A Wife Loved Like The Church

Here are some pictures of Jonathan and I from our RAGBRAI experience.

In this one we had just started. 6 miles in, only 41 more to go!

We got really excited when we found out that there is a Windham, Iowa.

Here I am after the infamous Cosgrove Hill. By this point I was exhausted. I’m soaking wet because after the top of the hill some boys are spraying all the cyclists. I got off my bike, walked over to them and let them drench me.

And Jonathan after the Cosgrove Hill. If it weren’t for him pushing me the last 10 miles, I’m not sure I would have made it!

I really had such a great time, I want to try again next year. Now, I know I’m crazy! 🙂

Last year for during our honeymoon, Jonathan and I called the time “Honeymoon Extravaganza 2005”, since we were on vacation for 2 wonderful weeks. This past weekend we celebrated our 1 year anniversary, dubbed “Anniversary Extravaganza 2006.” I’m liking this trend and think every year we should have a party like attitude to celebrate our relationship and what God has done in our lives.

Friday we kicked our anniversary off with a bang. Actually with a bike. We rode in RAGBRAI from Marengo to Coralville. Ahh, RAGBRAI. We rode a glorious 47 miles in blistering heat for 7 1/2 hours. Did I mention that Jonathan and I are crazy?! Well, we are. And the best part of our ride was the “rolling hills”. Everyone told us the ride was pretty much flat with the exception of one large hill. WRONG! Jonathan calculated that we rode what was equivilant of going up hill for 10 miles. And the “one large hill” was actually Iowa’s steepest incline (so we were told). By the time we were back in IC we had some pretty sweet tan lines, and some very sore bottoms!

Saturday we drove to Des Moines for Dexter and Kelsey Jacobs wedding. It was a real blessing to go to a wedding during our anniversary. Dan performed the ceremony and spoke on Ephesians 5:22-33. I almost laughed when he gave the reference, because Jonathan and I had just been discussing (for over a week) on the husband/wife role. So many times I find myself following after myself and not Jonathan. And each time whatever I planned our whatever I did seems to get me in trouble some how. But when I just submit and follow Jonathan, life seems to be a breeze. Interesting…. At any rate, God used that message to only confirm what Jonathan has been saying for days, and it really made me realize the need to follow and not lead.

After the wedding we drove to Pella, where we stayed in a bed and breakfast. Pella is a nice sleepy town, and the time alone with my hubby was nice. We went to dinner, rented a movie and just talked about how amazing God has been over this last year. We have been so blessed in our marriage, with more growth in one year than either of us expected, and it’s all because of God. And we like it that way. At one point we just started praying thanking Christ for being in control and that we would always live and life and marriage that put Him first and at the head.

All in all it was a fabulous weekend. And once we get settled in to the Abdos this week I’ll post pictures of RAGBRAI.

Jonathan and I have been praying about having kids for the last few months. I’m the very happy-go-lucky daydreamer in the relationship, but Jonathan’s very logical and keeps me grounded. He brings up all the very serious issues, while I bring up color schemes for bedrooms. Over the last month or two, I’ve started to really get a grasp on the idea of “real parenting”. God’s been revealing what it will truly mean to be a parent; working on my character and my relationship with Christ, not just growing up socially acceptable children. As it seems that time is getting closer to us actually trying to have kids, I’ve learned one thing. I am so, and I mean soooo, very grateful that we get to start off as parents of infants and not teens.

For the last 3 weeks, Bradley, my 18 year old brother-in-law, has been staying with us. Teens are funny little creatures. They sleep and eat 24-7. They know everything and are not so willing to listen to anyone other than other teens (who also know everything). It’s been a very good test of my patience. I have to realize that Bradley hasn’t yet come to know Christ as his Savior, and therefore can’t walk in the spirit. Which means I need to show even more love and more compassion. Man!

Luckily, Jonathan is right here with me. Every time I get short with Bradley, or say something so out of the spirit, I turn around to have Jonathan say “Is this what God wants from you?” Well, no silly, but that’s what my flesh wants, and isn’t that what counts?! Well, obviously not, but sometimes I think that way. So I have to put myself in check, ask God for more strength and keep showing unconditional love, when really I want to pop someone’s head like a little tick.

And it makes me realize, God’s a good God. He is loving, patient, kind, giving, caring, and gentle. While I deserve to spend eternity away from Him, He’s made it possible to be with Him forever. So who am I to complain about one month of endurance? I know that He will (and has) provide me with so much more grace than I could ever ask for, especially when I least deserve it. And so, with all that grace, I think it’s only right to show it to others.

It seems that every family has their own “family” blog. Seeing as Jonathan is a computer genius (even if he’s modest and says he’s not), I thought it a shame to not have a blog.

We’re moving this weekend. Jonathan’s been in Chicago the last few days with Pat, so I’m not even sure what the game plan is for moving our stuff. Plus, we’ve got the decision of living with the Abdos or the Olingers. **Geez it’s so nice having friends who are just itching to live with us** I actually think it’s all because of Judah. 🙂 Perhaps we’ll do halvies. One month with the Abdos and one month with the O’s. Either way, I’ve got a feeling that the next three months are going to be way better than I can even imagine. It’s like being on vacation… but better.