Fire Code

Dear Fire Code,

You really suck. Yes, I know... I said the "s" word. However, you came at a good time. I have God to thank for that one. Your visit to my place of residence this last week was definitely unwelcome. Now that you've muddied my carpet and spilled on my sofa, I'm happy to say that we are no longer living (sleeping) in a basement without egress windows. You're welcome. You can tell your friend, City Inspection, not to bother showing up this Tuesday, it won't be necessary. He will come, and he will leave without finding anything. Except maybe a new work out area and some 3lb hand weights. Go big or go home! 

As a result of your visit, my husband and I have come to the agreement that God is closing this door. (The one where we live at my dads) What does this mean? We are taking real steps into becoming home owners. We have selected a real-estate agent and have applied for a mortgage. It's apparently a slow process, and only a few things can be done quickly and over the internet. The rest of it has to be done in person on the opposite side of town. 

Like most new and scary things, I find this one stressful and at times discouraging. I blame you. However, I trust God has a plan, and He has good things for me. And so, despite your best efforts, I cling to His word.

"There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Be wise, and keep your heart on the right path"
-Provers 23:18-19

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Christmas is right around the corner. I could not be happier to get this season over with. I got my new work schedule. Josh and I won't be working 7 days a week anymore. Score! Lots of opportunities to be had all over the place. We're praying for wisdom in decision making and discernment in the gray areas. We want to be able to trust those who have been placed to lead us, yet faith is often blind and God calls us to trust and respect our leaders. Well, respect for sure. He's asking me to trust.

Also, I miss my brother, Joe, whose currently in Afghanistan, doing the war thing. I say "thing" because it's a secret and he cannot disclose his where abouts or what abouts. 

That's my update. Thanks for reading.

-Samantha

Thanksgiving Break

Dear Thanksgiving Break,

I just wanted to take the time to let you know how perfect your timing was. I cannot begin to express how badly I needed 6 days straight to do absolutely nothing. You had big plans for me and they were all very exciting. You kept Josh and I very busy, to the point where or last full day off rolled around and we decided to shut out the world and hide in our cave. Which, was awesome and exciting as well. We finally got our new TOMS and are excited to strut around in them.

We spent an evening playing games with Josh's siblings at Dave and Busters, in Maple Grove, where we got the Wii game Just Dance 3.

On Thursday we spent the day with the Schultz's for Thanksgiving. We were lucky enough to have Sara and Becca spend the night too!

It was awesome spending 3 days catching up with our brothers and sisters. I know Josh misses them a lot and it was a huge blessing to actually have time off of work so we could spend an entire day (or 3) with them.

Saturday was nice too. We went to church and hung out with the Club K kids. Then got to have dinner with my parents.

There was something for us to do everyday. Including a little Christmas shopping. Josh got me a new camera for Christmas, but gave it to me early so I could actually use it before then. It takes some really nice photos.

By the end of you, Thanksgiving Break, I was exhausted and completely filled up at the same time. You left me with a lot of fun memories and some things to look forward to. Now, we go back to work and wait for your sister Christmas Break, to arrive. Where we will no doubt have another awesome time. So, thank you.

I hope everyone had an awesome and blessed thanksgiving. In light of the holiday season, let me share this...

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most out of every opportunity.

Let your conversation always be full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Colossians 4:5-6

Josh and I had a particularly difficult time (emotionally and spiritually) this Thanksgiving. Both our parents are divorced. My mom is remarried, my dad is basically remarried (I love Becky!), Josh's dad is newly remarried and with all those new family branches it can be very difficult to make everyone happy. Well, really, we can't make them all happy and this year we didn't really try. We know that it's a give and take situation all around. This year we spent Thanksgiving with Josh's family. It was hard to not see my family but that's how it goes. There's a lot of heartache surrounding us when it comes to family. Josh was placed in a difficult situation and came out on the other side stronger and better. I thank God for the wisdom He has given my husband, and for the supporting family he does have. I pray for them constantly for the difficult times to come and hope that the blessings out number the burdens. 

Continue to pray! We're thankful for your support. 

Till Christmas (probably),

Samantha

Hello, Shadow.

The sun is out today. I'm happy for that. The last two months have flown by and I can't remember where yesterday went. I can promise I was working. I'm a work-aholic. I won't deny that. Halloween was my first day off since the start of September and it was awesome. We didn't celebrate Halloween this year. Really, there was nothing I wanted to do more than sit at home, carve pumpkins with the Hubs and wait for the 6 trick or treaters in the neighborhood. I burned the pumpkin seeds this year, total bummer.

Josh and I have officially been married for a year and a half, yay! Which means that in 6 months the cold weather will be over with. There is a light at the end of this tunnel.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, we are super excited to see family and have 5 days off, in a row! wooo! It's fun to get ready for Christmas. I've already written a page worth of gift ideas for Josh and my mom. This will be our 3rd Christmas together, and this will be the first time we actually buy gifts for each other that we don't open as soon as it gets through the door. I'm determined to wait until Christmas.

Okay, here come the updates.

Josh is now a manager at work, yay!
We are both serving in the Elementary ministry at church as small group leaders.
We're completely out of debt and have reached over 60% of our savings goals.
We're addicted to saving, which has postponed our desire to buy a house as soon as possible. We've watch a handful of friend buy homes recently and its helped us to know how we can be more prepared then we are now. So, we're going to sit tight at my dads, for a while, and see where we are in the spring.

I'm really not looking forward to snow or cold weather. I'm trying to keep my head up and not let the season change get me in a funk. It usually marks the season of a spiritual drought. I'm holding on to God's truth, and with Josh's help, relying on God to get me through.

This is a short and sweet one. There's not much to say right now. I feel like I barely have time to think, let alone blog. So, don't be surprised if it's February before I write again.

Loves.
Sam.

Fall Kick-off

Okay, it's been over a month. Apologies.

Where were we? Oh yes, houses.

Still looking, waiting, saving... being patient. As will be the story for the majority of fall and possibly winter. I'm getting to the point, again, where I need to stop looking at houses and trying to do the math. Mostly because we aren't in a place to make an offer, and most of these houses won't even be available by the time we are ready to make an offer. That, and my focus could be in so many more useful areas. Oh, I don't know.. like my marriage! There isn't anything wrong, don't worry. However, we're coming up on a year and a half and since we still get to put ourselves in the excused "newlywed" group, we may as well take advantage of it.

I've been reading this book called "Sheet Music" by Dr. Kevin Leman. Now, I'm not one for "self-help" books. Part of the reason I even read past the first page was Dr. Leman told me "this isn't a self-help book, it's a do-it-yourself book." Thus the book became interesting. That, and it's a book about sex. Not just sex sex, but godly sex within a marriage, sex. Right up my ally!!

I really wanted something that would take the topic, own it, run with it, and completely hit the nail on the head. Which, this book does an excellent job of. Dr. Leman is extremely blunt, and I really appreciated it. His goal in this book isn't only to educate but to inspire. I'm not even done reading the book, and my perspective on martial sex is already totally changed. So here, let me recommend this book to my fellow believers. Who are either married already or engaged and going through marriage counseling. This is some good stuff. Obviously, taking it all with a grain of salt.

After reading this book, I'm kind of on a reading rampage. This same author has several other books that I really want to read. I'll let you know, as a I go....

Anyways, we got new work schedules. Super exciting, yes. We will be working a lot over the next 15 (now 14) weeks. So we could use your prayers for strength and balance.

We've also made a new list of financial goals, which... will be shared with the general public when the time is right. So, please pray for guidance and wisdom as it pertains to financial decisions. You know, house, car, vacation, giving, and someday children.

We officially consider Eagle Brook (lino lakes) our home church now. We met earlier today with the children's pastor to interview for small group leader positions. If all goes well we start on the 24th. Right now the ratio is 20 kids per leader. Pray for that as well! It's a year long commitment! Our next step is to get plugged into a small group. We're still looking for the right one. Surprisingly, they don't have anything for young couples/newly weds. Maybe we'll have to start one.

Well, I'm off to search out a new bed set. Wish me luck! I'll probably pick something really girly, and Josh will hate it. ha. Such is life when you leave the girl with the cash!

Dreams of Houses

In March of 2011, Josh and I sat down at our high-top excuse for a kitchen table, in our tiny Saint Paul apartment and decided that we wanted more.

More meant more money, more money meant no debt, no debt meant having a "life savings" and having a savings meant having more. Woop!

We then created our 7 month plan to be out of debt and save money. When we did this, however, we were not thinking that this included buying a house. Even though we now want our very own place, we're not pretending like it was ever apart of our 7 month plan. It takes longer to obtain such things. Apparently. Oh no, not bitter or anxious at all...

The plan is "scheduled" to end during October, at which time we are to experience financial freedom! (I can just hear my Mel Gibson "William Wallace" cheerleader egging me on) All sarcasm aside, we have 3 months left and quite a bit to show for it. Our 7 month plan has been revised a lot since it was first brain-stormed, and today I stumbled across the original... It feels so good to say that we underestimated how well this plan would work, and how disciplined we could be in savings. Being disciplined in spending is a totally different conversation, in which I won't be having. Ever

As always, life does not go according to plan and things (car repair and medical bills) happen, funny that those are the things that rarely get budgeted in, yet they are guaranteed to happen at least once a year.

We haven't felt too set back by unforeseen costs. Which has narrowed our housing search down to town-homes so we can experience less of those unforeseen costs, and reinforces my goal to never ever mow the lawn.

Anyhoo, we feel super good, and super accomplished. Praise and glory is all to God on this one. However, we have also been feeling a little convicted lately that we haven't been tithing to a church. We're passed the newbie-don't-feel-obligated phase at Eagle Brook, and we feel that now is the appropriate time to start giving back through Eagle Brook. Two weeks ago, the pastor spoke on this very topic of money, spending and tithing... he said that when he and his wife get paid, they first give back to God, then they save and then they learn to live on whatever is left. Now, if that doesn't challenge my faith in where my provision is, I don't know what will. Like I said in my last blog, I want to learn to suffer well- yet I haven't been challenged too severely.

This month, we start that mind set. God, save, live. As of right now... we'd be short every paycheck. So now, we're looking into the things we can live without. The first to go... our smart phones. I really can live without it. I promise. The next to go will be our oversized restaurant budget. That'll be harder than the smart phone.

So, yes... there you have it. I'm now going to post a few of the town homes we are looking at. In order from like-love. Enjoy, and please.... cast your vote.

I like this one

I like this one a little more

This one makes me really excited

Love this one to pieces

Thanks for following,

Samantha
~Psalm 144

A Heart That Holds On

Sometimes it takes defeat to remind me that God is my Father, my true Abba. 

Sometimes it takes heart break to remind me that I serve a King who seeks to romance me.

Sometimes it takes isolation to remind me that I have a Redeemer who came and sacrificed it all so that I may dwell in His presence.

It takes His perfect love to remind me why we suffer.

Dangit, I really want to be someone who suffers well. I want to be someone that God can trust with hard times. The last few weeks have been testing me a lot. I've felt defeated, emotionally, a few times over. God has been taking me to a place within myself that I haven't wanted to visit for a while and I had quite honestly forgot about for a long time. It's hard, right now, because I can feel when my spirit and flesh want to rebel, but it's teaching me self-control and submission, which is exactly what I prayed the Lord would teach me (go figure). 

Josh and I are praying our way through finances, we want to learn more how to put God first in our finances. The message at church this last Sunday was about stress, and the dude went on to say that for over 15 years, he and his wife haven't fought over money. Josh and I don't fight over it, but we don't ever want to either. We want to implement a way to give back to God before we do anything else with our money. God, save, bills and learn to live on the rest. Apparently that's the key to not fighting with your spouse on money. We're going to test it out. I'll let you know how it goes. 

We're currently praying through schooling options for Josh. Moody is still in the running but Josh has been feeling lately that he doesn't want to miss out on the social experience of college. He wants to be able to participate in discussions on what he's learning and get mentoring and such. Which I'm all for. We don't want to take any short cuts. So, if it's Moody, it may look like moving to Chicago for a few years. PRAY WITH US. It's a big decision, considering it would mean putting off buying a house and having kids. In addition to Moody, he's looking into local colleges like North Central and Northwestern. 

Work is going really well. This summer has been amazing. 6 weeks left and then summer is over! By the end of it, we'll be able to say we didn't take any of it for granted. 

---------

Last night, I drove up to Camp Lebanon to say hello to my ladies. They graduated from high school this year and it is their last summer to be campers, and I have had the honor of getting to know them and walking along side them over the last four years. They really have turned into strong, beautiful young women and now it's their turn to change hearts with their lives. So to my girls, Sasha, Marissa, Becca, Sarah, Jamie and the other girls who couldn't be there this week...I'm praying for you always and I know that you will do great things where ever God sends you. Be prepared to be challenged. I'm proud of you, and I love you so so so much!

---------

Well, Josh will be home from work soon and I want to make dinner so, thanks for reading. Thanks for praying, connect with us! We'd love it. 

Take joy,

Samantha

Have me a blast!

Oh man, where does time go?
Don't answer that.

Mostly, I feel very busy lately. Which is odd because I'm not working more than usual. Oh, I know... I've been biking my hiney off. Josh and I will bike around Centerville Lake (4.2 miles) almost every day. On Wednesdays I bike 8 miles to go to the gym with my mom. I want buns of steel! That and it's sooo beautiful outside and I really don't want to take this nice weather for granted. Next thing you know, we'll be standing in 3 feet of snow cursing the sky. It's true, I'm dramatic.

So anyways, I have some things that I'm super excited about.

I went through a 'thing' a while ago where I was losing a mentor (she's still my friend but the mentor relationship has changed) and I was really yearning having a woman in my life that could teach me about being an adult, a wife and someday a mother. I also really wanted someone who could mentor me spiritually. What do you know? My prayers were answered! (Praise be to God, for sure) I've been working with a woman for almost a year. She's godly, she's mature, she's a wife, she's a mother and she is so many things that I've been wanting in a mentor.  We had our first Wise One/ Grasshopper date before we went on break for the 4th and it was awesome to tell someone about my life. I mean, really tell someone about my life. It was great to hear about her life too, how her and her husband got their start. What it was like for her growing up. Her thoughts on family and prayer life. I don't have many words for it, other than I'm thrilled and super happy to have her in my life.

Soo, my 4th of July holiday was pretty good. I got to go to the cabin, finally. This is one of my favorite holidays. My family does the same thing every year. We go to Balsam Lake, Wisconsin... lots of food, lots of sun and a firework show over the water. What's not to love?  Here's a few pictures...

I like my marshmellows burned.

Josh had a blasty blast on my uncle's jet ski.

Sister Sara was able to join us.

Christmas card photo? I think so.

Oh, and volleyball!

Obviously, it was a good time :)

I know I say this every time, but we are sooo close to paying off our debt and having our down payment for a house. I definitely think it could happen by October or November. It feels really good to be so close. However, I will miss all the time I've been getting to spend with my family.

Lots of weddings this month. Lots of reasons to get new dresses. Don't you just looove weddings? I do!

Well shoot.

I've been reading the book of Hosea. It's been a good reminder of God's faithfulness and the extent in which he pursues us. If you haven't read the book Redeeming Love, you should. It's the Hosea and Gomer story and it's life changing.

That about does it. I'm getting distracted because I'm watching Ninja Warrior so I keep forgetting what I wanted to say next.

Seriously, I'm ending it now.

kbyee

Ss <3

Stupid Skinhead.

The title has nothing to do with the post. I was listening to the band "This Bike is a Pipe Bomb" and that was gently inserted at the end of the song and I thought it was funny because I don't think it went with the song either.

Anyhoo, funny story. Josh and I came home last night from a work event and decided we'd watch a movie on Netflix. The last few nights, I have been picking the movie...mostly romantic dramas that take place in the 1800's. Apparently I'm a sucker for chick flicks. So, to avoid being made fun of for picking yet another cheesy love movie, I thought I would let Josh pick the movie. What did he choose you ask? .... Step Up 3.
That's right. A hip and happening dance flick where, let me tell you, is a very flirty and sexy love story. Oh, but.... he only watches it for the dancing.

Which may be true.

This also inspires my husband. To be a hip and happening dancer. This morning we finished the movie. Afterwards, we went down stairs and promptly got our dance on. I taped this without telling him. Though I'm surprised I didn't give it away with how much I was making sure we were still in the frame.

Check it.

We're so graceful. Not to mention Josh is a devil on the dance floor. 

Back to the update. We got a new work schedule today. I'm super excited that it's finally summer. We were both ready to mix things up a bit. If all goes well, we could be home owners in the next 5 months. Josh also told me that when we move into our new place.... I could get a friend for our dear Albert. 

I feel boring, I don't know what else to update on. There's nothing exciting like... babies or anything.

I think I may have found a woman (older and wiser) to casually be my mentor of sorts. Which, I've been praying for and wanting one of those for quite some time now. I'm looking forward to having that kind of relationship again. I need someone who can pour into me. That way, I can pour into someone else. 

Speaking of which, I'm getting antsy for a place to invest in. Basically, a church and a community. We were attending Eagle Brook in Lino Lakes and really liked it and now that we have Sundays off it's looking like we'll be able to attend on a regular basis.

So yes. I'll end it here.

Oh, yes, before I forget. I am grateful to be married to a man who I can act a fool with and someone who likes to dance like he's got squirrels in his pants. We have a lot of fun. Which is great. I have yet to get bored.


Ta-ta

Samantha

Chaos in Transition

I feel like I'm always in transition.
I haven't lived in the same house for more than a year since I was 16. All those years later, I feel chaotic. I've never renewed a lease and now I find that I'm getting restless for stability. I want to settle down and unpack my life.

Josh and I have been living at my dads house for 2- going on 3- months now and I have really been enjoying it. I love being close to my family. I get to see my little brother all the time and it's great to have a relationship with him. We have a yard! I never thought I could take having a yard for granted.

This makes us want to buy a house. We're thinking that buying a house is in our near future. We are still doing our homework and figuring out exactly what it is going to look like financially but we have also discovered that what we would pay a month to buy would be almost the same (a little more) that renting. Bah! We are excited.

At the same time, Josh is going back to school in the next year. He only has a couple years left, which is exciting. He's called to be a youth pastor so then we question buying a house now, or waiting until he gets placed in a church.
He wants to do Moody Bible Institutes distant learning program. That way we could maintain our lives here in Minnesota, buy a house and work at Foss. We enjoy our lives here. However, now that it's finally nice outside... we 're thinking it would be nice to skip out on a snowy winter or two. So, do we move out of state for a few years? It's certainly an option.

We just don't know. Haha. We want a lot of things and waiting is hard. Renting is harder. We hate renting but it might need to happen again. I would love to pick up and move out of state- hypothetically. The moving doesn't scare me, it's the not having a job that scares me. In that case, it's all about who you know. Hey! We have a sister in California.... hmmmm.

I'm ambitious about a lot of things. I'm also very comfortable here, and I want my level of content to match that comfort.

Patience. Yes. Let us all be thankful for patience.

Fatty Cat

Instead of saying "days" I'm going with "Number".... I just can't seem to get on here every day, and the days where I can and choose not to, is because I don't feel clever enough.

The 9th thing that I am grateful for is my cat.
Albert.
He's amazing. Just a cuddle bug of love. Right now he's sitting in the window next to me, watching the birds. He makes funny faces when he gets to look out side. This is rare for him. He's not supposed to be upstairs. However, my dad is gone so he can pretty much do whatever he wants. Don't tell my dad I said that.
But really.... Albert is our comedian.
His favorite toy is a green ear plug.
He's the most obnoxious when he thinks he's starving to death. Fatty cat.
He's adorable because he follows me every where. He even sleeps under the blankets, head on the pillow- right next to me- at night.
He's smart because when Josh enters the room he immediately submits to him.
He's a jerk because he thinks the hot iron chord is a toy.
He's a tool when he randomly attacks me. Apparently the chain of command goes Josh, him then me.

All in all... he's great and I love my fatty cat. He's great company.

That's enough about my cat.

So... three days ago was my 23rd birthday. It was a good time. I got to see almost everyone whose important to me.

Josh kicked off my morning with breakfast in bed, coffee and flowers. We worked out. He went to work. My mom picked me up and took me to the store to pick out a dessert (Cheesecake). I got some monies to spend as I wish. A rare thing, indeed. I had grandma's homemade tacos with my mom, Chris, Evan and my dad. Then I ended my night at the Tavern with a few pals. It was a busy day, but it was fantastic.

Since then I've been exhausted. We have three more weeks at work before it's officially the summer session and we get a new schedule. The winds of change are blowing.


It's a beautiful day.

Well, that's all I got....

Here's a picture of the fatty cat. So.... classy

Peace and blessings.

My Sunshine

Apparently, I'm not the greatest at blogging. So, instead of cramming several "thankful days" into one. I'll do one at a time. Perhaps this will go longer than 30 days. However, I'm okay with that!

Day 8: I am thankful for sunshine! More than that, I'm thankful for Gods romance.
Sunny days make me want to wear a dress and twirl around. 
Sunny days make me wish the lakes were warm enough to swim in. 
Sunny days make me wish I was tan. Kind of. 


Somewhere in the book "Captivating" by Stasi and John Eldredge there is a chapter on being romanced by God. What I took from that chapter was that God uses His creation to romance His people. 


Here are a few images of God's creation that He's created to romance me. (yes, He's thinking of you) 

Thunderstorms

A huge sunset over water

Rays of sunshine

Wind

I could insert a picture of Josh too, but that might be cheesy. So I'll skip it. haha.

Here's to being romanced today...


-Samantha

Three in One.

Ahhh.... I am two days behind! But, it's not my fault. Yesterday was my anniversary (I was busy) and the day before blogger was unavailable. There, I stand (sit) justified.

Let me catch you up. 

Day 5: I am thankful for dreams.

I just love dreaming. Sometimes they are weird and I don't remember them. Sometimes they are very vivid and I remember everything. Sometimes they are bad and I want to forget them. Sometimes they are wicked awesome and they make me feel supernatural. I think flying dreams are my favorite. I have them all the time. The dreams that freak me out are the ones where I'm running from something and I can barely move fast enough. 

I'm pretty sure I heard somewhere that if you can remember your dream then that means you didn't sleep well enough. Sitnks for me, I almost always remember mine. They got me through highschool and college creative writing. 

Nothing spectacular. I just like dreaming. 

Day 6:  I am thankful that I enjoy working out.

I'm not a fitness not, by any means. I eat like crap but I love working out. It gives me a lot of energy and it feels good. We just got a membership at Snap Fitness and we totally love it. Yes. I love working out. Again, nothing spectacular. 

TODAY would be Day 7:  I'm actually really tired today and feeing extremely antisocial. Josh, really wants to take advantage of the sunny day and go play volleyball. I really love volleyball. It's a great time.  We didn't work out today so this is going to have to suffice for today. 

I'm also watching Robin Hood: Price of Thieves with Kevin Costner. Total hottie.

So, I'm thankful for a few things today. 

1. A husband who love volleyball.

2. Friends who love us enough to hang with us.

3. Kevin Costner. The younger years. Waterword. Enough said.

So, a totally boring update today. Which is fantastic. 

If you're wondering what we did for our anniversary, that's a simple answer too. We worked until 2:30, then we went home and got ready for our work out. Had a blast working out. Then, around 5 we went to one of our favorite restaurants, The Orchid, and had pot-stickers, chicken fried rice, steamed seabass in ginger and a couple-o drinks. Indulged. Went home. I took a nap, he watched TV... later we made a cake and had some cake and ice cream. Yes, it took a lot of planning. 

Well, that's about all. Like I said, tired and antisocial.

Love ya, though.

Samantha

Wed-nes-day.

Here's to being thankful for the simple things...


Day 4:


A day off!

I work 6 days a week and smack-dab in the middle of that week is Wednesday. My day off. It's a precious day.

Some Wednesdays, when I'm feeling ambitious, I'll seek out a lunch date with a friend, do laundry or run errands.

Some Wednesdays, like this one, I do a whole lot of nothing and it feels great! I'll sleep till 10 and feel rebellious!

I'm happy to have my Wednesdays.
As of right now Josh and I have the house to ourselves. He's on the ipad looking up houses for sale. I'm blogging and counting down the minutes till the pizza rolls are done cooking in the oven.

We'll eat.
We'll "balance the check book" (More or less seeing how much money we have till our next pay day).
He'll leave for work.
I'll pretend like working out sounds like a good idea.
I'll start doing laundry, and forget about it.
I'll end up watching America's Funniest Home Videos.
My mom will call and invite me over for American Idol. I'll go; for the free steak dinner.
Idol will be over, Josh will call to say he's done with work, we'll both go home and end our night with something from Netflix.

It's really the perfect day.

Especially for an introvert like me (surprised?) I need my alone time. Today is pretty much the only time I can get it. 

Next Wednesday just happens to be my birthday. How lucky am I?! I'll be 23. Incase you were wondering.

So.... yeah...

I think that's all I have. It's a simple day.

Till tomorrow,

Samantha

You have to KICK faster!

Day 3:

My job.


I am thankful to have a job.
I'm thankful that this job pays well.
I like my job a lot. Which means more to me than the money.

Josh and I made an agreement early in our relationship when it came to work. We said that we would never take a job for the money. Also, that it would be more important to love what we do over the hours we work to the amount we get paid.

We kind of hit the jackpot with this one. We love what we do. Financially, we're totally fine.

Although I got lucky with hours and wage, the job means more to me than that. If you didn't know, I teach kids how to swim. I love kids. I love water. I love swimming. So far, there's nothing to complain about.
So, you might be surprised that it's very easy to really dislike this job, at times. Who would have thought that kids can drive you absolutely crazy?! It's really easy to forget that kids are just that... kids. Most of my swimmers aren't even in the 3rd grade yet. It shocks me how quickly I lose sight of that. I teach anywhere from 3 years to 14 years. If you read my blog "30 day challenge" then you'll know I'm a person with high expectations... those expectations are often projected onto these kids. Which is so wrong.

I mean, it's okay to expect things from them like respect. (I believe the most crucial time to develop respect is when kids are young.) However, I catch myself getting frustrated with these buggers for stupid things like...when I think they aren't kicking fast enough. Forbid these kids should get tired! I mean, c'mon! haha... nooo...
Or... obsessing more on getting all my kids to the next level more than focusing on being patient with them and truly teaching them to master the skill at hand.
At that age, every skill learned is a big deal! Regardless if they are going to the next level or not.

It can be hard to teach every class with 100% enthusiasm and effort.
Something my job working as a camp counselor taught me was that for you, this is your 6th week counseling, for them... this is their 1st week camping. They deserve your best.


It might be my second to last class of the day, and all I can think about is getting home, but these kids deserve my best.


How can I expect their best, if I'm unwilling to give them mine?

So, when I'm frustrated and checking out... I remind myself...

They are all precious in HIS sight.


We are fearfully and wonderfully made.
These kids are learning more than swimming. For most, they learn (at some point) how to conquer fear. I get to be the one who holds their hand in the process.

Enjoy my kids.


Each child I teach has a favorite color, a pillow pet, a favorite sport, a different story and a unique personality. It's possible to know them, and like them... and what better way to love them?

I may not be working in a church, but I can still serve God through serving these kids, their families and my co-workers.

Do I do a good job? Not always, but I won't stop trying.

Can I teach swimming to further the Kingdom of God? Absolutely.

In the words of Saint Francis  "Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary, use words."


Until tomorrow,

Samantha

(not a picture of anyone I know. Simple google search)

The goof to my ball.

I took the title from an e-harmony commercial. Or maybe it was match.com. I don't remember.

Day 2:

Mr. Joshua Lewis Schultz.

I was going to wait until our anniversary this weekend to talk about him. However, as I was praying this morning on what God would have me dwell on being thankful for today, the only person (or thing) that came to my mind is my husband.

He's not just my husband. He's my best friend. Which, is how it should be.

Here was my list (before we met) of what I wanted in a future husband...

An initiator: in the pursuit of a relationship, I refused to do the pursuing. 
He has to be strong: I'm a strong person, I need someone stronger than me, to lead me.
Taller and Older: Trivial, but yet it mattered.
He has to love Jesus more than anything, including me.
He has to be funny: I get bored easy... so yes, I wanted someone who would entertain me. I wanted someone who could not just allow me to be really goofy, but play along.
He has to be capable of having intelligent conversation.
Someone hungry to learn.
Someone who will pray with me.
He has to be called to a life ministry.
Someone who can forgive.
Family orientated.
Someone who wants a handful of kids.
Someone adventurous. 
Someone who will work out with me.
A total hottie. haha...yep!


I had several lists of what I wanted in a husband. This is the only one I could find. There's a few things missing but I can't seem to recall what they were.

I read that and am amazed at how Josh fits each one of those.

I'm more amazed at God. He knows me better than I know myself.
Josh has several qualities and character traits that aren't on that list, yet I absolutely need those things as well.

For example; someone who isn't afraid to call me out on my crap. Yep! I need that one.

Josh has humility. He leads me in his humility. I definitely need that example.
Josh has patience. He leads me in his patience. I need that too. A lot.
Josh is disciplined in being with the Lord daily. In the Word and in prayer. He leads me in that, too.

Anyone who knows Josh (or both of us) knows that, without a doubt, we were molded for each other. He has the ability to pick up where I left off and push me to becoming a better person.

I'm proud of the man he is, and the man he is continuing to become.
I'm proud of the mistakes he's made because of the way he's handled it.
I rejoice in the things that break his heart, because I know that God's hand is at work.
I'm blessed that he cares enough for me to put me in my place.
I'm blessed that he cares about our marriage as much as he does. He's always striving to be the best husband he can be. He leads me in this too.

He's a great friend to those who know him well.

Did I mention that he's a really talented drummer and guitarist? Yeah, that's hot.

Even all of this doesn't do him justice.

God is good. He is faithful. When I was in my least deserving moment, God brought Josh into my life and said "here, this one is for you." 


I once was told to give my "list of needs and wants" to God and let Him show me just how creative He could be.

He totally did. Beyond what I could have imagined.

So, Josh, I love you.
You're amazing. Thank you for who you are. Thank you for loving me. I'm proud of you, and forever grateful to have you for my husband. Thank you for being an inspiration. Thanks for scratching my back and rubbing my feet. Thank you for letting Albert (our cat) sleep on the bed with us. Thank you for being so freakin hilarious that I'm often rendered speechless.

I love you, Josh.

=] sam

30 day challenge

This isn't the Facebook picture challenge.

Something I feel God has been working with me on for a long time is having a heart of gratitude. I tend to be someone with high expectations. Whether it's for myself, for others or about life in general.
I have extremely high expectations.
There are definitely situations where high expectations are good, but mostly... it's a struggle.

Along with having high expectations comes a sense of entitlement.
I deserve this.
Truthfully, I deserve nothing.
In the quiet of my heart I know that. To everyone else.... they probably wouldn't see it.

So... that all leads me to a place where I don't appreciate the simple things, I don't count my blessings a lot, and I don't offer a lot of praise or gratitude to the one whose offering all this to me.

My 30 day challenge is picking one thing, every day, that I'm thankful for.


Day One:

I am thankful for my mother.

Mom, if you read this... bare with me. It gets good =]

Since it's Mothers Day, it seems appropriate to talk about my mother.
Anyone that knows me well, undoubtably knows that my relationship with my mother has been one of my biggest struggles and one of my biggest victories (though really I did nothing, it was Christ who did everything). I made it a point for the better part of 7 years to not have a good relationship with my mother. I felt she deserved to lose me as her daughter and that I had the right to take it from her. (Another story, another time)
Needless to say, in the late fall of 2007, I was a first year student at Fort Myers Masters Commission... a very angry, bitter, entitled and.... self serving first year student. (But really, who wasn't at least one of those things?)
3 months after being that I received my very first spiritual smack in the face.
 I was a bitter and unforgiving person. 

It first started with my struggle to be forgiven.
After I received forgiveness and forgave myself, God called me to forgive.
My first opportunity (test) was my mother. I reserved a spot in my heart specifically for her; and it was a bitter chamber.
After a few weeks of praying to feel different about her and feel forgiveness for her. Nothing changed. It was then that I really heard for the first time that forgiveness, like love, is a choice.
I had to choose it. I had to choose to forgive and to love. Which is a lot harder than it simply being taken from you. Heh.

So, I chose forgiveness. Yay! Victory!

Not so much....

God then told me I had to call her and tell her.

So I did. It sucked.

I felt defeated all over again.

Gently, God reminded me, you chose to forgive her, now walk in that forgiveness. Choose it every moment of everyday.


So I did, and I felt it was going reall well. Until my next "test" came. I was told something about my mother that I could have easily gotten mad at her for, and held forgiveness over her head. I felt myself getting angry and bitter.

Again, He reminded me, you chose forgiveness.... what is your choice now? 


I knew in my heart my choice was forgiveness. That was the first moment that began to feel forgiveness for my mother.

After almost 4 years later, and a lot of "open heart surgery" on Gods part. I can honestly say I love my mother. I don't just love her, I like her. A lot. I find myself wanting to spend time with her more than some of my girl friends.

She's funny.
She's smart.
She's beautiful.
She loves Jesus.
She loves her husband.
She loves her kids.
She loves.

Through my mother, God taught me the most valuable thing; forgiveness.

Little did I know, my marriage would require a lot of forgiveness. On both parts. I'm thankful to know what I know and have learned what I did, when I did. I'm a wife who doesn't struggle with bitterness and (well.. sometimes I do...) unforgiveness.

Mom,
You're amazing. Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for laying yourself down for you family.
You're the best.

love

samantha

20 bucks

Today is payday!
Today we are rolling in dough...
Today is bill pay day.
Today we are broke....

Today I am reminded of where my provision truly comes from. I am reminded of the birds; and how much more does my Father provide for me.

Josh and I count ourselves blessed to be only 4 short months from being out of debt. (It's funny to me that a year later I'm still making payments for our wedding.)

Today we are one step closer to college.
Today we are one step closer to having a home of our own.
Today we are one step closer to having a family.

Today we have peace, joy and the desire to remain financially disciplined. Let's be honest... it's a lot of fun to go out to eat, buy movies and shoes... TOMS!

If you haven't heard of TOMS shoes you should look it up www.toms.com
For every pair you purchase, they donate a pair of new shoes to a child in need. All over the world.
Did I mention they look neat and are super comfortable?

There's my plug for the day.

God provides =] yes yes yes

"Make me love, give me wisdom, keep me humble"

loves =]
samantha

Mastered; or a desire to be.

My thoughts today are coming from 2 Peter 2:17-22. (... for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.)

For the last several months I've, yet again, found myself really dropping the ball when it comes to being a Christ Follower and living according to His calling. This happens all too often and every time it does happen it gets that much more frustrating. I see all this time wasted, all these relationships that could have been more fruitful.... if I hadn't been so... lazy. More than that, I get to the point where my pride gets in the way of conviction. I very much feel the conviction but I don't want to admit it or change it. All because I simply don't want to right now. Procrastination.

What...the....junk?!

As always, it's been a slow going getting back on my feet.

My mom gave me a book to read by Francine Rivers called "A Voice in the Wind". It's about this young Jewess named Hadassah who was a christian. She was taken from her home in Jerusalem and sold as a slave in Rome. SPOILER ALERT. She's bought into a home to serve as the young daughters personal slave. The family worshiped pagan gods and goddesses, which at first really freaked Hadassah out. She clung to her relationship with God and served this household with true love, compassion, loyalty and freedom. It confused her owners to the point of questioning her about how she, who has nothing and is nothing, can be so content and serve with such love. It opened up the door for her to talk about this 'unseen god' that she loved and served. She believed that God calls us all to a life of servant hood. She served her owners well because she believed that she was, through them, directly serving her Lord.
The story goes on, she completely loves every member of this family, serves them faithfully, no matter what. Hadassah, near the end of the book is given the choice; renounce your faith or die. She stood firm and lost her life. Before she died she was asked why she didn't just lie to save her life. She responded "I've given up what I cannot keep, for something I can never lose"

This book, and her story, has challenged me and encouraged me. It's also reminded me of what it's like to live in that kind of freedom. Also showing me how easy it can be to lose sight of that. Every self serving decision I make brings me closer to being a slave to myself. I can't free me. I've given my heart to many, but Christ lives to set me free.

To Christ I give up what I cannont keep, for something I can never lose. Thanks Hadassah. :)

This has been a spiritual update on me. Obviously. :) If you took the time to read it all, I appreciate it.

Thank you for your continued prayer for Josh and I. We love it, we need it. We're blessed to be surrounded by you.

loves,
samantha

Almost a year later

We are just ten days away from our one year anniversary. It feels like it has been longer, but in all reality Josh and I haven't known each other for even two years yet. Naturally, a lot has happened!

Here... I'll bring you up to date...

June 2009: We met... we say, for the record, that we didn't start 'dating' until August of that year...

December 3rd, 2009: Josh proposed.... 

May 14, 2010: We got married

A lot happened in those 11 months. We even made an addition to our little family in that time. We call this one Albert. Whose now a fatty cat, a very loved fatty cat.

We lived in Saint Paul for the first 10 months, and now live with my dad. It's our hope that we'll never have to rent again. 

God has opened the door for us to buy a house. Where? We still don't know. 

We've just begun the process of paying off our debt and saving money. So far, we've accomplished to pay off our student loans.

For Josh, this is huge! He hasn't been able to continue going to school for several years because of his loan. With that paid off, he has his transcripts, his FAFSA is filled out and his application to Moody is almost finished!

No, no... we won't be moving to Chicago. Josh has decided to go with their distance education program. Which, allows us to stay where we are. Furthering our hopes of being home owners. 

Right now we are both working as Swim Instructors at Foss Swim School, and we love it. We work with kids all day and that alone is super rewarding. 

It's a very exciting time for us. We have a lot of hopes for the next year. Pray with us as we pray for the Lords direction. 

Where to live?

What college should Josh attend?

Should we buy a home now?

When should we have a baby? Cause somedays... I want one pretty bad.

What church will we call home? 

The summer is fast approaching... a lot of people have been asking... 'Are you going back to camp?'. Sadly, the answer is no. We'll be at Foss, working as much as possible, to save as much as possible.

Anniversary plans? YES! Tattoos.. and if those don't work out a new pair of shoes and a fancy dinner will suffice. 

Well, thats about all that is on the surface of my head for now. I'll post a better update when I'm feeling more clever :) 

love love love,

samantha