the newlyweds

I know an update is LONG overdue - so here is a quick rundown of what has been going on in our lives:

Much of December and January was spent in all consuming marriage bliss, enjoying life finally together...

Though we enjoyed an extended "honeymoon" period together, it was finally interrupted with my school, studying, homework, and clinical experiences in the CCU... all while continuing to learn to be a wife and share a living space with a boy. :) I find myself wondering where the semester has gone, as I am already halfway through it and enjoying a much needed break.
Jarrod, also, has been learning about living with a girl - while pursuing various job opportunities. He has been substituting at The Covenant School - both upper and lower schools- and he really has enjoyed getting back into the classroom (and the kids are really enjoying him as well!). He is full of stories of fun encounters with kids and teaching experiences that I'm sure he'd love to share!

We have enjoyed the warmer weather, getting outside to explore Charlottesville's parks, walking hand-in-hand, making eyes at each other... ha, I'm sure it is quite obvious that we are newlyweds.
we love it!

As this week is "Spring break" for me - Jarrod was able to take a few days from teaching and we traveled to visit family. We first went to Harrisonburg to catch up with Jarrod's parents and cousins, Daniel and Rachel. After much too short of time there, we headed North to stay with my sister, Denise, and her family for a couple of days. Jarrod was a big help to Peter as he is finishing his basement, which allowed for lots of quality "sister time" for Denise and me. We were sad to leave, as it meant getting back to school and work - but felt renewed and refreshed after this break. Here are some pictures from our time with them:

My handyman :) and brother-in-law working hard

Denise and Stephen shuffling cards... we played many games :)

Olive Garden! Yum!

As we are completing our 3rd month of marriage, we have so much to be thankful for. The Lord has been gracious to us, and we know He is present in our lives and our marriage. Having a constant companion doesn't allow much room for bad moods or unkind words without the other feeling direct effects of those things. As we strive to live out the fruits of the Spirit -love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control- always, and especially with each other, I have been reminded that it is IMPOSSIBLE for me to do alone. Even more, it is something that is a result of a life lived in Christ, abiding in His Word - and out of the overflow of our relationship with Him comes these qualities that are so counter to our selfish nature and American culture. In John 15, Jesus says, "I am the true vine... no branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me... apart from me you can do nothing." So it is with this lesson, this reminder, that I hold tight to Jesus, knowing that He promises to remain in me, and has proven faithful. We praise the Lord that He is at work in our lives and we can trust in Him!

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
~2 Corinthians 13:14