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 1390 – 15 Years Ago Today, My Life Changed Forever

Posted on May 1, 2013 by 365 days of marriage

15 years ago, I was 15 years old and working at CFA. I actually really liked the job. I met some awesome people and had fun at the job. The main reason it was such a great job was the store manager, Pyle. He was 22 and just an all around great guy.

15 years ago today, he passed away. His was the first death I experienced (minus older family members). It was a very tough thing to walk through as a 15 year old. I didn’t know it at the time, but it was just the start of many deaths over the next few years. I’ve lost several friends who were younger than me or just a little older.

You could look at this and say, man, that really sucks that you’ve had to deal with so much death! But I can look back on these things and see how God was using them in my life. Primarily, that tomorrow is NOT guaranteed. Some people wonder how I can be so happy/joyful/have a good attitude about things…it’s because of these experiences in death. I know that I may not see tomorrow…so why waste my time being mad at someone…or worrying….or not saying I love you? It also has helped me appreciate the little things.

I don’t know if I have a “message” or a “point” in today’s post, other than sharing a day that really did change my life.

Since I don’t have a picture of Pyle, this is a sunset over Hunt Valley, where we worked together.

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Day 1389 – I Love Networking!

Posted on April 30, 2013 by 365 days of marriage

Tonight we met up with some local entrepreneurs to network. We had some great conversations with some who have been in business for years, some who are JUST about to jump in full-time and others who are thinking about starting a business.

And what do you get when networking? A Guinness of course!

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Day 1388 – Staycation Day 5 – How Did It Go??

Posted on April 29, 2013 by 365 days of marriage

As you know, we’ve been housesitting the last 5 days. Every time I go away, in any sense of the word, I think, ooooo, lots of reading and getting work done! I did have high hopes for this visit.

And how did it go? What did I accomplish? Almost nothing! I kept up with my blog (for the most part) and replied to emails. But that’s it! It was FANTASTIC! I didn’t realize how much I needed a break until I actually took a break! I feel so refreshed! All ready to work a short week and go away again! (Bachelorette party at the beach this weekend! YES!)

I did get two things accomplished….first, I realized I need to make a few modifications to my business…I am in the process of implementing them and I’m super excited about it.

The second thing I accomplished was watching about 1-2 seasons of Lost. 🙂 I’m re-watching and loving it! You pick up on SO many different things the second time around!

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Day 1387 – Staycation Day 4 – Answered Prayers, In The Weirdest Ways

Posted on April 28, 2013 by 365 days of marriage

In my small group at church, we’re going through a really great book, Listening for God.

Here’s a few quotes…

“Scripture repeatedly mentions that God hears our prayers (provided we are free from any known sin). He may not always answer them and, in his sovereignty, do what is best.”
Listening for God – Marilyn Hontz

“For the Lord will not cast off forever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men.”
Lamentations 3:31-33

“But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!”
Psalm 66:19-20

Last year, I was in a really dark place. I had no idea what a challenge it would be to do photography full time. How scary it would be. And honestly, how unprepared I was. I would pray every day for more weddings…for more money…to have joy again. I questioned if I was doing the right thing by quitting my job. I went about 6 months without booking anything new.

Looking back, I realize that God DID answer my prayer, just not in the way I expected. He caused me to go through a long drought of no bookings and getting down on myself to help me realize how much I didn’t know…but also how good He was. I needed to be in a place where I was able to say “I’d like this…but your will, not my own.” Once I seemed to grasp this, it was like the floodgates opened. I booked a few weddings back to back and our bills were being paid down.

I can also see how God was preparing us for when Bret lost his job. If we hadn’t gone through what we did, Bret losing his job would have been a terrible time for us. Instead, we trusted and he found work in less than a week.

So take heart, if you have been praying for something for a while and your prayer just isn’t being answered, trust that God is much wiser than you. He knows your wants, but he cares more about your needs. He loves you and that may be why he hasn’t answered your prayer yet…or in the way you want.

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