You Are So Loved

Before my husband and I moved away we took a trip up the California coastline. We visited San Francisco, the Redwoods, Big Sur, Cambria, and a few other places along the way. What an amazing week to get away from the stresses of life and unplug for a little bit. I love times like that.

As human beings we all have different voices we are listening to that we shouldn't- voices of comparison, of not measuring up, of something in our brain that is just not thinking right! The pressures of daily life can just mess with us. I love that verse- In your light we see light. (Psalm 36:9) We need God's light on every situation. Without it we are just a mess.

Lately God has been speaking this to me- you are so loved. If we know we are loved by God we can do anything. Really. Anything. When we are operating out of the love God gives us we are not insecure, fearful, or doubting. We are not relying on the opinion or approval of others. It doesn't matter- because we are loved. It changes everything. It gives us the power and confidence to love others without being loved in return. It keeps us from self-pity and self-focus. It teaches us to love sacrificially the way Jesus did. It teaches us to die to self so that we might live life more abundantly. That is the life I want. The more abundant life.

So here is a reminder to myself and anyone else out there- you are loved!

Mountain Grandeur

I don't know what it is about this picture that I love so much. Maybe the peaceful landscape and the cute man beside me? Or that we are accidentally matching? Or that fact that it brings to mind the words of this hymn:

When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze
Then sing my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

There were mountains around and more like a strong breeze! But still the words hold true! How great is our God!

Trees In The Desert

In a desert land we have found an amazing escape- the King Hussein Park. Filled with green trees and amazing landscapes. My husband and I often drive there for an evening walk. In the summer time it is literally overflowing with people having picnics...but in the winter, the beautiful winter, it feels as though  it is our own private park. We always marvel at the stunning park in the middle of a bustling, desert city. It is very near to our house and one of the things we enjoy most. Our trees in the desert.

Amman Citadel

This man- I'm telling you, he was born to model!

Just a small portion of the ruins.

We live in a city full of amazing history and ancient sites. Amman sits on seven hills. The Amman Citadel is on the highest of the hills (or so I have read). Whenever we have guests in town this is the first place we take them. The ruins are absolutely breathtaking... as is the view of the city.

The other week my husband and I had the opportunity to visit and take a few pictures. These pictures do not even begin to do this place justice. We only had time to snap a few shots- I hope to return soon and take more. It's ok to still be a tourist in your new home when your new home is this amazing!

All Things Fall

All set up to be thankful...

The party favors- homemade pumpkin butter! It doesn't get better than that.

Pumpkin Pancakes

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Lattes- better than Starbucks 

Pumpkin Pancakes

Carving Peppers

Last week we got together with some friends in honor of Fall and all things pumpkin. We had pumpkin pancakes (that I made from scratch- yes, I consider it from scratch even with that can of pumpkin pie mix!), biscuits and gravy, pumpkin spice lattes, apple crisp, and carving peppers. I can't think of much that is better than a combination of all things listed above. Major sugar overload but worth every bite! I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

We are thankful to be able to hold onto some of these fun American traditions- even in the Middle East. Thankful for friends to do it with and the way things taste that much better when they are a special treat!

We Have So Very Much To Be Thankful For

Those sheep totally photo-bombed me!

I wonder if on that first Thanksgiving they knew- if they knew what that day would become. A world-wide holiday celebrating our thankfulness to God. But they couldn't have. They couldn't have known that so many of us would LOVE this team of year. The changing of the trees, the cooling of the weather, the obsession with all things pumpkin. They couldn't have know that around this time of year there would be a natural thankfulness in our hearts. They just looked at what God had done and they said THANK YOU! With a feast. I love it.

So today as I look around me I feel the same. Thankfulness to God for the place He has brought me to, the people He has put around me, and for the marvelous way He has made this world with the changing of the seasons. 

We truly do have so very much to be thankful for!

Egyptian Anniversary

I have no idea who this house belongs to- we just thought it was beautiful!

He does that serious face so dang well! 

One year (and seventeen days) ago my husband and I got married. And I sure didn't know what I was in for! We met in New Zealand, got to know each other in Jordan, dated in England, visited France, married in America, honeymooned in Mexico, moved to Jordan, and to top it off celebrated our anniversary in Egypt. Is God good to us, or what? You know that verse- "no good thing will He withhold from those walk uprightly"? Well I believe it! 

So here are some pictures of our anniversary trip to Sharm El Sheikh. It was less expensive to go there than to stay in Jordan. No problem for us :) 

So, so thankful for my first year of marriage. Marriage isn't always perfect and easy but I'm thankful for my godly husband and the things God has done in my life through marriage. Thankful He gave me such a good man to go through life with. 

"Many waters cannot quench love, nor will rivers overflow it; if a man were to give all the riches of his house for love, it would be utterly despised."

Song of Solomon 8:7