June Books

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Praying Through the Deeper Issues of Marriage by Stormie Omartian (good, but I enjoyed the format of the other Stormie book a little better)
Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis (different)
When Two Become One by Christopher and Rachel McCluskey (this about the spirit of making love, not necessarily instructional, but about intimacy belonging to the Lord. I think this might be good if a couple is feeling a lot of distance)
Stunning by Sara Shepard (another Pretty Little Liars book - always a fast read)
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (I listened to it on audio book, it was a fun mystery)
Perelandra by C.S. Lewis (still pretty different, but I like it a little better than the first book)

6 books this month, 49 for the year.

Goodbye June

 

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Hey! It's the last June workday (well for me - J finished up last Friday [and I am very happy for him]). We have a weekend at home, with a few projects, fun ideas, and a lunch with a visiting couple planned. I'm excited to just hang out some, get the house more in order, and get some sunshine!  Also, Brian and Debbie are flying back from their African adventure - please pray for safety! I'm so looking forward to their stories :)

Value of time

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We had a great dinner and a movie last night, and I really enjoyed hanging out with my birthday man. Today, I'm feeling tired, sore-throaty and irritable, but that's okay. Some days are like that. Fortunately, we still have great things happen and we can be grateful for them. 

Happy Birthday to my Husband

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So this man I'm crazy about is turning a year older today! This is a first for me - I can finally say "Happy Birthday Husband!" While we don't have anything crazy planned, I'm really looking forward to celebrating his birthday and the life we've been blessed with. I'm so thankful God brought us together, in His timing, and how much of His love J shares with others. I honestly have a truly amazing husband. Happy Birthday baby!!

Intended

 

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Happy Tuesday. I can definitely feel the impact of traveling vs. resting up over the weekend. While we had a lot of fun, I'm looking forward to a low key weekend at home. That, and Bible Study tonight, and J's birthday tomorrow!

Merry

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Merry Half-Christmas! This year has flown by, huh. We had a great time in Charleston. Although it was hot, J's team won the tournament, and J also took us walking around in downtown to visit King Street, Market Street, Waterfront Park and Rainbow Row. I think I got my fill until next month :)

Keep praying for Brian and Debbie, if you can, and hope all weekends went well!

Charleston

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We're heading out for the weekend to visit Charleston with J's team. I'm excited to watch a little bit of ultimate and to explore the city a bit. I'm also excited for my brother and his wife - they will be leaving for Africa tomorrow, to share truths from God's Word and His love. Please pray for wisdom and courage and safety! 

Unrelated, you know what's hard? Treating people how you would want to be treated, when they didn't treat you that way.  When they weren't supportive, when they pulled away from you, when your feelings were hurt, it's right to still be supportive and close and kind when they have their similar moments. It's still hard though.

don't need to know

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I'm a curious person, and I'm trying to fully realize that there are some things, I just don't need to know. Some things about life, about work, about office politics, about other people's choices. Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with my God :) (Micah 6:8)

Happy Summer

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Happy first day of summer! My husband said it well - we're excited about longer hours of daylight, not having to take jackets places, but well, sometimes the highs are a little too high. Looking forward to lots of sunshine though! 

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Here, now

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Happy Tuesday! So I was thinking, I really don't always love being at work. I do things that I wouldn't really want to do, if I had a choice. But I know I'm learning here. I'm learning to work for the Lord, regardless of what I'm doing. I'm learning to be kind and communicate with people I'd rather avoid. I'm learning to rely on God for strength, when I'm tired, when I'm checked out, when I'm impatient. Regardless of where I'd rather be, this is where He wants me, today. :)

He has told you, O man, what is good;

and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God?

-Micah 6:8

9 months

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“To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides.”

 ― David Viscott

We have now been married for 9 months and a day (275 days).  J has a lot of weekends off in June and July and I am thrilled to spend them with him.

Yesterday we learned a little bit about dog training. One of our neighbors is actually the Raleigh Dog Trainer, and we learned about dog body language, nutrition, and largely how to keep dogs (Dash) calm on walks. Dash gets really amped up when he sees other dogs or even people when we are walking. By the end of our session, Dash was able to walk next to a stranger dog. I'm looking forward to keeping our neighborhood a little quieter (aka, no Dash barks)!

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Friday, Father's Day weekend :)

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Oh Friday, how beautiful! I'm looking forward to taking it easy, seeing my bride-to-be friend, getting our dogs trained a bit, and celebrating fatherhood :)

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almost there

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Busy work week (really the next two days) with my two co-workers both on vacation. J made us some chili last night though :) and it's getting close to the weekend :)  

Happy (belated) 3rd Anniversary to my sister in law and her husband and Happy 24th Birthday to another sister in law :) My husband has some great sisters!

Morning

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Tuesday... both J and I were feeling tired this morning, and even now, I can't wait to get back home into pjs. It's interesting how feeling "not normal," whether it's sick, tired, cranky, whatever, it makes it just that much harder to focus on others. It seems to turn us back to ourselves. Now is the time I have to fully rely on God.

refuge

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 Happy Monday. J will be working evening shifts this week, so I'll be getting in a lot of home alone evening time, and maybe cooking leftovers, and getting to bed early.  We had a great time meeting new people and seeing family over the weekend. :)

Heading out

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Happy Friday! We're headed out the western part of the state for a wedding (including rehearsal dinner and extras), and we get to stay with J's parents. J is picking me up for work a little early, which makes it a little more exciting for me. Looking forward to some down time and to be a part of someone's special day :)