if you give a cockroach steroids

I’m back.

Swollen knee, semi-tanned skin and all.

I absolutely had the time of my life. God is just so incredible how he sneaks little blessings into your life.

I could give you a play-by-play of the trip, but honestly, I’m a smidge tired (read: completely exhausted), and I really don’t feel as if I would do it justice. Our days were so filled with different activities and I learned an incredible amount from people who I certainly didn’t expect to learn much from.

I will tell you this: the cockroaches in the DR are taking advice from the Sammy Sosa’s of the world. There was some serious ‘roid usage on their part, that’s all I’m saying.

I will leave you with a few photos though, because that’s always fun.

shakin’ in my flip-flops

In 2 and a half-ish days, I will be leaving to go on a missions trip to the Dominican Republic.

I do not like flying (which, they tell me, is the only possible way of getting there).

I do not like bugs (which I hear there is an abundance of).

I do not like being reminded of the fact that we are the most spoiled nation on the face of this planet (which I hear is unavoidable).

I do like challenging myself. And expecting the unexpected. And being totally in the grip of my Lord’s hands (ok, I don’t always enjoy that, it means I’m not in control, but I like it right now). And thinking about someone besides myself, and what struggles I’m going through.

So I guess I’m looking forward to this.

Except for the flying. I hate flying.

bet they never thought of this……

5 years

5 years ago, this month, I met you. I can vividly remember seeing the back of your head as I walked down the aisle toward the pew you were sitting in. I remember your chin and your eyes, and your smile. You smiled at me. I don’t remember a single thing about the sermon that Sunday, I only remember you.

I remember thinking that I’d never see you again; that your shadow would never again cross the threshold of those church doors. I was wrong.

You came back, and we became acquainted with one another, and I remember being stunned at how quickly I began to fall for you. I kept waiting for something to go wrong, anything that would take you away from me. But on our relationship progressed.

In the 5 years since that first wonderful day, we’ve had to struggle through some dark times and float through happy times. We’ve spent time together and time apart. We got married, lived together and loved one another. They have been 5 wonderful years. 

God made you for me. He picked you out of millions for me, long before I was even conceived. I am yours and you are mine.

I am so thankful for the path that has lead us here. I am so thankful that you didn’t go to college where your parents and siblings before you chose to go. I am so thankful that you chose that Sunday to come to my church. I am so thankful that I was there. I am so thankful for meddling friends.

I am so thankful for you.

5 years isn’t that long, and I hope that there are many more where this 5 came from.

I love you. I miss you. I can’t wait to see your face again.