Catching Up and a Thankful Heart

A post about pretty much anything is LOOOOOOOONG overdue; I'm well aware. We've now been married for 99 days according to my wedding countdown turned marriage counter. I'm pretty sure my husband feels like it's been more than 99 days.

To be really honest, getting married, learning to live with someone new and settling in to life together is more overwhelming than I imagined. We're absolutely loving this adventure, but I kind of expected life as usual. What was I thinking?

I've had a goal in mind to start posting more starting in March. Maybe a couple of times a week even? This goal would likely stay unattained were it not for my sweet friend Cindy. I received an email from her recently that started with, "Girl, are you ever going to start blogging again?" I totally rolled my eyes knowing she was so right! So thank you Cindy, for being the nudge I needed!

This post is pictureless. Yeah. Not a word. I know. I'm just warning you ahead of time. Now I'm going to complain for a moment and then try to type from the heart. Pictures are coming so just stick with me for this post.

Dinner. Check. Groceries. Check. Keeping milk on hand (Let the 3 gallons a week speak for how crucial this item is). Check. Cleaning. Check. Here are two of my wifely duties that don't get to go on the list of items I easily check off every week:

Laundry -I could survive several weeks without needing to do laundry --aside from linens of course. Josh really needs me to do it every week. Every week! Of course he offers to do his own laundry, but that could be more disastrous than not having clean laundry.

Making my husbands lunch -Josh doesn't have the luxury of going out to lunch every day. He eats quickly and often on the go. Plus, it's just a huge savings to take your own. By about Tuesday night I get on the ball. Wednesday I'm feeling pretty good. Thursday night comes and I realize I don't need to make lunch. He eats out on Fridays because it's a half day for him. Then the weekend comes and I forget all over again.

It's a constant reminder of his grace with me. He's so patient and almost never complains when I forget. This in turn reminds me of the Lord's grace with our daily shortcomings. In the New Testament, Jesus is always offering grace. The woman at the well. Dining with tax collectors. The thief on the cross.

I am so thankful that same grace is constantly being heaped upon me as I desperately I need it. If not keeping up with household duties was the worst of my shortcomings I would be pretty set. I know all too well, that this is just scratching the surface.

My heart is so thankful for the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. I'm still a new and sometimes forgetful wife, but with the Lord's help I'm attempting to pass on this grace to everyone I encounter.

Stephanie

Gracious Living

Even though we are still 60 days from being The Bills Family of Two, I thought the day of our closing would be the perfect day to kick off this little family blog. As of today we are the proud owners of a 1920's bungalow colonial in Upstate New York (Okay, okay. It's not quite a bungalow even though it's styled like one, but Bills in a Colonial just doesn't have the same ring!). 

We are in a total love affair with this house!!! We love the neighborhood and love the street. The lot has trees so tall I don't think I can see the tops. While the house does have oodles of charm, I'm sure projects will quickly find their way into our lives! The neighbors we've met so far seem really friendly (even by my more southern standards!). We will be posting pictures within the next few weeks, as we're renting the house back to the previous owners for a few days. For now here are the pictures from the real estate listing.

[Outside]

[Sunroom]

[Living Room]

[Full Bathroom]

[Master Bedroom]

[Basement]

As a bride-to-be, one of the themes I desire for our household is living graciously. Josh and I both see this as a huge part of how we want our family to be defined. The Lord has been so gracious to us and blessed us in a mighty, might way! We want to be able to pass that grace on in everything we do. I don't just want to be known as a great hostess, but want to be able to share the love of Christ through my hospitality. We want our home, family and lives to be used to bless our family, friends and community. Whether we are hosting a family dinner, having friends in from out of town, working through the local church to meet needs or simply showing our neighbors that we care...we just want the gracious hand of the Lord to be evident to everyone we meet.

A sweet friend recently brought to my attention that bringing hospitality together with a Christ-like attitude is truly the definition of being gracious. The Old and New Testaments reference graciousness and hospitality on many occasions. Here are some verses that really stand out in helping continue this theme in our home and lives.

Romans 12:9-13

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

Psalm 37:23 & 26

The steps of a man are established by the LORD, and He delights in his way...all day long he is gracious and lends, and his descendants are a blessing.

Nehemiah 9:17

But You are a God of forgiveness, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness; and You did not forsake them.

1 Peter 4:9
Be hospitable to one another without complaint.

This is a great desire for our home and we can't wait to share all our adventures with you! Our friends and family are spread out all over and through this blog we hope to post all the schmancy (and not so schmancy) projects, celebrations and milestones that fill our days.

Stay tuned...

Stephanie