//In His Time//

One of the biggest frustrations in life currently & one of the mysteries among these pieces of passions is being caught in an 'in between' stage. No longer single, married for a few years, but not for long enough to feel as though I have much to contribute regarding advice on marriage. 


There is this strange stage where you aren't fresh from the honeymoon anymore, but you don't fit in with those battling sleepless nights and the joys of raising little ones.
(Although I do totally understand this to an extent with the job I have and the opportunities we have had to have children for an entire weekend on several occasions) 
You've learnt how to communicate and realise just how bad you were at it when you got married. Figured out a flow to life as a married couple, but you haven't experienced a decade or so of this new adventure. 


It can be frustrating. Feeling stuck. Being called into the waiting period. 


Called out to be grown, changed and molded. Outside of the plan we had for ourselves, but inside the plan the Lord had for us all along.
Our timing for a family is outside what our plans were, but we are trusting we are still inside God's plan & timing.  
Our timing for our financial situation was almost the complete opposite of what we had expected from our dating days, but again we are trusting in God's plan & timing. 
Our housing situation was nothing like I could have imagined, but He always provided for us and it was His plan all along.


Even though there are so many more things I could list that were or still are outside my own plan, perhaps that is the point.....it was my own plan or our own plan.
Where God had another, far better plan than we could imagine. 


As winter is approaching which always seems to be a harder season for many reasons, I am actually finding myself at peace trusting that God has a plan. 
For the first time, I don't think I do. 
I'm still praying for answers to prayers we have had for years now and for the Lord's timing on many dreams of ours. 
But not to hope in my own timelines or ideals. 
And daily trying to trust that He hears us, He loves us & He has a plan! 

Print via Lily&Val Etsy Store

When do you think you stop being a newlywed? I previously asked this on my instagram & got some great responses =) 

This post is part of my 31 day series for the month of October, 
fighting through the fears and sharing the confusing passions I have. 
Hoping to figure out the bigger picture of all these interests.

Its here! Year of Promise!

I have so enjoyed reading everyone's posts about their year in review.

What an awesome way to catch up on blogs. 

Since I have done a bad job of reading blogs lately, this has worked well for me! oops!

After reading sweet Casey and dear Heather talk about their words for the year, 

I was pondering whether I wanted to have a word for 2013. 

Then yesterday, I decided on 'promise' for this year ahead as I feel there will be several big changes coming up for us. Definitely moving again (look out for that one soon),

 maybe job changes and other things.

So I feel that 'promise' will be a good reminder to hold onto God in all the change that is likely to be coming our way in the year ahead. 

I'm a huge fan of New Years. It seems so full of fresh starts and new beginnings.

Something which I love as I'm at times a little OCD  about things feeling fresh and clean.

But in all seriousness I really love the staying up till midnight with everyone (night owl much?), just enjoying each others company and then feeling excited about all that's ahead. 

As much as I love Christmas, in some ways I feel partial to New Years. 

Maybe its because it usually comes after a quiet week and I have time to quiet my heart and fully appreciate it. 

I also love how we never really know what celebrating New Years is going to look like. But I thought I would share a few fun times with you guys from several previous years. I laugh at how in several of these I still recall sounding like this guy from Toy Story. 

(And this year is no exception!)

(right) Last year, we actually didn't celebrate as we were up at 4am on the 1st to fly out to Phoenix to visit A's family.

 (left top) The Year we were engaged, we celebrated in London with some of my college friends.

(left middle) Growing Up, New Years meant hanging on this beach and watching the fireworks. How I miss those celebrations. So fun! One year we even had a lock in at the church with our youth group.

(left bottom) Then there was this random year when my sis, cousin and I were so bored in this small town that we decided to watch New Years around the world on the news and take tons of crazy pictures like this! 

That last one still makes me laugh! 

Anyway, how do you guys like to celebrate New Years?

Much Love,

L

Oh and enjoy this sweet year in pop songs by Anthem Lights!