Two Years.

     Last month, on October 30th, Daniel and I celebrated two years of dating! This seems so cliche to say, but I truly am a blessed woman. This relationship has challenged me and caused me to grow in countless ways. I truly believe that I am dating the silliest, most handsome, wisest, strongest, selfless, caring man in the world. He inspires and motivates me daily. I sure love that monkey of mine. :)

*All of these pictures were taken by our dear friend, Miss Madison Groves!

Every Single Woman in the World Should Watch This

"A Man's Promise"

This video broke me.

"You are worth so much more than what the world offers."
My heart honestly breaks for each and every one of you. You are so beautiful and so, oh my goodness, LOVED, and worth so much more than what the world has told you. The way God has made you... with all of the gifts, the abilities, the talents, the things that stir within your heart, God has placed them there and for such divine purpose at that. YOU. ARE. INCREDIBLE. Truly take that to heart - do not just skim over this, as if its some other girly encouragement, my heart is broken for you and the wrongs the world, men, and even other women may have caused you in your life. No longer base your beauty on your appearance or the approval of others. No longer, I tell you. Do not give the enemy a foothold in your life. You are worth so much more. I love you all so much, and infinitely more does your heavenly Father.

Why Can't it be Valentine's Every Day?

   

I know this is backwards...oops, but I made "Love Coupons"
for Dan. So easy and fun. Handmade gifts are the best gifts.
I love crafts!

     Heart decor in shades of red and pink, chocolate, flowers, statues regarding "Singles Awareness Day," movies, dinner dates, and love; it's that time of year... er, it was a week ago. I apologize I'm posting a Valentine's-esque blog almost a week late, but the more I think about it, the timing of this blog entry is absolutely perfect with what I intend to say.

     My Valentine's Day was nothing outrageously extravagant or over the top expensive. It was simple, but ...perfect. My boyfriend, Daniel, and I exchanged little gifts, got some dinner, and went to see the Vow. Now I'll have you know, I was definitely one of those silly girls who had been squirmin' and squealin' with anticipation to see the Vow for months and months. Although, I must admit it wasn't what I thought it'd be. Sure, it was a pretty good film. There were cute scenes and sweet "awww" worthy moments; but at the end of the movie I couldn't help but think, I had been so excited to see this for so long, expecting it to be the greatest chick flick of all time and one of the sweetest love stories. Why didn't it have the same incredible "wow" effect on me as it did on other women? I've come to one conclusion...

Daniel and I before going on our date :)

...because I know a greater love.

     The more I learn about Godly love, the more I understand that true love takes sacrifice and sometimes because we're all human, frankly, it can hurt. Though the Vow isn't one in particular to really glorify "effortless love," I must say, true love, Godly love isn't quite as effortless, perfect, and lovely as many films often depict it to be, but I'm learning it's worth it. The Vow was sweet; a cute date movie, but the greatest love of all is so much deeper, more powerful, and true. That's the love that our hearts truly long for. The only love that never fails.
     Another thing I realized this past Valentine's day was that amidst the excitement of dressing up all pretty, chocolates, rose, going to dinner, the Vow, and love-is-in-the-air feelings, my favorite parts of the night were really just the moments spent genuinely talking and laughing with Dan; holding his hand, sneaking peeks at him throughout the movie and just thanking God I get to date my handsome, silly best friend, just being with him. The kind of moments I can have with him every day, regardless of how sharp we look, the amount of money spent, or gifts given. Let's not get so wrapped up in the material things or a specific holiday, but continually appreciate and honor the genuine love we have in our lives, because it's there every day. 

Godly Love

Today my heart is really going out to the broken-hearted. So many of us are searching for love - we want to experience that magical love with someone else that we see in movies and read about in books. Many in relationships get frustrated when things don't turn out the way they'd hoped it would, perhaps in the perfect way that many books and movies perceive love to be. Instead of looking at love from a worldly perspective, let's look at what the Word of God tells us:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

If all we really need is love, shouldn't love come down to something more than self-gain, temporary butterflies, and attraction? In our relationships, we should constantly be instilling the bolded characteristics in our love. I've been told that we all have a God-shaped hole in our hearts that only He can fill. God's love never fails. One of the reasons there are so many broken hearts due to failed relationships is that too many try to fill God's place in their heart with someone else first. Girls, God wants to so captivate your heart before you open it to any man.  

"A woman's heart should be so lost in God that a man must seek Him in order to find her." 

Before you open your heart to anyone, you must first find your worth, fulfillment, confidence, and strength in God alone. He will teach you about Godly love [what it is, how to live it out] - so much deeper than anything any movie or book could ever portray. Do not be angry or frustrated with God over your current relationship status, "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28) - He knows what's best for you and your life. Even if you don't understand his reasoning at the moment, just trust Him and be patient until you can see the bigger picture. In Isaiah 55:8-9, God tells us “for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." He is always faithful. Once you find that only He can fulfill your heart's greatest desires and longings for love, only then will you be able to truly love another human - with Godly love.

"Arms Wide Open" - Misty Edwards