Obsessed with {Divine Appointments}

Us, livin it up!

As promised, here is a recap of our fabulous anniversary vacation! The Grand Mayan was nothing short of amazing. Steve and I had a fabulous time reconnecting and relaxing during our week away from reality. The BEST part was we didn’t get online, on the phone or ANY type of media all week. Remember what that was like, guys? When the internet didn’t dominate our lives?

We opted not to do any major excursions rather we went to the spa (and by we, I mean ‘I’), went scuba diving (Steve), relaxed (both if us!), read (me!) and ate TONS of amazing food (both!).

On our very first night, we were walking around the gorgeous grounds of the hotel and came across a couple trying to set up their camera timer for a picture. Having been there and done that ourselves PLENTY of times, we offered to take the photo for them. While Steve expertly took photos and explained the complexities of a Cannon camera to the male member of the couple, I struck up a conversation with his wife. 45 minutes later, Aicel and I were laughing, sharing marital advice and feeling like we had known each other forever! We looked over to see Steve and Drew (her husband) doing the SAME thing.

It was a Divine Appointment. After finishing our conversations, Steve and Drew prayed together right by the pool. It was awesome. Drew and Aicel are missionaries in Northern Africa, working on college campuses with Muslim students. They inspired Steve and I tremendously–it was so cool to meet a YOUNG, just married couple with a passion and fire for God. How rare to see people willing to give up their lives for others–seeking no personal gain or notoriety–they are living their passions EVERY DAY.

One of the things Aicel and I talked about was letting our husbands BE the men God created them to be–the leaders He created them to be as well. I’m not talking about dominating men, ruling over us, just the head figures in our lives and marriages. What a blessing to have the covering of a sweet and godly man over us!

I’ve thought a lot about Aicel since we’ve met (and we’ve already emailed back and forth!). Then yesterday, I read this AMAZING blog post by my cyber role model and friend, Emily Ley. Emily recently had an epiphany about what Matters Most. I encourage you ALL to read it for yourselves, but here’s my favorite snippet (taken right from Emily’s Blog):

1) Realization: I cannot change _______ (insert your husbands name here!). Period.

2) Question: Who would he be if I didn’t try to change or “guide” (fancy word for control) him?

_______(insert your husbands name here!) would be an amazing _______. He’d love _______… a lot. He’s be messy sometimes and really, really funny. He’d prefer “man food” to healthy food. He’d have a heart of gold.

3) Question: In looking at those things, how can I, as his wife, minimize our differences and amplify our similarities?

For example: Difference – Bryan loves football. I don’t understand it. I’ve never taken the time to learn it. Learn football. Similarity – Bryan and I LOVE wine. We love learning about wine and trying new ones. Make good use of our new wet bar in our new kitchen being renovated this summer.

4) Question: When the differences we have (that will always be there) upset me or when I mess up in my attempt to have a new attitude or be a better companion to him, what will I do?

Good stuff, no?? Today I feel challenged and inspired. All the ‘Divine Appointments’ I’ve had over the past few weeks have been truly a blessing. Thank you Aicel, for your AMAZING example and conversations about life and marriage, thank you EMILY for sharing such enlightening advice and feelings. I am all the better for these encounters.