Author Archives: 365 days of marriage

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About 365 days of marriage

I started this blog in April of 2011. At the time, Bret and I were wedding photographers and it was a way to share how marriage is more about the day to day and so much more than the wedding day itself. For about 5 years, I blogged about the joys and sorrows of the Christian walk, marriage, work, family and friends. I’ve blogged every day since a few weeks after I started. In May of 2015, we photographed our last wedding. Now, I have become passionate about simplicity, particularly in marriage, Christianity, business, travel and life. For a number of reasons, we have become minimalists. I’ve found that having simplicity makes life so much deeper, refreshing and joyful. I hope that this blog will help others see the benefits of living simply.

Day 2119 – Life Lessons In A Box…er…Boxes Of Pens

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I would say I finished unpacking today. We were pretty much unpacked on the first day, but there were a few boxes to go through. Well, today Bret had some stuff to do after work and I REALLY wanted to finish up! So, I pulled EVERYTHING out, turned on Interstellar (second viewing) and went to town. I got about 3 boxes of trash, a crate of shredding and put everything else away. I even went through ALL of my pens. Now, this is a big deal, because I had a lot of pens. A big drawer, a little drawer, a little cup, a big cup and random ones laying around. Friends, I got the pens down to a little drawer (just for pencils, colored pens, sharpies and highlighters) and a big drawer….that previously would not close.

WHAT?

But here’s what I learned. If you tell yourself something and believe it, you can do it. What did I tell myself? I did not like writing with pens that have a cap. So I tossed them. Some pens write funny, I tossed them. Some pens DIDN’T write at all and I had kept them in the past! I tossed those too. I probably threw out half of my pens. But you know what, it feels really good. I know that what I have actually writes and I enjoy using them to write.

So set your mind to something, believe it and take the action you need to take.

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Day 2118 – Finally Starting A New Habit

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I mentioned last week that there is a Dunkin within walking distance. Well, today, I FINALLY walked there! I took a few books I needed to finish reading, got a cup of coffee and spent about an hour reading. I really want to make a habit of this…walking and/or reading every day.

I was freshly reminded of the blessing it is to live here. I’ve told people it’s like we’re living in a suburb neighborhood. There are kids playing, birds chirping and beautiful landscaping. We even get a great deal of light through our windows that cuts down on electricity. So. Happy. Here. 🙂 Oh future Jennilyn, remember this blessing from your Father whenever you doubt His detailed love for you!

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Day 2116 – Be Careful What You Put Online

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I am very aware of my “online footprint” today for a couple of reasons.

First, while we were chatting with people at the party yesterday, one person said to Bret “I know all about you from Jen’s blog” and someone else said “I know what’s going on with you from your blog.” This is by no means the first time I’ve heard this. I actually get it a lot. “I saw on your blog,” “I read that on your blog” or “I loved that blog post.” The truth of the matter is people read my blog, so what I write matters. I do try to be careful what I say on this blog. I try to speak highly of my husband. I don’t put up things that he does wrong. Not because he’s perfect, but because it would not honor him. I think through what I post and ask if it will help others, encourage others, etc. But I also want to share our fun and silly moments, because that IS what’s happening in our marriage.

This verse was heavy in thought when I thought about this particular blog post!

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29

Then, in the process of my work day, an article about a new program came across my path. The program is called Crystal. Basically, it takes all of your online data and compiles a profile about you to help marketers sell to you. This particular program is almost an answer to my post from a few weeks back! I had two responses to this technology…first, I thought it was SO cool! I mean, how awesome would it be if the people who were trying to sell to you actually took the time to learn about you and made those adjustments? If you were a busy person and just wanted to quick facts instead of pages and pages of text?

But it was also a reminder that I need to be VERY, very, very careful what I put online! This report was SO accurate! It said alot, but even very detailed things like – it comes naturally to Jennilyn to like spreadsheets! WHAT??

My hope is that I’m found and remembered by pictures like this…

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