Thursday, June 28, 2012

30 Reasons Why I Love my Husband

1.  He daily demonstrates genuine, unconditional love for me

2.  He is a Godly man whose character reflects that of Jesus Christ

3.  He is devoted to the Word of God and can explain it to me in clear, insightful ways

4.  He is patient with my shortcomings

5.  He is full of fun

6.  He makes me laugh

7.  He holds me when I need to cry

8.  He eats my food without complaint, even if it isn't very good

9.  He teaches me new things

10.  He impresses me with his wisdom on life

11.  He showers me with physical affection every day

12.  He delights in my femininity

13.  He is protective of me, giving me a sense of security at all times

14.  He provides for me by working faithfully at his job

15.  He is a man of his word

16.  He is thoughtful and caring in the little ways

17.  He writes me love notes

18.  He prays with me and for me

19.  He cheers me up when I am feeling down

20.  He listens to me

21.  He talks to me

22.  He loves to be with me (and I with him!)

23.  He encourages me

24.  He works out with me and loves to show me his muscles!

25.  He is a strong leader for me to follow

26.  He takes me out to eat on a regular basis

27.  He understands me better than I understand myself sometimes

28.  He is trustworthy

29.  He daily speaks words of affirmation to me

30.  He cherishes and treasures me always

"Yea, he is altogether lovely. this is my beloved and this is my friend...." 
Song of Solomon 5:16


Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Attention Young Ladies!

It has recently been made known to me that there are a number of outstanding events for young ladies coming up this summer here in Texas!  They look like wonderful opportunities for receiving Godly encouragement and practical training in so many areas of life.  If you are a young woman, please consider looking into how you might participate in one of these events.



For starters, in the month of July, there will be two conferences held back-to-back in Carrollton, Texas (Dallas area) hosted by the Mally family and their Bright Lights ministry team.  Back when I was involved with Maiden's Quest retreats, Sarah Mally, the founder of Bright Lights, was a huge help to me with wise advice, great ideas, and practical resources for putting on a retreat/conference like MQ.  We actually borrowed from the model of the Bright Lights conferences when planning our own.   They are full of great teachings, hilarious skits, beautiful music, and Godly role models.  

Here is detailed information you need to know:

Strong in the Lord Conference 
Age: 8-14
Topics:
• How to be Strong for the Lord in Your Youth
• Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends
• How to Turn Your Heart to Your Parents
• How to Be a Bright Light in the World
• Keeping Yourself Pure from Polluting Influences
• Seeking the Lord with All of Your Heart
• Developing a Disciplined Walk with God

Includes insightful testimonies by godly young ladies, humorous skits, a chalk talk, harp music, singing, small group times with sharing and interaction, hands-on activities, and practical teaching that will challenge and prepare young ladies to remain strong for the Lord through their teen years.

Parents are encouraged to attend the conference in order to hear what their daughters are learning and reinforce it at home. While the girls are meeting in small groups, sessions will be offered for fathers and mothers. Sessions will cover topics such as the importance of protecting your children, how fathers can set a godly pace for their family, how to win the hearts of your daughters, and building strong mother/daughter relationships.


Carrollton, Texas Conference Information:
Schedule: Tuesday evening from 6:00 - 9:00 PM; Wednesday from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Dates: July 24th-25th, 2012
Location: Northside Baptist Church
2000 N. Denton Drive, Carrollton, TX 75006

Cost:
Early Bird Registration (before May 26th): $10 per girl / $5 per parent
Regular Registration $15 per girl / $10 per parent
Late Registration (after July 10th): $18 per girl / $12 per parent

To Register :
To register online, click here.
Visit the Bright Lights Website to learn more about the conferences.
For questions, feel free to e-mail the Bright Lights staff at conference@brightlightsministry.com  


Radiant Purity Conference
Age: 12-22+
Topics:
• Waiting for God’s Very Best
• Giving Your Heart to Your Parents
• Avoiding the Dangers of the World’s Thinking
• How to Delight in Jesus, Our Heavenly Prince
• Using Your Years of Singleness for God
• What the Lord Says About Modesty
• How to Guard Your Heart When You Have a Crush
• Living for God’s Purposes
• Being Wise in Internet Usage

A young lady who is pure shines with a radiant brightness in this world of darkness. How can a young lady stay physically and emotionally pure as she waits for God’s best in marriage? How can parents protect and guide? Creatively presented through stories and testimonies, practical instruction, skits, and real-life examples, this conference gives Biblical answers to everyday questions and deep life struggles. The material is discreet and appropriate for twelve year olds, yet relevant to all ages. Includes testimonies from young ladies who serve as Bright Lights staff, chalk drawings, and harp music.
                         
Click here to see a 2 minute video clip of Sarah Mally teaching at a Radiant Purity Conference in 2009.
                                                                                             
Fathers & Mothers are encouraged to attend. Parents' sessions will include: Every Mother's Example40 Ways to Protect the Hearts of Your Daughters, and Talking to Young Men who Express Interest in Your Daughters.



Carrollton, Texas Conference Information:
Schedule: Friday evening from 6:00 - 9:00 PM; Saturday from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Dates: July 27th-28th, 2012
Location: Northside Baptist Church
2000 N. Denton Drive, Carrollton, TX 75006

Cost:
Early Bird Registration (before May 26th): $10 per girl / $5 per parent
Regular Registration $15 per girl / $10 per parent
Late Registration (after July 10th): $18 per girl / $12 per parent
  
To Register :
To register online, click here.
Visit the Bright Lights Website to learn more about the conferences.
For questions, feel free to e-mail the Bright Lights staff at conference@brightlightsministry.com  



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



On a completely different note, it gives me great pleasure to introduce to you a new ministry that is launching this summer called Academy 31!


From the looks of it, Academy 31 seems like a two-week Maiden's Quest experience - only run by different leaders and located on a lovely farm in central Texas!  This unique summer camp experience for young ladies who are in high school or beyond promises to provide in-depth Bible study, practical skill building, and the fun of life on a farm.  I know a couple of the leaders involved with Academy 31 as well as the host family and can, therefore, highly recommend signing up for this one-of-a-kind camp!  

The dates are August 12-24 and they are only accepting 18 girls, so time is of the essence if you want to participate in Academy 31!  Please check out their BEAUTIFUL website and learn more about this wonderful new ministry!

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

A Legacy to Live

This is the video we played at our wedding reception as a tribute in honor of our parents.  
Hope you enjoy!



Wednesday, June 20, 2012

A Peek Into Our Honeymoon, Part 4

A walk through downtown historic Gloucester (the little town in which we were staying)...

Isn't it adorably quaint?




That is the fire department, believe it or not.




This is what we got to drive around in all week long!
Nathan loved it!

He also loved the old-fashioned ice-cream parlor we visited toward the end of our trip!

So many delicious options!

A happy man with his brownie and mint-chocolate ice cream sundae! :)

*Sweetness*

Then, it was time to head back to Texas...

...where we are lovin' being in love and enjoying life together!

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

A Peek Into Our Honeymoon, Part 3

 One of the highlights of our trip to Virginia was the day we spent at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, the "world's most beautiful theme park."

Not only were the roller coasters a blast and the other rides lots of fun, but the whole park was divided up into European countries, giving it a unique and picturesque flair.  Here is Nathan standing in a garden in "Italy."

 Dark Knight Castle in Germany

The Battering Ram

The gardens part of Busch Gardens.

Happy Times!

So much color!

 Watching a Pirates 3-D movie.

 While in "Ireland" we watched a show called Celtic Fyre which was a mix between River Dance and Broadway.  It was great!

 Welcome to France


 One of the stomach-lurching thrill rides of the day.

 Heading off to England!

Quaint, isn't it?

My new favorite roller-coaster buddy!

Monday, June 11, 2012

A Peek Into Our Honeymoon, Part 2

During our week in Virginia, we spent a LOT of time fishing!

It's one of my husband's favorite activities to do!

Nearly every morning and evening found us on the dock playing catch and release!
(Sometimes, we were there in the afternoons too! Is it any wonder this man got so tan?)

 Reelin' them in...

The main fish we caught were croakers.  They made a strange purring sound...thus the name!

 Even I caught a number of fish!

It was a fun activity to do together, and Nathan was a great teacher!

Lovin' the sunshine!

 We also enjoyed a walk along the country lanes surrounding our river-front resort. :)

 The Bride

The super handsome groom!

The happy Brittons!

We also enjoyed a day trip to Yorktown, about 15 minutes away.  There we toured a museum about the revolutionary war and saw some recreated encampments like what the Colonial soldiers lived in.

Nathan and the canon.

Katrina trying to do laundry like the colonists.

An example of a cabin from that era.  So glad we don't have to sleep in a bed this size! :)

We also enjoyed seeing the beautiful little historic part of Yorktown in the riverwalk area.











Are you tired of kissing pictures yet? :)

Stay tuned for more next time in which I will post pictures of our time in Gloucester and trip to a theme park!

Meanwhile, I'm off to summer camp this week with the youth at our church and my amazing husband!