Graduation!

It's that time of year again!  Weddings and Graduation parties galore!!!  The time to celebrate all of the amazing blessings in our lives... Yes, you may have gone through a few bumps to get to these accomplishments, but that just makes them all that much more exciting! 

My questions for you this week are: What drove you in this accomplishment?  How was your success obtained?  Who cheered you on, and who thought you could never reach this point? 

What scriptures were your foundation?  One of my favorites is: "For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."' Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Following God's plan for you is not always the popular choice.  Maybe He told you not to go to college, and you get lectures monthly telling what a horrible idea it is not to go for a "higher" education.  Maybe you felt led to go into a field that others think is crazy.  Or maybe you haven't figured out what your next step is.  That is okay!  When we wait on the Lord, and trust in His perfect plan, there is nothing to worry about (Psalm 37, Isaiah 40:30-31, Psalm 59:9) 

Take it from me, you don't want to let others decide what is best for you.  Let God decide.  "For I know the plans I have for you... Plans to prosper, to give you hope and a future." He knows what's best, and I encourage you to follow His lead. 

Congratulations to all who have accomplished those diplomas, degrees and/or marriage licenses!  May God bless each of you in all that you do!

Blessings!
~ S*

First Kiss...

So most of my readers already know that I am planning on saving my first kiss for my wedding day... How about you?? Are you planning on waiting?

I stumbled across an article yesterday about this very subject. (Click Here to read) The writer heard that a guy was planning on saving his first kiss for his wedding day, but to her that was pretty much a foreign idea... Reading the comments below the post was intriguing to me, for I have never really heard the world's point of view on this topic. I have heard some people say that they wouldn't want there first kiss to be in front of a bunch of people... I have heard people say they couldn't wait that long... At first the writer thought the idea was romantic, but quickly changed her mind as she proceeded to think about it. Most of the other commenters agreed that it was a stupid idea to wait until you were married; however, there was one that tried to explain the idea a little better while relating it to courtship. Although this commenter didn't follow this idea herself, she had a bit understanding.

I personally wouldn't mind if the entire world watched my first kiss with my husband on my wedding day. (who knows... Maybe that is how I will land a spot on "Say Yes to the Dress" or "Four Weddings"!) But even if it is just a private party the meaning of a first kiss wedding is an important one (for me anyway)...

The proof of your love and devotion for each other is shown in your willingness to wait. You are honoring your spouse to be in other ways too. If you save your first kiss, that means you didn't use it up on someone else! Saving your body for your husband will give everything you do with him a special excitement, you get to learn together, and you would never have to worry about comparing him to someone else, or him comparing you.

What are your thoughts? What are the pros and cons of waiting until your wedding day? Do you think it would be awful? Are you too shy to do it in front of an audience? Why or why not? Do you have regrets from times when you have given something away to a man you didn't end up marrying? I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences!

~ S*

Lists!!

I am a list person. I do things so much more efficiently if I have made a list of all the things that I need to accomplish.

A couple days ago, while praying and studying in my morning quiet time, I decided to make a list of all the things I could be thinking about/doing in preparation for my future.

As much as I am looking forward to marriage, moving out, etc. I think it will be a MAJOR wake up call. I have taken so many things for granted. My parents have provided lots of things for me up to this point in my life, so what will I truly be getting myself into when I am out "on my own"?

Here are a few things on my list:
1. Make a list of expenses in running my own home (try to get accurate dollar amounts)
2. Make a schedule/list of things/responsibilities I will have when I am in charge of my own home.
3. Make a list of the necessary items "we" (we being my husband and I *sigh*) will need to start out in a new home.
4. a. Create a budget with the above things I have learned.
4. b. What would it be like to add a child to the mix?
5. Grocery list! What will I need to be shopping and clipping coupons for?
6. Wedding list and budget!! :) (I, of course, had to throw something fun into this new reality)

And I could go on, but I think you get the idea. Whoa! MAJOR wake up call. These are things I had not given even the slightest thought to in the past. What in the world am I going to do when I have a husband of my own to take care of? What about KIDS!?! I personally plan on waiting a few years to add them, but you never know... :)

I have always wanted to begin preparing myself for wife-hood... (is that a word?) by doing things NOW. However, I am slowly realizing I am far from being prepared! What are you doing to prepare for your future? Are you one to "cross that bridge when you get to it"? Or are you a list maker/planner like me? What are some other things that I should prepare for that are not on my list? What other things can I be doing to honor my spouse right here right now?

One thing I have done (or should I say do quite often) is pray for my future husband! And I am hoping that he is doing the same thing for me. Am I doing my job at answering those prayers? Am I becoming the woman that I think he would want? Some of the things on my "list" for a future husband could be on his "list" for a future wife! Am I following my own list of desires in a mate and becoming who/what I expect him to be? We shall see soon enough, but I want to be as ready as I can be for that special someone when he comes into my life!

~ S*