"And let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband-that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly" (Ephesians 5:33 Amplified).

This verse was the verse of my devotional at the beginning of the month. I could not resonate more with how much I desire to look at Ross in this way.  Sharon Janes; the author of the devotional I read that morning placed some great questions and realizations in the front of my mind this month. She says:

“Every husband; (whether they admit it or not!), desire for someone to think they are brave and brilliant, loving and logical, tough and tender, handsome and humorous, masculine and magical. That's the stuff of your man's dreams.

What does it mean to adore your husband?  Basically, it means to love him with all your heart...and let him know about it. Someone once said, "I like not only to be loved, but to be told I am loved."   Do you want to see your husband's face light up like a full moon?  Tell him you are amazed that he knows how to ________ or that you are impressed by his _______, then sit back and watch him glow.”

Marriage is dangerously difficult. These relationships are the most complicated, complex, thorny things here on this earth. No matter what though, I have chosen to love Ross through the toughest of times. I have chosen to ADORE him and thank God for sending little devotionals and scriptures to remind me of that every now and then. I need reminders. With my planner being filled to the very last white part of the page; my “to do list” sometimes needs to have “Speak gently, listen carefully and be slow to anger with your man as #1,2 &3!”

I think to myself, why should I pick out Ross’ flaws or be rude, careless, ungrateful, (the list of terrible things I could be and act like could go on forever) when I don’t deserve to be adored myself. I mess up and say/do things that wrong him all the time! We are two imperfect souls intertwined and I choose God’s life way over my own sinful self.

As a result, I put my respect and honor into practice and it is amazing. I am not always perfect and I don’t always get the reaction or response from him that I want but that is not the point. The point is that I am praying, trying, relying on God to love Ross in the way that God loves and adores me. I am drawing closer to God and allowing my husband to have the freedom to feel courageous, worthy of praise and irresistible to his wife.   

I could not have asked for more! He makes me dinner, cleans the house, pays the bills, fixes my car, makes me laugh until my stomach feels pains, loves me, adores me and most of all puts God first.  He IS the man of my dreams and my dream has come true!

Thank you Ross. Thank you Lord. 

Relying on Christ every day to serve Him more, 

Em

5 Peas in a Pod.

I'll be there for you

When the rain starts to pour
I'll be there for you
Like I've been there before
I'll be there for you
'Cuz you're there for me too...

 

Wikipedia defines friendship as:

...a cooperative and supportive relationship between two or more people. In this sense, the term connotes a relationship which involves mutual knowledge, esteem, affection, and respect along with a degree of rendering service to friends in times of need or crisis. Friends will welcome each others company and exhibit loyalty towards each other, often to the point of altruism. Their tastes will usually be similar and may converge, and they will share enjoyable activities. They will also engage in mutually helping behavior, such as the exchange of advice and the sharing of hardship. 

 

Basically, these girls put that definition into action and they ROCK at it! Mallory, Donna, Daniella, and Tara are like friendship superheros. These girls take me for what I am and who I will be and never let go. Across the country, across oceans, across everything, I know these girls will be in my life until I leave this place. 

In August, we gave Daniella a necklace of 5 peas in a pod; representing all of us. We each bought one ourselves and this simile, of course (peas in a pod), derives from the fact that peas from the same pod are virtually indistinguishable. When I wear the necklace, I am reminded of the blessings of all of you in my life!

 

"Well-behaved women rarely make history." Marilyn Monroe

 

That quote is right! We have really made it through anything. From people not talking for months, to fighting, crying, moving away, changing, confronting, bickering, boob hitting, yelling, wrestling, disagreeing, etc... you name it- we've been through it! Yet, I wouldnt trade any of it for the world! Us 5 have challenged each other and taught one another so many things- I would not be who I am without the 4 of you in my life. I am a better wife, daughter, friend, human, and follower of Christ because of you all!  

 

I cannot wait to reunite over Christmas and enjoy the

laughter, joy and new 2009 soundtracks of our lives!!!!

 I love you girls!!!!! xoxo Emms 

Home Made Survival Kit: Friends!

photo by Amanda Cannon. :)

“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art, like the universe itself (for God did not need to create). It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.”
C.S. Lewis

     God gave Ross and I such wonderful friends when He knew we would need them. Through all the times here in Boston, we have truly mustered up some great experiences and memories with friends He has gifted us with!

     Our very first Halloween in Salem! Handing out candy, enjoying chili for dinner, being amazed at all the pumpkins, people, creative costumes, etc. It was truly a night to remember. Full of laughter and fun, we all had a blast "surviving" together where Halloween is the capital of the world! How would we tackle this city without friends who pray, who watch out for each other, who love one another through our Lord Jesus? It would almost be impossible! But with God, everything is possible! So, we all raised our glasses that night around the table to Friendship; knowing we were put in each others lives as our very own survival kits.

    Thanks to Megan for being the BEST host (quoting Jesse). Thanks to Amanda for taking the time to photograph the memories! Thanks to Ross for going along with my idea and dressing up as Elton John (He was such a hot Gay man!). Thanks to all of you for dressing up and making the night FANTASTIC!

      The definition of value is: relative worth, merit, or importance. Lewis was right when it comes to my friends that is for sure!!! I am so blessed to survive with all of you! You add so much value to my life!!! I love you all!!

 

Now you're in New York!!!

“Adventure is a path. Real adventure – self-determined, self-motivated, often risky – forces you to have firsthand encounters with the world. The world the way it is, not the way you imagine it. Your body will collide with the earth and you will bear witness. In this way you will be compelled to grapple with the limitless kindness and bottomless cruelty of humankind – and perhaps realize that you yourself are capable of both. This will change you. Nothing will ever again be black-and-white.” -Mark Jenkins

 

My life changed in 2005. The Spring semester of my 3rd year in college I found myself venturing to a foreign country on a journey of a lifetime... Often we quoted this introduction as the theme of our life there... "This is the true story... of 10 strangers... picked to live in a house...work together and have their lives taped... to find out what happens... when people stop being polite... and start getting real...The Real World- South Africa." Yes, Observatory in Cape Town, South Africa to be exact.

Real adventure was second nature there and what I grappled with in Cape Town taught me that Grey is the color I see through my lenses of life. All of us have kept in touch and I found myself in Manhattan, NY this past weekend for a South African reunion. It was like drinking fine wine to meet up with everyone and reminisce about our lives together again.

What has make you in your life grapple with humankind?