Monday, May 30, 2011
Memorial Day
This morning when Steven woke up, he said "this time 5 years ago, I was in Afghanistan." I remember how hard that time was because we were so far apart and I was constantly praying for his safety. It wasn't until he got back to the states that he told me how he prayed daily that there would be no bombs go off while we were on the phone. He said Memorial Day was the worst day while they were there. That is just the story of one solider. Today we celebrate Memorial Day. I'm so thankful for all those who serve our country. I am thankful for those soldiers and families who sacrificed so we can live in freedom in the United States. As you celebrate with family and friends today, remember those who we are celebrating.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Our Love Story
Steven and I are coming up on our 4th wedding anniversary on July 14th. Our story is different from many other couples. We love to share our love story and know God brought us together at the perfect time in both or our lives.
In January 2005, I had a friend tell me about www.bigchurch.com so I signed up to make new friends. By that time, many of my friends had gotten married (or all my ETBU friends were back home) so I didn't have a lot of single friends to hang out with. I talked to a few people as friends and then got a message from Steven. We talked for a while through email just getting to know each other. After about 3 months of him asking, I finally gave in to giving him my phone number...I did meet him online after all.
We continued to get to know each other through email and phone until late May. In May of 2005, he was in the process of moving from Iceland to Germany. We didn't talk through the summer (email or phone) so I assumed he lost interest. In August, I felt like God was telling me to email him again. I did and heard from him that day. He had just gotten his internet hooked up at his home in Germany that week. He said that in the move, he lost my phone number but wanted to talk to me many times through the summer. I gave him my number again and we talked several times a week.
In January 2006, on my 25th birthday to be exact, we finally met in person. He had been in San Antonio for training and flew into Longview for a night. We spent my birthday together. We went to Lifeway, Cheddars for lunch, and went to see the first Chronicles of Narnia movie. He got to meet my family and friends that day since my friends had planned dinner at Papaciatas for my birthday.
On Sunday after church and lunch with my family, he and I went to Starbucks and then the park before I took him back to the airport. We talked about everything at Starbucks...he told me all about his life and his family. He asked me to pray about dating him. At the park we just walked and talked some more.
When we said "goodbye" at the airport, we left praying about if we were supposed to date. I told him the following day that I wanted to be his girlfriend (because he actually asked me to pray about that) but we were sad because we knew it would be at least 6 months before we would see each other again. Little did we know that I would be driving down to meet his family the next weekend.
During the next 9 months, we were able to see each other many times. In March, I was able to go visit him in Germany. While I was there, we drive to Paris, France one day. In April, his father passed away and he was able to come back to Texas and I was able to go see him and go to the funeral. He was able to come back home with me for Easter. That weekend he asked Dad if he could marry me but Dad told him to wait. Dad had to reasons, Steven and I had only been dating 3 months and Steven was leaving for Afghanistan in May for 4 months. When he came back in October, he asked me to marry him on our 9 month anniversary.
I went to see him again at Christmas in Germany....against my mom's will. She couldn't believe I wasn't going to be home for Christmas. In February, he was out of the Air Force for good and he moved to Longview. We finished wedding plans and bought our first home to fix up until the wedding.
God has brought us through so much since January 2006 and we've been beyond blessed. We have our dream home, I'm teaching 3rd grade with the greatest, most supportive coworkers ever, we have our sweet dog Bella (our child in training as I said in my first post), and we are part of a wonderful church/Sunday School class. We are still waiting on God to bless us with our first time, but we wait patiently on his perfect timing.
I know it's a long post but I just wanted to share to story of how I met my Prince Charming (Steven John Waalwyk).
In January 2005, I had a friend tell me about www.bigchurch.com so I signed up to make new friends. By that time, many of my friends had gotten married (or all my ETBU friends were back home) so I didn't have a lot of single friends to hang out with. I talked to a few people as friends and then got a message from Steven. We talked for a while through email just getting to know each other. After about 3 months of him asking, I finally gave in to giving him my phone number...I did meet him online after all.
We continued to get to know each other through email and phone until late May. In May of 2005, he was in the process of moving from Iceland to Germany. We didn't talk through the summer (email or phone) so I assumed he lost interest. In August, I felt like God was telling me to email him again. I did and heard from him that day. He had just gotten his internet hooked up at his home in Germany that week. He said that in the move, he lost my phone number but wanted to talk to me many times through the summer. I gave him my number again and we talked several times a week.
In January 2006, on my 25th birthday to be exact, we finally met in person. He had been in San Antonio for training and flew into Longview for a night. We spent my birthday together. We went to Lifeway, Cheddars for lunch, and went to see the first Chronicles of Narnia movie. He got to meet my family and friends that day since my friends had planned dinner at Papaciatas for my birthday.
On Sunday after church and lunch with my family, he and I went to Starbucks and then the park before I took him back to the airport. We talked about everything at Starbucks...he told me all about his life and his family. He asked me to pray about dating him. At the park we just walked and talked some more.
When we said "goodbye" at the airport, we left praying about if we were supposed to date. I told him the following day that I wanted to be his girlfriend (because he actually asked me to pray about that) but we were sad because we knew it would be at least 6 months before we would see each other again. Little did we know that I would be driving down to meet his family the next weekend.
During the next 9 months, we were able to see each other many times. In March, I was able to go visit him in Germany. While I was there, we drive to Paris, France one day. In April, his father passed away and he was able to come back to Texas and I was able to go see him and go to the funeral. He was able to come back home with me for Easter. That weekend he asked Dad if he could marry me but Dad told him to wait. Dad had to reasons, Steven and I had only been dating 3 months and Steven was leaving for Afghanistan in May for 4 months. When he came back in October, he asked me to marry him on our 9 month anniversary.
I went to see him again at Christmas in Germany....against my mom's will. She couldn't believe I wasn't going to be home for Christmas. In February, he was out of the Air Force for good and he moved to Longview. We finished wedding plans and bought our first home to fix up until the wedding.
God has brought us through so much since January 2006 and we've been beyond blessed. We have our dream home, I'm teaching 3rd grade with the greatest, most supportive coworkers ever, we have our sweet dog Bella (our child in training as I said in my first post), and we are part of a wonderful church/Sunday School class. We are still waiting on God to bless us with our first time, but we wait patiently on his perfect timing.
I know it's a long post but I just wanted to share to story of how I met my Prince Charming (Steven John Waalwyk).
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Time Flies
As the school year is drawing to an end, I'm reminded how fast time goes by. This school year seems like it just started but now here we are, only 6 days left with students. God truly blessed me with a great class this year. We laughed (sometimes to tears) and learned so much this year.
In just a few weeks, our nephews will be a year old. It seems like they were just 4 lb 6 oz and 5 lb 5 oz...I know my sister would agree. They are crawling all over the place, picking on each other (as siblings do), saying a few words, and growing like crazy.
It has been a great year so far and I can't wait to see what God has in store. As we wait on God to direct Steven to the right job, we are leaning on His provision. As we wait for God to bless us with a child (in His time and whatever way is His will), we wait patiently.
In just a few weeks, our nephews will be a year old. It seems like they were just 4 lb 6 oz and 5 lb 5 oz...I know my sister would agree. They are crawling all over the place, picking on each other (as siblings do), saying a few words, and growing like crazy.
It has been a great year so far and I can't wait to see what God has in store. As we wait on God to direct Steven to the right job, we are leaning on His provision. As we wait for God to bless us with a child (in His time and whatever way is His will), we wait patiently.
Friday, May 20, 2011
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
In 2000, I was given the opportunity to go to Passion 2000 in Memphis, TN. I was excited because I knew we we hear from Louie Giglio, Voddie Baucham, Beth Moore, Chris Tomlin, and many more.
When I left, I was excited for my frist road trip with my college friends. I had no clue what was in store and how God would change my life when I got there. We arrived late Friday evening and were greeted by Beth Moore. She prayed over our car and for each of us in the car for God to speak to us. Of course, our first thought was that was cool that Beth Moore had just prayed for us.
As the weekend went on, I grew closer to God. The most vivid memory and one that changed my life was during the song "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross." As the song began, someone came from the back carrying a wodden cross. The cross was carried over our heads all the way to the stage as people reached out to touch it. When the cross was at the standing at the foot of the stage, I watched as people fell face down and cried out to God. It was a clear reminder of what the cross truly means.
I want to live my life daily focused on the cross. It is because of the cross that we live in freedom. It is because of the cross that we are forgiven. It is because of the cross that we have eternal life.
When I left, I was excited for my frist road trip with my college friends. I had no clue what was in store and how God would change my life when I got there. We arrived late Friday evening and were greeted by Beth Moore. She prayed over our car and for each of us in the car for God to speak to us. Of course, our first thought was that was cool that Beth Moore had just prayed for us.
As the weekend went on, I grew closer to God. The most vivid memory and one that changed my life was during the song "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross." As the song began, someone came from the back carrying a wodden cross. The cross was carried over our heads all the way to the stage as people reached out to touch it. When the cross was at the standing at the foot of the stage, I watched as people fell face down and cried out to God. It was a clear reminder of what the cross truly means.
I want to live my life daily focused on the cross. It is because of the cross that we live in freedom. It is because of the cross that we are forgiven. It is because of the cross that we have eternal life.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Pass the Baton
At our neighborhood Bible Study the other night, we were reminded of a great lesson.
In the 2008 Summer Olympics, both US relay teams were winning. As it came to passing the baton from the 3rd to the 4th leg, both teams dropped the baton. Due to the teams dropping the baton, the US lost the Gold.
In our lives as Christians, we are to be "passing the baton." Our lives should be an example to those around us. Everyone around us is watching us to see what example we are setting. Unfortunately, I know speaking for myself, I'm not always setting the example I want to set. I find myself complaining along with others. As girls, we often get caught in the trap of gossiping before we even realize it. People around us are watching to see if we will mess up.
As we learned in Bible study, we often only live through two generations of our family line. How will you pass the baton on to those in the generations after you? I want to leave a legacy of Jesus Christ to those who come behind me. Though we don't have children of our own, we have a neice and 5 nephews. I want them to see Jesus in my life and want to be able to share Him with them so they can pass the baton on to those behind them.
I pray today that I'm living a life that is shining the name of Jesus. I pray that my words and actions will speak His name. I pray that I "pass the baton" on to all who I come in contact with each day.
In the 2008 Summer Olympics, both US relay teams were winning. As it came to passing the baton from the 3rd to the 4th leg, both teams dropped the baton. Due to the teams dropping the baton, the US lost the Gold.
In our lives as Christians, we are to be "passing the baton." Our lives should be an example to those around us. Everyone around us is watching us to see what example we are setting. Unfortunately, I know speaking for myself, I'm not always setting the example I want to set. I find myself complaining along with others. As girls, we often get caught in the trap of gossiping before we even realize it. People around us are watching to see if we will mess up.
As we learned in Bible study, we often only live through two generations of our family line. How will you pass the baton on to those in the generations after you? I want to leave a legacy of Jesus Christ to those who come behind me. Though we don't have children of our own, we have a neice and 5 nephews. I want them to see Jesus in my life and want to be able to share Him with them so they can pass the baton on to those behind them.
I pray today that I'm living a life that is shining the name of Jesus. I pray that my words and actions will speak His name. I pray that I "pass the baton" on to all who I come in contact with each day.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Blessings
Each day I'm reminded how blessed I truly am. God has blessed me with Steven and has worked in our marriage every day. He's blessed us with our sweet puppy that is, as we like to call, our child in training. He has blessed us with our dream home. Through this, we've already been able to open our home up for Bible studies and times of fellowship. He has blessed us with family and friends that support and encourage us all the time.
Though we are praying desperately for God to bless us with a child, we know that His timing is perfect. He will bless us with a child, whether our own or through adoption, when the time is right. I know that God is teaching us patience and He's with us in the process of waiting for His timing.
The song "Blessings" by Laura Story is speaking to me daily and I often find myself singing it in my head. If you haven't heard it, here are the lyrics.
Though we are praying desperately for God to bless us with a child, we know that His timing is perfect. He will bless us with a child, whether our own or through adoption, when the time is right. I know that God is teaching us patience and He's with us in the process of waiting for His timing.
The song "Blessings" by Laura Story is speaking to me daily and I often find myself singing it in my head. If you haven't heard it, here are the lyrics.
We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise
I pray that as I go throughout the day, I'm reminding that God will bring blessings through everything in our lives.
James 1:2-3
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