God's voice

A couple of days ago, Katie, my 10 year old, asked me what God's voice sounds like in my head. I tried to explain that I don't necessary hear a "voice". I hear thoughts that I know are not my own. I hear Him through my pastor, in conversation with a fellow believer, in the words of a radio preacher, in the lyrics of a song. When God wants to speak to you, He will. The more you tune your ear to Him, the harder you listen, the sooner you realize that He's been speaking all along, you just weren't paying attention!

I've prayed for my husband for years now, that God would speak to him, draw him, "woo" him even. I wanted Chad to have a definitive experience with God, to know beyond a doubt just how much God loves him. I think we all need that knowledge in us. That faith that can't be shaken that no matter what you do, how much you fail, God is always there waiting to forgive and still love you. Just like you love your children, regardless of their faults, He loves you that much...and then some!

Monday night I came home from church to find my husband "listening for the voice of God." He casually told me that God had been talking to him for days, getting up in his business, and he had he decided to seek Him, hear His voice, and see what God wanted from him.

Talk about surprised!

He told me he was tired of running from God, tired of living his own life, tired of being unhappy...he was ready to serve God, go God's way. He said he rededicated his life to God, all alone, sitting at home!

He still didn't feel at total peace. He said he didn't feel "done". I know the devil likes to mess with our minds, tell us that since we didn't feel anything, it wasn't real. But this is all by FAITH, baby! Whether you feel it or not, when God draws you and you respond, it's done!

I knew he just needed to let God touch him, he needed to totally surrender. The next night, last night, he went to church with me, voluntarily, and made a public confession of faith during the altar service. God finished the work, cleaned him up and out, and when Chad got up from the altar, he was a "new creature!"

So, yeah, I've got a brand new husband!!!

I encourage you to listen for God's voice today. Talk to him like your best friend, ask Him to reveal Himself to you. Then, listen.

Oh, and by the way, during that conversation with my 10 year, she told me that she hears God in the voice of Obi Wan Kanobi. So, there you go. How do you hear God's voice?

Party like it's 1999!

Today is the 10th anniversary of the day I married my best friend.

Prepare yourselves...it's about to get mushy!

11 years ago, this past February 1st (my birthday), the hot guy I worked with at Angelo's Rib House asked for my phone number. I was ecstatic! It had been a rough few weeks, rough year really, leading up to my 21st birthday and that was the best birthday present I could have asked for. God knew exactly what I needed and his name was Chad. Ain't God good?!

I like to think I was exactly what Chad needed, as well ;)

And so began our lives together. We dated from March till the following May, when we got married, on May 15, 1999. (Remember that date, babe!)

And the rest is history!

Well, not quite! We actually almost didn't have that first date. Chad didn't call for 2 weeks. We worked together several nights a week and I was going nuts after the first few days. Why didn't he call?! Then, on Valentine's Day, I thought, Oh, he has something really sweet planned for Valentine's Day. He'll ask me out then. But, um, NO.

Sad thing is, everyone else at work assumed the same thing, so when he walked in with nothing - no flowers, chocolates, or even an invite for a first date still - we were all confused! To top it off, the guy I had broken up with a month before actually did bring me flowers and a stuffed animal...to work! Where I worked with CHAD.

So, long story short, Chad thought old BF and I had gotten back together and we didn't get that all straightened out for another week or so. Then, he set up a date around the first week of March (1998). Then stood me up. YEP.

Now, I liked him A LOT by now. He made me weak in the knees ;) But when I found out he'd stood me up because he was busy getting drunk with his best friend, I hit the roof. He apologized and asked for a second chance and I told him, One more chance. You stand me up again and it will be the last time you ever get a chance with me. Look at me being all independent and self assured!

Remember that, Katie.

So we went on our first date, I think March 6th (I remember it was a Tuesday), to O' Charleys. He got the loaded nachoes. I think I got the club sandwich. Yum. I'm hungry!

And so, we started dating.

He was not who my parents thought I'd end up with. Chad was just...strange. And in our family, that's saying a lot; we're a pretty strange bunch ourselves LOL. But he made me so happy. We got along from the beginning. Rarely did we argue, and when we did, it didn't last long. That was important to me. I'd seen too many couples that argued all the time and I didn't want that. I had had that. I craved a peaceful, happy relationship. And that's what we had.

He still makes me laugh out loud at night when it's just the two of us snuggling under the covers, telling outrageous stories he made up just to see me smile. He still makes me weak in the knees when he plays catch with his kids, or pushes his babies on the swing, or rides them around and around on the four wheeler when I know he is so tired from working like a dog for 10 or more hours straight.

He is The One. The perfect one for me.

We lived in Cleveland for 3 years, where we had Katie and Ethan. Then he joined the Air Force and we moved to Japan,where we were stationed for 3 more years, and where Micah was born. Then on to Andrews Air Force Base, outside of Washington, D.C., and where our fourth, and final, Benjamin was born.

Our cup truly runneth over.

Now, here we are, almost back where it all started...

In case I haven't said it lately, Babe...I'd follow you anywhere. To infinity and beyond!

(Sorry, Micah is really into Toy Story right now!)

Here are some pictures (OF COURSE!) of me and my VHH....yes, Very Hot Husband.

This was taken by Katie while we were in Japan, around 2003, 2004
Look how young we are!

This one is from our first vacation home from Japan, so again, 2003

Us in 2006, Maryland

Me & My BFF in October of 2008

And yesterday....my VHH:

He doesn't love my camera, can you tell?

I wouldn't quit till he smiled for me ;)

He's so pretty!!!

So, there you have it. 10 years down....40 more to go. We decided to quit at 50 ;)

PS> For our anniversary, my very awesome MIL (mother in law) is going to come stay with the kids for a couple of days, while Chad & I take a little mini second honeymoon. We've earned it this year! We are going to rent a cabin and take the four wheeler and some fishing poles to a place about an hour or two away, and have some fun!