*** UPDATE ***

We heard from a bank and we’re approved! We still have to come up with some money for the closing cost, but now we can move on!

—

Well, we still haven’t received an answer from a bank, for a loan. We are just trusting in God and wanting what He wants. And we have found, waiting is not such a bad thing. If you wait, you’re not rushing into something. It gives God time to work and for me to sit here and listen to Him.

Matt and I have been so thankful to everyone that’s been helping us. Our Real Estate agent has been so nice, a few friends have been as well. They have been giving us tips, putting in good words for us. Let’s us know that our names are not ruined. Because once your name is ruined, that’s it.

God has been so good to us, which we don’t deserve. I’m just thankful we serve a forgiving God and a God that knows all. He knows my heart, He knows what we truly feel. We don’t have to explain anything to Him, because He already knows.

“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. “

- Luke 6:38

As a Christian we should give back to the Lord. For all that’s He’s done for us, WHY NOT?! I feel nothing we could ever do, could fill an ocean full of blessings He’s given us. We must still strive to give though and be more Christ-like.

Matt and I have been tithing regularly now. We use to make excuses and think of reasons why we couldn’t. We don’t make enough money! Or we work out around the church, that’s our tithe. Why must we cheat God? After all, it is His money anyways. You think you had anything to do with what you have here on earth? NO!

If we can spend money on eating out and fast food, we can just give it to God. So, we have been tithing because it’s not ours, it’s God’s. And He’s been blessing us for it. Something we use to make excuses for, we give freely now.

I am grateful that God is in charge. I would not even want to be so for a day. Even though you know God is all like.. Don’t they live enough for themselves as it is? They need to live for me MORE! I just screw things up when they are in my hands. I would rather have a just, perfect, God in control than myself. I am stupid, He is a genius!

God has been walking beside me, through this whole weight loss thing. Sure, weight watchers has put me on a point system which I follow. But God has set my mind and heart on the right path. He’s keeping me strong, to stay away from mess I don’t need to be eating. Without Him, I could not do this at all! I’m losing weight and I feel great about it! Sure, it’s a slow process but at least I’m on that ’slow process’ now. Before I was just digging my grave with a knife and a fork! Now I’m focused and not being a glutton.

“For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.”

- Romans 11:36

Matt and I are looking into buying a house. It’s a very small house, but in a neighborhood we feel God wants us in. It’s even in walking distance of our church.

We looked at the house today, with a real estate agent(not the one we’ll be using). The house seems to be in good condition, it’s very small, but has a shed in the back to store things in. It could also be made into another room in the future, but that’s WAY in the future.

We’re excited about all this, but it’s up to God. We’re going to talk with a bank on Tuesday, talk money. We’re praying for God’s will be done with this WHOLE situation. It’s dangerous when you don’t follow Him, we always mess up when doing so. God is good and we know whatever happens, it happens for a reason. If we get the house, great. If we don’t, great. It just means God has something better in store for us.

Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,
and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

- Proverbs 16:20

I am thankful God is our Father. I’m thankful that he blesses us, and punishes us when we mess up. I’m thankful I can always turn to him, no matter what happens. He completely understands what is going on, because he knows me. He knows my heart, how many hairs are on my head. He knows what is in store for tomorrow, he knows what’s going to happen to me in 30yrs.

I use to not turn to Him about small things, now I turn to Him about EVERYTHING. I turn my day over to him, our finances, marriage, life, EVERYTHING! After all, it is the smart thing to do. It would be stupid of me to lean on myself, and to just trust in myself. I have screwed up way to many times. God never screws up, never changes. I would rather put my faith in trust in God, than myself. Me, myself, and I are only human. God is GOD!!!

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

- Proverbs 3:5-6

Today is Matt and my self’s 5 year anniversary. We’re very thankful to be here, because we both thought at one point, our marriage was not going to last.

When we first got married, we figured we didn’t need God in our marriage. We thought seeking things of this world was more important, we did what we could to seek it. And in not following God and seeking His will, we have had a lot of bad things happen in our marriage.

In our first year of marriage, we lost a house because we followed ourselves and not God. We thought it would be a good idea to move, but it turned out to be a terrible decision. Through the whole incident, we lost a house and our marriage. Matt and I split up, it wasn’t a fun ordeal.

We eventually got back together, but were not seeking God still. Our marriage continued to suffer because we thought our ideas were better than God’s. We have had a battle in our marriage and I know we’ll have many more trials in the future. No marriage is perfect by any means.

Now that we have surrendered to God, our marriage has changed. We’re both living for God, my husband is a man of God, and I’m very thankful for that. I know that my husband is praying and seeking God and he is the man of the house. I’m very thankful for that, I’m thankful for God’s blessings as well. God saw us through the rough times, even though we were stupid and acting like such idiots. Things could have gotten much worse back then, but they didn’t. I am thankful for that. =)

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

- 1 John 4:7-8

Real love comes from God. If you do not know God, you don’t know true love. You can read John 3:16 all day long, but it fully wont make sense til you put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

- 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

This scripture is a struggle. Even though we know what love is, it’s hard to put it to practice. It’s hard to forgive when your husband/wife has upset you. It’s hard not to be rude or self-seeking, it’s hard not to get angry, or keep a record of wrongs.

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

- Hebrews 10:25

So, first of all. God needs to be in the marriage, so you know true love. Also you need to encourage one another and be there for one another. One thing I know is Matt is always there for me. He’s been there for me when I had many of rants. Even when I’m crying and don’t even know why I’m crying! He’s there for me and loves me. I do the same for him, always. Once the lines of communication are broken, the marriage tends to die off.

I’m just so thankful for Matt. I’m thankful of where we are now in our marriage. We’re learning that it’s about God and not about us. We know that He put us together for a reason and He can do what He wants with us. I’m grateful that God paired me with such an awesome man, a man of God. A man that is not afraid to stand up for God, no matter what it takes. He makes sure we’re in church and involved in a church, he doesn’t just sleep in on those Sunday mornings. We’re in this together, and together we will be til God calls us home.

I love you Matthew Keathley! Thank you for putting up with me and my stupidity at times. I know we still have our issue’s, but I’m so thankful to be married to you. I’m so thankful we have what we have, and it’s unique. I praise and thank God each day for you.

Ordinary no, really don’t think so
Not a love this true
Common destiny
We were meant to be
Me and you

Like a perfect scene from a movie screen
Where every dream comes true
Suited perfectly for eternity
Me and you

Every day, I need you even more
At the nighttime too
There’s no way
I could ever let you go
Even if I wanted to

Every day I live
I try my best to give
All I have to you
I thank the stars above
That we share this love Me and you

Every day, I need you even more
At the nighttime too
There’s no way
I could ever let you go
Even if I wanted to

Ordinary no, I really don’t think so
Just a precious few
Ever make it last
Get as lucky as
Me and you
Me and you