Oh the Married Life

G'evening all...

So I haven't posted on here in almost 3 months..so I wonder if anyone will even read this? hmm...good question. Still I am writing- maybe more so for my sanity than for the 'readers'....

I am sitting alone at the kitchen table in my messy dining room..well messy apartment is probably more accurate. Its one of those messes that is so large and intimidating that you don't know where to start. So I stared at it for awhile this evening and then I sat down at the computer to catch up on other things- like email. Why is it so hard to STAY caught up? Anyway..the mess is bothering me- I will probably break down and clean it all up tonight as soon as I finish this post- but in the meantime I am working hard at ignoring it.

The last month was supposed to be 'time off' and while neither Shawn nor I was 'working', we did manage to get married and to buy a house..which turned out (and continues to turn out) to be more work than either of us imagined. We have been literally cleaning and painting the new house all day for over a week now..its so exciting and then at moments my thoughts linger on just how much work and $$ we are putting into the place and then all at once its overwhelming again. I painted for 6 hours today and mostly ceilings so my necks is going to be hurting tomorrow mornin'...but the ceilings are amazing! *grin* Anyway, I love the new house and can't wait to move into it! Its about 3x as big as our apartment and it gives Shawn a spot for a studio [ thank the Lord, cause the writing music until late at night is interfering with this girl's sleep!] And we have a YARD..next summer will be the yard renovation summer complete with herb garden and calla lillies- can't wait! Seriously, it is a HUGE answer to prayer- thank Jesus! I will try and post some pics as soon as Shawn shows me how to post them... (technologically challenged, I am]

So anyway, the house PALES in comparison to the marriage transition. Marriage is: a) hard b) wonderful c) both d) wonderful because its hard...hmmm I'd have to say "d" Final answer? yes. I knew it would be hard, but let's just talk about having a mirror held up so you have to see who you really are...Shawn is my walking mirror and let me tell you, it ain't so pretty! Its amazing how God uses people in your life to work out the kinks- to help round off the rough edges- to help clarify and point out the workings of the Lord...and I am feeling it. Its AMAZING stuff.

But dont be lulled into thinking its not a battle- the Enemy is all over relationships. I have never seen it as clearly as now. The Bible so clearly talks about his 'divide and conquer' mentality...oneness is the beauty of marriage and the Evil One lives to separate. We are in a serious battle for our unity and its unreal how deep and desperate and demanding it is. Thank God He is able..I feel myself needing it more and more each day.

Prayer is the weapon...I have been awakened to the power of it in the last month. It doesn't matter what kind of arguement is going on..when Shawn says "I am going to pray for you" its like the ugliness of self-promotion is quieted and a resignation of anger settles in. I have never experienced the power of prayer so immeadiately as I do now...Shawn will pray for God to come and heal my feelings and by the time I open my eyes, a part of me has mended. I thank God for a praying husband!

He's at a bachelor party in Portland tonight and I am missing him- first night without him since the wedding. Its funny how we spent months apart before the wedding and now one day seems intolerably long without his presence.

new "final" answer: [its a write-in] Marriage is: Beautiful Redemption.


G'night all,
Kate