3 Simple Guidelines...for Courtship...

Yes, everyone, I am still here! I am so sorry that I haven't been visiting around to different blogs like I used to. I feel like I'm neglecting some of ya'll! :) But I am still here, and I do get the chance occasionally to stop in and read over your posts! Keep posting away!

Now, on to what I wanted to post about tonight, quickly...Daddy has been preaching in the book of Proverbs every Wednesday night since the beginning of the year, and tonight, he finished up chapter 21. The last two Wednesday nights he has been preaching on getting along with other people. Tonight, he came to this verse, Proverbs 21:19, "It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman," and then he broke off into 3 simple guidelines for knowing if a certain person is the "one" and I thought that I would quickly share them with you. Now, these are just a few of the definite yes and no issues that should be the first things that you consider before starting a relationship with the opposite sex.

1. Are they saved, faithfully serving the Lord, faithfully attending church, and do they believe like you?

2 Corinthians 6:14 "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"

I know that this is talking primarily about a saved person marrying an unsaved, but you need to consider this, too. Does this person hold the same standards? One thing that I wanted in a man, and the Lord has blessed me with when I started courting Jonathan, was I wanted a young man that held the same standards. I wanted someone that was going to be a good spiritual leader. Someone I could look up to for guidance, not someone that would make me become less spiritual, but someone that would encourage me to grow in my walk with the Lord. Praise the Lord, He has!

Another thing about this, too, which my parents have taught me time and time again. You are NOT going to change that person after you are married. If you think, "Oh, he will become more faithful after we are married, and we can go to church together." You are in for a rude awakening. Same thing, young men, if the girl lacks obedience now to her father, what do you think she will do to you? Is she modest now? Is he interested in the things of the Lord? Does modesty matter to him? Does he attend the same kind of church? Does that church believe the same as you do? Is there a doctrinal issue that you two do not agree on? If so, what will you teach your kids? All are important questions...there are probably more!

2. Do you have the approval of your parents? We all know those verses in Ephesians 6..."Honor thy father and mother..." I know what a lot of young people think...and yes, even Christian young people think this, too. Why do I need the approval of my parents? 1) Who knows you better other than the Lord? Who has lived with you for the past 18 years or more? Who knows your personality? Who has prayed for you? YOUR PARENTS...they know you probably better than you know yourself, and being in love, you definitely will not see something that may be wrong in your relationship.

Proverbs 1:5 "A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels."
Proverbs 1:8  "My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: "

Never assume that you do not need your parents approval and guidance. The Lord gave them to you, to train you, to, with the Lord's help, direct you and instruct you. Listen to them.

2) If it dishonors the God-given authority in your life, it is more than likely NOT God's will. God never goes against His Word. Why would He bring someone or something in your life that would cause you to dishonor your parents? Go against their approval? It might would be different if your parents were unsaved, but even then, they still know you better as far as personality...the Lord still gives them that authority in your life, especially as a young lady. Men, if a lady will not honor her parents, be careful!

3. Last but definitely not least...Allow God to bring your future relationship about! Daddy said, if you have to manipulate a plan to bring this relationship about, even do it in secrecy, it is not of the Lord. Let God work in it...if it is His will, it will happen! And when it does, it is so amazing to look back and see what the Lord has done. You will not be able to explain it, but you will truly know that it was of the Lord and not you! You will not have any question about the above 2 points because they will fall into place. So basically, if you let the Lord direct, lead, and guide, you have nothing to worry about! Trust me, it is far better in God's hands than yours!

A Very Happy 6 Months...

Yes, can you believe that it has been 6 months since I announced that I was in a courtship? Well, it has! The Lord has been so very good. I am constantly amazed at the Lord's leading in our lives. The more I get to know Jonathan, the more that I like him, and I am thankful at what the Lord has given me in him!

I listed a few things that I had learned about Jonathan on our 5th anniversary...I could list a very llllllllllllooooooooooonngggggggggggg list about Jonathan...things I really like about him...it is so amazing to see how the Lord will even give the small desires of our hearts...things that we don't really ask for but desires that we don't mention to anyone. I'm so thankful that I have a Heavenly Father who knows my heart! I can say that in the last 6 months that I have realized that truth over and over...He does do exceeding abundantly more than I can ask or dream or hope or think...God is so very good to me...to us...to me and Jonathan! :-)

Here are 6 more things that I really like and am thankful about Jonathan:

1. I really like his name...I didn't even think about this until about a month or two into our courtship, but when I was growing up, I used to imagine what my man would be named...or play with my Barbie and Ken...and I would always name him, Jonathan, but that has always been my favorite boy name. It didn't even hit me until we were into our courtship! Wow! The Lord saw that little desire of my heart...even though it really didn't matter what Jonathan's name was, but my Lord knew that I liked Jonathan!

2. I am so glad that Jonathan holds the same standards as I do...that is a huge blessing! More important than the name...this is a very important thing when courting...and seeking the Lord's will concerning marriage! I have been so blessed in this!

3. I can talk to him...share my heart with him! He is a very good listener...even when it seems that sometimes, I am rambling on...I know that he is still listening!

4. I can trust him...he is not trying to lead me on, push me into anything, does that make sense? He is pure in heart...

5. I am so glad that he is spiritually minded...he has been the spiritual leader of our courtship...I am really thankful for that!

6. I just really like Jonathan for just being Jonathan!!!! I like everything about Jonathan! These last 6 months have been so wonderful...Lord willing, I'm looking forward to what the Lord has in store to the next 6 months for us!!

One word of advice that I would give to all you young people out there, please pray for the Lord to bring that special person into your life! Pray that the Lord will guide that special one to you! Pray for his/her protection! Don't be afraid to pray specifically for the little things, but always be sure that your desires match up to the Lord's desires for you. You will never be sorry if you trust the Lord to bring that special one to you! Trust me, there is nothing too hard for God, and this is the next big thing after salvation in your life! Why should we not pray about it? Take it to the Lord, and He will handle it for you! It is so much better when He does than when we put our hands in it!

A Few More Pics...

I almost believe these are the last of the pics from this past weekend!

Of course, you all know who this is! :) Isn't he handsome?

Not a great pic of me, but a good one of Jonathan...:)

Getting ready to say goodbye...

Another Wonderful Weekend with Jonathan...part 1

This past Thursday, Jonathan came down to spend a couple days with me and my family. I had such a wonderful time spending it with him. On Thursday night, before Rebekah and I headed to spend the night at granny's house, Jonathan surprised me with a dozen yellow and pink roses (Circus roses)! I loved them! They were so beautiful!

See! What did I tell you!

One picture before headed out the door! Just enough time to say "hello," "thank you," "I love the roses," "I'm glad you made it here safely," "See you at 8:00," and "Goodnight!"

The next morning, we headed to the coast! Jonathan hadn't been since 1998 so I asked Daddy if we could drive down for the day. We had such a great time!

Walking on the boardwalk to get to the ocean...

The Atlantic Ocean...

Ahhhh...the feel of the sand between your toes...I love it!

Getting our feet wet!

Katie...doing something...

Talking...we did a lot of talking...

Mama found this jellyfish that had washed up...there were a bunch of them out there in the water!

After staying on the beach for about an hour and a half, we headed to a fort in the area and looked around. Daddy and Jonathan are sure blessed to be surrounded by a group of ladies...haha...just kidding! :) Then again, I'm the blessed one!

Bethany and Katie looking in this thing that heats up cannon balls...

Mama saying this is what we used to have in our house when we were little...

Trying not to smile is really hard when I'm with Jonathan...so this time I hid my mouth! :)

I really like this one!

Last one for now ya'll! Hope ya'll have enjoyed a few from our weekend! Will be back with a few more before the end of the week! Plus a couple of new posts, Lord willing!

5 Wonderful Months with Jonathan!

I know that this is a really late post, but we are out of town, and I just finished 3 refills of Diet Coke from McD's so the caffeine is just kicking in!

But good news! It gives me time to do a post about my courtship with Jonathan!

I can honestly say that these last 5 months have been such a blessing getting to know Jonathan. Here are somethings that I have learned in the last 5 months of courtship:

1. It is such a blessing to know when you are in the Lord's will and the Lord is blessing you in your relationship with that special person!

2. I have learned how blessed I am and how unworthy I am of that blessing- Jonathan!

3. I have also learned somethings about this very special young man that the Lord has brought into my life:

• He has a heart for God!
• He desires to grow in his walk with God!
• He has a heart for souls!
• He has a burden for children!
• He is a man of character!
• He is a hard worker!
• ok...I could really go on...and on...the list would be long!

4. I have learned that the Lord will answer our prayers!

5. Last but not least, not only is he all these spiritual things, he's really handsome, too!

SO....YES, I AM SO VERY BLESSED!!! Happy 5 months, Jonathan!!!

My Valentine's Day...February 12-13...

I was so nervous getting ready to meet Jonathan, but as soon as we drove up into the church, my nerves went away...It was so good to see Jonathan again!

My beautiful dozen deep pink roses from Jonathan...aren't they beautiful? They are my favorite!

Posing for Rebekah...and Mrs. Naomi's camera...

Before the banquet, we sat in the sanctuary talking...Rebekah took this one...

The First time...Jonathan didn't smile and then...

This time, my eyes were closed

Waiting to dine...that sounds more sophisticated, doesn't it? "dine"...hahaha

Aren't they a cute couple?

The Girls...Molly, Bethany, Sarah and Rachael

Sitting at the guest table...with the guest preacher and his wife...

After the banquet, we all went home to watch Little Rascals, eat cookies, and just talk. After that, Rebekah and I went and stayed over night at Granny's house. The next morning, Daddy and Jonathan picked us up, and after we visited the route, we decided to go bowling...

Talking while waiting for a lane to open up...

Mama, Katie, and Daddy watching...

Daddy...bowling...of course!

Jonathan was the first one to get a strike! GO, JONATHAN!!

At the Bowling Alley...watching everyone bowl of course...in the end Daddy won and Jonathan got second! Jonathan was the first one to get a strike!

Time for Jonathan to leave...

Time for more pictures...before Jonathan left...

Another picture... with the flowers....

This is one Rebekah took with her eyes closed while we were praying for Jonathan's safety...

Saying Goodbye...