Giving Trip

I'm sure many of you have heard of TOMS shoes before and are familiar with their One for One motto. For those of you that aren't familiar TOMS shoes started as just basic canvas, slip-on shoes that you could get in a variety of different colors and patterns. The One for One motto comes from the fact that when you purchase a pair of TOMS shoes, a pair is also given to a child in need. In order to distribute out all the shoes to the children in need, TOMS has planned trips called "giving trips" where they go and personally give the shoes to the children in need. I have always thought that would be such an awesome experience and sometimes envied the people who get to go on "giving trips" as their job. Well, I now have a chance to win a giving trip to be able to go to another country and give TOMS shoes to children in need myself.

After reading the book Kisses From Katie (awesome book and true story that I highly recommend), my eyes were really opened to the poverty, medical need, and lack of education in other countries. All of things in which I take for granted on a daily basis. The Lord really started stirring in my heart a desire to do something to help out in some way, big or small. That's when an email popped up in my inbox about signing up to go on a TOMS giving trip. Intrigued, I clicked on the link and a half hour later I found myself thinking through how I can design my flag and what words I can write to let others know that my heart is in this trip. I'm not sure how many contestants there are in total, but I don know that 50 of us will win a chance of a lifetime to go on a "giving trip". I could hardly wait for the voting to start.

If I won a "giving trip" I would get the chance to go to a different country (50+ countries in which Giving Partners are providing TOMS shoes) for a week with a team of people. I would receive education about the culture of the country I'm assigned, challenges within the community, sensitivities, and the Giving Partner's programs. I would get to experience first hand the impact of the "giving trips". I would receive a ticket to show the kids in the community relentless love. I would get the opportunity to serve with an open heart and be humbled by such an amazing experience. I would so love this opportunity more than anything.

If any of you are interested in helping me obtain this unique and valuable opportunity you can follow THIS LINK to view my flag I created and vote for me. The top 50 flags with the most votes will win a chance to go on a "giving trip" this year. There are 37 days left to vote. I would love for you to vote for me one day, or all 37 of them. Your votes are very much appreciated! What an awesome experience it would be to make a difference in the children's lives.

Valentine's Day

Today is Valentine's Day… the day of love.
People either love or hate this holiday.
If you are married, engaged, dating, or in some kind of romantic relationship you tend to have more positive feelings for this holiday. But, if you are single or without a "special someone" you tend to bash this holiday and wish that it didn't exist.
I am married and I don't really love or hate Valentine's Day. It's just another day for me where roses happen to be triple in price and restaurants are so packed you can't eat out unless you want to eat dinner at 8pm or later.
My opinion is if someone loves you or cares about you, they don't need one day out of 365 designated for them to show you or tell you how they feel.
I feel like in most cases the holiday causes woman in relationships to have too high of expectations for how the day should go, which causes the man to be set up for failure because he can never meet the woman's fantasized romantic expectations.
For the single people I feel like in most cases it causes them to become bitter, angry, and not pleasant to be around that day. They see posts on social media about how great everyone's significant other is, or sappy posts on people's facebook wall declaring their love for each other. They have to witness co-worker's being sent flowers, balloons, chocolates, and teddy bears. It magnifies their feelings of being alone and makes them wonder if they will ever find "the one".

Today I want to encourage everyone to celebrate Valentine's Day. I don't mean celebrate it in the romantic way with a significant other, I mean show people what love truly means this Valentine's Day. God showed us the ultimate way to love by giving up His son to die for our sins so that we might be saved. There are so many different ways Jesus shows us how to love one another in the Bible. Let's follow His example and be examples of His love today. Here is a blog I posted yesterday on Ten Ways To Love. It might give some ideas on how to demonstrate God's love to others. Let's make this the best Valentine's Day yet.

Ten Ways To Love

1. Listen without interrupting.

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. 
-Proverbs 18:2

2. Speak without accusing.

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. -James 1:19

3. Give without sparing.

All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back. 

-Proverbs 21:26

4. Pray without ceasing.

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. -Colossians 1:9

5. Answer without arguing.

Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting and strife. 

-Proverbs 17:1

6. Share without pretending.

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. -Hebrews 13:16

7. Enjoy without complaint.

Do all things without grumbling or questioning. -Philippians 2:14

8. Trust without wavering.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 

-1 Corinthians 13:7

9. Forgive without punishing.

If one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. -Colossians 3:13b

10. Promise without forgetting.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

 -Proverbs 13:12

Two Years

Today marks mine and Andrew's two year wedding anniversary. It is so crazy to think that it has already been two years since we said, "I do." The Lord has really been molding and shaping our hearts in the past two years. Along with marriage comes a lot of adjustments and changes, some you like and some you don't. But those changes and adjustments are what mold and shape you into being the best spouse you can be.

Drew,

Thank you for asking me out on our first date and falling in love with me. Even though I was scared to go on the first date because I didn't like you, thanks for making it the best time ever and changing my mind. Underwater world will always have a special place in my heart.

Thank you for leading us and helping me draw closer to the Lord. Even though it's hard sometimes, you are constantly fighting to keep Christ the center of our relationship. Thank you for your patience with me when I struggle with my pride and selfishness. You are such an example of Christ showing me grace and mercy over and over again.

I can't wait for you to have your own classroom one day. You will be such a great teacher with your passion for kids and learning. I'm also excited to raise a family with you one day, Lord willing. You will be the best father any child could ask for. Dad's are very important in families and I know you will love our kids with all your heart. I can't wait for that day. I'm excited to see what the Lord has in store for our family.

You treat me so well and are always putting me before yourself. Thank you for forgiving me and always extending God's grace to me when I have wronged you. Thank you for comforting me in life's painful moments, and thank you for laughing with me in the joyful times. One of my favorite things about you is your adventurous spirit and spontaneity. Thanks for keeping me young and on my toes.

Most of all, thanks for being the husband that you are. I can be completely ridiculous with you and you will just laugh with me (not at me right!?). I'm so thankful I get to spend the rest of my life with you! This is still the beginning of our adventure. I can't wait to see all God has in store for us.

your wife,
Mallory

A Bittersweet Celebration

On Saturday Andrew and I had the privilege to share in a celebration of new life and love as we said goodbye to our dear friends that will be moving to Japan in just a few short days. Although the evening had a bittersweet feel to it, it didn't stop us from enjoying our last hurrah with friends and dancing our legs off.

Laura's wedding hair

Our good friends Luke and Laura got married in a courthouse the day before Luke left the state for some military training. Since then, Luke and Laura have spent more time apart than they have together, Audrey (their daughter) has been born and they found out that Luke will be stationed in Japan. Before packing up their lives and moving over seas, they wanted to renew their vows with all their family and friends as witnesses and have the wedding celebration that they never had.

The day started out overcast and chilly, but that didn't dull the excitement everyone had. Everyone spent the morning getting ready and finishing last minute details. I had the privilege of doing Laura and a few of her girl's hair. What a lovely morning it was helping the bride prepare herself to meet her groom for pictures. Laura looked stunning, like a model right out of a bridal magazine. Not only was her dress, hair and makeup beautiful, but her smile radiated the happiness of the day. She was gorgeous. Audrey was looking pretty dang cute as well. The morning passed quickly and everyone was on their way to pictures. 

Before we knew it the ceremony was taking place. The pastor told the story of how Luke and Laura met, and everything that has happened since then. What an example their relationship is to us that even though times may get hard and life may throw you some surprises, love always overcomes anything. It was a beautiful vow renewal ceremony. Dinner was served shortly after with some delicious cake to follow. With Luke being in the Marines he wore his military dress blues with his sword. He decided to wear the sword so that him and Laura could cut the cake with it. I thought it was a sweet idea.

The sword is hard to see, but if you look closely that's what they're using to cut the cake.

After all the traditional wedding dances happened the real party began. The DJ played music until 1:30am and we danced the WHOLE time! It was the most fun I have had at a wedding possibly ever. There was a variety of music played and every song was danceable. I even learned how to polka. I could have danced all night if they would have let me. What a wonderful way to send Luke and Laura off.

The beautiful bride and me

Me, Laura, and Alice (one of the flower girls) 

Audrey and me

My new career might be in the military… just saying! I was wearing Andrew's coat before we left and decided to try on Luke's hat and gloves. I almost could pass huh?

Me and Karla

Me and my hot date

Luke and Laura, thank you so much for wanting us to be a part of your special day! We had a blast celebrating you guys, your love and your little family. Thank you for your friendship, you guys really  mean a lot to us. Even though we will miss you guys terribly, we are so excited to hear about your adventures in Japan and to see what God has in store for you. Love you guys!

My Father

My Father…

loves me

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. -John 3:16

cares for me

Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? -Matthew 6:26

forgives me

As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. -Psalm 103:12

is compassionate

Who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. -Psalm 103:4-5

is giving

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? -Romans 8:32

is understanding

O Lord, you have searched me and know me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. -Psalm139:1-2

is accepting

O Lord, you have searched me and know me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it all together. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. -Psalm 139:1-6

satisfies

For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things. -Psalm 107:9

persistently pursues me

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. -Luke 19:10

is reason

Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. -Isaiah 1:18

pardons

Bless the Lord who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases. -Psalm 103:3

heals

But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. -Isaiah 53:5

redeems

for I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. -Job19:25

is loving-kindness

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. -Psalm 86:15

renews

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. -Isaiah 40:31

is righteous

Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord. -Jeremiah 9:23-24

is gracious

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight. -Ephesians 1:7-8

is sovereign

The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. -Psalm 103:19

The Essence of Marriage

I have been reading Timothy Keller's book The Meaning of Marriage lately and it really has me thinking about relationships in the world today - especially mine and Andrews. In chapter three of the book, The Essence of Marriage, Keller talks about how back in the day there was the bride price. A prospective husband would go to a woman's father and offer him a sum depending on certain factors such as the woman's beauty and the size of her inheritance. We read about this and think to ourselves how awful that sounds and how glad we are that we don't have to worry about that today. Keller points out though that if you stop and think about it, we still do this to one another today in a way. As we continue on with our every day life we look at people and think, "She's in the market" and "He got a bad deal there" and "How did she ever fall for that guy?" These comments are us sizing others up to their assets and deficits, and in the end we want to marry the person because they bring a lot to the table for us. Keller says, "It is almost impossible not to think in terms of how much I am putting into the marriage and how much my spouse is putting in. And if we are getting out of the relationship as much (or a bit more, we secretly hope) than we put in, then we are happy."
Keller goes on to say in chapter three though that over time we see our spouse's flaws more and more and find that we aren't getting as much out of the marriage as we had hoped for. We start to think to ourselves that if my spouse isn't being the spouse they ought to be, I won't put in the efforts to be the spouse I used to be. "He's not doing this like he used to. So why, then, should I do that? If I'm not getting the same value, I don't need to put as much into this." You tell yourself that this is only fair. You justify your withdrawal of the relationship in your mind. Keller says, "The less you feel love, and the less you act loving, the less you feel loving, and so both of you spiral down and down." 
Keller points out that if you have a child you find that the Biblical pattern of love is forced on you. Your child is the neediest human you have ever met and you make numerous sacrifices in your life to raise this child. For a very long time your child can give you nothing in return, and even though the child can eventually give you love and respect, they can never give you anything like you have given them. But whether or not they are giving to you, you give to them. "After spending eighteen years with your child, even if they are an unattractive person to everyone else, you can't help but love them dearly because you've been forced to operate on the Biblical pattern. You had to do the actions of love regardless of your feelings and therefore now you have deep feelings of love for your child, however loveable they are or not" says Keller.
That is why many marriages fall apart after children leave home. Because while parents treated their relationship with their kids as a covenant relationship- performing actions of love until their feelings strengthened- they treated their marriages as a consumer relationship and withdrew their actions of love when they weren't having the feelings.

And here comes my favorite part of the chapter:

Keller says:
Many people say, "I'm sorry, I can't give love if I don't feel it! I can't fake it. That's too mechanical for me." I can understand that reaction, but Paul doesn't simply call us to a naked action; he also commands us to think as we act. "Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." 
This means we must say to ourselves something like this: "Well, when Jesus looked down from the cross, he didn't think, 'I am giving myself to you because you are so attractive to me.' No, he was in agony, and he looked down at us- denying him, abandoning him, and betraying him - and in the greatest act of love in history, he STAYED. He said, 'Father, forgive them, they don't know what they are doing.' He loved us, not because we were lovely to him, but to make us lovely. That is why I am going to love my spouse." Speak to your heart like that, and then fulfill the promises you made on your wedding day. 

What a powerful reminder of how to love our spouse and others. We shouldn't love our spouse because it feels good at the time, because everything is fine and dandy and going the way you want it to. No, we should love our spouse because we want to help make them lovely by showing them the love of Christ. I can only pray that the Lord continues to work in my life and help me to love Andrew in this way.

If you haven't checked out Timothy Keller's book The Meaning of Marriage I suggest you do. It has been such a good read so far and a great help in thinking through marriage and relationships.