Day 1719 – Happy Wives Club

Posted on March 26, 2014 by 365 days of marriage

I was going to post about how awesome one of our couples is…but that will have to wait.

I went to the library yesterday to pick up some books I had on hold (seriously LOVE this service! I used to drive ALL over the state to get what I wanted.) I did a little browsing and found a book called Happy Wives Club. It talks about this one woman’s passion about telling stories about marriages that work, not the ones that fail. It was so great to see! Especially since I put my heart out there yesterday on this exact topic.

I’ve only read the first chapter, but I know it’s going to be an amazing read. So encouraging to know there are people out there with the same passion about marriages lasting as I do. 🙂

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Day 1718 – Show Me Your Rings – or – If I Could Change The World, This Is What I Would Do

Posted on March 25, 2014 by 365 days of marriage

As you may or may not know, I’ve been photographing weddings 9 and a half years. I’ve loved it since the beginning…ok, maybe half way through the process of my first wedding. Over those years, I’ve read tons of books, gone to many conferences and meetings. But during Mara Glazer’s business event last August, my “why” finally clicked. I had thought it was just to photograph weddings and give couples a lasting record of their wedding day. Then when I got married, I thought it was further about building a relationship with our clients as couples.

During Mara’s event, one of the speakers asked “If you could change the world, what would you do?” And like lightening from the sky, it hit me.

“More marriages that last ‘until death do us part.'”

I started to cry, right there in the middle of a conference room of people (shocker, I know). It finally made sense.

But then, I was stuck. How on earth could I even start this? How could little old me change the world?

I briefly tried to get the whole “show me your rings” thing started….where my clients…and anyone really…would take pictures of their rings much in the same way that I do….but it never really took off. Or rather, I didn’t give the idea time to come alive like I should have.

But I think it’s finally time to try it again. It mostly came about because I was trying to think of a way to give more bonus points to the contestants in the March Madness contest!

So, here’s what I want you to do to help me change the world.

Post a picture on Instagram with:
Your weddings rings (if you’re married)
Your engagement ring (if you’re engaged)
Some sort of ring (if you’re neither)

Give me a sentence or two of marriage/relationship advice. Something that has helped you in your marriage/relationship. Or what you and your spouse/significant other are doing that day to build your relationship.

Use the hash tags – #ShowMeYourRings #365DaysOfMarriage

Tag me in the post (@facesbyjen)

If you’re not on Instagram, go ahead and post it on Facebook or Twitter or both! Help me change the world!!

Here’s how it would look:

“Treat everyday like it could be your last. It helps you to stay present in the moment. Photo by: http://www.shawnasherrellphotography.com
@facesbyjen #ShowMeYourRings #365DaysOfMarriage“

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Photo by: Shawna Sherrell Photography

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Day 1717 – What Back Seat Driving With Bret Taught Me About God

Posted on March 24, 2014 by 365 days of marriage

This post has been brewing for a few days. I’m constantly striving to trust God in my business and life. I look at my past, see the countless times God provided for us, gave us our daily bread…which includes times when I had NO idea how we would pay the bills…and yet we could pay, even if only the minimums, and had the exact amount…or a few cents to spare. I see how God used circumstances in my life to grow me into His character. Times when it was exceedingly difficult, crying myself to sleep, feeling utterly hopeless. I can look back and see God’s hand. I can see exactly what He wanted to grow or change in me in that circumstance.

When I look at my life I see a beautiful picture of a God who loves me very much…even if how He showed His love wasn’t what I thought was love.

I know these things. I can read my journals/blog posts/Facebook posts and think, “yep, I am very loved!”

But….oh you knew one was coming, right?

When I am in the midst of these times, I don’t see it. I have anxiety. I can’t sleep at night. Being a business owner leads to a lot of ~~reasons to doubt~~ opportunities to trust God.

What struck me this week is how much this whole situation is like me when I drive with Bret. Bret is a great driver. He truly is. Yet, when I am sitting in that passenger seat….he apparently becomes THE WORST driver! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said things like, “Babe! Turn here, do this, do that!” Or actually gripped the side of the car because it felt like he stopped too fast/almost hit the car in front of us. lol, this is another opportunity I have to grow in trust of my husband!

But then it hit me….when we’re driving cross country and I curl up in the back seat to sleep….I have full faith in my husband and his driving abilities. I don’t back seat drive…unless it’s giving directions to the hotel or somewhere else. I can sleep without a worry, because Bret’s got this. How much more true is this in my walk with my Lord?! When I sit back, relax and trust He knows where we’re going, it’s a much more pleasant trip….we also drive quite a bit further without incident.

During my devotions this morning, I flipped to Psalm 23 and the first verse hit me in a way I don’t think it ever has before.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1

A shepherd cares for His sheep. He makes sure they have food, water and shelter. That’s the bottom line that they need. Almost immediately after reading it, I had this picture of a sheep saying, “um, excuse me sir, but don’t you think the water is better over there?” or “Hmmmm, that sky looks pretty dark, shouldn’t we get to shelter?” The idea is almost laughable…a sheep talking back to the shepherd.

What about you? Are you back seat driving to God’s plan? Are you a sheep thinking he knows what’s up?

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