Life as we know it...

Mark and I are doing well in Northeastern PA.  Life is settling down.  We have been in Dickson City for four months and are enjoying the doors God has been opening for us. His provisions are amazing. It is easy in the busyness of life to forget where He has brought us in the last 7 months of our marriage.(A summer at camp, the adventures of moving, job situations, heartbreak, ministry with our church, wonderful godly friendships...etc!) God has been so good to us, and as I type this I am reminded of His love and how He has been with us every step of the journey!
Winter is in full swing here in PA. the Snow is beautiful, but our little Honda Accord is not such a fan of it. God has seen to protect us so far on the snowy/icy roads, and we are very thankful. Seeing as we are sharing one car it is a must to have it work/run well!
This new year has brought with it some new opportunities. Mark is in his second week of working at Baptist Bible College. He is enjoying the new job, but has his moments of discouragement. It has been a joy to visit him on his lunch breaks occasionally. There is something unique about those moments, they just really make me feel that we're married. ( Like one of those...is this for real? moments) I have imagined visiting him at his job and bringing our kids to see daddy one day. However, for now it's just me that makes those frequent visits, and it is a sweet gift!. (A gift that will end all to soon as I jump into Substitute Teaching).
 I am reminded often these days that this amazing man is working for me...for us as a couple...He is pushing himself to learn so many new things; to become a useful and reliable IT employee! I am very blessed to have Mark in my life.
As I mentioned previously, I also switched into something new this year. It however is taking time and patience to get in to full swing. Substitute teaching is on the horizon. Now begins the nights of ALWAYS remembering to put my cell phone next to the bed and waiting for those 6:30am phone calls! ( Lord, grant we wisdom and strength to speak and think clearly at that time of morning!) I am axcious about subbing. I love having a routine, and it seems that with subbing a routine is highly unlikely :). Just another way the Lord will stretch me and grow me I'm sure.
Mark and I are excited about what the future holds for us. We are trusting God with all the details. Why should we worry?  ( Phil. 4:6-7 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus).
Finances are tight (seeing as I've been playing houswife for a bit, and currently have no income). However, it is encouraging to know that God never looks past a NEED. Mark often prays that God would give us everything we NEED to do His will. Sure we like being comfortable, but what if God calls us to set aside many of those comforts for Him? Just a thought. We are cutting back the grocery budget and it is an enjoyable challenge to stretch our dollars. (Did you know at Aldi's  Mac & Cheese is 29 cents a box!!) Love it! Two of my favorite words are ON SALE :). 
We do not know what tomorrow, next month, or next year will hold for us as a couple. There are moments we think we have a plan, but we trust and know God's plan will prevail. We are beyond thankful that we have a God who loves us uncoditionally and is helping guide our steps on this journey. So to end...I think our word for this month is TRUST.  God knows our desires, ambitions, and hopes for the future. The ironic twist is although we can dream it up, God is the only one that can make it happen! He is the only one that knows how the story will unfold :).We TRUST that as we walk this path as ONE...that He will show us the plan step by step with His grace and wisdom to guide us along the way...

On this journey home with all of you...