Mr. A

Friday I was reminded on just how lucky I am to have you in my life. Our story and our journey have taught me that My worth isn't in a man, but it could be valued by a man. I have written many blogs and journal entries on what I thought it would be like; I never imagined it being so simple as someone just being so completely in love with me. I was used to this "us-against-the-world" method and I thought that was the true definition of love- overcoming the nay-sayers and fighting off the negative comments. Instead, with you I've learned that if God is in the mist of it then everyone will come in agreement with us. You didn't want perfect. You loved me when I was broken. I told you my story and you didn't run. You refused to walk away when I pushed you. You stayed in place not matter how many times I put you down and walked away. Your faithfulness to me out of a relationship mattered more than you know. You won my heart and I have no idea exactly when it happened, but it was obvious that my heart knew before my brain did. People have asked me what you did and although it may be simple my answer is this: he truly loves me.

Mr. Arroyo,

You have my heart. Completely. I have never felt safer with anyone else. You have protected me, not only physically, but you also demand honor and respect for me from others as well. You cover me with prayer. I love that you never hesitate to pray for me when I ask you- you simply do it. You've given me the opportunity to be myself, no matter how dorky or obnoxious. You speak about our future and it doesn't scare me. I should be freaked out by all the marriage talk but instead I join in on it. I would follow you anywhere God called you, just like I know that you would follow me too. We aren't perfect but we cover each other with love and prayer. I love that. I have truly found what I was looking. You are Mr. Not-So-Right. I didn't want a human Ken doll. My whole life I just searched for someone who simply just loved me.

And now you're here. I have had some of the greatest laughs with you. I've had the privilege of finally going on date! and it was all thanks to you. I love that you still look at me the same way that you did in the beginning. Your selflessness is amazing. You continue to win my heart everyday.


Mr. Arroyo,

I'm glad that we get to go on the greatest journey God has set before us. And I'm glad I get to hold your hand along the way.

I love you.

Jess

Help.

This morning I decided that I wanted to read through the 12 historical books in the bible, just for fun. I started of with Joshua and of course, right away, I needed to write a couple of notes. Here they are: 




It is easy to enjoy the promises/blessings of God, but sometimes it our duty to help out bothers before we can rest. 

Joshua 1:13-15:

¹³ “Remember the command that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you after he said, ‘TheLord your God will give you rest by giving you this land.’ ¹⁴ Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, ready for battle, must cross over ahead of your fellow Israelites. You are to help them¹⁵ until the Lord gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land the Lord your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise.”

In Numbers 32 we find the the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh asked Moses to allow them to posses the land on the other side of the Jordan, before crossing to the promise land. They saw this land fit for their livestock and great to build cities for their little ones. Moses' answer was short and yet powerful in Num. 32: 6, "Shall your brethren go to war and you just sit here?". 

Often we find ourselves in situations that are comfortable, ideal, "just right", and we delight in the blessings of God (as we should). Yet, many times we have people around us getting ready to fight a war, getting ready to drive the enemy out of what's theirs and we "just sit here" because that battle doesn't belong to us...we don't want what they're fighting for so it's easier to stay comfortable. And sometimes we even watch. 

I love the answer they give to Moses which is found in Num. 32: 17-18:
¹⁷ but we ourselves will be armed ready to go before the sons of Israel, until we have brought them to their place, while our little ones live in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land. ¹⁸ We will not return to our homes until every one of the sons of Israel has possessed his inheritance.

It is a given that we can't fight everyone's battles, but sometimes God calls us to be armed and ready to help our brothers and sisters out in their battles. "We will not return to our homes until every one of the sons of Israel has possessed his inheritance"...how many times have we "returned to our homes" and watched others around us lose their inheritance? This is my goal for the rest of the year: that I may help my brothers and sisters fight their battles when God calls me to; to learn that although it is easy to get caught up in the comfortable life, someone out their is waiting for my help.