There's Much to Be Thankful For...

Author: Michael and Emily

Thanksgiving with Emily's awesome sisters in Evansville

We’re on an airplane flying back from Indiana to Houston as we write this.  It can be pretty painful to leave Indiana since we love it so much, but we know that we’re in Houston for a reason and part of us is excited to get back after this wonderful vacation.  We can definitely say we were as thankful this Thanksgiving as ever for the time we got to spend with friends and family, creating memories along the way.  Some of our favorite times during this trip were celebrating Thanksgiving with Emily’s family, celebrating Michael’s Grandmother’s birthday with Michael’s family, watching the Colts/Patriots game with our best friends (though the outcome wasn’t what we hoped), and eating a big lunch at Smokin’ Jacks in Bloomington with our college friends.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

As we resume life in Houston, we’ll be jumping back into the midst of lots of things.  For one, Emily is currently at the beginning of her nanny job, which she is enjoying so far.  She gets to take care of an eight-month old baby boy three days a week and is enjoying it, though she had forgotten how much energy it takes to keep up with a baby!  Pretty soon, she’ll be dealing with lots of babies... she just received the official job offer for a NICU nurse position at Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center on the northwest side of Houston!!  She begins this job in February, which is right when the nanny position wraps up.  Praise God for His perfect timing – it’s little things like this that show us we never need to stress out or be anxious, because God takes care of us and knows what is best for us – He just asks that we trust Him (1 Peter 5:7).

On Monday, Michael will resume teaching 9^th grade Algebra.  It can be pretty tough sometimes to find joy in the high-stress, exhausting work environment that is a first-year teacher’s classroom.  We definitely ask for prayers about that, that even in the midst of trials, we would find joy (James 1:2).  We know that we have a lot to learn about being joyful regardless of our circumstances and becoming more mature.

Watching the Colts game with friends in Indy over Thanksgiving

Watching the Colts game with friends in Indy over Thanksgiving

We’ve talked on our trip back to Indiana a few times about what we love most about married life and the thing that keeps coming up is just getting to spend life together.  We love playing Scrabble, going to the pool, hanging out with friends, watching movies, making dinner (OK, so in reality, Emily has been carrying the load in the dinner department – and she does a darn good job of it!), reading, going on dates, taking walks, praying together – these are the things that really help build our marriage.  And, as mentioned in previous posts, we love our church – Kaleo – and are involved in a small group where we get to talk through God’s word each week and have a community of friends.  

One last thing: God is teaching us both about what true love looks like.  Here is an excerpt from our new believer’s Bible about what true love is, based on 1 Corinthians 13:

God says love should be directed toward others (vv. 1-3).  The world says love should be directed toward ourselves.

God says love is patient and kind (v. 4).  The world says love satisfies your immediate needs.

God says love is never jealous or envious (v. 4).  The world says love means that you deserve the “best.” 

God says love is never boastful or proud (v. 4).  The world says love isn’t necessary to make people respect you.

God says love is never rude (v. 5).  The world says love lets you act as you please.

God says love does not demand its own way (v. 5).  The world says love gets in the way of what is in it for me.

God says love is not irritable or touchy, and it holds no grudges (v. 5).  The world says love takes a backseat when it comes to seeking revenge.

God says love rejoices in justice and truth (v. 6).  The world says love understands – even ignores – evil.

God says love is loyal (v. 7).  The world says love should be self-serving.

This commentary was incredibly convicting for both of us.  Thank God that He grants grace through Christ, because we have a long way to go in the area of loving others!  We can't thank you enough for your continued prayers and encouragement.  We praise God for providing Emily with a job – He continues to show us that His timing is perfect, that He is in control and has a perfect plan.  We ask for prayers that we would seek God first and foremost in our personal walks, our marriage, our relationships with others, and in our jobs.  How can we be praying for you?

Houston Arboretum

We also wanted to briefly mention that we had the joy of hosting Michael's parents when they came for a visit from Indiana in late October - we were able to show them around Houston and spend some quality time together which was a huge blessing!