Full of Joy

Chuck has been encouraging us as a couple to believe God to do great miracles.  The other day he asked me, "What would be a miracle (from God) you would like to see happen?"  He knows I always give the same two answers, so he asked "Besides those two".  I think my faith is pretty small.  I usually only desire simple things, and am pretty content with our life outside of a couple deep desires.  Chuck has a long Bucket List, but I don't even have one.  If I died today, I'd be 100% happy to go straight into the arms of Jesus.  I don't need to skydive, or visit a certain country, or scuba dive, or write a book, or be in two places at once, or get a tattoo (HA!  Anybody catch that?).  In the depth of my heart, though, I believe I long for more in terms of God.  There are several women in my life who I look to and think, "How do they know God in that way?"  I want to know God in the way they do.  In the basement of my soul, I long ...

As always, the Christmas season is flying by at an incredible speed.  I'm already depressed thinking about coming back here and facing the month of January.  Ick.  BUT, it's only December 17, and I am going to thoroughly enjoy the rest of my favorite Christmas season.  Chuck's Advent for me has been INCREDIBLE!  I absolutely love, love, LOVE getting a little (or big!) gift each day.  His thoughtfulness has blown me away.  I'm amazed at the things he's picked out.  It really is the thought behind a gift that touches my heart so deeply.  Each morning I wake up and think, "I wonder what I'm getting today?"  It's been such a blast.  I feel adored.  I am adored.  I love my man. Day 3: Pretty much wear this every day! Day 7:  Peppermint Mocha, thank you very much.  We got to visit our awesome friends Laura and Scooter in Old Town Alexandria one night.  Laura made us a delicious dinner, and we al...

Happy German Advent!  And American Advent, of course.  We opened our big package from Germany yesterday and had a great time indulging in the treats, as well as setting up our new Christmas addition- our Advent Wreath.  Obviously it doesn't look like what we would consider a wreath, and I'm sure Chuck's Mom could shed more light on the topic, but here it is:  Today since it's the first Sunday of December, we lit our first candle: Chuck is especially excited because he has been wanting one of these.  As a kid growing up in Germany, this Advent Wreath was always a big deal.  And now it will be again! I also got to open my American Advent Day 2 gift today.  So far, Chuck is 2 for 2.  I adore my new phone cover!  Plus he got me screen protectors, which I really needed.  It's so cute that he picked out a cover for me.  It's only day 2, but this has already meant so much to me.  "Gifts" are my love language, and I am jus...