A Special Day...

Today we are celebrating the birthday of a certain gent who means the world to us three ladies. He doesn't get a tonne of coverage on the blog, but he is so supportive and encouraging of this little online corner.

We love you Papa... you are an amazing husband, daddy, leader and friend... and we are so blessed to have you as our special man.

We thank God for you!

Happy Birthday from your girls. xxx

Happy Birthday David!

I also need to say a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to this guy...

He's turning the grand old age of 30 today!

Boy, do I appreciate this guy. We adore him, and I know he'd do just about anything for us, his girls.

Thank you for being my best friend.

I love you.

Happy Birthday

Cx

"Wife after God": Review and Giveaway!

This past week I've been working my way through a fab little devotional called "Wife after God" and I'm loving it! Marriage is taking a bit of a hit in our society, and the wife/husband relationship is currently under attack from the media, from the Government and from our own sinful natures. All too often, my biggest desire is my own comfort and well-being, not how I can edify my marriage... I don't want to go for a walk (even though my hub loves a good old walk and talk) and so I'll turn down the suggestion, even though I know some of our best conversations and deep and meaningfuls happen while we're roaming our local streets!

This little book is a 30 day devotional which seeks to grow us as wives in our relationship with God, thereby impacting our relationships with our husbands; it is refreshing, it is practical, it is readable and its challenging. This past week I can honestly say I have been more intentional and reflective within my marriage, and though its shown me some stuff about myself I'd rather not have seen, I am thankful for this little book, and excited to keep reading it...

Whose it for?

Christian wives - whether your husband is a Christian or not. The book is helpfully written bearing both situations in mind. It is a fab little devotional if you're someone who regularly spends daily time with the Lord, but its also a great resource if you're someone who has struggled to get into that routine. It is short and sweet but very well structured and very challenging. If you're in a phases of life (like me!) where you have small children crawling round you all day, it is the perfect length.

So how does it work?

The book is split into 30 two-page readings that cover a particular aspect of marriage... Just the chapter titles alone are enough to get you reading... "Ministry of Reconciliation", "Marriage is to make you Holy" and "Prayer for your husband" were three that really stood out to me. Each mini chapter opens with a scripture reading, and then a "thought" section to unpack the Scripture and apply it. There is then a prayer which has been written to specifically pick up on the themes for that day, and then the practical comes... Each day, there is a challenge - something practical that you can do that very day to put into practice what you've been reading about. These range from simply discussing something with your husband, to an activity, to an attitude check. They are small, achievable and helpful goals. 

After the challenge, there is a daily status update, for all you tweeters out there, although I decided to refrain from this (some aspects of the book are quite "American" and perhaps wouldn't go down so well in a more British culture - perhaps I'm making excuses, but that was the decision I felt comfortable with!)

The chapter closes with some questions for you to journal about. I found this bit soooo helpful. Simply to take the time to reflect on God's word and how that is impacting my marriage was SO helpful and I have genuinely really enjoyed taking the time to actually reflect on and take a close look at our marriage... A relationship that is SO easy to take for granted.

Where can I get it?

You can find out more information about this devotional here, but you can also go ahead and order a copy through Amazon here for £8.97, I can promise you it will be worth every penny, and will be something you will return to time and time again.

And...

Jennifer has very kindly sent me a copy to give away to one of you, my lovely readers! All you need to do is leave a comment (with your full name) in the comments section below! The giveaway closes at midnight on Friday (6th) and I will be announcing the giveaway winner on Saturday 7th (so make sure you check back!!)

I highly recommend this book - whether you're engaged, or you've been married fifty years... It has something to say to all of us. I can guarantee you will be challenged and encouraged as a result.

DISCLOSURE: I have not been paid to write this review. All opinions are my own. We did, however, receive "Wife after God" free of charge.

Lessons learnt in marriage...

Yesterday afternoon I spent some time with my lovely newlywed friend. She was beaming and happy and loving her new home; pottering around the house and making it beautiful (they are doing a complete remodel and its looking amazing!)

As I left with the girls piled into the buggy, she asked me if she could come round some evenings and cook alongside me to learn some new recipes. Now, I am seriously not a major chef AT ALL. I enjoy cooking, but I cook my standards and I'm not particularly adventurous, but her request took me back to those early days 5 years ago. The days when our future life spread out like the great unknown, when pleasing my husband was the highest priority and I would have bent over backwards to do anything for him, when the thought of having children was a rosy dream, when I just wanted to be a happy little homemaker straight out of the pages of "Little House on the Prairie"or "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers"...

Dave and I on our honeymoon in Spain, 2008

The reality is somewhat different... there is nothing like marriage for revealing how selfish and stubborn and determined I am. My amazing husband has to put up with a lot! The rosy dream of children somedays erupts into a volcano of tantrums and teething and telling-off, and the happy little homemaker?? Often she's found running round the house with a wet-wipe to make the house at least look externally clean before the visitors arrive.

But do you know what? That reality - the chaos, the mess, the talking through, the imperfections - that is what makes life so beautiful, because its through the trials that we grow, that we realise our own failings, that we are made to appreciate the little things, that we throw ourselves on the Saviour.

With all the trials and challenges, I wouldn't change my little lot in life for the world.

PS - Michelle at Mummy from the Heart wrote a fab post on marriage the other day...

The Ribbon Roads...

Half a decade ago, I said "I will" to this man...

I have never, for a split second, regretted that decision.

This time five years ago, I was getting myself ready for our wedding day. Prettying myself up, giggling with my girlfriends; hopeful, expectant... the future was bright, not a single cloud on the horizon.

It was a glorious day. The sun beamed down, the service was lively and joyful, we were surrounded by our nearest and dearest as I said "yes" to my best friend.

A few weeks ago, the lovely Esther, who sang at our wedding, reminded me of the song we had chosen for her to sing... I love this song. It captures the heart of what this great adventure of marriage is all about... love, commitment, living life together, whatever comes. It talks of the heady excitement and optimism of newlyweds, and it talks of the deep-rooted commitment and love of walking this road together. This past few months has indeed been heavy with sighs... Our marriage has been, for me, like shining rivers in rain blackened skies. David, you have upheld me in so many ways over these difficult few months; catching my tears on your shoulders, speaking truth and clarity into my confusion, pointing me to Jesus. Thank you. I am so honoured to share life with you, and so grateful for the gift you are to me and both our girls.

So let me leave you with Kristyn, singing this beautiful song, reminding me of that special day 5 years ago... we've travelled a rocky road together this past year, but the Lord is faithful and will keep these ribbon roads rolling till our journey ends. I love you, David, and look forward to walking the rest of this road with you beside me, by God's grace.

The Ribbon Roads keep rolling

By castle and shore

I remember every rhythm

Of wild ocean roar

There we have wandered

As dream dwellers roam

The Ribbon Roads keep rolling

From long, long ago

The Ribbon Roads keep rolling

Unbroken and free

Full of hidden memory

That calls you and me

If footsteps could whisper

They surely would tell

The Ribbon Roads keep rolling

With songs they know well

Oh my love and friend of mine

Walk with me till the end of time

Hold my hand mile after mile

Oh the Ribbon Roads keep rolling

They’re heavy with sighs

They seem like shining rivers

In rain-blackened skies

But here comes the morning

In crimson and green

The Ribbon Roads keep rolling

As they’ve always been

Oh the Ribbon Roads keep rolling

From dusk until dawn

The road that we have taken

Has taken us on

We see where we came from

And see distant bends

The Ribbon Roads keep rolling

Till our journey ends…