thankful.

Giving thanks is something I feel that I do often, yet I know that I never do it often enough. I'm thinking it's time to make it a point to write what I have been thankful for during the week. This way, I know that I'll be paying closer attention to the things surrounding me. I'm not thinking anything too cheesy like "Thankful Thursdays", but hey, that's looking like where it's going to be falling every week. So, here we go!

This week, I am thankful for:

Sweet and funny moments like this.

For The Corner Coffeehouse and the conversation with sweet friends it brings.

I am certain I can think of a dozen others, but I will chalk up this short list to the fact that I just decided to post this on a whim. Happy Thursday, friends!

day 4 & a few introductions

Yesterday came with much joy and many tears. God finally broke us of our self-reliance. Brandon applied for multiple jobs in different parts of the country--something he has been avoiding for the past few months. That was an exciting thing. Tears came when we stood before each other broken. That sounds awful, right? Well, make no mistake because it was. Satan kept trying to creep in and disrupt our healing and forgiveness of each other, which is highly inconvenient in any situation. Last night was, without a doubt, the hardest and best night of our married lives. We had so many "come to Jesus" moments that ultimately resulted in us agreeing that no marriage can amount to anything if Christ isn't put first. It was a good thing.

Today, the challenge is still (and will continue to be) about encouragement and praise. I am to support him in his work, whatever he may be doing. He really is such a hard worker, regardless of whether he is at work or home. So, this one hasn't be too trying. PLUS, he started a book that I had been nagging asking him to read for the past 6 months. He's gotten tons of praise for that one!

Aside from the challenge, I have been inspired to introduce a few people (and a puppy). So, here we go!

This is Brandon aka husband, BB, & B.

There he is, friends. The man God made for me.

Meet Charlotte Louise aka Charlie.

Best. Puppy. Ever.

Seriously, guys. She was nearly potty-trained when we got her, and she has only chewed one thing that she wasn't supposed to (our tv remote).

Every so often, I will post a few more of the amazing people in my life. 

Until next time,

xoxo
Whit

day 3

This challenge had already shown such an improvement on our marriage. Prayer always works; by me praising and encouraging B, he has also amped up his encouragement towards me; and, he also said, "Today, we were better at being one." Those words could not have come about at a better time. I am so thankful that I stumbled upon this 30 Day Challenge.

Here's what Day 3 holds:

Love suffers long and is kind. 1 Corinthians 13:4

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Today is all about lifting Brandon up--praising him for all that he does and praising God for providing me with such a wonderful, kind, Christ-like man. At the end of the challenge for today it says, 'Ultimately, you can't expect your husband to make you feel more secure, loved, etc. Remember that only God can meet the deepest needs of your heart.' Seriously, this is something that I know I forget so easily, and it effects our marriage a ton. B can't live up to the standards I hold him to if I'm looking for him to be my everything--to provide my everything. Thankfully, I have a God that is willing to remind me gently that He has and will always provide the love, kindness, and security that I long for and any needs for our family. I see such a good day in store for us.

30 day challenge: day 2

Day one started out great: I loved loving Brandon, and I loved helping with Charlie before I went to work; however, by the end of the day, I had already failed at one of the stipulations of the challenge: not being negative towards B. I can try and justify my reasoning all day long, but in the end, he is my husband.

At times, (probably more than I would ever like to admit) I am terribly hard on him, so today the challenge is all about making life a little easier on him. Here is the verse for today:

Through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13b

I LOVE helping people. Seriously, I get so (abnormally) excited to serve everyone; however, I can't think of a time (in the past few months) that I genuinely wanted to help Brandon do something. Aside from really praying for him the past week, I have done nothing with a servant's heart, so I am excited to see where this day gets me. Maybe, just maybe I'll get out of this little rut!

my rock.

After much prayer and having an overwhelming sense of knowing what God has called me to do, I have come to terms with many things placed before me. This week, I have learned so much about myself, B, and our marriage. God could not have had better timing.

Here is what I learned about myself:

• I am prideful--I do not give up an argument until I feel as though I have "won", I do not give my life over to God until I truly feel like I have failed, and I do not do failure well.
• I am small--My problems are miniscule, yet I blow them up to be huge; I have realized and fully acknowledged that me just loving God is enough, and He has full control over everything else.
• I am impatient--If things do not happen the way I would like them to, I get so upset; If I feel that God has placed something on my heart, I immediately expect it to be on B's as well; I am not patient in God's answers to my prayers.

Brandon was strategically placed in my life by God himself. He teaches me patience. He teaches me to pray about things before I jump head first. He teaches me to love. He teaches me that I am never going to be strong enough to handle anything without Jesus.

Marriage is wonderful. I am loved, appreciated, and needed, and I have the opportunity to love, appreciate, and need Brandon every day. Marriage is hard. I constantly get fed up with myself in our marriage.

I have been learning more and more that life without God in the lead is difficult, nearly impossible. I thank Him for His gentle reminders of who is "boss"--who is really in charge of my life. He has led me to my desires, He has been teaching me how to be more understanding, and He has also been showing me how to treat my marriage. All this to say, I have started this 30 Day Challenge. I want to encourage and love Brandon well. I want to share all of the same hopes, dreams, and desires God has placed on each of our hearts--I long to be one flesh and really feel like we are one in the same.

letters.

dear husband, you always know when i am trying to fill a void with something careless and crazy.

dear school, even though i curse you, i am dreading the day we part ways.

dear jt & jay-z, i am coming to your chicago show exactly 5 months from today.

dear brandon lee, you are more than i imagined my husband could be. i am blessed by you every day.

dear drew & ellie, good light is wonderful. thank you for singing such beautiful songs that remind me of jesus, b, and my life in general.

drew holcomb & the neighbors "the wine we drink"

nashty and blog title

Nashville, or "Nashty" as Brandon likes to call it, was fun. Shopping happened... $658 worth of clothes for $200!! Plus B found a suit that was on mega sale, so we got that for him. We also went to The Pharmacy for awesome burgers and super yummy root beer (It's on tap, too!!) If you live near Nashville, and you haven't been there before, I encourage you to go. That place has the art of hamburger making perfected. Seriously.

I also want to talk about how I got my blog title. I have been hooked on City and Colour's song "The Girl" for a good while now, mainly because the husband said it reminds him of me. And at that time, I would have agreed--I was so willing to put my dreams on hold for his dreams, his wants, and his needs. I was the girl in that song. I never asked for fancy things because I didn't want them. God was enough. Brandon was enough. I had all that I need. Somewhere between that moment and now, things have changed so much--I have changed so much. I have become the girl that asks for a new house, more jewelry, more money, etc. I never EVER thought I would be so materialistic. I want to be me. My God is enough. A new job won't provide--He will. More jewelry won't make me happier--He will. A huge house I made up the plans for won't make my life complete--He will. All this to say, I am ready to get back to being "The Girl" my husband married. I desperately desire happiness solely provided by God.

Help me get there? Prayer request for the week: I need to rely on God at all times, not just when I feel like it. (I am certain this is my biggest struggle.)

my life in a nutshell.

Life, lately, has been insane. I am determined that I only ever go to school, work, and then home to sleep, which is absolutely dull and exhausting at the same time. I don't want my life to be a dull one because, well, that's just not what life is about! So, in efforts to fix that, I have my alarm set to wake me up to go to the gym every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; I am planning out a trip to Europe with B to start saving up for; I am updating my wardrobe :); I am going to make use of any down time I have by doing something new; and I am going to doing something meaningful every single day.

Seriously, guys. New me coming through.

Though none of this will work without the help of Jesus, Brandon, and friends, I know I will be held accountable, which makes all of this fun planning worth it. I want to explore and really love this life that God has given me; not take it for granted.

In other news, B and I are going to Nashville tomorrow to shop til we flipping drop get away. Let me just say, I love some traveling. I mean I LOVE it, so be prepared for some fun stories from our little day trip :)