What a Weir weekend

Looooook who came for a visit!!

What a treat it was to have the Weirs come see us! They spoiled us and provided more than we could have imagined. I seriously am so blessed to have not only wonderful parents myself but also incredible in-laws. I honestly feel close enough to think of them as more than in-laws. Ben was so looking forward to this weekend for a long time. It was precious to see Ben's friendship with his dad again. They have definitely missed each other. The weekend was filled with lots of great conversation, corny jokes, football, sleeping, adventures, informative knowledge on the quartering of a deer, coffee drinking, and loving on Buck. 

Friday night we went to Angus Barn - Raleigh's top rated steakhouse. Such a unique atmosphere and good food!  

Time with the Weirs is not complete without capturing this guy doing his normal thing...

Like father like son 

Saturday, we all watched Ben play flag football at the seminary (spouse's can play!) and then continued watching football well into the night. Mrs. Dottie said it felt like de ja vu watching Ben play sports on a Saturday morning again. 

One of the reasons the Weirs decided to come on this weekend was to attend Church at the Ballpark. The church Ben and I are joining soon is The Summit. The church meets in several different locations. We all listen to the same message from the same pastor, J.D. Greear (he's awesome!!!). This past Sunday, though, all of the campuses met in one place - the Durham Bulls stadium. 11,500 people attended and 530 people were baptized! It was incredible to witness. Such an outpouring of God's Spirit to draw His people to Himself.

After church, we had a little fun in Durham.

Trip to Duke Gardens

and to Locopops! Local place with homemade popsicles!

We finished the weekend with a trip to our favorite restaurant, Cowfish. They have incredible burgers and incredible sushi. The Brashers and the Hellams enjoyed it for the first time! 

We are missing the Weirs already!! Praising the Lord for their love for Him, for us, and for our friends.

a year worth celebrating

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine..." Eph 3:20

WE CELEBRATED A YEAR!!!

Wow. It has been a year since Ben and I made our covenant of marriage with God and each other. So hard to believe. A couple of weekends ago (August 24-25th), Ben surprised me on Saturday, first, with a day trip to Carolina Beach, NC. That night we went to a nice dinner and came home to a surprise set up (with a little help from our neighbor) of flowers, our wedding cake, and wedding video ready to be watched! What a sweetheart. 

The Lord has been so faithful to teach us, sanctify us, renew us, and provide for us. We have grown in more ways than we knew possible. All glory to Him. 

A couple of things I have learned this year...

1.  Prayer is necessary

Prayer is necessary in the things that are "easy" for me - like words of affirmation. If I am not praying for these things, I am tempted to find my identity in the way Ben responds, whether good or bad. I am tempted to depend on myself, and when I do this, because I am finite, have limited resources, and am sinful, I tend to become controlling, anxious, and hurt super easily. 

Prayer is necessary in the things that do not come naturally to me. Physically serving is an area in my life where I need an abundance of the Spirit. If I am not praying when I pick up Ben's clothes, wash the dishes, clean the house, etc., I have a tendency to grow bitter or expect a thank you or become entitled to be repaid by his service. 

It is only through reliance on and surrender to the Spirit that I am able to

-find freedom from finding my identity in Ben and the things I do

-serve him with joy

-live fully without being controlled by my emotions

2.  Nothing I say changes Ben

This may sound obvious, but in the moment of my pain or my desires, I can try and manipulate Ben with my words. 

-"You don't even care that you hurt me." My heart is really saying, "Please show your love for me and repent of what you did that hurt me." But this second "request," in lasting form can only come from the Lord's work in Ben's heart. The first statement is an attack, and let's be honest, how much harder is it to respond graciously to an attack?

-"Do you ever clean up after yourself?" My heart is really becoming bitter and saying, "Could you please just change so that I can have a break from serving you?" But all that this first question is going to bring about is defensiveness and hurt feelings so that if he does begin to clean up after himself, it will not be for God's glory but to keep me from complaining. 

These are just a couple of examples. The Lord has taught me so much about seeking Him first when I am frustrated or tempted to complain or hurt. Because it is only when I am full of the Spirit, speaking the truth in love that God is glorified, that true redemption can take place, and that our marriage begins to reflect the gospel. 

3.  The Lord is working in us to bring us to completion

When I can't figure out what is going on, when I can't seem to find rest in the way Ben or I am continuing to act, when I am tempted to burst out in tears, when I'm frustrated with the way things are going or even when things are going great, I must resolve to trust in the Lord's goodness and that He is at work. Everything He does in and through us is to make us more like Christ. Even when I cannot see His hand working, the Lord has challenged me more this year than ever to trust in Him and not in myself. 

I am SO thankful for the Lord's revelations to me. What a gracious God that He - the Creator - humbles Himself to reveal who He is to the creation. 

I was thinking a display of some of my favorite pictures from this year would be an appropriate way to celebrate a little! Here is a quick tour through the first year of our marriage: 

Ben's official graduation dinner

My first Christmas as a Weir!

He makes me laugh. A lot. 

Italy spring break trip with Cru 

I'm pretty obsessed with him.

Our second day in Raleigh watching the Rebs play!

Thank you to everyone who has loved us and prayed for us over this past year. We are praising the Lord for His faithfulness and knowing that He used many of you for His glory in our marriage.

What has the Lord taught you this past year? I so encourage you to reflect on these things and praise the Lord for His faithfulness with me!