Wonderful Wednesday

Wonderful things this week:

 Lunch at Applebee's last week with Elin, my sis, nephew and mom! 

A fundraiser was being held to support a sweet little girl, 8 years old, who has recently been diagnosed with cancer. Please pray for this young girl and her family!  

 I had the opportunity to teach my lupus support group on Monday. I was so glad I was able to do so! I miss being a nurse and educating patients, so this was very fun for me! Although it is always an enjoyable and educational night with our regular attenders, I don't understand how there are only ever 3 people that come and that I am the only one under 50? Lupus strikes women between 20-30 years old. How can we reach these ladies to get the support and education they need? Something I am passionate about!

 

 Yay for fall! I love fall. Elin says 'CHEEEESE' as soon as I pull out my phone to take a picture! 

LOVE IT! 

Happy 7th Anniversary! I love him. 

 

 We had a blast on our date night Saturday celebrating our anniversary. We went to an AWESOME restaurant where we started out with delicious warm artisan bread dipped in EVOO and balsamic glaze for our "7th" anniversary! Fun! I also indulged in a glass of pinot noir which was oh so tasty. Jared had a fresh mozzarella pizza with basil leaves on homemade dough. This surprised me because he usually is such a meat eater! I had whole wheat penne (I was so excited to see that I could choose whole wheat pasta) topped with grilled red and yellow peppers, onion, and spicy sausage, coated in a balsamic reduction and sprinkled with fresh grated parmesan cheese! YUMMO! Can you totally see my love for food by these descriptions?!?  

After our wonderful dinner, we headed to Starbucks to get a couple coffee's. I had a gift card and a bag of ground coffee we had finished at my parents the previous night. (If you take the empty bag in, you get a FREE tall drip coffee) YES!

Our final stop was to see the movie Taken 2. We had seen the first one and thought it was really good, so we of course wanted to see the follow up movie. Oh dear me. I have been having heart palpitations throughout my normal days, without an intense movie. Can you imagine what I was going through!?! I was literally on the edge of my seat most of the time, asking Jared who's idea it was to see this movie because I was sure I was going to have a heart attack! It was as good as the first by the way! ;)

  

We had a family photo shoot last friday at my parents home. We had such a fun time! This is the first time our whole family has done professional photos! I cannot wait to see the rest and share them with you!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

For Better For Worse, Sickness Or Health

Today, Jared and I celebrate 7 wonderful years of marriage!

Today, I celebrate and amazing husband, father, caregiver, friend, encourager, on and on I could go. 

Simply put: an incredible man of God. 

I decided to take a look back, way back, into the beginnings of US. 

I was an energetic, emotional, creative, junior high school girl infatuated with a boy! ;) He was laid back, quiet, soft spoken, hot older man. Haha, ok, as in "older man" I mean high school student. Quite hot yes, and still. 

As we celebrate the commitment we made on this day 7 years ago, I can't help but think if I had known at that time the way my health would go, would things have changed? Would I have told him that I could not let his life take that route of having to take care of a "sick" wife the rest of his days?

Jared did not know on or wedding day that he would all too soon know what it truly meant to love me, comfort me, honor and keep me in sickness and in health. 

I know that he would not have it any other way. My supporter and earthly strength.  

He is amazing!

This morning, I watched our wedding video and jotted down some of the words spoken by Pastor Eric B. during our ceremony. The words he spoke are intertwined with photos of our many years. Enjoy!
 

 

  Enjoy differences. Those differences complete you. 

Cherish the fact that God has given you each other to complete you. 

  

As life and reality come at you, grow with one another.

 

Hang on to one another tightly when trials come, because they will come.

The closer you each remain in Christ, the closer you will remain close as a couple. 

He has joined you as one. This is the day you become one, emotionally , physically, emotionally. Hand in hand you are entering marriage. 

Hand in hand you are stepping out in faith for this awesome journey as being one.

In the years ahead you will need those hands those hands will be both hands strength and of tenderness.

 

 Be firm in your commitment, don't let your grip become week.

Be flexible as you go through change. Hold each others hands with tenderness. Remember, you don't walk this path alone. 

There is also the out stretched hand of Jesus, who is binding the two of you together now. 

I Jared, take you Rachel, to be my wedded wife. To have and to hold from this day forward. For better and for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness or in health to love and to cherish till death do us part. I pledge to you my faithfulness. 

 

 This ring is a gift to you, as a symbol of my unending love.

 

The same father who gave each of you life individually, is now giving to one another so you can now live as one. 

The two shall become one. 

May the One in whose name you are joined, who worked in your lives as individuals, continue to walk with you in a new light together. 

 

 What God has joined together, let no one separate. 

As God made you one on this day, may He continue to keep you as one. May you always be aware of His presence, His bond, His love, and His grace. 

Happy 7 years babe!

I love you forever.