Love Notes

What wife doesn't love getting them? I love waking up in the morning (or walking randomly into the kitchen) to find a note scrawled on a legal pad that I left on the counter. Usually short and sweet, these notes make my day. It's ridiculous how many times I read some of them. Not only that, I have boxes full of the notes, cards, and other mementos that David has given me over the years. I think the first artifact dates back about 9 years (definitely not romantic but treasured nonetheless). The picture to the left is of the note that greeted me this morning. 

The verse is the same one that has followed David's signature in notes to me for years. 2 Samuel 22:31 says, "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him." Thankfully, David and I have had a relatively "problem"-free life. We've had what we would consider trials, but when we compare those to things that our friends and fellow Christians have gone through, it doesn't seem fair to call them that. Even so, this verse (and Psalm 18:30 which I put after my name in my notes to David) has been a blessing to us. We know that if God has gotten us through the little things in life he will be faithful to get us through the bigger issues that are sure to arise. 

67 Years

My friend, Carrie, and I went to lunch with our babies today (it's so nice to have a friend who's at the same place in her life! Landon is just 5 and a half weeks older than Riley.). We met the cutest couple sitting next to us... I'd seen them at Dustin's before and thought they were adorable (they used to always match). Today, the wife came over to check out the little cuties (lunchtime conversation is interrupted much more often now that we've got them to draw attention). We started talking and found out they've been married 67 years! When the average marriage ends in divorce by year 8, they've obviously got something going for them... If I see them again, I'm planning on asking them their secret.

I'm thankful that my parents and grandparents made it far past the national average. My parents have been married 31 years and my granddad died a few days before my grandparents' fifty-second wedding anniversary. David and I haven't even made it to four years yet, but Lord willing, we'll make it way past that. I'm so thankful for the wonderful husband God's blessed me with. Our little family has only gotten sweeter since Riley Grace joined us.

I doubt we'll live to see our sixty-seventh wedding anniversary (we'd both be 88), but I'm confident that if we keep our focus on the Lord, our marriage will get "sweeter as the years go by."

Click here to getImages & Holding Hands Pictures

Proud Homemaker

Unfortunately, in our nation today, many women find the term homemaker degrading. To the general public, it seems to bring a mental picture of a passive woman being controlled unkindly by her heavy-handed husband. In our world, women want to be viewed in the same light as men. They can do everything just as well (I really like a point Bro. James has made a few times: When a woman fights for “equality” and receives it, she should get no special treatment on a job. If she gets a job as a UPS delivery person, should she really get help with the heavier packages? Should she have been hired for the job if she’s incapable of dealing with the size of packages?).

I couldn’t disagree with this way of thinking any more than I do! A woman who lives in a truly Christian home, though commanded to be submissive to her husband or obedient to her father, will be treated with the utmost respect, love, and kindness. She won’t be forced into “obedience.” A loving man who is in submission to God proves he is worthy of her trust and reverence (Eph. 5:33).

Now, I don’t say all this thinking that a woman should, in every single circumstance, be at home without work (the term work is very loosely defined in that sentence. Does the work in a home EVER end??). There are times when the husband you are commanded to follow asks you to get a job. There are times when it is financially necessary (though I think many people can do with far less than they think). The Proverbs 31 woman was obviously a very busy lady both inside and outside her home.

All this is a prelude to the following story story: At the bank today, the lady helping David and me was asking about my occupation. When I said I didn’t have a job, she asked me if I am a house wife/homemaker. She looked almost apologetic and said, “That sounds funny, doesn’t it?” I didn’t mean to contradict her, but couldn’t avoid saying, “Not at all.” David and I just looked at each other and smiled. It’s a job I’m very thankful to have! Even when I had a job outside our home, I was a homemaker. It’s much easier to devote all the necessary attention to that task now that I am not working, though!

One last thought for you ladies: The Bible doesn’t ask us to reverence (Eph 5:33) our husbands only if we deem them worthy. There are no conditions. We as wives are simply given the command. Let’s pray for each other that we’ll do just that.

Photo Ramblings: the Brown Family Photo Shoot

Our good friend Chloe (Chloe Bloom Photography) took our pictures.  These are just a few of them.  We really couldn't be any more pleased with these!  

As I was reading other blogs today, I came across one author who wrote a list of things she'd learned after her first year of marriage.  As I read that, I started thinking about things that I have learned in the 19 months David and I have been married...  They have been wonderful months, but I have had to make some adjustments -- being married has a way of bringing out some personality traits that one doesn't know she has.  

Here are a few things that I've learned:

1. David is exactly as I expected him to be.  He's sweet, never gets angry, is very rational, and hugs away a lot of problems.  He's patient with me when I'm being "emotional" and "nit-picky," but he is the type of husband who's willing to tell me what I need to work on. For that, I am extremely thankful.  I needed someone like that, and the Lord blessed me with exactly what I needed.  
   
2. I am not exactly as I expected myself to be.  I have a lot of selfishness that I wouldn't have admitted before getting married.  I like to have things my own way, and I don't take criticism all that well; with the Lord's help, I'm working on that!  I think the Lord has helped me since we were married, but I certainly have a long way to go. 
3. It's okay to disagree.  When we were first married, I thought it was a terrible ordeal if David and I had different opinions on something little.  Now I realize it's okay.  It makes for good discussions (not arguments!) and great opportunities to rethink our positions. NOTE:  I am not talking about major doctrinal issues.  Just little things.  
4. I love David even more than I thought possible.  Before we got married, I thought I loved David so much.  Now, I realize that there's something that he does every day that causes me to love him more than I did the day before. 

If you'd like to post on your blog what you've learned from your marriage, please leave a comment to let me know so I can check it out!  

On another note, one of the "new" fish (Edward) is looking suspiciously like he's about to take a trip down the toilet.  He's been floating up to the top of the water, and I'll tap on the glass to see if he moves and he does.  I've got a feeling he's not going to be with us much longer.  

Fried Brain = Lame Title

Today, like the other days in our four-day weekend, was wonderful...  around here, we like to extend birthdays for as long as possible... tonight, my family (parents and brother, aunt and uncle, cousins, and grandparents) came over for David's birthday get together.  Since we were gone all weekend, I didn't have time to make anything myself, so we had apple pies from Publix and a Boston creme pie from Walmart.  I only tried the apple pie; it was delicious!  

About our trip:  It was wonderful!  We had so much fun, I can't even begin to describe it.  It was amazing to be able to do whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted.  There was no schedule we had to keep or any specific plans.  We just wanted to be together and have a fun time. We definitely succeeded on both counts.  

On Friday, we woke up and ate breakfast at 8:30 (it was in a cute dining room with lots of forks and fine china).  Then we sat on the pier for a little while and just enjoyed the sunshine and the view.  Then, we went to a state park and walked on the boardwalk and beach.  We saw several turtles, lizards, and butterflies.  Later that morning, we walked around the historic downtown of New Smyrna.  David and I have a magnet collection (we buy one wherever we go), so we were able to buy one to add to the fridge... it's a beachy number with a place for a photo from this weekend (I already printed a picture and cropped it to fit in the little frame).  We did a ton of other things, too, but at the moment, they are not coming to me.  Friday night, we had a romantic dinner at a very nice restaurant, then we walked on the beach close to the spot where David proposed.  

Saturday, we kept pretty much the same routine.  Woke up early & browsed around. Stopped at some parks.  Looked at the water.  That type stuff.  At one location, we saw dolphins and pelicans.  It was great! The pesky birds would fly to wherever the poor dolphins were and pester them. There were also these perky little fish that liked to jump out of the water.  David and I tried to get a picture, but were never successful.  

So...  we're back home now.  We took 251 photos... I spared you.  There are only 60 in the slideshow from yesterday.  Today's pictures demonstrated the Browns' ability to be ridiculously silly.  I don't know what caused David to pretend like he was going to dive into the water, but I thought it was hysterical.  I took a picture, and he wanted to return the favor.  

ADDED:  If you care to submit title suggestions, please feel free to do so. C:

Photo Ramblings

Happy Brithday, David!

Happy Twenty-third Birthday to the one who...

is my best friend

married me

kisses the troubles away

puts up with my goofiness

shares the gospel with me

I love you, David!

the PERFECT day

I am not kidding!  David and I have had the most wonderful, beautiful, relaxing day ever.  Right now, I'm swinging on the front porch of our bed and breakfast, and he is sitting in the room watching the Master's (golf tournament).  Our TV at home can only be used to watch videos or DVDs, so he's never able to watch it at home.  He thoroughly enjoys golf, and one thing he said he wanted to do for his birthday was to watch some of the Master's.  So... while he's watching that, I'm taking advantage of the free WiFi (yep, it's as good as Subway's) and the alluring weather.  

My view is of the intracoastal waterway -- there's a great breeze and I'm guessing it's in the upper seventies right now.  The sky is an azure blue, and everything is sprouting with new growth. It's wonderful.  We couldn't have asked for better weather.  

David and I have taken a bunch of pictures (and thankfully, we've been able to get others to take some pictures of both of us); I'll be sure to post those when we get home.  We've also been able to pass out quite a few tracts.  It's a relatively touristy area, so there are lots of people milling around town at the same times we are.  

Weekend Getaway

David and I are leaving after church tomorrow for our weekend at the bed and breakfast.  I have to substitute from 7:30 - 2:30 tomorrow, teach piano, and pack, so I probably won't have any time to blog until we get back from our trip.  Will update with pictures when we return!  Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  God bless!

Foiled Again

David just found his birthday present... that's two years in a row...  I think I need to hide things better!

Edited to Ad:  David wasn't looking for it, I simply didn't hide it very well!

Went to the Chapel

Fifteen months ago today, David and I were married! Before our first anniversary, we decided, after hearing the suggestion from another couple at our church, to celebrate "monthversaries." It seemed like so long until we would reach the one year mark and be able to celebrate that we didn't want to wait... so, we celebrated the 16th of each month... we'd go out to dinner or do something special. After our first anniversary, we continued the tradition. David took me to Chili's today for lunch in honor of the special day... it was very good. It was nice to be out with just David.

On the 16th of every month, it's nice to think about our wedding and our marriage thus far... Everything has been so great. I've heard people say the first year is the hardest one... If last year was "hard," I can't imagine what wonderful would be!