Matt and I enjoyed a WONDERFUL weekend getaway last weekend that was simply relaxing and just what we needed. We left last Wednesday evening when Matt got home from work, which was a little later than usual- do to stuff going on at base, but we eventually hit the road around 6:45pm and drove about 3 hours to Hilton Head Island, SC. I had ALWAYS wanted to go to HHI, I knew some people who had gone there a few times, and it always sounded like fun- beach town, relaxed setting..Just what I like!. Now that I am living on the East coast, things are a bit cheaper (like not having to pay for a plane ticket). Matt had never heard of HHI before so it was all new to him. We both had such a wonderful time. Thursday we hit the beach for 4-5 hours, Matt read a book on the beach and I just laid there on my beach towel and enjoyed the sun & splashing around in the ocean.
We then decided to grab a late lunch at a place called the Frosty Frog and enjoyed some fabulous food there, and did a little window shopping in the area. We then headed back to our hotel to just relax and watch a little TV, the sun wiped us out pretty good, so we were pretty pooped. We decided to just order a pizza and stay in for the night. It was perfect. We were a bit early hopping in the car to get the pizza, so we decided to drive around the island and just see some of the shops and restaurants around the area. We finally made it to the pizza place, grabbed our pizza and settled in our room for the night. It was in my opinion-THE PERFECT DAY!
Friday found us waking up at 9am barely able to move due to our bodies being sunburnt terribly from the day before. We were much more burned than originally thought, and could barely move or touch one another, but we new it was our last full day on the island, and wanted to rent some bikes and ride them around. So we rented some bikes ( I wanted a tandem, but they were unavailable ;( So we hopped on our bikes and rode to the Salty Dog Cafe which is on the other side of the Island, which is what the man at the bike rental place said. Come to find out, the ride was at least 5 miles there..and wow it felt more like 35. It was worth it when we finally got the cafe and stopped for some treats and a picture. I don't know why it felt so much longer, maybe because I haven't ridden a bike since l was 13, or my sunburn rubbing on my clothes or the fact that it was at least 5 miles one way. Overall, I was glad we did it together and its a memory we'll forever have. We then had a WONDERFUL dinner at the Crazy Crab which is a fresh seafood place where I tried a bunch of seafood that I have never had before. Like crab legs & shrimp. We then took a fun little trolley ride out to the lighthouse and walked all around the area that had shops, ice cream and music. It was the perfect night temp wise and the sunset was GORGEOUS.
We left Saturday morning and even though it was the perfect little getaway; we were glad to be home in our own bed. Our hotel bed wasn't good, and we were wishing for our own bed and pillows all weekend. And it was good to just be home. We had a wonderful weekend filled with many memories. I head back to Wisconsin in about 3 weeks, and Matt and I will be separated temporarily again. So it was good to spend quality time together just the 2 of us without the pressures or work, or other craziness's of life. We are already planning our next trip for when I return to GA at the end of August. It looks like we'll be heading to Savannah probably September or October, depending on our financial situation because we are spending so much this summer between 2 weddings and plane tickets.....So until then I will enjoy my last 3 weeks with my hubby before we are temporarily separated, and enjoy my trip back to Wisconsin!
Today I am looking back on my year of being 25. Tomorrow I officially turn 26. I literally can't believe that I will be 26. Where did 25 go? I will no longer be in my mid 20's I will be well on my way to 30. Whoa. So . Crazy. I still remember what I was doing on my 25th birthday. I was nannying that day for Owen and Leah, and also waiting for Matt to arrive in that day. Matt was officially leaving Hawaii and stopping back in Wisconsin for a couple weeks before he headed to Texas for the summer. I remember sitting in the Andersen's driveway eating birthday cupcakes with Leah, soaking in the sun. Then Matt arrived and the day got so much better.=). Matt had brought me a lei from Hawaii for my Birthday too, which was a fun surprise!
I was incredibly blessed again in the year of being 25. There way so many blessings beyond what I could possibly imagine in being 25. I got engaged and I got married. Two very incredibly high points for me. The Lord blessed me with an amazing fiance and now husband. I worked two incredible jobs that I loved. I have made new friends and rekindled old friendships. I moved to a new state, that I am thoroughly enjoying, and started a whole new life of being a wife. These just a few of the tremendous blessings the Lord gave me in the year of being 25. Not to mention His unfailing faithfulness, forgiveness, grace, mercy, love, sovereignty, and goodness.
I am excited about turning 26 tomorrow. I am excited to see what the Lord is gonna teach me and how He is gonna grow me in the next year. I am ready to do new adventures with Matt here in Georgia just him and I, and also with new friends. I am excited about maybe possibly starting a new job. I am ready to share my home with visitors from Wisconsin and wherever else. I am ready to grow deeper and deeper in love with my Savior this next year.
Here's to turning 26!
This is the book that I have been reading recently. It has been a very encouraging book to me. I have enjoyed it very much. This is the book that Matt and I will be going through with our home group starting next week. I am excited to see and learn what other couples will share about the different topic in the book, but Ultimately excited to be taught what GODS WORD has for me to learn about marriage and what my role as Matt's wife needs to ultimately look like. We are excited to start this group and meet some new friends!!
I thought I would finally get everyone caught up on our lives here in GA and let you know how we are doing and what we are learning here. I know that I may not be the best writer out there, and I feel like sometimes my fingers don't write out exactly what I want to say, or what I am thinking in my brain. But this is a blog to keep all of my friends and family posted on what we are doing here, how we are doing, and how we are growing. Its also to share my struggles and passions.
The week was off to a rough start for both of us. Matt called me last Sunday to let me know that He was going to have to stay till at least 7pm Sunday night and more than likely the rest of his work week as well. I was devastated. I treasure my evenings with Matt, and every moment that we spend together- Plus the fact that I get lonely sometimes being here at the house alone most of the time-I think some of it has to do with that we didn't get to spend a lot of time together while we were dating or engaged doing the long distance thing, So now that we are married, I just want to spend every waking second with him! So when he told me that, my heart just sank, and my eyes started welling up and tears rolled down my face. But I had to remind myself that this is the life that we live. This is the life I live. I am learning that sometimes this may happen, this is Matt's job, and I need to be thankful that the Lord has blessed Matt with a good job, although it maybe stressful and not dream hours. So I prayed that the Lord would just give me peace and strength to get through the day and the rest of the week. And as always, The Lord was/is faithful and brought me through, and Matt didn't have to stay as long as he thought on Sunday, but on Monday it was a very long day...He didn't get home till 7:45pm. It was a rough day for both of us, but the Lord brought us through. My friend Thea was sick this week, so I wasn't able to hang out with her this past week, and my friend/neighbor Amber was sick also, so hence, I was in the house everyday last week. But God taught me a lot this last week, and it was good for me. I am daily humbled by His grace, forgiveness, and letting me live this blessed life I live. I am undeserving of all of this.
When Matt's weekend finally came Wednesday night, He came home around 6:15, (later than whats "supposed" to be) and surprised me with a bouquet of beautiful flowers. It was supposed to be a "Just Because" bouquet, but it also happened to be our 2 month wedding anniversary. It was so sweet. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner together, and just a night in our home of watching movies. That was pretty much our entire weekend - just hanging in our home just being together. We did do a little work around the house cleaning, doing yard work and washing the car. Our big thing this weekend that we did was attend the Annual Lobster Races in South Carolina. It was kinda fun- It was something to check out and do. Matt and I like to see and do things in town or close by. We thought it sounded interesting so we did. The lobster race is exactly how it sounds. They race lobsters and the winning one gets to go back into the ocean. They also had other venders there, rides, food, and all kinds of fair type things. We went for a couple hours and then headed back to Augusta where we met up with our friends Thea and Jeramey in downtown Augusta to hang out and have fun. It was such a fun, relaxing weekend. It was wonderful being with Matt and our friends!
We are now back in work mode till Wednesday night. I have meals to plan and long days ahead of me/us. God has been so good to us, blessing us with the life that we live here,together, in Georgia, and I am so thankful, and grateful for what He is doing in us, and the way He chooses to bless us. None of it we deserve. We are looking forward to hosting a family group/ small group from our church here in our home! We are hosting and being involved with the engaged/newly married group! So excited for this summer session and getting to know others at Berea. It will be so awesome! I can't wait to learn from other couples and grow in Christ with them! Just being encouraged by others stories makes me excited!
Have a blessed week.
I love being married, I really do. I love being married to my best friend, one that I tell everything too. Its so wonderful to see him everyday, go to bed with him every night, and just do the everyday life things with him. Like this weekend when I wanted to show him a park that I had been at earlier in the week with a friend, and it kind of turned out to be " Lets see how many restaurants we wanna eat at, and make sure we go to them all." It was actually really, really fun. It was such a BEAUTIFUL night here in Augusta Friday night. A perfect 78 degree night with clear skies. It was awesome.
We have also had our fair shares of figuring each other out, our little quirks about each other and the way one of us maybe be messier then the other, the way each other does things, that may get on each others nerves. We have also had our times of apologies when necessary, which have always, thankfully, come pretty quickly. I think being apart so much throughout our getting to know each other stage, dating stage, and engagement made us realize how much we value each other and our times together. Also, I think we communicate pretty well, although we are both still learning, because for so long thats all we could do, talk. on the phone. All the time. For hours.
I am also learning that marriage is such a self-less thing. I am going through the book right now; "This Momentary Marriage." and its brought out so many good things, and I am learning what my role as a wife, needs to be. Our marriage is the example of Christ and the church. Loving, forgiving, grace, mercy. So many things that I want to apply to my marriage. I want to be self-less in my marriage. I wanna show grace to Matt even when it may be the most hard thing ever. I wanna forgive Matt for things when its most difficult. I wanna be Christ to Matt. I wanna be Christ in my marriage. I want Christ to be glorified with all that is in me, in everything that I do, say and speak too. I want truth of the word to always be spoken. To be an encouragement. To be a comfort, in my marriage, and in my life.
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other;as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ RULE in your hears, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdome, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them."
Just some verses that I came across and read this afternoon that I am soaking in. Have a blessed Monday
Its Sunday evening and I love Sunday nights at around 5pm eastern time when my husband gets home from work and we have the evening together. We've had dinner, took a walk, and now are just relaxing in our home watching TV and blogging. These are the married moments that I looked forward to for so very long and now they are here. I love it.
Today is Easter. I love Easter. I love all holidays-- Maybe its the family togetherness, the happy feelings that people have or maybe its people in a nice moods because its a holiday. I don't know. I like holidays because of their meanings, this being Easter, celebrating our risen Lord, for without Him we have no hope, but I also like holidays because it means being a family. But this is the first year I am without family. This year its just Matt and I. Well, just me, because Matt was at work all day.
It was still an amazing day. I wasn't alone on Easter like I thought I would be. My new and amazing friend,( whom the Lord has answered my prayers so faithfully -as He always does- giving me a great Godly wonderful friend named Thea here in Augusta); Invited me over to one of her friends house for Easter along with her and her husband. They go to the church that I have been attending here in Augusta, which I am growing to love as much as I do RBC. They have welcomed me in just like family, which has spoken volumes to me. I love the preaching there, and so many prayers have been answered. I am so grateful for the church here, and my new best friend, Thea. She is absolutely amazing, and I look forward to getting to know her so much better over the next 2 years or so.
Today I thank the Lord for His death and resurrection, for without it there is no hope. But I am also thankful for Thea, and my new friends I am making here in Augusta. God is good. All the time. Christ is Risen. He is Risen Indeed.
We are back from a WONDERFUL honeymoon to Disney world. What an amazing time we had, worth every penny spent and every moment we were there. We spent about 6 days there doing all kinds of things, and visiting each park. We stayed in the honeymoon suite at the Wilderness Lodge and they treated us like we were the king and queen. We were on the club level, so we got treated to breakfast, snacks in the afternoon, and then whine and cheese were available in the evenings. It was so wonderful! Matt and I visited all the parks, saw lots of animals at animal kingdom, saw mickey and all his friends and even ate at a Moroccan restaurant at Epcot! My favorite part was probably Hollywood Studios. Just seeing all the different movie things and taking the movie tour was so fun.
By the last day or so Matt and I were pretty park'd out. So we spent the day by the pool getting sun and enjoying the water and just relaxing together. We also spent sometime in our room just watching movies together enjoying the whirl pool tub, and just relaxing. It was such a fun, fun trip. We would love to go back again before we start a family, Lord willing, and before we join the stroller club that seems to rule the roost down there at Disney. It was fun trying all sorts of food and eating at so many different restaurants. I even fulfilled a few childhood dreams by meeting the Disney Princesses, at 25 years old. It was a thrill. For me. Not so much my husband. But he did it anyway.
It was such an awesome get-away. Now its back to real life. I wonder where Matt will take me next. Charleston? Myrtle Beach? Hilton Head? We shall see.
Happy Weekend
Things are starting to slow down a bit here. I am slowly but surely starting to get adjusted to being the wife of a military man, and what that all entails and looks like. We have been married for 2 weeks now and it feel A LOT longer, in a good way! I feel like I have been down here in GA for a long time as well. I still have a lot of hard days, in all honesty, but I feel like each day gets a bit easier, for that I am thankful. I am continuing to trust in the Lord's sovereignty in all things, trusting and taking comfort in His promises. Sometimes I get so frustrated by being alone and wonder why He moved me so far away from my family and friends for the next 22 months?? But God is God. He has brought Matt and I together, and knows what is best. He will never leave me or forsake me.
The house is starting to feel a bit more like a home. We have all the wedding gifts opened, washed and put away. Matt has started putting nails in the wall so I can hang pictures, so that it feels more homey. Matt and I on his days off have been running around Augusta like crazy people trying to get me into the Navy paperwork for insurance, but can't do that without a GA license with my new married name. So now I have a GA license! Its weird to see that in my wallet. But I like what the name says =). Then we also today bought some flowers and pots so I can have some flowers to have and try to keep up with, and we also were able to return some wedding duplicate gifts and get store credit, which we used to buy honeymoon clothes!
We have not found a church yet, obviously. We are still "shopping" around. We went to one on Sunday that I really, really enjoyed, but Matt's not quite sure on it. So I need to remember that he leads this relationship, and I need to remember to let him lead. So pray for us in this, that the Lord would make it clear to us on where to settle , and hopefully soon, so that we may have great friends down here to hang out with, and for me, when Matt's at work, someone I can hang out with; and someone to pour into me. It would be much appreciated!
The thing that I am looking forward to the most is Wednesday! We leave on our Honeymoon for DISNEY WORLD!!!! I am so so excited to go. I have never been there before, and have always wanted to go. I am so glad to do this, and share this experience with Matt! Matt even surprised me with a night at a Bed and Breakfast in St. Augustine, FL on our way down, so that we don't have to drive all 7 hours in one day! So So excited! I am excited to go to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and all the other places! I will be sure to blog ALL about it after we get back and share some pictures of it all!
Thank you all who have been praying for us thus far. I ask that you would continue to pray for us, our marriage, and my adjustment down here. Blessings to all of you.
Well, The wedding is over and reality has set it. I am now getting settled here in Grovetown, GA. Its been quite an adjustment, and sometimes doesn't feel real and almost like I'm visiting. I know that I will get lonely especially when Matt's at work, but I am trusting the Lord, and that we will find a good church where I can meet great friends, and get connected in the 22 months that we are here. I have loved being married so far. I know that its only been a week, but its been fun! We have had fun getting our house in order and getting things organized, Even grocery shopping together, which was quite the experience! We leave for our honeymoon in 2 weeks, and am really looking forward to that. It will be so fun. I hope to keep you all posted on the happenings of life here on Lory Lane here on this blog so check back often to see into the lives of the Stevens!
......MY FIANCE!!!!!! and every other dinner after that! I get to see him today!!! I am so excited I have butterflies, and I am getting nervous upon his arrival. I am headed to the airport shortly to go meet him. I can't wait to see this hunk! No more goodbyes! We are ALMOST husband and wife. I love this man., I am ready to be with him forever!
This last week I have had a lot more time than usual to think about things, mainly my future. Since quitting my jobs and packing up my room full of the stuff of my life, More things have become a reality. Like I am moving away from the home that I have known for forever, to make a new life with my husband in 2 weeks. This is crazy. I am moving my ENTIRE life to be with the man I love. I am leaving everything I possibly know, to be with him. Don't get me wrong, I am excited, and I do want to be with Matt. But the thought that in such a short period of time, I will have an entire knew life. And sometimes I freak out. BUT!! I take comfort in my Sovereign Lord. After all, He is the one who put us together and has orchestrated our love story, surely He is not leaving me now. I am so thankful I can call upon Him at any time even when I am the loneliest of lonely (Is that possible?) when Matt's at work, and I am home alone, in a city where I know no one, with no car, and no friends. He is always there. I take comfort in His Word, where I always get truth and comfort from, and these are the verses that I have been going back to.
"My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, YOU ARE THERE; if I make my bed in hell, behold YOU ARE THERE. If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts if the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. He found him in a desert land and in the wasteland, a howling wilderness; He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of his eye. As an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreading out its wings,taking them up, carrying them on its wings, so the Lord alone led him. THE LORD IS THERE.
Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in. And He led them forth by the right way. In this place I will give peace, says the Lord of hosts. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Exodus 33:14, Psalm 139 :7-10, Deut. 32:10-12, Ezek. 48:35; 2 Chron. 1:10; Psalm 107:7, Hag. 2:9, Josh. 1:9.
Happy Valentines Day. Its our VERY LAST holiday we have to spend apart!!! I am so excited to spend the rest of my holidays (Lord willing) with my man! I am so thankful that the Lord has blessed me with this man! I love him so dearly and in just 3 short weeks we get to be husband and wife! Yay!
"
I am the Vine, You are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; For without Me you can do nothing."
I can do NOTHING without Him. Lord, May I stay connected to You.
This is my new book that I have just started today. I have already been challenged and encouraged by this book. I have already started seeing things diffrently. My goal is to pray specifically for Matt and diffrent situations that may arise, and to pray for myself; That I would examine myself before asking the Lord to change him. I can't wait to learn more. I want to be a praying wife always. Praying for Matt all the time, for our future family, friends, home, and life.
"The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall ALWAYS be with the Lord. Therefore,comfort one another with these words. He who testifies to these things says "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, Come, Lord Jesus.
Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by HIM in peace, without spot and blameless. Abstain from every form of evil., Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."
Amen! Come Soon Jesus! Take me Home!!!
Phil. 4:5; 1Thess. 4:16-18; Rev. 22:20; 2 Peter 3:14; 1 Thess. 5:22-24; James 5:8.
I finally have time to sit down for a minute and put my thoughts to words on whats been going on in the past few weeks with me! My life has been steady some days and crazy busy other days. I guess its good that I am doing things to keep me busy so that time goes by faster so that I can see Matt quicker. I finally got word that his plane will Lord willing, land one last time by himself (yay!) on February 22nd. 5 weeks away! Its insane to think that, that will be the last time he will come "visit" me, and when he goes back home, he is going to bring home his wife! Ahhhh! This time at times, has flown by, yet other days it can't get here quick enough. I am so, so, so excited that its almost here, and things are slowly but surely falling into place for the wedding, and things are coming together. My parents living room is invititation central right now, with envelopes, labels, and such all over the place! But its such an amazing sight!
Matt is getting the house ready for my arrival,doing some deep cleaning to the house so I feel that I can settle right in and relax when we finally get to our home. I look forward to learning to cook for him, learn new things with him and just finally be together for long periods of time, after being apart for so long. I am looking forward to life in the south and learning a new town, and I know I will have the best guide in town, my husband! =).
My first bridal shower is taking place this coming Saturday which I am so excited about! My church family is throwing me one and its going to be so great to celebrate my upcoming marriage with so many Godly women who have been a blessing in my life and have poured their lives into me, and have blessed me in so many incredible ways. Not to mention the great food that will be there!
I am soaking and saturating the Word right now. I am going through the book, Mary Heart in a Martha World.. and I am absolutely loving it right now. Its so applicable to me right now, that I don't forget who is the center of my life, and that I don't get to caught up in the business of the life that I live right now, and forget to take time out to spend with the One who has blessed my life with all these incredible things, for He along is worthy of all glory and praise for all that He has done in my life. I continue to study the Psalm of the week-Reading it over and over getting new meanings out of it each time. My goal this New Year is to also increase my prayer life making sure He is apart of all I do, all the time.
Leah keeps me busy still, running her around to speech and different activities I find for us to do. I only have a few more weeks with her and at the salon. I truly am going to miss her and the boys as well as all my co workers at the salon. I truly have been blessed in both jobs with some great people that I enjoy. I am also excited about what the Lord has in store for me in another job in the near future in GA.
You are now caught up on my life thus far. My Christ continue to grow me, change me, humble me, and make me more like Jesus everyday.
Till I get to marry my best friend, I get to grow old with, and do life with. I will blog more on what I have been up too, hopefully over the weekend.... Until then.....
