How to love my husband

So lately I've been really interested in learning how to love people the way they best receive love. I have especially been paying attention to my husband who's main 'Love Language" is words of affirmation. This post isn't going to be any deep thoughts but rather a public commitment to put Ryan's needs first and be held accountable for the words I speak to him. I want to build my husband up. In our culture, I think its especially important for husbands and wives to pay attention to this considering the odds are almost stacked against us to have a marriage free from any serious stumbles or fall outs. I have loved coming to the realization of just how special marriage is and how much I want to protect it. How cool to know that while I'm loving Ryan the best way I can, he has his heart set on loving me the best way he can! Loving this :)

Can God outdo himself??? You'll never believe this!!

If you have not read my previous blog post...please do so before reading this one!


Ok, so last Wednesday I wrote about our housing situation and asked for prayer. Let me tell you, this was not an easy thing as it allowed the blogging world into some personal information about Ryan and I's finances and mortgage decisions. Nonetheless, God has shown me that vulnerability and a little faith goes a long way. I left you with pleads to pray for the impossible. Well, Friday, only 2 days post prayer blog, our realtor called....

THE BANK ACCEPTED AN OFFER!!!!

No stinkin way?!?!? I know, that's what I said! AND, not only did Countrywide, er, Bank of America?? accept one of the offers but as long as we agree to pay a small small portion of our loan over the next 7 years at a modified 0% interest they will file the sale as "satisfied" and our credit will not be destroyed for the next 7 years as we expected!!!!

Umm....I think I could cry just typing this out. Wow...I'm still stunned with this whole thing. Isn't it funny how we ask for prayer for something and then are surprised when God answers? Kinda sad actually. This answer to prayer becomes the second example of what God is teaching me in my life:

I have always loved the idea of God's new mercies every morning. I'm pretty sure I've always liked that because at the end of most days...new mercies are exactly what I'm going to need to wake up to. Earlier this week I was extremely mean to my husband. I said very hurtful things that reflected what I know is not actually my heart, but rather the cleansing of a wound that I perhaps am not handling very well. We ended the night pretty quiet and contemplative on what was going on. I felt ashamed, he felt ashamed, we both felt scared. The next morning, he rolled over from snoozing his alarm and wrapped his arms around me. Grace... I felt wretched and he pulled me close. We didn't even need to rehash what had happened, there was just an understanding that we were both forgiven and needed to move forward. Ryan became the incarnation of God's new mercy. I believe God has taught me about grace through selling our house too. I thought it was about patience, but now I'm sure its grace. We don't deserve to be treated so kindly by our lender. Although the reasons why we had to move were out of our control, they didn't have to meet us where we were. We didn't get off the hook completely, and I'm kind of thankful for that. I know God disciplines to teach and because every good parent must discipline at times. That just shows me the brilliance of our Lord even more.

Thank you Lord for taking care of us. I know you didn't have to extend this amazing grace to us but you wanted to. You always want to. That is overwhelming to think about. Your grace is sufficient and your mercies never cease. I know you are teaching me this because you love me. I'm beginning to understand more what it means to be your child and depend on you and your provision. Thank you Lord for knowing me so well that you answered quickly ( I know, I know, we'll get to that next). You are good either way. If our house had foreclosed and our credit damaged you would still be good. Thank you that you chose to do things a different way. Again, your grace...


So, thank you all for your prayers. Seriously, from the bottom of my heart, the support we've received during this time has meant so much to Ryan and I. I hope this encourages and excites you like it has me!

Does God forget?

I just need to take a moment to ask for prayer. For some reason lately I have been asked quite a few times what the deal is with our house in Phoenix. Here is the deal:

ITS STILL FOR SALE

Now, I'm not saying that I doubt that God is involved with things such as real estate. But I will say that I am queen of comparing my situation with other people's same situation and have started to feel like God has forgotten about us. We've had some friends in the same place as us...needing to move to answer God's call but also needing to do the impossible and sell a house in Phoenix, Arizona. Each of them ended up with amazing offers which left them free from hassle and their credit intact. Not so much for us...

So here is what we need to happen. THE IMPOSSIBLE. We need the bank to actually accept one of the 2 offers on our house ASAP (they are busy dealing with forclosures). A bonus would be that our credit would be spared, or at least forgiveness in the future from a new lender of the unfortunate circumstances that caused this madness! AND, if you're a super prayer, you can pray for the even MORE impossible that some crazy lunatic would want to buy our house for FULL price :) I picture...big superhero, Christian investor man Haha

Regardless of what happens, I am absolutely confident that God has already used this situation to both teach Ryan and I about making such a big decision (such as buying a house) and also accountability and stewardship of His money.

On your marks...get set...pray!

P.S. Don't google image search Christian Superhero...who would have thought that would bring up raunchy images???? Geesh.