15 years…(the wedding was the easy part)

Everyone would agree: Marriage is hard. hard. hard. work.

The Wedding was the easy part…..

This  blog, random photos, instagram shots, etc….well, they can sometimes paint a picture of perfection…or at least a “rosy-colored view” of  it all. 

Because, in those moments, it is pretty ROSY! 
you are feeling pretty amazing, and appreciating the gift of that specific moment….whatever the moment may be! And you just wanna capture it!

Cause, Most of us spare the world of our “ugly fighting” pics and the non-flattering, grudge-holding angry “selfies” that would make an iphone camera crack! I know mine would! : /

…..yeah, but maybe we need more “realness” in the social media world??

I don’t know.

But what I do know…. each day there HAS to be a conscious choice to love and work hard at unity and humility and oneness in marriage. 
To fight against all the worldly attacks on marriage inside and outside the home.

 Cause let me tell ya people, the statistics are NOT in our favor!

 It is up to US to defend what God brought together, at all costs. 

To die to yourself. 
Which is hard…so hard.

Many times we fail.

 but then….there’s grace.
Oh thank GOD for grace!

Without Grace, there’s just no chance for a surviving marriage between 2 sinners.

Overtime, we’ve had to learn the hard way. 
 a great marriage is about getting in the WORD daily, putting GOD first, and then your spouse next…..and then your children after that…. IN THAT ORDER. 

AND, seeking counsel!
SEEK COUNSEL!

 ya’ll  let’s get real….”marriage counseling” in NOT  shameful. It’s biblical!

So often (especially in Christian circles) its seen as a “taboo thing.”

But, let me tell ya: Its a GOOD GOOD thing.
 It gives “safety to a marriage”

Proverbs 11:14 says, ”
Where there is no guidance, a people falls,
    but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”(ESV)

It gives direction to marriage, and betters your chances.

Also, another version puts it this way:

Without good direction, people lose their way;
    the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances.(message)

Another verse that I love is Proverbs 15:22

 Plans fail for lack of counsel,
    but with many advisers they succeed.  (NIV)

Put simply: Wise counselors helps your marriage to succeed! AMEN!!!!!!!!!!

 If you can find amazing and Godly counselors and mentors to help you through the bumps in the road of marriage (and we can ALL agree that it can get bumpy) 

If you can …**and that will mean getting really real, putting the UGLY out there!**

then you have found a sure Treasure!

What a gift it can be to get wisdom on how to navigate the trenches and waves, without drowning.

If you can see how God has carried you, humbled you, shown you you’re own sin, taught you true forgiveness, shown you grace, taught you how to love unconditionally, selflessly…

then you can truly appreciate the work it takes to get to these milestone years.

Happy 15 years from my hubby:

To my Bride,

WOW!!! 15 YEARS AGO TODAY I BECAME THE LUCKIEST MAN IN THE WORLD. I WOKE UP SO NERVOUS, EXCITED AND NAIVE. THERE WAS SO MUCH PLANNING GOING ON THROUGHOUT THE PAST 11 MONTHS AND TODAY WAS THE BIG DAY…OUR WEDDING DAY. SMALL BUT REASONABLE BUDGET, WEIRD RENTED CHURCH, AND A BROKEN WINDOWED LIMO WITH NO A/C ON THE HOTTEST HUMID DAY. A BEAUTIFUL SERVICE, A CRAZY LONG RECEIVING LINE A RECEPTION THAT ALL I REMEMBER IS WALKING AROUND TO EVERYONE, DANCING WITH YOU AND THEN DOING COTTON EYE JOE WITH STEVE. OH, AND THAT BLUE SHIRT WITH UGLY YELLOW TIE YOU MADE ME WEAR.

(my note) insert:  (ROFLOL!!!!)

THE HOTEL WITH THE HUGE DOUBLE ROOM WITH NO ROOM SERVICE. THE WALKING ACROSS THE STREET TO THE MARRIOTT…SAN FRANCISCO, HONOLULU AND MAUI..AN AMAZING HAWAII HONEYMOON…GOING HOME TO OUR APARTMENT. LEARNING LIFE WITH MY NEW CRAZY BEAUTIFUL BRIDE…

SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED THESE PAST 15 YEARS…5 KIDS..3 HOUSES… 1 APARTMENT.. AND LIVING WITH PARENTS…6 JOBS…2 CHURCHES…MANY MEMORIES MADE.

BOY, DO I WISH I KNEW WHAT I KNOW NOW…

JOHANNA, YOU ARE MY MIRACLE. GOD KNEW EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED IN LIFE AND IT WAS YOU BY MY SIDE. YOUR PASSION FOR LIFE, PASSION FOR TEACHING AND BEING A MOTHER..YOUR PASSION FOR THE LORD. YOU ARE SO ATTRACTIVE BOTH PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY.

MY AMAZING BRIDE OF 15 YEARS, THROUGH ALL THE UPS AND DOWNS, SUCCESSES AND FAILURES, FIGHTS AND KISSES, I HAVE LEARNED A LOT.  I WOULD DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN WITH YOU.

I AM MORE ATTRACTED TO YOU NOW, AND GROW IN MY AFFECTION EACH DAY. CHRIST MAKES YOU MORE BEAUTIFUL INSIDE BUT HE ALSO MADE SUPER MEGA HOT ON THE OUTSIDE. I SERIOUSLY LOOK AT YOU AND AM AMAZED THAT YOU ARE MY WIFE.

THANK YOU FOR LOVING ME THROUGH EVERYTHING. ESPECIALLY WITH ME LOSING ALL MY HAIR ON MY HEAD AND GAINING 70 POUNDS SINCE OUR WEDDING DAY. YOU WOULD AGREE I NEEDED AT LEAST 50 OF THOSE POUNDS.

I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE WHAT THE LORD HAS IN STORE FOR US IN THE NEXT 15 YEARS. I HAVE LEARNED TO TRUST GOD AND EXPECT BIG THINGS. I WANT TO BE AN EXAMPLE TO YOU AND OUR CHILDREN. I PROMISE TO LOVE THE LORD OUR GOD WITH ALL MY HEART, SOUL AND MIND. I PROMISE TO CONTINUE TO BE A FAITHFUL HUSBAND AND FATHER AND FRIEND. I PROMISE TO CARE FOR YOU, LOVE YOU LEAD YOU, AND ENCOURAGE YOU. TEARS COME TO MY EYES AS I THINK AT WHAT GOD HAS DONE IN OUR LIVES AND WHAT HE STILL HAS IN STORE.

YOU ARE MY SOUL MATE, MY LIFE PARTNER. I AM A BETTER PERSON BECAUSE OF YOU. WE ARE A TEAM AND COMPLIMENT EACH OTHER. I WANT TO BE USED OF THE LORD AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE. I WANT OUR CHILDREN TO SEE JESUS IN US, SEE AUTHENTICITY..

MY BEAUTIFUL BRIDE…OUR JOURNEY OF THE PAST 15 YEARS IS JUST THE STEPPING STONE FOR WHAT THE LORD HAS IN STORE FOR OUR FAMILY. I ALWAYS KNEW GOD WOULD HAVE SOMETHING BIG FOR US. AFTER THE ADOPTION, I THOUGHT THAT WAS IT..BUT I WAS WRONG..THAT WAS JUST THE BEGINNING…

I HOPE WE ARE ABLE TO VISIT ITALY IN 5 YEARS, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, I HOPE WE AS A FAMILY ARE A BILLION TIMES CLOSER TO OUR LORD AND SAVIOR. THANK YOU SWEETHEART FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO ME AND TO JESUS.

YOU ARE AN AMAZING MOMMY AND WIFE.