Long lost medium

Seen one of these recently?

About a month ago a good friend challenged me to start writing in a journal. And actual journal. Paper. Binding. Penmanship. Lines. A physical record.

Nothing digital. Nothing typed. Nothing that glows.

It. Is. Amazing.

It is astounding how different writing in a personal journal is to writing a blog. I love it. I am so grateful for the challenge and how it has improved my understanding and love for the commandment to "keep a record".

I now pass this challenge on to you.

On your mark. Get set. Go!

So we got married...

 The saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" has never resonated with me quite as it does in regards to my wedding day. It was such a special and meaningful day that words truly are not adequate. So while I am left speechless at the mere thought of the day John and I were married, I share with you the thousands of in-audible words in these pictures. Enjoy.

✵Wedding Photos✵

Happy Halloween Birthday

 John was born on Halloween.

I love it.

We dressed down instead of up this year, stayed inside, and partook of John's requested birthday feast. I made a HUGE pot of Momma Jeanne's Gumbo served over rice, an Apple Crumble Pie (I even made the crust & crumble), and homemade vanilla bean ice cream. 

We topped the night off with a scary movie.

Could not have been more perfect.

Gratitude

On the 19th of every month I am given my full schedule for the coming month, so basically I can see the future. :) This month is no different, but with next month holding TWO important holidays (Halloween, aka John's birthday, is also in the November bid) I have been particularly anxious.

The verdict...

Halloween = Off

Thanksgiving (the entire week of) = NOT Off

On the evening of the 24th we then get the opportunity to "drop" two trips that we have been assigned in the month to come. Our little FHE on Monday night ran a bit long (with good reason, it was a particularly great one) and I was certain that I had missed my opportunity to drop my trips over Thanksgiving due to the fact that everyone else would have already dropped their's, leaving "insufficient reserves" for me to drop mine.

This was true.

At the encouragement of my sweet husband (I have one of those now. Still getting used to the sound of that.) I tried to drop it a second time feeling that it would make no difference. This time he was right and I learned a valuable lesson in listening to him.

My last day of work in November is now the 20th, meaning that I get to spend Thanksgiving with John. Where and with which family we will be spending it is still undetermined, but together we shall be.

I am finding that in giving the Lord my best He has undoubtedly been giving me His best. I am amazed how on a daily basis I am bowled over by yet another realization of how good He is to me and how He truly knows me personally and the timing of my life. I am so blessed and, therefore, ultimately THANKFUL. 

What I am trying to get at, after that long introduction, is how grateful I am for this upcoming season. Isn't it wonderful that our corner of the world has dedicated a season to being thankful for the abundance that we are given? I love it. There is no other time of the year that can compare with the warm feelings of these next months.

Now, while my immediate focus shall go back to celebrating John's birth, Halloween, and our costumes for a few more days, I am overwhelmed with gratitude at my personal abundance and I am certainly grateful for the wonderful month of November and it's public encouragement to EVERYONE to be thankful.

Marriage

Mr. John Farrow and I were married this past Friday. Don't remember a thing from the ceremony, but the after party with our immediate families and closest friends certainly was excellent.
(Photos are coming.)

For the past year John has reminded me on rather frequent occasion that he is "the ultimate team player", and I have gained a very strong testimony of how much truth there is to that statement.

He has been on MY team. Always. Period.
Now that we are married, I get to repay the favor.
There is no more "my team", it is OUR TEAM from here on out.
Our sacrifices. Our gains. Our losses. Our wins.

Life is a whole lot less daunting when you have someone holding your hand.

Here's to marriage!

Onto the next, and ultimate adventure!

(RIP http://msjessicavera.blogspot.com/)