Wow! It’s been a really long time since I’ve blogged. However, I have been validly busy! Since I last updated, I have gotten married (yay!), gone on a honeymoon, and been really busy with school. I can’t believe that over a month has passed, and it’s almost Thanksgiving. I guess I’ll just give some updates that I can remember, and after this, start blogging regularly again!
- Being married is wonderful, and I love watching movies and eating dinner and shopping with Billy. I keep getting asked what the best part about being married is, and I have a hard time putting my finger on anything specific. I just love that we get to do everything together and just experience life.
- School is crazy and I just cannot wait to have this semester over with. I have a huge paper to write for my American Writing class, and I am really dreading it, and I like to write. I just think I’ve been so busy that I can’t wait for a true break.
- Our friends, Paul and Amy, got married 4 weeks after us, and it was such a beautiful wedding. We are glad to add the last wedding of the year, and I’m so glad that they’re married now, too.
- The honeymoon was absolutely amazing. We went to Riviera Maya, Mexico, and it was gorgeous. Our resort was wonderful and we had so much fun relaxing. One of the highlights was this contest that they had one night that was modeled after “American Idol.” It was a singing contest, and Billy entered, and he WON! He won a bottle of Tequila, which we promptly gave away to one of Billy’s newly-made fans (who ended up being a HUGE fan after the gift).
- Living in a small apartment is so fun. I love being a wife, and I want to just clean all of the time (okay, well, that’s dramatic, but still…)! Really, though, I do love it, and I feel so blessed to be at this point in our lives.
- Couponing has gotten even better since we have been married. I think I’m the only girl I’ve met so far who’s husband helps her clip coupons! Seriously, he’s so awesome. We actually go in two lines every Sunday night so that we can get two Mystery Penny items at Publix. It’s so fun!
- I am looking forward to Christmas break so that I can read cheesy Christian romance novels. I can’t wait to stop reading this literary fiction. It’s only qualified as “literary” if it has a bad ending. I like happy, sloppy, romantic endings.
I think I should end this list, but thanks to anybody who stayed long enough to read this! I’ll update sooner, next time.
Oh, and here’s a wedding picture. I’ll put more on later!
Filed under: Uncategorized
I can’t believe that we are getting married tomorrow! I am so excited. I feel so blessed that all of the people we love have come around us to make our day so special. We have had family and good friends make their way to Charleston just for us! It’s so humbling to have so many people that are here for us! I never expected anything this wonderful.
Anyway, last night was our Rehearsal, and it was so much fun! Today, I have a bridal luncheon and then I have my bachelorette party tonight! I can’t wait! Billy is going to play golf during the day and then hanging out with the guys tonight!
And tomorrow is the big day! I’ll update after the honeymoon!!
I have heard that as women, we have a special talent for multi-tasking. I’m not so sure that I do, personally, but I really hope so, considering all that I have to do in the next week-and- a-half! Coming up, I have 2 midterms, one report, one huge paper, and all of the small wedding details to nail down. I’m pretty swamped, and I shouldn’t even be writing this blog, but I wanted to at least get this one in before the wedding (and hopefully one more)!
I don’t really know what I am even blogging about, but I was excited to do it.
I guess I will just give an update by listing a couple of things on my mind…
- Holy cow, there are ONLY 15 days left until I’m married!
- Holy cow, there are STILL 15 days left until I’m married!
- I am an official coupon-er. I just made up that word, but I think that it suits it. I think that Southern Savers is the best thing in the world, and this week I saved almost $60 by using coupons at Publix. It’s nowhere close to where I want to be, but I’m learning!
- Taking a senior level Bible class has kicked my behind, and it’s not even my major. Note to self: The title “Book Study of John” does not mean “Let’s get together for a Bible study and talk about how much Jesus loves us.” It really means that the professor will mention words you don’t know like “Soteriology” and “Docetism” and expect you to know them already.
- Budgeting is becoming more and more important, and we are learning a lot. Trial and error is not always the way to go with money, though. I’m learning that it’s just better to stay safe and not play around. You could go in the negative, or end up with a small amount in checking… I’m just saying.
Ok, so there is a lot more than that going on. But really, I just don’t have time, and anyone reading this probably thanks me for not ranting and raving any longer. Maybe I’ll squeeze in one more post before the wedding. If not, I’ll see you on the other side! Yipee!
Filed under: Wedding
It’s been a little while since I’ve really updated everything that’s been happening, and I think it’s because I’ve been so busy!
Well, today, the countdown on my dashboard (of my macbook) told me that I have one month and one week until our wedding! I just can’t believe it! It is really coming so fast, and most of the time I feel like it. We have been doing so much to prepare, but I’ll get to that later.
School started, and I love it! It’s been somewhat stressful, but also it’s been really fun! Already, I feel like I’ve learned a lot, and I love my English classes. Plus, it really has helped me to fill my time up… so much so, that I can get overwhelmed with this schedule I am keeping. But I know it’s worth it.
And, talking about a busy schedule, Billy and I have had a hard time getting away. I mean, we do see each other all of the time, but our one-on-one time has been cut down pretty drastically. Still, we try to make time to have fun. Last Sunday, we had a picnic on the beach, and then we went to Marble Slab (my FAVORITE)! It was so fun, and a good reminder of how much we love each other:
Anyway, about the wedding… We have been making such great progress! Things are falling into place, girls are getting their dresses ready, guys are getting their tuxes measured… really, it’s coming together! Next week, we are going to meet with Phillip, Anita, and the Fergusons (all who are so graciously helping at our reception… thanks again) to go hang out and look at the Embassy Suites (where the reception is) so that we can finalize some of our plans with that. My bridal portraits are coming soon, as well… Gosh, I can’t wait.
Oh! We have had so many weddings, that I just wanted to comment on those as well! They were all so beautiful and unique! I was amazed at how quickly they passed, and I’m just so glad that everyone is married now (except us, of course, and Paul & Amy). I’m pretty sure I cried at every one!
Ok, so that’s it for now… hopefully I’ll get one or two more updates in before the big day! Then I really will be Sarah Ann Rogers…. yay!
Tonight, I was reading Ezekiel, and in chapter 2, I came upon this, and I was amazed (verses 7-10):
“You must give them my messages whether they listen or not. But they won’t listen, for they are completely rebellious! Son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not join them in being a rebel. Open your mouth, and eat what I give you.”
Then I looked and saw a hand reaching out to me, and it held a scroll. He unrolled it, and I saw that both sides were covered with funeral songs, other words of sorrow, and pronouncements of doom.
What a send-off. Ezekiel had just been told that he was going to be sent to speak to the Israelites for God Himself, and the message was not going to be a happy one. He was told ahead of time that they were not going to listen happily or change or receive him at all, but they in fact, would be more rebellious. Oh, and, the last verse includes “pronouncements of doom,” to top it off.
I am not sure what I would do if I were in his position. What if God told me, “Sarah, I want you to go on the news, make sure all of the United States hears you, and then I will speak through you. The whole country is in disarray and I’m not happy with them. They are not really going to welcome this, and they will continue to do everything you and I tell them not to do. Make sure that you stand out, that you don’t become anything like them, and that you do everything I tell you to. And, just so you know, there will be war, and pain, and terrible things to come. I just thought I would give you a heads up.” I think that if God gave me this commission, I would feel the need to make some sort of contract before I jumped right in. But not Ezekiel. Actually, there are 46 more chapters of him doing exactly what God tells him to.
I know that God wants to use every one of us in a specific way. For me, I know that it has something to do with communication, writing, and hopefully with outreach. Everyone has a different calling and purpose, and different people God has for them to reach. There are so many possibilities. But what if we knew that we wouldn’t be received, we wouldn’t see any results come of our life’s calling, and we were going to encounter really tough life situations the whole way. That seems pretty heavy.
However, there is a good side. Sometimes, it took thousands of years for God to fulfill His promises or for things that were prophesied to come to pass. But, that is the cool part. God does work in and through all things, and when He orchestrates something, it’s just a blessing to be a part of it. Can you really imagine the other side of what Ezekiel must have felt? He had to be terrified and unsure, but he must have been freaking out in a good way, too! God had just talked to him, and told him that there was a mission for his life specifically, and that God was going to use him to talk to a whole nation. That is really amazing.
In the end, we can rest assured that Christ has ultimately won the victory, we can have peace when we are under His plan and in His will, and the joy that comes from following Him, and knowing we play an important part in His plan, will eventually heal any pain or rejection we feel in the course of our lives. And actually, those bad things are supposed to be seen as good because it allows us to be used by God! How backwards to us, but how much better!
Alright, so I know this was long, and for anyone who read the whole thing, thanks. I know that sometimes I ramble, but I can’t help it! I keep learning!
Filed under: Wedding
So, for the 8 total months that we will have been engaged, I have had some landmarks that I have looked forward to that have had to happen before we get married in October! So far, there have been quite a few that we’ve hit! I just realized it yesterday and wanted to make a list so that I could really see it.
Landmarks that have already passed:
- School ending in May
- Our birthdays in May and July
- Chelsie’s wedding in July
- Baillie’s wedding in August
- 2 of my bridal showers
- Leasing the apartment
- Painting the apartment (very cute colors, may I add!)
Landmarks I’m still waiting on:
- Billy moving into the apartment officially
- School starting
- Cami’s wedding
- Starting my job in the Writing Center at CSU
- My last bridal shower
- Billy’s man-party (basically a hangout for the guys while they bring gift-cards for Billy)
- Fall small groups for Genesis
- Mid-terms
- Rehearsal Dinner/Bachelorette Party
I can’t believe there are only 2 months left! Honestly, what I’m looking forward to most is being married! I’m sure the wedding will be wonderful, but I can’t wait to be Billy’s wife!
Filed under: God-time reflections, Wedding | Tags: 1 Timothy, Faithfulness, Gossip, Husbands, Wives
When I was younger, say, 14 or 15, I remember reading 1 Timothy 2 and writing it all down in my journal. I read all about what God had required of an Elder and of a Deacon in the church, and I decided to make that my checklist of characteristics that I wanted to find in my husband. I can honestly say that, although Billy isn’t perfect, he definitely has the quality of character and the integrity that was required of these men. I definitely am blessed to have such an amazing man to marry.
However, tonight, as I was re-reading the chapter, I noticed the one verse that talks about the wives of these men. It has four qualities that it points out, so I take that those must be very important, considering they were the only ones mentioned. Here is the verse (11):
Similarly, the wives must be of good character, not gossips, but temperate, faithful in everything.
I decided to look at all four things and dissect them a bit.
- They must be of good character: This might seem pretty straightforward, but I think it’s really important. We require and ask for integrity from our men, but we must have integrity in the same measure! I want people to trust and know me to be a godly woman and wife, just as much as i expect that kind of a husband from Billy.
- They must not be gossips: This is such a struggle for women. As a rule, we hold more words in our mouths, just waiting to come out, than men. Also, we are often more detailed, perceptive, and analytical… not to mention emotional. If we do not specifically watch our words and take special care not to gossip, it can come so easily. In fact, it’s our second nature to gossip… it doesn’t make it right, but it does make it something to look out for.
- They must be temperate: I don’t know about all of the other women out there, but I would not say that “temperate” is a word I would use to describe how I naturally am. I am emotional, extreme, up-and-down, and I can change my mind or my feelings in 5 seconds. However, this verse tells me that no longer is there the excuse that, “It’s just that time of the month,” or, “I just don’t feel like it,” going to cut it anymore. Nope! We are being called to consistency, which I know, for me, can only come through God. I’m a pretty inconsistent lady sometimes.
- They must be faithful in all things: Faithful wives, faithful mothers, faithful followers, faithful Christians, faithful prayers, faithful friends, faithful forgivers… That’s right, faithful in ALL things, even the hard stuff. I know that sometimes, I just want to give up, but not only is it a command, but it’s a fruit of the Spirit. Faithfulness, something that comes out of God inside of us.
Now, I don’t really mean to say that these things only apply to women, and I’m sure that Paul didn’t mean that either. It is only that these are things that we have to watch out for, especially. And because I’m praying for Billy to be that kind of man, I want to be this kind of a wife!
Filed under: Wedding
“Love and marriage, Love and marriage… They go together like a horse and carriage…” -Frank Sinatra
That’s right! It’s wedding season; just what everyone in my circle of life has been waiting for. In just a few days, two wonderful people, Robbie and Chelsie, will be tying the knot! And three weeks later, Baillie and Mike will follow! I feel like I’m in a happy hurricane of ribbons, shoes, flowers, and showers! Things have come so quickly, and I cannot wait for this Saturday to watch the first wedding come. It will be beautiful, and not to give much away, but there will be blues and browns and a beautiful, curly haired bride (with her curly haired groom)! I think I will cry, as I am in an emotional whirlwind right now. And then, Baillie’s wedding will be totally different, but just as beautiful! It’s going to be so fun to see, and I’m suspecting more zebra stripes than any of us have ever seen!
It’s amazing that so many people have found such amazing love. I read love stories all of the time, but I can assure you that it is so much more amazing to see and hear and feel them in real life! So, congrats, Robbie, Chelsie, Mike, and Baillie, and I cannot wait to be involved in, and cry at, and be so happy for both weddings! All of the weddings are such a wonderful, happy way to pass the time until my own wedding, and only make me more excited!
Three cheers for love!
So, even though I would say I definitely feel like our wedding is coming at an incredibly slow pace, I cannot believe it is already summer. We only have a little over three months left, and I know that we will be busy enough to fill the time until October. It will really help to pass the time with the two summer weddings I have coming up, and I am so excited for both of them! It is so fun; I feel like we are just going to parties all year long (7 weddings total, I think, not including Bridal Showers)!
Anyway, I feel like I have definitely been a little late on posting this, but recently, Billy and I have gotten to spend time with all three sets of our Grandparents. For me, it was the first time meeting his in May (they’re from New Hampshire). I loved them! They were adorable, so in love, and just accepted me with open arms. The last night of their visit, they sat across the table from us, drinking coffee, and giving us marriage advice. It was the coolest thing in the world! They even got teary, which made us both cry, and I had only known them for three days! I just know that I am going to love getting to know them better.
Also, a couple of weekends ago, Billy and I went up to Columbia and stayed with my grandparents for a night. Not only did I love having him there just because I love him, but he really did bring out a different side of my grandparents. Billy is so calm and such a gentle listener, and he makes you feel like he really wants to hear everything you are saying. Anyway, my grandma talked to us all about her job, and her life, and what she likes, and nutrition… it was so fun, and I felt so completed by Billy because of what he brings out in people.
Well, I know this was kind of sappy, but I really am discovering such cool things about getting closer to Billy and the awesome effects it is having in our lives and in the way I view family. I love him, and I’m guessing it’ll only get better on October 17!
Filed under: God-time reflections
One of my favorite books in the Bible is Hosea. I don’t know if it is because of Francine Rivers’s Redeeming Love or not, but I get so much from it.
For quite some time, I have been continuously going back to Hosea 6, and getting something new out of it every time.
Tonight, I was reading it, and this is what spoke to me:
Come, let us return to the Lord! He has torn us to pieces, and now he will heal us. He has injured us; now he will bandage our wounds. In just a short time he will restore us, so that we may live in his presence. Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn… -Hosea 6:1-3
I think that these verses seem contradictory. God as tearing his children to peices, just to heal them? I had to think on it, and this is what I came up with. I know that God is justice. In him is no darkness, no evil, no wrong. Because of this, when we sin, the righteousness of God battles against the sin inside of us. This causes us to be broken down, injured, torn. His justice tears our flesh to pieces. But in his mercy, and through his son and his desire to be in relationship with us, he comes down and heals us. Its funny for me, because the thing that is hardest for me is the most necessary for my relationship with God. This equation that equals healing and restoration calls for brokenness and injury and tearing up of our flesh and our nature. It doesn’t sound fun, pleasant, lovely, or joyful, and it’s not. But, in these verses, it seems to say that for God to heal us, we must be torn up. Jesus came for the sick, not the healthy, and that is all of us. We are all sick, sinful, fleshy. We just don’t all acknowledge it (or at least, I don’t do it all of the time). I would much rather not look at that part of myself. But to discover God’s healing and restoration and to live fully in his presence, I must become broken, show my wounds, admit my downfalls. God doesn’t ask for perfect. In fact, it seems that here, he’s specifically calling for brokenness. Not that this should be equated to self-hatred. That’s not God. He is all about showing us what we are and where we need him, and then responding to our cry for him, arriving when we admit our need of his healing, and reaching out to his children that long to be with him. His desire is to pick us up, put bandaids back on us, and walk hand-in-hand with him. I don’t know if I’ll ever be a mature enough Christian to depart from this stage with God. I don’t think I’ll ever want to.
