Mini Vaca taught me this... my husband is too nice.

Jake and I started our week in Orlando at a Timeshare, just for two nights.. it was short but kind of FREE so we weren't complaining! It's nice to get out of town and enjoy each other's company outside of the normal routine. Sunday started with Sunday School and Church at Westside, then we headed to Chobee to drop off the dogs.. Well two of them. Our big guy is spending the week up in TN with his "Grandparents" - they were kind enough to take him along and we're quite sure he's loving life. His Uncle Nic was excited that Hank was able to hang out with his son, Moose on Father's day weekend.. ha! (I assure you we do know that they are in fact dogs, but they're family.)

     

ANYWAY - After dropping off the crazy little white faced ones at my parents we were off! Once to the hotel we got up to our room to get settled. We scoped out the pools and then got ready for dinner. With the NBA championship on TV we opted for the Ale house down the road to enjoy the game. Jake can talk to anybody and made friends with the guy sitting next to him at the Bar. Jake is nice. I saw this at dinner, but I also saw it the next morning. 

You see the reason our two night vacation was "free" was because we had to sit through a ninety minute presentation about why we should buy this timeshare... we are in no position to buy a timeshare so we went in with the mindset of NO we are not interested but give us your best pitch, we'll give you our best "no thank you", and be on our way $175 dollars richer... Our ninety minute presentation turned into a 3 hour presentation as my husband is just TOO NICE. It was quite funny and by the end of it I was so ready to sit by the pool that I looked at Jake and very nicely said "SHUT UP" when the salesman walked away. When we left with our gift card in hand I told Jake that I knew who would do the negotiating next time we went to buy a vehicle.. and it didn't rhyme with rake..

We enjoyed the rest of our day by the pool and then showered up and headed to a restaurant that Jake has been raving about since last October when he visited while at a school conference. It's called  The Pharmacy, and had a real 1930's speakeasy feel. The food was fantastic and the atmosphere was just as awesome. We got two different meals and shared them, and I ate an oyster for the first time!!

This was the entrance.. So cool!!

That night we slept like babies with full tummies and got up early to pack and head to Seaworld the next day.. We rode every roller coaster sitting on the front row and most of them twice! We watched my favorite show with the Sea Lions and Otters, and ended the day with a Shamu Ice Cream bar. 

This weekend away was just what we needed after a pretty stressful first few weeks of summer, thank you Jesus for blessing us with the opportunity! 

What kind of people get married twice?! Us. We did that.

Getting married in front of a Cross was something I always wanted, and we got to do it twice!

  

               

  

                    

  

Seriously, God? Throw me a bone here!

YOOO!

I'm coming at you this morning after church, farmer's market shopping, family lunch, and before heading to life group... it's been a busy Sunday.

Headed home from church Jake and I were talking about our finances, and we were frustrated. We both seem to ask the same question, "Where does the money go?!" We're young, and we're paying off the mistakes of credit card mishaps now as we are married. Much of that credit card expense was not spent carelessly but provided fixing of a vehicle when needed, an emergency c-section for a dog we didn't know was pregnant, a truck payment when Jake's surgery cost us more than what we had, and a few other things that were out of our control..but we're still paying them now nonetheless.

We are not frivolous spenders, and we feel like we are trying our hardest to get ahead the right way. We haven't walked away from any debt, and are really working hard to pay it off as quickly as we can. Both of us are working beyond our full time jobs to make some extra money to try and speed that up, we are extremely open with each other and are constantly communicating before, during, and after we spend any amount of money. And yet, we still feel like we can't get ahead.

Obedience. God calls us to obedience. And he is faithful. So faithful.

As easy as it is to look at our finances negatively, we are trying to look at the upside. EVERY bill, debt, and need was met that needed to be met for this pay period. (And has been met for every pay period before..even when we didn't know how it would, it got covered.) We didn't have to put anything on credit and we were able to buy our plane tickets to Wisconsin at an AWESOME price (366 TOTAL round trip) without putting them on a credit card. We filled our gas tanks and our fridge and freezer are full of enough food to get us through until the next check rolls through.. We are taken care of. We have been provided for. We are okay.

Jesus told us not to worry about tomorrow for tomorrow has it's own worries.. (Matthew 6:34)

In Matthew 6: 25-24 Jesus teaches about worry, and it comes down to seeking first HIS kingdom, and HE will give us everything we need. He knows our needs, he knows the status of our debts, he is aware of our bank accounts and how much or how little we may have. It's no surprise to him. He asks us to focus on today, and to seek Him first above all else.

God is good. He provides.

It's hard when you want so much, but feel like you're never going to get there.

BUT, perspective...

Jobs? We have those. Ones that provide health benefits, PLENTY of vacation time which means opportunity for more schooling or other jobs and hobbies for added income and fun!

Cars? Two that can reliably get us where we need to go!

House? One in a prime location with a fantastic yard and so much potential. We've had so much fun updating it together. Plus in a few years we'll get to buy it!

Each other... yeeeeah it's sappy. But it's true. I've got a husband who loves me more than I could ever fathom, who encourages me and forces me to see the bright side of everything. Even on the dreary days, he provides all the smiles.

And the most important thing.. Jesus? DUH! And he meets EVERY need!


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So I wrote that last Sunday, and never posted it. And since that Sunday God has blessed us even more so than just covering our needs, he went above and beyond.

God is good, and oh so faithful.

Seek HIS Kingdom first, and the he will provide EVERY need and many of the wants that are best for you.. ;)

God,

Thank you for consistently meeting every need. You know the number of hairs on our heads, you knew what we'd struggle with before you created the Earth, and you love us with an immeasurable love. Help us to trust you in every circumstance, no matter how desolate some may seem. You are good, all the time.

Amen!

Full Circle(s)

This past weekend I got to spend some time with AWESOME women of God, one of them being my own Ma :)

I had been on one of these Encounters before, and it was equally as awesome. But remember the new name of this blog..Padrick in Progress... since my last encounter, a lot has changed. It's been 3.5 years since the last time I went. I didn't want to go, but knew I needed to. You see the last few months I've felt a stirring in my spirit.. one calling for more. But I've been scared. Scared of what "more" looked like. 

During the first session of worship before we got started on Friday evening, I couldn't even sing through the last 2 songs. I was so overwhelmed.. HE loves so greatly, and I was wrapped in it. As the songs filled the room I was reminded of all that has transpired since the last time I was there.

You see, the last time I was standing in that room, I was battling some issues that left me without any peace. Unforgiveness, insecurity,  and a lack of trust in God's sovereignty. But Friday I stood with hope, appreciation, and a thankful heart for all He's given and continues to provide. I stood with a full trust that God is who He says He is, and that He can do what He says He will do.

As I stood enraptured by his presence, I kept thinking "Full Circle, I've come full circle"...When I sat down after worship I jotted down what the Holy Spirit was speaking to my heart.

"Full circle, and there are multiple circles - like olympic rings they bind and are stronger. He brings us around and links us to another. People, experiences, strength, a deeper rooted trust in his goodness and his faithfulness. He BREAKS our steel chains of bondage - anger, depression, fear, selfishness, lust, inferiority... and he links a GOLD, royal, unbreakable ring of His grace, unconditional love, peace - His Holy Spirit." 

Life is hard. BUT GOD gives us a way to face it with our heads held high. (Isaiah 43:18-19)

Stresses bind us BUT GOD says that he leaves us with a Peace that the world cannot give. (John 14:27)

Our families seem to crumble BUT GOD brings beauty from ashes. (Isaiah 61:3)

Sickness and infirmity run rampant BUT GOD bore the whip so we could be healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

In all things.. BUT GOD.

He brings us around our circumstances no matter how hard, into the deep and out to the other side. And through that we see that there's so much more that God has for us. And then He wants to use us to bring freedom to those still living in the circles of bondage - fear, anger, bitterness, and just the hurt that comes with living in a broken world. 

Jesus makes us whole. He doesn't just allow us the opportunity to "get into Heaven".. but HE MAKES US WHOLE. When we choose to hold onto the baggage that is no longer bound to us, it's like saying his death wasn't enough. But it was. That death covered ALL... and his resurrection brings healing. He wants us to walk in freedom. He'll bring you full circle, over and over and over again. He'll teach you how to hold your head high and he'll hold it for you when you just can't seem to pick it up yourself. That's all He wants, for you to trust in the love that He has for you, and to live in the freedom that has come through the cross. 

Freedom. BUT GOD. Full circle. Trust. Insane Love.