1 Year Anniversary... Posted a Few Months Late :)

11.9.14

One year ago today I began the greatest adventure of my life: marriage.

This year could not have been any better. We explored new cultures. We traveled to new places. We served God together as Husband and Wife. We got Leo, who makes us laugh and taught us something incredible about love. We have tried new recipes, seen some good movies, and fill our soul with adventure.

I had no idea what I was getting into when I said 'I do' a year ago. You cannot prepare for marriage. Something happens the day after your wedding. The day after all of the hustle an bustle and planning is over. I am not sure what it is, but something happens. Everything changes.  I don't care if you lived together before, did counseling, or whatever else. Being husband and wife is something that you simply cannot prepare for. 

We have made a lot of major life decisions, and been through some really difficult times. Though we have had our ups and down this past year, I would not trade it for anything. I have come to the conclusion that marriage is such a beautiful gift. The ups, downs, and upside downs are all such a beautiful gift from God.

I have a forever companion who loves me even on my worse days. I have someone who will be honest with me, even when I do not want to hear it.  I have a best friend whom I get to have a sleep over with every single night. Does it get any better than that?

 I am truly blessed to call Andrew my husband. Here's to our first year, and to many more!

#2015NewMe

Hello 2015!

2014 went by so quickly. There were so many blessings. I now in my second year of marriage. I have moved to ATL, and am attending seminary at Candler Theological. I am working as a youth pastor at a new church. I have made new friends. I became an aunt. 2014 also had it's share of hard times. We experienced loss, difficult times, and some serious change. I am grateful for the opportunities of growth that 2014 brought, but I am excited to get 2015 started! 

2015 Goals

• Actually use this blog!
• Hit 125 lbs, and get toned!
• Go on a real vacation with Andrew. (just the two of us)
• Run a 5k all the way through.
• Invest in my own spiritual growth. 
• Start teaching Zumba again.
• Begin Amber Lea Gray Photographs!
• Start an online Bible Study.
• Stay organized. 
• Sleep at least 7 hours a night. 

To be Continued...

Whirlwind

These past few months have been such a whirlwind! Basically here we go...

1. I answered a call to vocational ministry.
2. Andrew and I were part of a mission team that went to El Salvador.
3. I applied to three seminaries.
4. I was accepted to all three seminaries.
5. Andrew and I moved to ATL.
6. I started Candler School of Theology.
7. I accepted a youth pastor position at Monticello First UMC.

Writing that out makes it seem even more crazy. I will be writing some posts in the weeks to come about my new adventures. Stay tuned team!

Hello Holy Week

Holy week started with Palm Sunday a few days ago. Jesus came riding in on a donkey as our prince of peace. Today I went to my first Passover Supper, just as Jesus did the day before he was crucified. Tomorrow is Good Friday. The day that God gave his only son, Jesus, to to be sacrificed on a cross to give me life.  And three days later, He ROSE again victorious! This is my favorite time of year. It is special to me for so many reasons. I am humbled and reminded of my sin, and how vast the love of Christ. Also it is SO important to me because, 14 years ago tomorrow I asked Jesus in to my heart. My life has not been the same since.

During this season of Lent, my focus word was cleanse. I wanted to cleanse my body and my spirit. I have been convicted that my body is a temple, and I need to treat it as so. Through this process I have learned how important what I eat really is. God designed me for a purpose, and I have to fuel myself properly to fulfill that purpose.

Knowing how to treat my body to fulfill God's purpose is just the beginning. I have also been praying that God would show me what exactly that purpose is. During this season of lent, I have realized that God does not usually show us His entire plan. Often we barely even get to see a piece of His plan. I have been praying that God would open my eyes to show me what direction he wanted me to go, and He did. I have NO idea what God has in store for me. But God has made clear the next step. I have been applying to seminary to start the journey towards vocational ministry. I have no idea what that will look like, or where I will end up. I am scared and I am excited.

This season of Lent has started a whole new season of my life. I have support from an AMAZING husband, and God has blessed me with encouraging family and friends.

I will keep you posted on my journey.

Lent

So, the past few months I have been watching an unhealthy number of documentaries about food. (my husband is about to kill me) Seriously any food documentary I can find, I watch. My eyes have been opened to what we eat and why we eat it. Who knew that politics was so involved in my weekly grocery store visit? Anyway, that is not the point of this blog. (If you want to know about what I have learned from my food documentary binge, then feel free to email me.) My main conviction from this massive amount of new knowledge is--my body is a temple, and I need to treat it as so.

Lent.

The season of lent is a time for me to sacrifice something, but more importantly a time to focus and reflect on the sacrifice that Christ made for me. This year during the season of lent, my theme word is cleanse. I am going to give up meat and as many processed foods as possible to clean out my body with a focus on health (not being skinny). I am going to challenge myself physically and try to work out 6 days a week. I am going to purge my mind of negative thoughts, and focus on the peace and love of Christ. I am going to dive in to scripture and prayer. I want God to cleanse my heart so that I can see the direction he would have me go.

This is going to be a journey, and I am going to try my best to give weekly updates. So, stay tuned.

Lent. Let's do this.

{three}

*I wrote this 2.9.14 and forgot to post it.*

Time moves unbelievably fast. Today Andrew and I have been dating for {three} years, and have been married for {three} months. I thought that as I reflected today about this journey I have begun called marriage...I would share a few things that I have learned [am learning] along the way.

1. The excitement of a wedding fades quickly, and at that point real life begins.
2. Every person has their quirks. Sometimes we adapt them. Sometimes....not so much.
3. Andrew and I use an unusual amount of spoons.
4. My mom was right....laundry NEVER ends.
5. Sometimes all a person needs is a little space.
6. No place feels safer, than in my husband's arms.
7. It is okay to laugh at yourself. [and each other]
8. Having a God focused marriage is hard, and has to be intentional. Being newly weds, we tend to want to focus on each other most.
9. Sharing a meal together is important. Sharing a meal that we cooked together, even more important.
10. I get to have a sleep over with my best friends every night.

Two Thousand and Thirteen

2013 was full of love. I am so incredibly grateful for this past year. I finished my final internship in graduate school and graduated with my Masters of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling. I got my first 'real' job. I became engaged to love of my life, planned our entire wedding, and got married! I went on my first Cruise! I gained and lost friends. I realized more the beauty of family. I built some real relationships. I pursued a healthy lifestyle. I became a Zumba certified instructor. I have been so incredibly blessed over the last 12 months, and am extremely excited about what 2014 will bring.

I want 2014 to be full changes and excitement and growth. I want to grow spiritually. I want my relationships to grow in depth. I want to run toward challenges, and embrace the tough times. I also want to simplify a lot of areas of my life. I want to focus more on what I need rather than what I want. I want to focus on fitness, and helping others in their weight loss journey. More than anything, I want to make God the center of every decision that my Husband and I make.

Here's to 2013...Bring it on 2014!