Forever Beloved - Faith, Love & Truth

June 2, 2015

Happy Birthday Grandma

I wish I could put into words how much I miss this sweet lady. Sometimes the waves of sadness seem to envelope me and I have to sit down and just let the tears flow. Her laugh, her sass, her caring heart…I wish for just one day I could make her another onion and lunch meat sandwich right after we watched The Price is Right…love you so much Grandma, happy birthday in Heaven ♥

If life could only bring again, the days I took for granted when

To hear your voice was just a call away

Oh what I’d give for just some time, to say the things that slipped my mind

There’s so much now I’d really like to say

But I can never go back when we did the things we did back then

I’ll store those precious memories in my mind

I’ll take what you’ve instilled in me; I’ll try to be all I can be

And walk the path that you have left behind

I sure miss you; life will never be the same with you not here

Each passing day has brought much pain

But with God’s grace my strength remains

I sure miss you, but heaven’s sweeter with you there

The little things that seemed so small are now gold in a memory vault

I cherish every one I have of you

Now I can see and recognize the part you played to shape my life

I often see you in the things I do

In God’s design and master plan He saw the hurting hearts of man

As we would say goodbye to those so dear

So with our family and friends we’ll be together once again

We’ll view all heaven’s splendor hand in hand

June 1, 2015

hello. goodbye.

hello june, goodbye may

hello to my first little graduating, goodbye dry eyes

hello using the grill, goodbye oven

hello long visits at camp, goodbye boring evenings

hello bible school, and teaching with my son

hello morning coffee with my chickens

hello fathers day, and being thankful for the father I have and the father my littles have

hello three weddings, and editing for basically ever

hello 19 years with the most amazing man!

What are you saying hello and goodbye to today?

May 31, 2015

Ready to Wed {Book Review}

Ready to Wed

by Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley

About the book:

Written for engaged couples, this book is full of tools, tips, and instructions that start a couple on a straight path to a strong marriage. Emphasizing that marriage and family are good, the book integrates the 12 Traits of a Thriving Marriage to help prepare and strengthen marriages from the start. A vital resource for those who mentor engaged couples and for pastors/churches who wish to use it in a premarital counseling program.

This book is written for engaged couples. It’s full of tools, tips, and instructions that start a couple on a straight path to a strong marriage. Emphasizing that marriage and family are good, the book integrates the 12 Traits of a Thriving Marriage to help prepare and strengthen marriages from the start. This would be a great resource for those who counsel engaged couples.

In the book, Gary Smalley discussed the power of honoring our spouse. He said he wrote a list about everything he cherished about his wife and when he was frustrated or mad at his wife, he would pull out his list to remind himself of everything he loved about his wife. How many marriages could be saved by doing that, wow.

I would recommend this life changing book to anyone who is engaged or married! If you’re looking to build a solid marriage with Jesus at the center, this is a must read. I really liked how the book had so many different authors who are expects in their field and they have massive knowledge about marriage. So many of us go into marriage blindly, thinking our fairy tale is about to begin. When in all actuality, it’s work and sacrifice. Not just once, but time after time. This book will help you be prepared for marriage, and the possible struggles, ahead of time.

Thank you to Tyndale Publishers for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Dr. Greg Smalley serves as executive director of Marriage and Family Formation at Focus on the Family. In this role, he develops and oversees initiatives that prepare individuals for marriage, strengthen and nurture existing marriages and help couples in marital crises. He also serves as a media spokesperson on these matters.

Married since 1992, the Smalleys live in Colorado with their three daughters, Taylor, Maddy and Annie, and their son, Garrison.