Distance

I must apologize for my lack of writing lately...juggling a newborn and busy 4 year old, well, it's enough to wipe ya right out! I have written and thought about so many things in my head while resting or washing bottles or feeding, and with some time this morning, I figured I would finally get my words out.
I was thinking about distance and the old addage that the distance between two points is a straight line, and although on paper that might be true, it isn't always the case in real life. I often imagine the image of a path God is leading us on and the twists and turns it takes to get to the destination...I must admit I don't always like the twists and turns, but if I keep pressing on, moving forward, the destination is coming. I think I know what the destination is going to look like, but it sometimes turns out to be something completely different. Am I okay with that? Depends...depends where my eyesight is. Am I focused on the destination or the Deliverer who go us to the destination? Am I only focused on getting there or the road that leads up to getting there??? Come on, admit it, no one likes the twists, the turns, the bumps, but isn't that part of getting to the destination? What if we changed our focus and learned to ride through the obstacles? Whether together or by yourself, you have to come to a point at some time where you choose to kick and scream and pout at the obstacles or embrace it. I am not saying your shouldn't sometimes question the obstacles...for instance, I received an email this morning from a friend of mine who is stuck in a destination that she doesn't want to be at, physically. She would prefer to be closer to home, to family, but God moved them some years ago and has proceeded not to move them back just yet. I, personally, think she has done her time and have pleaded to God to grant their hearts desires to return closer to home. With that being said, God may not be finished with them in that place yet...she knows that, she is wise beyond her years, but it's still hard to swallow.
So, in light of all that, I have been pondering my own response while on this journey to the bumps, bruises, twists and turns of life...I need to be better about it, my husband needs to be better at it, we, as a couple, need to be better about it. It's a long journey, and the ultimate destination with the Lord is better than any small destination of church or city or anything else.

From this day forward...

I promise to love, honor and cherish this man that God has given me. Seven years ago today we pledged our love in front of God, our family and many friends and it was one of the most wonderful days we have shared.

In recounting our days together it adds up to something like this...

7 years

4 cities

2 apartments

2 houses - one we rented, one we purchased

2 degrees - his Masters and my Associates

2 kids

1 purchased car

2 gallbladder surgeries

4 grandparent passings - 3 of mine last year, 1 of Jeremy's in 2004; not to mention the 2 we had while we dated/engaged

4 nephews and 1 niece being born

1 trip to Africa

A lifetime of memories, pictures, scrapbooks and blogs = PRICELESS

There are just not enough words to express how I feel about this man. He is a follower of Christ with all of his heart, truly loves me and our 2 boys. He studies hard. He is funny and smart and challenges me. He pushes me forward with loving hands. He doesn't act impulsively, yet has spontaneity at times. He thinks about others first and is sacrificial. He loves reading and has a collection of books to prove it. He is tedious about details, particularly pertaining to our house. He works hard for our marriage and I love that. He works hard and people respect him.

As I have said many times before...I can't imagine walking through this life with anyone else by my side. Thank you, Lord, I am often reminded how much I don't deserve him...but by God's grace, I get to have him!

Jeremy, I love you.

Covenant vs Contract

It just blows my mind what can happen in a week. A week ago last Wednesday I called a realtor lady whom we met at a Home Buying Seminar. She was nice and I clicked with her, so I figured she might be able to help us locate a home. We have been looking for a while, so I just needed some help finding what I wasn't seeing. By Sunday we were out looking, by Wednesday we had narrowed it down to a neighborhood and Friday my mom came to look at the two we had chosen. I was okay with the houses. Did you hear? I was just okay. I have settled in my mind that we couldn't go any bigger or any more money, so I was okay with it being a small cute house in a nice neighborhood...and then we said, well, can we just go by these two other houses in two different neighborhoods in a different school zone? They are a little more money, but we want to see them. Voila. We see them on Friday with my mom and gracious alive, she and I love them and Jeremy loves it too! Dinner, tried to sleep, and by 6:00 PM today we made an offer. DID YOU HEAR ME? We made an offer on a house!!!!! Now, this is not really a time of celebrating, it's just a time of waiting. pure torture, I say. :) hee hee.

In dealing with all that, it gave me a new found perspective on this contract and covenant thing. We hear and preach so much of marriage being a covenant, much like the one Christ made with his Bride, the Church and it was so hard bringing the word contract back in my realm of thinking. When we sign those lines, it is a contract. We want certain things, a price, closing costs, warranties, etc., and the other party wants money. We are thinking of paint colors and furniture and this is a big deal.

My marriage is just as equally a big deal! I didn't sign but one piece of paper, the marriage license, to marry Jeremy. Aside from the words and promises I made to Him, before God and everybody, there is no "contract" of sorts. It's a covenant relationship. It's vital. It's important. It cannot be broken. So, in the midst of all this, remind yourself this week that your marriage is not a contract, it's a convenant.

Rest of the Week and Home from Camp

Been out of touch, but all for good reason...been on "vacation" from the grind and from the Boo. :) I only worked three days last week, so I was writing my Thankful Thursday from my own room! Thursday was nice! We worked out with a trainer at our apartment complex - that was not the nice part. I didn't eat breakfast, so it didn't start out so good. After an apple it got better, but after finding out the cost I fell into much nausea again. We agreed to discuss it and we would let them know.
After that, we drove up to Helen, GA. Nice drive from our place and we managed to dodge most of the rain. We watch several people make fudge and candy apples and walked around looking at all the nick-nacks. We drove up to Unicoi Lodge and scoped it out...I recalled a retreat I went to there years ago, and Jeremy and I just enjoyed being with one another, talking and sharing and laughing - lots of laughter. He took me to eat at a new seafood place near Lake Lanier park and it was yummy.
Frida we started our day at the driving range. Hubby got a new driver and wanted to try it out. I brought a book to enjoy, but managed to hit a few balls myself. :) I am still learning. We then drove and made a huge decision to join a fitness club. We liked the place, knew some friends went there, and took the plunge. This wasn't a spur of the moment decision; it's been a long time coming. I went to another appt on Tuesday where my BP was still high...it's not just stress...it's LIFE CHANGE and it needs to happen soon or I won't be around to see my child grow up. That might sounds drastic, but it's truth, and I am up to admitting that I need help, so that's why we joined the fitness club. We each have our first appointments on Monday evening.
We topped Friday night off at Stoney River Steakhouse. We didn't gorge ourselves, because, you know, the fitness club, but we did have a great meal.
Saturday, our actual anniversary, was spent going to get the BOO BEAR! We met at a 1/2 way point, had lunch, and then brought our Boo home. He looks so much taller and talks some mature. Oh my heavens...I just missed him sooooo much! I did enjoy the time with Jeremy as well, so maybe in a few months he can go back and spend some time. My sister-in-law wants him now and she didn't get that much time with him...:) He had a great week! We had a great week! Till next time....

Newlyweds Again

AHHHHHH!
Did you hear that?
Yeah, me too.
Nothing. You could hear a pin drop in this place! No little man...you hear ME??? NO LITTLE MAN!
Boo is enrolled at Camp Nana and Papa this week. I said goobye to him last night really when I put him to bed, but managed to sneak into his room this morning (early!) and kiss him and tell him I loved him. He will be there till Saturday. Nana and Papa will take such good care of him - I know this, because my in-laws raised 5 kids. I wasn't sure who was more excited - Boo or Nana! He will get to see his cousins and auntie too, I think. Praise God for family.

How am I? I doing okay, but like I said you could hear a pin drop! Jeremy is at a meeting and I am home just relaxing, cathing up with old friends and all of their kids and family. So, we are newlyweds this week...and did I mention, this weekend will mark SIX YEARS for this Greer family. Hard to believe that much time has passed and that we used to live in Texas for a brief stint of our marriage. We are taking some time off later in the week to spend with each other and get away from the grind of life. The Do Not Disturb sign will be up come Thursday. :)

On another note, my replacement at work started today. Hip Hip Hooray!!! I love her dearly and pray that she stays a long time there...I have three weeks to take my brain out, dump all the work info and put it in her brain. Wish my luck! :)

Resting in Him-
Karen

Faith Lifts!

Boy does it ever...Faith does lift me and when Faith Lifts was started a while back, I became an avid reader. Today I have the incredible privilidge of having an article featured on there. It's under the Marriage section and you can click on the above picture and it will take you directly to it.
My faith made me who I am today, a sinner saved by the grace of our Lord. May you draw close to Him today.


Karen

Rest and Relaxation

Hey! I'm back!! We had a wonderful time, thank some of you for asking and thanks for the wonderful emails I received while I was away, taking a few days to spend with my sweet husband. Callaway Gardens was beautiful and I can only imgaine what it must look like during the Spring time! I can't wait to go back there and take Boo to see the butterflies. I honestly could have stayed all day at the Butterfly Garden. We toured the sites, enjoyed the Bed and Breakfast nearby, but most importantly talked. We do normally talk, but when we go away, we have an agenda. Agendas are awesome and it gives us the opportunity to focus and concentrate. We had some spiritual time talking and sharing and I believe the Lord was pleased by the time we spent. It's good to get away to put perspective on circumstances and to pray about how to handle certain issues when we return. I would recommend every married couple to do that once a year....just get away, go and pray together, and spend quality time with each other.

It's November! Where did October go? Did anyone else feel that way??? I am glad, because I love the holidays, so I am all ready right now to get a Christmas tree! I think Jeremy feels the same way. Oh! I completely forgot to tell you...I got the most amazing gift. I have wanted one for a long time, but never really had a place for one, but my in-laws brought over the China cabinet!!! It's the only piece of furniture that I have never had in my whole life, and I was thrilled to get my mother-in-law's cabinet. It currently sits in our dining room, and we have made room for it and need to get rid of the cabinet that was there, but I can't wait to put my dishes in it!! It's my first piece of family furniture that I have. Whenever the Lord gives us a house one day, I hope to get my mother's rocking chair too. It's one of Jeremy's favorites.
That's really the biggest news around here. Work is the same - busy, but good. Boo is doing well at school, but still needs prayer on the pottying. The GBC is next week and I am attending the Minister's Wives lunch. After that, well, it's Turkey Day!!!

Have a great day in our Lord!

Karen

Tags: Callaway Gardens, GBC, Marriage

Time Away

In three days my husband and I will be having some time away with each. This will actually make our second trip away this year for a weekend and leaving the Boo bear with his Nana and Papa. We are headed to Callaway Gardens. I have never been there, so I am actually very excited about the trip.
I gotta admit...we need the trip. It seems like right before we go on a trip away, the Lord starts working on us heavily about some things...this trip would be no different. We already keeping telling each other, 'we can talk about that this weekend...or let's address that this weekend'. I like knowing we can sit down, pray, not be interrupted and re-connect with each other. We feel the need to do that now more than ever. Please pray that as we enjoy each other's company this weekend, the Lord would speak to our hearts in a mighty way. I want more of you, Lord.

Enjoy Him today -

Karen

I forgot...

Kudos to my husband who created a blog! I am so proud of him! He even posted a picture of him and David!
www.toknowyou.blogspot.com

Way to go Jeremy!

I love that guy!