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 3466 – Don’t Judge A Book By Its Cover

Posted on January 6, 2019 by 365 days of marriage

Last year, I did a bible reading plan that took me through the whole bible. I completed it, but if I’m being honest, it didn’t make a big difference in my life, it didn’t touch my soul. Sure there were some days that I got something out of it, at the end of the day though, it was about checking it off my list.

As 2019 approached, I started thinking about what I would do for my devotional reading. I’ve had an ESV study bible for years, have tried to read the whole thing a few times, but didn’t have much success. For some crazy reason, this chick thought this year would be a good time to read all 2750 pages, on which the text is 9pt and the notes are 7 pt – basically, a whole lot of reading.

I kept trying to talk myself out of it. I kept seeing the massiveness of it all. I really didn’t want to do it.

I think my mind kept going to how little I got out of last year. Despite trying to get out of it, I decided to start, taking the pressure off myself to read it in a year, to just go down the list of chapters and additional material, and finish when I finish.

What happened on the very first day surprised me but it reminded me that I had a similar experience on previous attempts – I got really excited about what I read. What’s neat about the study bible is that it expands, explains, and gives background on what you read. Deepening my understanding about the Word of God has already been a really awesome experience. Every day, I’ve been excited to read and leave my devotions uplifted and in awe of God.

So if you’re looking at big, hunkin’ book (whether printed or otherwise) and thinking it’s going to be one way, give it a chance and it might surprise you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did you like what you read? Here’s some ways you can support us and this blog!
Join our Facebook group, Planning an Epic Road Trip on Any Budget
Join the Journey With The G’s email list (bonus – you get my Epic Road Trip Budget spreadsheet)
Buy my book, Planning an Epic Road Trip on any Budget
Buy my book, Trusting God With 2 Cents: 22 Days To Becoming A Successful Christian Business Owner.
Shop on Amazon (no additional cost to you, this gives us a percentage of what you order).
Check out our resources page.
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Day 3465 – Finding Joy In The Journey

Posted on January 5, 2019 by 365 days of marriage

At least half a year ago, I purchased a mug. The day I found it, I was wandering through a dollar store, a little ticked off. I had traveled to an appointment only to have said appointment canceled right before I was set to arrive. I then saw the mug (pictured below) and had to buy it.

I drink my coffee out of this mug and I love seeing the reminder to find joy in the journey, it is a reminder I need often. Building our business has been one of the most challenging and most rewarding things I’ve ever done. I am consistently needing to grow, stretch, mold, and meet the challenges.

After a pretty long day, Bret was encouraging me to remember just how far I’ve come, even in just the last few months. Reminding me of the stress of taking less calls versus how many we’re getting now…what once was completely overwhelming, is now normal and a part of my day.

I try to consistently keep in my mind when I’m starting to get stressed: “imagine how much this will help you grow, you will likely not recognize yourself in a few months.” My word/phrase for this year is Journey More, Stress Less.

I actually love the fact that life is not about each milestone, it is about the journey itself.

So friends, find joy in the journey you’re on today.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Day 3464 – Dying Well

Posted on January 4, 2019 by 365 days of marriage

I finished reading my first book of 2019 on January 1st, Where The River Ends* (affiliate link, this means I’ll get a small percentage if you purchase the book). Man, what a way to start the year. It tells the story of a husband who takes his dying wife on a journey down a river. What I love about it is that so many say they shouldn’t make the trip, but it is what she wants to do.

Death is one of those things that’s taboo to talk about. It’s uncomfortable, it’s hard, but actually talking about and thinking about death is one of those “secrets” to a happier life. I’ve talked before about the multiple deaths I’ve walked through in my life. For the past 20 years, I’ve attended more funerals for my peers than my elders. Each death has changed me in significant and different ways. But the biggest lesson is that of embracing life, today.

Having a constant awareness of the end of my life, I can jump into my current life with joy, energy, and “this may be my last day, and I’m going to enjoy it.” It helps me live my life without regrets.

What really struck me with this book was the reminder that we have a choice in how we live and in how we die, but there will be folks who totally disagree with what we’re doing. So we need to fight for what we believe in and what we want out of life.

It was also a beautiful story about marriage. Charles Martin has become my new favorite author, hands down, primarily because of how he writes about marriage. So many of the books I’ve read are about a cheating spouse, an abusive spouse, a spouse who is tempted…recognizing this was much like my “wow, I’ve been reading a lot of dark, heavy books” when I read The Bookshop on the Corner* (affiliate link) by Jenny Colgan because it was so light and fun.

So friends, talk about the end of your life, recognize it is coming one day, and live with joy that you are here today because tomorrow is never promised.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Day 3463 – Eight Years Ago, I Got To See This

Posted on January 3, 2019 by 365 days of marriage

I again had every intention of sharing my thoughts on that lovely book, but mid-post, I realized I didn’t have time to do that this morning. So, checking my memories on Facebook, I realized I got to see the Grand Canyon eight years ago. I don’t regret my stop there, but I do wish I had stayed longer. On our next cross-country drive ’round those parts, I will drink deeply of the awesome majesty of that place.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Day 3462 – When Things Don’t Go As Expected

Posted on January 2, 2019 by 365 days of marriage

I went to bed last night with the intention of getting up at 5 am, blogging about a really wonderful book I finished, and making some major strides towards catching up on work from being out of town.

Here’s what actually happened.

Alarm went off at 5 and I ended up changing the time and adding on some snooze, my little “stayed up past her bedtime to finish the aforementioned book” self rolled out about a quarter to seven.

During our morning coffee date, Bret mentioned a few work things that needed attending to, we chatted about a few other things. Then he told me the car was dead.

The next hour was spent figuring out how to and then getting a jump.

Now we’re looking at 9:30 to actually start my day, which had to wait so I could get some food.

The following hours were spent doing some catch-up and tackling some new systems.

I now find myself straving, but having accomplished quite a lot. There was a time when a day like today would have completely derailed me, stressed me out to no end, and I would have been more than a little tempted to crawl back into bed and cry.

So what was the difference today? It was consistently telling myself to slow down, breathing deep, and just jumping into whatever the task at hand was. I did a meditation yesterday, on stress ironically, and it said that we’ll always have problems, no matter what. Just like the “you’ll never finish your to-do list” concept gives me peace, this does too.

The lesson today? Just breathe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

365daysofmarriage

Simplicity in Marriage, Christianity, Travel, Business, Life

Author Archives: 365 days of marriage

About 365 days of marriage

Day 3466 – Don’t Judge A Book By Its Cover

Day 3465 – Finding Joy In The Journey

Day 3464 – Dying Well

Day 3463 – Eight Years Ago, I Got To See This

Day 3462 – When Things Don’t Go As Expected