Amazing Weekend!

Hey Everyone,

Well even though it was hard to leave my three year old at home with her granny, Paul and I needed a weekend away.  Not just any weekend either.  We were blessed with a weekend with our church at the Frio River Pecan Farm.  The place was beautiful with rows of pecan trees, the river running through it and the deer would come up close to the cabins.


Well we were a little hesitant to go on the weekend at first but after running into our pastors and another couple from church at the yogurt place and having a wonderful conversation with them, we decided to just put our fears behind us and go for it.  We were not sure what to expect and were a bit afraid to open up about our marriage to a bunch of strangers.  Wow were we wrong.

We had an amazing weekend learning and growing as a couple.  We went in thinking we had a great marriage and nothing really wrong with it.  However, through the weekend we both realized things we could work on and not that we had a bad relationship, but there is just something different with us.  I can't really explain it, but its almost like we fell in love all over again.  Yes we have only been married a year and half but we have been together for 3 and half and sometimes the everyday life gets in the way.  We not only became closer to each other this weekend, but we grew and got closer to God.  One thing that did hit me hard was the fact that I don't wake up and Tell God good morning and start my day with him.  Which I should because I am alive and here one more day because of him.  I usually was so concerned with checking my phone and my facebook before I even get out of bed.  So now I say Good morning and Pray before I check my phone. Nothing is more important than God.

You all also know my daily struggles with things, and this weekend was so easy.  The whole weekend I just felt blessed and amazed to be where I am in my life. I didn't have to force myself to be happy or concentrate on anything..I wasn't stressed and I had no anxiety.. it was like I was a different person.  Which I still feel this way.  I know stress is going to enter back into my life, but this weekend helped me find new and different ways to cope with things.  All the time to reflect and pray was just what I needed.  Not to mention all the fun we had.  We got to know several amazing couples and as we talked to each couple they all had something we could learn from and we look forward to getting to know them more.  I think the key to keeping things in perspective is keeping them in our lives and hanging out with them.  If we surround ourself with great people than we don't have to worry about the other people trying to bring us down.  Not to mention going to church Sunday after getting to know everyone was a whole new experience in its self.  Yes Paul got to go with me and normally its just me-- but to walk in and fill like family instead of a stranger was amazing.

Honestly some Sunday's I had to drag myself to church, not because I didn't love God or want to be there but because I would tell myself I could just watch it online and not feel awkward because I always have to sit alone while Paul is at work! Now I know I can always find someone I know to sit with even if he is not there.   We were also letting things in between our relationship, like finishing a TV show, or checking facebook, or tired from work or Hayleigh.  So it was great to put our relationship back in perspective that we need to make that time and that other stuff is not as important as spending time with the life partner God made for us. I am so excited and I feel like we are starting a new chapter and can't wait to see what God has in store for us!

Till Next time,
Ashleigh