Time has Gotten Away

I can't believe it's been so long since I last wrote. I don't even know where to begin to explain what all has been going on. I guess let me start with saying, I've been busy. Work, husband, life in general has kept me on the go and when I finally do find time to just relax there seems to be something that needs to be done. Whether it's a load of laundry or dusting; or maybe it's just the fact I can't sit still for too lond so I am always finding something to do.
If you don't know, I have been accepted in the LPN program here in Burns Flat. I will start next month and will finish in about a year. I am excited and scared at the same time. I don't know how it will all work but I just have to have faith that God will work it out for me.
My job has gotten better. As you know, I really didn't like it at first but it seems the more I work there the more grace God has given me. He has given me more patience and a greater love for people. Don't get me wrong because I still have days where I just don't want to be there whatsoever but there are days too when I know it's what I'm supposed to be doing, for the time being anyway.
Josh has been keeping busy with work. He is continuing to learn more tools and they continue to have a job for him somewhere. I can't complain though. This last week he has come home to me just about every night
We have decided to buy land on his grandfather's farm. Another relative is wanting to sell his share and Josh wants to build a house on that land in the future. I support him 100% and think that although we may not be able to do anything with the land right now maybe ten years from now we can raise our kids there. The same way he was raised on that land too.
We went on a little vacation back at the end of May to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It was beautiful! I told Josh if he ever got transferred to Tennessee I would not complain. It's just so peaceful. We stayed in a little secluded cabin up in the mountains and was able to drive through the Smokies and do some sight seeing.
We are going camping at the end of this month for a week. I am looking forward to it very much! A family friend was selling their little camper and it is just the right size for us. We bought it and Gabe is cleaning it up for us and fixing some little things in the camper before we go. I'm glad Gabe offered to do it for us because I am working up to the day before we leave. I have a day off here and there but not enough time to do stuff for the camper. He has done a really good job on it so far so I have to give him his props. THANKS GABE!! I LOVE YOU!!
We have found a church we like in Elk City. Their heart is all for the things of God. They are just on fire with His love right now and you can feel it when you walk in the building. It is great! We have not joined or anything yet but we have gone there for about a month now.
Speaking of church and having a fire....my Mother-in-law has gone on a mission trip to India with a group from God's House and Branded by God. They will be there for two weeks and basically what they are doing is taking kids off the street, giving them food and shelter (they have built orphanages), and just showing them God's love. They are fathering the fatherless. I don't think they could have picked a better woman to go. Children are her heart. Pray for them as they should be arriving today I believe. Pray not only their eyes and hearts will be open, but also the eyes and hearts of the children they will be ministering to.
On a completely separate note but one I would like to address. It has come to my attention some people think Josh and I did not 'wait' til marriage. Here I am setting the record straight. YES WE DID! Believe me, I know! If you have questions or want to ask me about stuff then do so. I promise I won't be mad. I'd rather you tell me stuff to my face then go talk to other people about it. I am not mad now but that is something very serious to me.
I guess that's really about it for now. My life is busy but I'm loving every minute of it. God provides and blesses us continually. I can't complain.

Until next time,
ActionJacksontheAngloSaxon

Absolute Chaos in April

Chaos is the best word to use for this past month. It has been crazy. Thankfully, I passed my CNA class and now have a job working at a healthcare center. I wasn't sure I would like it at first but I have created relationships with many of the residents and like visiting with them. The job is challenging at times but I think God is teaching me things as I go along.

Josh's job is going great! He is running more tools and his bosses are giving him more responsibility. We have decided to just continue to live on his paycheck and put mine into a savings account. It has been working out great so far! God continues to bless us and show us his hand in everything.

A few weeks ago I applied to LPN school. I will go in at the beginning of June to take a few tests which will increase my scores and I should know about a week later whether I will be accepted or not. I am ready to get this thing going and see where God leads. It is something I have wanted to do for a long time and now just seems like the time is right. The school is just around the corner from our house plus, with the health/science classes I took in college, the classes will be accepted at the school here and I won't have to go to many classes the first semester. On top of that, my husband supports me. What more could I ask for?

Josh has off the whole last week of May/beginning of June. We are hoping to take a trip somewhere. Although we don't know the place yet we are looking. We have thought of Niagara Falls, St. Louis, or canoeing down the Illinois in Talequah. Any suggestions? We are both looking forward to the much needed time of and time together. Hopefully, it all pans out and I won't have to work. Otherwise, I will be a very upset employee with a very unhappy husband... I requested the days off well in advance, so there should be no problems.

Life is good. Continue to pray for us as we are still trying to find a church. With both our work schedules the way they are it is hard to find a Sunday when we are both together to visit. I've gone by myself quite a bit but haven't found a place God has given me peace about.

I hope all is going well with each of you! May your summer be filled with lakes, camping, and fishing trips! Wait, maybe that's just what I would like my summer to be like...

Until next time,
ActionJacksontheAngloSaxon

February and Everything in Between

February has been going fair. Enjoying the time I can spend with my husband. I am definitely in a type of transition right now but I'll get to that later. I don't think Summer could come soon enough; ready for sunshine and short sleeves.

Valentines Day was nice. We weren't sure if he would have that Tuesday off so we had our Valentines Day the previous Friday. I tried my cooking skills at lasagna. I am sorry to say it didn't turn out as well as I would have hoped. I'm going to try a different recipe next time and see how it goes. Josh had little gifts hidden around the house for me. He had me get him a drink, where I found a candle in the cupboard, a blanket, where I found a box of chocolates in the cedar chest, and a few other things hidden in odd spots. It was a very nice first Valentines Day as a married couple.

I have now finished my CNA classes and will go for my check off and computer test next week. The class was fun and i'm glad to have taken it but i'm ready to move forward and go further along. Now, this is where I know God is transitioning me somehow. I know I am supposed to further my education but don't know in which way. Whether to continue on and get my LPN or my RN. The LPN class would be not even 5 min from my house while the RN classes would be 45 min from my house. We know the LPN is only a year while the RN is two-three years. The RN would pay much more than the LPN. Both would keep me away from home and my first priority as a wife and homemaker. As you can see, both have positives and negatives. Trying to hear God for the answer but having a hard time not worrying about it. I realize I can't fail. No matter which way I go God will help me prosper. He'll be happy whatever I decide to do. In that, I can find peace. He will push me to be better and move me in places i'm not familiar with but in it all I will draw closer to Him.

As far as the rest of our February, nothing big has happened. I got my wisdom teeth extracted at the end of January. Josh took very good care of me. He made me plenty of milk shakes, and soft foods, made sure I had my meds, kept ice on my jaw, and warm at night. He even handled me well as I was still coming off the medications they gave me when they put me under. Apparently, i'm a little rude when they give me meds like that.

Josh continues out in the oil field and he is making his way up. He is learning new tools and now runs more than just plug jobs. He is starting to be the boss on some of the jobs he is fully trained in. I am so proud of him and thankful for the hardworker I have for a husband.

God continue to bless us and we realize it daily. We are thankful for what He has done for us over these last few months and what he continues to do in our lives.

Until next time,
ActionJacksontheAngloSaxon

I Understand Now

Hello! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and fantastic New Year! I know I missed the month of December in blogging. With everything being so crazy this last month I never found time long enough to write.

Josh and I had our first Christmas together. It was very special. We were able to have our own little Christmas on the Friday before at our home here in Burns Flat. We were then able to spend Christmas eve with his family and Christmas day with my family. Many memories were made and I loved every minute of it! We were able to bring in the new year with prayer at our church and later, relatives who we don't get to see very often. Now it is back to work, class, and a new years resolution to work out and eat more healthy on both our parts.

Now for the purpose of this post:

In the last few weeks I have really learned what the term 'Soul Mate' means. I always heard the term used but I guess never thought too far into it. I always thought it was just what you called your husband or wife. Just like you would call them 'Honey' or 'Babe'- Soul Mate was just another name with maybe a little more special meaning. I understand now though, the meaning of it, or am beginning to anyway. The term is deeper than I ever could have imagined it to be. It truly is like your soul finding it's other half. Not only do you become one physically in marriage, but you become one in spirit. I have noticed how when Josh is gone I don't just miss him anymore but my soul literally longs for him. My whole being longs for him in Body, Soul, and Mind. I never knew how deep it meant when you 'become one'. The bond that is made between a husband and wife is greater than I understood. I knew it was a strong bond but it is so much more than that. Now, maybe you are reading this and thinking, "Wait a few years. You are just in your newlywed stage. It fades away". Maybe it does fade away a little bit. I have no idea. What I do know is I never want to forget. I never want to forget how God brought us together and now we are one. I never want to forget Josh is my soul mate. I know this bond we have will always be there. I realize marriage is hard. You have to work at it constantly but we are building something here. We are building something not only for us, but for our family to come, and each generation after that. "...If God be for us, who can be against us?" -Romans 8:31. With God before us we can't fail!

Overall in this blog that's really all I wanted to say. I understand now! Once I made this revelation it was like a sheet was covering my eyes the whole time; like I was waiting to see this big secret and when the sheet was removed I saw everything. I definitely think there are many more things to be revealed; not only in marriage but in Josh as well. I know I will always be learning something new about my husband, just like I will continue to learn about our marriage. Every day is an adventure and learning experience. I want to be able to say, "I understand now" about a thousand more times.


Until next time,
ActionJacksontheAngloSaxon

Married

Hello, Hello, Hello!!!!!!! It seems like an eternity since I have last been on here to write. I have thought about it here and there but it seems to be a quick and passing thought. Tonight I am by myself though, waiting for my loving husband to finish up on a job site and come home to me in just a few hours.

Where do I begin?! The wedding was everything I could have asked for and more. Like I said before; the people who stepped up and offered a helping hand in one way or another were such a huge blessing to me. My stress level dropped every time someone said, "Let me do it". To me the wedding was beautiful, simple, simply...perfect. My fairytale. Sure, we could have had it outside on a distant hilltop but guess what? We had a rainstorm later that evening during the reception. An outside wedding on a hilltop would have been a disaster.

There are two times I was close to tears during our wedding. The first was about 15 minutes before my dad walked me down the aisle. I was sitting on the couch upstairs in the bride room and I felt like I was getting ready for a piano recital. The nerves, shaking, rapid breathing. What made it funny but worse at the same time; my cousin, who was also the flower girl for the wedding, was watching the clock the whole time while we were waiting up in the room. Every 5 minutes she would say,"It's almost time!" or "It's just about show time!"- I still don't know if she was giving herself a pep talk or trying to just let me know time was getting closer.-
The second time I had tears come to my eyes was right after Josh and I lit the Unity candle while Will Stucky played and sang "Such a Love". It is kinda a funny story... about a month or so before the wedding I was at church Sunday morning and Stucky softly played the keys and sang this song. While I was worshiping my heart was so moved and God spoke to me and said,"This is your song." I didn't really understand what He was talking about then He gave me a picture in my head of Stucky singing that song at our wedding. Right then, it all made sense. It was the perfect song for the unity candle. Not only were Josh and I showing we would together become one, but also God's love is what brought us together and our relationship as one is united with the love of our Savior.

The honeymoon was great! We did have to constantly stay ahead of a hurricane that was down there. Because of this hurricane, our shore excursion was canceled in Cozumel but we were able to go to Progreso and secure a new excursion exploring Mayan ruins!! There was some motion sickness while on the boat because the water was so choppy but it wasn't horrible. We attended a few stand up comedy shows and a musical. I'll put pictures up soon!

We are all settled in Burns Flat now. We were able to go back to Tuttle/Newcastle for Thanksgiving and spend it with both of our families. Our house is decorated for Christmas and we have a cute tree. My artistic side (or lack thereof) has been put to the test in this last week. I, with the help of my mother-in-law, made a Christmas wreath and it's quite pretty if I do say so myself. On Monday night, I sat down and decorated two stockings. There are a few smudges and mistaken paint marks but they are ours and they are unique.

People are always asking me if I am getting adjusted to married life and for the most part I am. I still wake up sometimes wrapped protectively in my husband's arms and can't believe we are married. I am blessed. That's all I know to say.

He is getting back into the swing of work. Since it is the end of the year it has not been as busy as it normally is. Once the new year hits I'm sure that will change. As for me, I am getting used to being a wife, a cook, and a homemaker. I started a class last night that will go on 'til February in which I can receive my CNA (certified nursing assistant) and then I will take a class after that in which I can obtain my CMA ( certified medical assistant). With my CMA I will be able to give medication. We'll see what happens from there.

I hope you all have a wonderful CHRISTmas! Be safe driving around. I know we don't have icy roads yet but they are bound to come.


Until next time,
ActionJacksontheAngloSaxon

Are We There Yet?

Looks like I found time to write again before the wedding! Things are still running smoothly and we haven't had any major problems. Hopefully that doesn't happen at all but I am expecting it... just in case. Even though we are only 12 days away now it seems like time is moving so slow. I am glad it is though because I know in the next few days everything is going to be a speedy roller coaster that won't stop 'til after the wedding.

I told you in the last post that Josh and I decided to rent until we found exactly what we were looking for. Before I tell you the story about it I just want to say, God is awesome! We had an agent we started looking at houses with a few weeks ago. After looking at houses and deciding to rent, we went to the housing authority there in Burnsflat to get put on a list and told we were number 15 on the list so it would probably take about a month before we could get into a house. They also said the list is ever changing and be ready for a call. About two weeks later we decided to go back and look at more houses. He had to pay his bill for the lot he is staying on so we went in to pay that and afterwards we decided to stop in at the housing authority to see how the list was looking. What ended up happening was because he hadn't payed his bill yet they really hadn't put our name on the list for a house. So... they then put us on the list and we weren't sure if we would have to stay in the camper trailer for a few weeks after marriage (which is fine) or if we'd be able to get a house before then. Anyway, we were finally put on the list and two days later we got a call saying they had a house for us to move into the next week. If that's not God I don't know what is. We are going this week to sign the papers for the house and hopefully we should be able to start moving in the same day! I told you God is awesome!

My family will start showing up this coming weekend for the wedding! Nona is going to help me with flower arrangements and a few more minor things. We will probably still be getting moved into the house and getting the last minute stuff done. I will be in constant motion I'm sure.

We are having our bachelor and bachelorette parties the Thursday before the wedding. I am excited about that!! The girls on his side of the family i.e. mom, aunts, cousins, etc. took me out for a surprise bachelorette party this past weekend. It was great! I saw sides of these girls I had never seen before. My mom was in on the secret and joined us. I am glad she was able to come. It was a night filled with fun, laughter, secrets, and advice; mixed in with Italian food and Karaoke!

Josh came home early Saturday to surprise me! He wasn't supposed to get off until Wednesday/Thursday of this coming week. He finished the job he was on fairly early on Saturday and they weren't starting any jobs 'til Monday which meant he had Sunday off. Saturday night he and I sat down and made the program for the wedding to give to the necessary people. I tell you that program is a step by step instruction. We really worked hard on it.

God also blessed us with rain this weekend! It was so nice to see it continuously fall like it did. The minute we thought it would start letting up it would start right back up again.

Continue to pray for us in the coming week. So much is going on we will need God's strength and wisdom to accomplish what needs to be done!


Until next time,
ActionJacksontheAngloSaxon

And the Count Down Begins

I can't believe I am only a few weeks away from being married. I always thought it was dumb when people started counting down the days when they were still in the 100's but here I am only 23 days away! I am counting down, definitely!

Everything has really ran quite smoothly in the last two months or so. It ended up the event that took our place in the venue room we wanted got canceled, therefore we got it back which was a real blessing to me! I am so thankful for being able to get the room we originally wanted.

We now have everything set for the honeymoon. All we need to do is print off the paperwork! We have the dresses back from being altered. We have all the guys fitted for their tuxes. We have the menu set, a lot of decorations, a plan for the flowers, the music list, a place booked for the wedding night, all the invitations sent out and RSVPs already coming back in. We are still looking for a home but have decided we will rent before we jump into buying anything we may regret later. We know God will work everything out for us so it is not something we are worrying. He has worked everything out thus far, there's no reason to start doubting Him now.

People have been such a true blessing during this busy, exciting, stressful time. It amazes me how people I hardly know have stepped up and gone above and beyond to help me get things running smoothly. All I have had to do was mention an idea and someone steps up and says,"I can do that!" or," let me talk to so-and-so and see if they can do something..." A lot of it has been word of mouth. It all spreads like a wild fire!

The next time I post I will probably be a married woman! Pray for both me and Josh in the days to come because neither one of us know what to expect; in the days before the wedding and the weeks and months after we are married. I am so excited to be marrying the man God has created for me and I for him!


Until next time,
ActionJacksontheAngloSaxon