Last night I had a hard time falling asleep because my mind was racing about a million different things. Yesterday I felt a new determination rising in me regarding several different subjects, mostly relating to our household and budget.   I keep thinking of  Proverbs 31 which says:

"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 
She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. 
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."

Ladies, we have work to do!!!  I am so challenged by this verse and encouraged to change.  I do not want to be an ineffective, unproductive wife who sits around eating potato chips and watching soaps when I could be changing our life.  The verses that particularly stuck out to me this week were: 

• "She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard."
• "She makes linen garments and sells them."
  
• "She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness."
  

 We are called to be our husband's helper. The main thing that stood out to me is that while we as women are not called to be the providers of our families, the Proverbs 31 woman still did things on the side to bring in additional income.  She was productive. She made clothes and sold them, traded profitably, and she planted a damn vineyard for goodness sake! I am exhausted after weeding our small patio for 45 minutes!!! And I don't even have kids yet. Pretty sure this lady did. "Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and her praises her."
This verse should be posted on everyone of our fridges.  I believe that even a few small things everyday will help.  Make lists and finish them! That has been very helpful for me.  Here is a look at my sticky notes from earlier this week:

• Clean Fridge
  
• Sort Mail / Organize bills & paperwork into a file system
  
• Clean out purse
  
• Look at budget / rework
• Write out meal plan for next 2 weeks
  
• Post wedding dress on Craigslist
• Sell tires in garage??? Ask Patrick
  
• Fold Laundry / clean house
• Work out (yes, this is honoring your husband :)
  
• Organize laundry room closet
  

I am almost finished completing this list. It may not look like much, but let me tell you, I moved mountains this week by doing little things like sorting that mail that has been growing like weeds, paying bills, cooking a good dinner for my hunney, and putting one foot forward and trying to make a difference in my family.

There is no greater feeling than when my husband walks through the door after a hard day at work and says." The house looks great, thank you so much for cleaning today." I love being praised by my husband after really working hard at something for the benefit of our marriage and life together.  No, he won't always notice. But God does! And I usually point it out if he doesn't say something anyways.  :) Get to work ladies!!!

gabrielle abby

This morning at work, I thought about how much I love being married.  Of course it has ups and downs, as does everything in this life, but would I ever go back? Absolutely not!  For one thing, we are bound in a covenant relationship and can't get out anyways. :)

 The word divorce is not in our vocabulary, as it is not an option.  It doesn't matter what life throws at us, we will go through it together.  As I write this, I am tearing up a bit because I love my husband so much.  No, he is not a perfect man. But I am not a perfect woman. There is no such thing! Some days I am raging mad at him, and other days I can't believe how lucky I am to have him. Typical.

I'll never forget when we were on our honeymoon in Maui. We decided to go on a hiking day trip about 2 hours from where our hotel was.  Like always, I was all excited and ready to go until a few unplanned things came our way.
 
A little background before I tell the story: I am the most impatient person in the world, and my husband is the most patient person in the world.  If that won't start a good fight, I don't know what will.

Anyways,  we started out.  I was happy and taking pictures of all the gorgeous scenery on the way.  Part of the way was rolling hills as green as Ireland with farms and animals roaming freely around. And then out of nowhere, the scenery changed to barren wasteland as if an extreme fire had wiped it all out. In the back of my mind I was thinking, "How can there possibly be a beautiful national park in all this mess?" Not to mention the road changed to a bumpy rocky nightmare and we couldn't drive more than 15 mph.  I tried my best to be positive, but after an hour of driving without seeing any promising landmarks or signs, I finally spurted out, "I think we should turn around! We must have taken a wrong turn." My always patient husband responded, "No, lets keep going, the map says this is the right way."  I immediately responded by crossing my arms and having a silent temper tantrum, while looking out the window to avoid eye contact with my husband.  Classic girl move and so, so dumb. We sat there in silence while I was fuming because my husband refused to give in to my bratty attitude and turn the car around.  Can I just say real quick, WHAT A MAN!!!!!! In the moment  I am always angry with my husband when I don't get my way, but what a man to stand his ground. So glad my husband has a damn spine.

So eventually we came across a small shop high in the hills.  The lady at the counter said that yes there was in fact a national forest close by, and to keep going!  We got back in the car, and after driving 20 minutes, out of nowhere, the scenery changed from brown to lush green. Absolutely breathtaking.  I have never seen anything like it.  Water so blue you could almost see straight throught it,  tropical flowers growing everywhere, and warm sunlight shimmering through the trees.  Boy did I feel stupid.  I apologized to my husband, and we had the best day hiking together, and will remember it forever.

I need him, and he needs me.  Our completely different personalities and ways of thinking compliment each other.  When I am having an emotional "down" he is there to comfort me and steer my emotions back in the right direction.  When he is struggling, I am his fierce prayer warrior, helping him where I can.   It can hurt to be so open with someone, but it also brings healing like nothing else.
Life is such a gift. The ups and downs, the trials, the joys, and everything it brings!

Here is a picture from the hike we took.  Worth the crazy drive!