than I imagined to leave him home alone.
When I made plans to come, I didn't think to much about it. I prayed and I knew that it might be the last time that I would see some of my family for a long while, so I just trusted and booked the flight. Having to be apart from my husband didn't cross my mind as "going to be difficult" because I knew he'd be waiting for me and that the trip was just over a week. But it has! It's been rough sleeping without him and even having to share a bed with my sister again! Eating with a bunch of familiar faces, just not his. Things like that, make me miss him that much more! I know that people say it's because we're newlyweds and that I'll think differently in the future. But I hope I never do. I love waking up to his face. I love that we pray together at night before we doze off. I love to try to impress him with my cooking. It's something I never want to be without! Him.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Keep Praying
Sunday night an email arrived from a friend. She told me that a letter came for me.
I sat for a minute and tried to think of what could have been sent to her house. A letter? The only people that have that address are my aunt and I did use that address to fill out paperwork. But I couldn't imagine that my aunt would send a letter... I mean she has my PO Box. Did she use UPS to send a letter?
Thankfully it wasn't what I thought. It was a letter about my husband's paperwork. It wasn't a real important letter, but it has shown us that God is with us and is just having us be patient.
So, to those of you who are praying, thank you! Keep praying!
I sat for a minute and tried to think of what could have been sent to her house. A letter? The only people that have that address are my aunt and I did use that address to fill out paperwork. But I couldn't imagine that my aunt would send a letter... I mean she has my PO Box. Did she use UPS to send a letter?
Thankfully it wasn't what I thought. It was a letter about my husband's paperwork. It wasn't a real important letter, but it has shown us that God is with us and is just having us be patient.
So, to those of you who are praying, thank you! Keep praying!
Friday, September 4, 2009
Dear Jesus, Thank You for the Cow
Years ago my mother-in-law acquired a cow. This cow became pregnant. And so, my mother-in-law said that after the calf was born and had grown enough, she would sell it for her son who got married first.
Now that papers are being filled out and sent in, money has been greatly needed. My husband and I gave up leaving alone and moved in with my parents in order to save money. Even though we weren't renting any more, we were still trying struggling with the idea of paying hundreds of dollars for paperwork. Until...
One day my husband and I were making dinner, when the phone rang. It was my father-in-law. He sounded terrible, only asking where we were and telling us to come to their house. Our thoughts immediately sided with the worse possible scenarios. Was his mom alright? Did something happen with his brother?
So as soon as we hung up the phone, we raced to my in-laws' house. When we got there, it was definitely a surprise!
The cow had sold and they were giving us the money to help with paperwork! Not only would it help, but it would pay for all of the forms put together!
This only goes to show yet another example of how God knows the end result, not us. And if we follow His path, he will give the solutions.
Now that papers are being filled out and sent in, money has been greatly needed. My husband and I gave up leaving alone and moved in with my parents in order to save money. Even though we weren't renting any more, we were still trying struggling with the idea of paying hundreds of dollars for paperwork. Until...
One day my husband and I were making dinner, when the phone rang. It was my father-in-law. He sounded terrible, only asking where we were and telling us to come to their house. Our thoughts immediately sided with the worse possible scenarios. Was his mom alright? Did something happen with his brother?
So as soon as we hung up the phone, we raced to my in-laws' house. When we got there, it was definitely a surprise!
The cow had sold and they were giving us the money to help with paperwork! Not only would it help, but it would pay for all of the forms put together!
This only goes to show yet another example of how God knows the end result, not us. And if we follow His path, he will give the solutions.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Paperwork Prayer
After filling out many forms and paying a slightly giant amount of money, the paperwork is being sent.
Tomorrow is the day. All the forms, evidence, and of course cash, will be sent off! We have been working and researching for months now, trying to find the easiest and cheapest way to get my husband over the border legally.
Thankfully since he is my husband, he won't be including in the lottery system and will for sure be getting is residency. This can be a difficult process and sometimes lengthy one. Hopefully not though.
To those who are reading, please keep us in your prayers that all goes easy and speedy! We are hoping and praying that we'll be moved out and ready to move in to the new house by December.
Blessings to all!
Thank you for your prayers.
Tomorrow is the day. All the forms, evidence, and of course cash, will be sent off! We have been working and researching for months now, trying to find the easiest and cheapest way to get my husband over the border legally.
Thankfully since he is my husband, he won't be including in the lottery system and will for sure be getting is residency. This can be a difficult process and sometimes lengthy one. Hopefully not though.
To those who are reading, please keep us in your prayers that all goes easy and speedy! We are hoping and praying that we'll be moved out and ready to move in to the new house by December.
Blessings to all!
Thank you for your prayers.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Date Night
When my husband and I had our premarital counseling, we were taught the importance of date night. No matter what we had been going through, we had to set time aside for date night.
It's easy at the beginning, or at least it was for us. It still is, only now we're started to get a lot more busy.
So we pick at least one night a week that we're going to do something fun, just the two of us.
One night we had been painting all day so we ordered a pizza and had a picnic in the living and we rented a movie. Another night we just went for a walk around the neighborhood.
Spending time together just talking, trying to focus on nothing else, can be amazing.
I am so happy that neither of us has forgotten date night.
So tonight is the night! DATE NIGHT!
We're driving out to where there are no lights, bringing along some blankets and watching the meteor shower!
Tonight shall be grand!
It's easy at the beginning, or at least it was for us. It still is, only now we're started to get a lot more busy.
So we pick at least one night a week that we're going to do something fun, just the two of us.
One night we had been painting all day so we ordered a pizza and had a picnic in the living and we rented a movie. Another night we just went for a walk around the neighborhood.
Spending time together just talking, trying to focus on nothing else, can be amazing.
I am so happy that neither of us has forgotten date night.
So tonight is the night! DATE NIGHT!
We're driving out to where there are no lights, bringing along some blankets and watching the meteor shower!
Tonight shall be grand!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Define Family
Lately, my husband and I have been going through some extremely difficult family situations. Right now, especially. And so a few nights ago we were talking about family. About what really defines family and how we, as a couple know who to consider family.
Curiously, I looked up the "real" meaning of the word.
Dictionary.com defines family in many ways. Some of the definitions were obvious and exactly how someone pictures the word "family." It's like in children's storybooks about the mommy and daddy with their kids. They also include any blood relative such as any of the parent's siblings or Nana and Papa. But that's not what I meant. I didn't mean "relatives," I meant "family."
The more unusal definitions were those describing the Mafia "family" or the classification of plants and animals. But still, not quite what I was looking for. So, after reading on, I finally came across part of a definition and decided to add to it.
In my opinion, family should be a group of people who love, care for and support each other. It's a group of people who aren't necessarily blood relatives but are people who share the same attitudes, interests, and/or goals.
So, who is part of your family?
In the midst of all that my husband and I have gone through, separately and together as a couple, there have always been those few faces that always made us feel better. They are the people who are with you through the good and the bad. They are the ones you can rely on. And they know the real you.
So, we want to thank you. All of our family who has been there for us. Who has cheered us up when we were feeling blue and to all of you who have kept faith with us. Christ will surely bless all of your lives for all that you have done for us. We could never thank you enough!
To any one else reading this, please pray. Pray for our family and our relatives.
Curiously, I looked up the "real" meaning of the word.
Dictionary.com defines family in many ways. Some of the definitions were obvious and exactly how someone pictures the word "family." It's like in children's storybooks about the mommy and daddy with their kids. They also include any blood relative such as any of the parent's siblings or Nana and Papa. But that's not what I meant. I didn't mean "relatives," I meant "family."
The more unusal definitions were those describing the Mafia "family" or the classification of plants and animals. But still, not quite what I was looking for. So, after reading on, I finally came across part of a definition and decided to add to it.
In my opinion, family should be a group of people who love, care for and support each other. It's a group of people who aren't necessarily blood relatives but are people who share the same attitudes, interests, and/or goals.
So, who is part of your family?
In the midst of all that my husband and I have gone through, separately and together as a couple, there have always been those few faces that always made us feel better. They are the people who are with you through the good and the bad. They are the ones you can rely on. And they know the real you.
So, we want to thank you. All of our family who has been there for us. Who has cheered us up when we were feeling blue and to all of you who have kept faith with us. Christ will surely bless all of your lives for all that you have done for us. We could never thank you enough!
To any one else reading this, please pray. Pray for our family and our relatives.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
How We Met...
Last spring I ended a terrible relationship and swore off any type of relationship until I had finished at least one year of school. Like anyone else that comes out of a nasty situation, I craved the need for extreme change. I started making plans and even acting on some. But I mistakenly spent less time in prayer about these decisions and in turn God has His way with things.
Within the next two months I had a great visit with a friend from Minnesota. We had long talks, and one especially, that stands out in my mind. We were sitting in my room at my parent's house talking about the plans I wanted to make. I told her all about how and why I wanted the next relationship to be all in God's hands. I also expressed how I wouldn't even think of getting married until after I was 21.
That same week my friend was here, we "hosted" a kid's camp. A group from Minnesota came down and worked with about 8 different churches in order to put on this week long camp. One of the many churches that helped, was a church located near my house that I had never seen. Nor had I met any of the members before.
That week my job was Snacks! I and a few other "girls", but they were all people I knew. I never really had the chance to get to know the people from the new church. But I did get to watch some of them. One in particular was a guy from there. He was a leader of the smallest children. Every time I saw him, he was dancing aroudn with the kids, and he always had their attention. I love kids and I've always had a heart for teaching Sunday school so this caught my attention. Little by little I heard about things this guy and his brothers were doing at the camp. They had servant's hearts and would do anything to help. They were a blessing. All three of them, along with the people from their church.
I remember telling my mom at the end of the week that I wished God would give me a husband like one of the brothers. That I wanted someone with a heart like theirs, that wanted to serve God. My mom responded in a way I never expected saying, "Yeah, how about the older brother! He's cute!" I remember laughing and telling her that I preferred the younger of the two that worked with us. This was all joking, mind you.
Soon after I found out that my dad told my mom that he hoped that God would bless his daughters with men like the brothers. (What?) Was I really hearing all this? I had never heard my parents talk this way and it shocked me.
The week after the camp, my parents and I traveled to southern Mexico for a missionary conference. Not long after arriving at the resort, I received a text message from what appeared to be a friend's cell phone. Wrong! It was one of the brothers. Nothing weird, just saying hi. To me though, it was again - shocking.
As the week went on, the texting continued. Even while sleeping, I kept the phone at my side.
It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
And from there, other feelings began.
Even though little time passed, I knew something was different. This guy prayed for me. We only spent time with family. We shared the same spiritual beliefs. This was all very new.
After a short while, he asked my parents if we could start dating. So as of August 2nd, 2009, we were "novios." After a month had passed, he left to work in another state. We were 11 hours apart. For the 3 months that followed, we communicated by phone, email and thankfully skype with video! It was terribly difficult, but we kept God in the middle of everything. I don't believe 12 hours passes where I hadn't prayed for him at least once or twice. He meant so much to me.
A few days before Christmas, he came home for two weeks. He was different. But I wasn't sure how. Something just didn't seem right.
The day before Christmas we went for a walk in the park and he told me he needed to talk to me. He sat at one of the tables and starting to sing and then said,
"Sarah, I don't want you to be my girlfriend anymore."
(What?) A million thoughts started to fly through my mind. (Why had I waited for a guy who would do this.) (I knew I should have waited.) (I told you God!) (WHY?)
"....Sarah.... I want you to be my wife."
(What?) (Are you serious?)
From the beginning, I had been praying about the seriousness of our relationship. So, I just stepped back and let God handle it.
'Yes!!!!'
We soon picked a date and started planning.
On April 14th, we were legally married!
And well the rest is still in the works.
Many of you had asked how we met and I either never responded or I gave you a short answer.
As you can see, God had a plan. A pretty good one... And all I had to do was ask Him what steps to take.
We can't expect to live a life without problems, without struggles. But God knows how to help us, and He will solve all our problems.
I can only thank Him now. He took my "plans" and changed them ALL! He gave me everything I ever dreamed of in the form of one person. He gave me a husband that thankfully puts God first and me second. I can't ask for more than that.
Within the next two months I had a great visit with a friend from Minnesota. We had long talks, and one especially, that stands out in my mind. We were sitting in my room at my parent's house talking about the plans I wanted to make. I told her all about how and why I wanted the next relationship to be all in God's hands. I also expressed how I wouldn't even think of getting married until after I was 21.
That same week my friend was here, we "hosted" a kid's camp. A group from Minnesota came down and worked with about 8 different churches in order to put on this week long camp. One of the many churches that helped, was a church located near my house that I had never seen. Nor had I met any of the members before.
That week my job was Snacks! I and a few other "girls", but they were all people I knew. I never really had the chance to get to know the people from the new church. But I did get to watch some of them. One in particular was a guy from there. He was a leader of the smallest children. Every time I saw him, he was dancing aroudn with the kids, and he always had their attention. I love kids and I've always had a heart for teaching Sunday school so this caught my attention. Little by little I heard about things this guy and his brothers were doing at the camp. They had servant's hearts and would do anything to help. They were a blessing. All three of them, along with the people from their church.
I remember telling my mom at the end of the week that I wished God would give me a husband like one of the brothers. That I wanted someone with a heart like theirs, that wanted to serve God. My mom responded in a way I never expected saying, "Yeah, how about the older brother! He's cute!" I remember laughing and telling her that I preferred the younger of the two that worked with us. This was all joking, mind you.
Soon after I found out that my dad told my mom that he hoped that God would bless his daughters with men like the brothers. (What?) Was I really hearing all this? I had never heard my parents talk this way and it shocked me.
The week after the camp, my parents and I traveled to southern Mexico for a missionary conference. Not long after arriving at the resort, I received a text message from what appeared to be a friend's cell phone. Wrong! It was one of the brothers. Nothing weird, just saying hi. To me though, it was again - shocking.
As the week went on, the texting continued. Even while sleeping, I kept the phone at my side.
It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
And from there, other feelings began.
Even though little time passed, I knew something was different. This guy prayed for me. We only spent time with family. We shared the same spiritual beliefs. This was all very new.
After a short while, he asked my parents if we could start dating. So as of August 2nd, 2009, we were "novios." After a month had passed, he left to work in another state. We were 11 hours apart. For the 3 months that followed, we communicated by phone, email and thankfully skype with video! It was terribly difficult, but we kept God in the middle of everything. I don't believe 12 hours passes where I hadn't prayed for him at least once or twice. He meant so much to me.
A few days before Christmas, he came home for two weeks. He was different. But I wasn't sure how. Something just didn't seem right.
The day before Christmas we went for a walk in the park and he told me he needed to talk to me. He sat at one of the tables and starting to sing and then said,
"Sarah, I don't want you to be my girlfriend anymore."
(What?) A million thoughts started to fly through my mind. (Why had I waited for a guy who would do this.) (I knew I should have waited.) (I told you God!) (WHY?)
"....Sarah.... I want you to be my wife."
(What?) (Are you serious?)
From the beginning, I had been praying about the seriousness of our relationship. So, I just stepped back and let God handle it.
'Yes!!!!'
We soon picked a date and started planning.
On April 14th, we were legally married!
And well the rest is still in the works.
Many of you had asked how we met and I either never responded or I gave you a short answer.
As you can see, God had a plan. A pretty good one... And all I had to do was ask Him what steps to take.
We can't expect to live a life without problems, without struggles. But God knows how to help us, and He will solve all our problems.
I can only thank Him now. He took my "plans" and changed them ALL! He gave me everything I ever dreamed of in the form of one person. He gave me a husband that thankfully puts God first and me second. I can't ask for more than that.
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