Patience

Not too long ago Tony and I did a couple session with my lady friend Ashley. We got all of our pictures, and I just about died over them. We got these pictures done for our one year anniversary, which was almost two months ago (it goes by so fast!) Although we have a million photos together, I've always been the one to set it up on a tri-pod or ask my mom to take one or two. Finally we got some done, and I am so happy with the outcome. (Can I just say Tony looks like a straight up model? Goodness!)

This isn't just another post to talk about how much I love Tony, and how thankful I am, but really to encourage anyone and everyone in a relationship. If there's one thing I could say has been the most challenging yet rewarding thing Tony and I are growing in is patience. Physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional patience has been ever-so challenging. With each new season of our relationship the Lord brings a new level of patience into our relationship for us to grow and act upon. Although there are some days when I am sick of being patient, I am reminded of the reward; I am reminded of the bigger picture that is hidden in the Lord's will. If you are in a relationship, be patient. With whatever it may be, be patient with him or her, be patient with yourself, be patient with marriage, and physical boundaries, and commitments, and trials, and joy, and love. Be patient with all of it.The reward of patience is far greater, and better, and joyful than the temporary satisfaction of the absence of patience.

Growing with someone else has never been so wonderful.

Jones Forest

 This past week a friend of mine showed Tony and I a beautiful Texas state forest very close to our house. Today we finally got to go explore this wonderful place, and take in all the Maker's Beauty. I'm not quite sure there's anything that could beat the captivating beauty of nature. If there's one way I know there is a creator, it's because of places like this.

Today was refreshing. For the past three weeks Tony and I have had to majorly adjust to a school schedule that gets on my nerves. For the past year, we've spent almost every second together, and now we're stuck behind books for hours on end and completely occupied by our busy work/school schedules. Today was the first time, since the middle of August, that I have felt somewhat relieved and refreshed. We got to just be together, explore, hold hands, and talk about critters and things. This may just possibly be our new favorite spot to escape to.

The weeks seem to be dragging on, but there is so much to look forward to and so much in the here + now to be thankful for, to find hope in, to find beauty in, to love God, and to love others. I'm thankful for busyness and for God using me, pushing me, and sanctifying me, but I'm already counting down the days till this semester is over... and possibly till Christmas ;)

One Year

Today marks one year that I've been in a growing, fruitful relationship with Tony. It has been wonderful and too beautiful for even the most intricate words. I am just amazed by the way Christ can use our love to teach us, lead us, and daily sanctify us. Tony has been a light to me from the beginning of our friendship, to the beginning of our relationship, till now. I have seen the ugliest sides of me and I have seen my strengths. We have accepted each others flaws, and together through Christ, we are learning what it means to love without condition.

It is hard. It is commitment. It has grown my Spirit to rely on Christ's strength, His love, His grace, His forgiveness, His humility, His sacrifice, and His patience in order to fully submit and love Tony, just as Christ loves him. "Being in love" was the easy part, now it's the daily love that pushes me further and further than yesterday. It is the daily commitment to accept one another and forgive one another; to push past our selfish desires and serve each other with righteous humility. This year has given me a foundation of relationships, of love, and a tiny, yet beautiful, perception of what marriage will be like someday.

Here's to a year of growth + love that can only be multiplied from here.

I love you, Tony Torres.

The End of a Season

I'm officially feeling summer coming to an end. This weekend Tony and I took a little day trip to Austin to finish off summer before the school year. Although most people don't start school for a couple more weeks, Tony began his nursing program this past Monday. Watching him be accepted into the program and preparing for a new season of his life, I couldn't help but feel like life is moving too fast. Our anniversary is coming up, and it seems as though each day is ending quicker than yesterday. I don't want life to move so fast. I want to sit and take in all the beauty around me, all the love, all the grace, all the laughter and joy. I want my days to feel long and full, so I will not wish for tomorrow but instead I will be only in the moment. I want time to freeze, so I may cherish the memories I spend with this man for the unlikelihood of tomorrow. I want to bask in God's goodness, and not stop a foot outside of His presence. This season of my life has been fruitful. I have grown, my relationships have grown, and my spirit has grown. I almost feel selfish not wanting to give up today for the next season, but just as the Lord called Jacob to move from the hill where he met with God, I must also move into the next area that God has patiently prepared. School has already started for Tony and I, and it will be a busy ending of the year. I can already see my days mushing together, my nights getting shorter, and my time with Tony only decreasing because of his school load and my work and school. But oh the trust I've been given. Obedience can only bring blessings from here, and we are ready.

We had a great time in Austin. We picnicked in Zilker Park followed by a swim in Barton Springs (which was FREEZING.) We walked around the city, took advantage of tax-free weekend for a bit, and drank some Japanese iced coffee at Houndstooth Coffee. It's always so wonderful getting away with him, and just cherishing each other's presence. I could live in these moments forever. 

Although we are called to be still for a moment, we must not forget to get up and move. 

Here's to the fall. 

Birthday Wishes

This past Wednesday Tony turned 21, and it was such a fun week full of surprises and good memories made. We were able to spend some great alone time together and some awesome time with his family and our friends. Not to mention, Tony was able to buy his first legal alcoholic beverage. ;) In fact, we went out three nights in a row for him to try some drinks.

It's crazy to think I met him when I was 14 and he had just turned 18, and pretty soon I'll be 18 and he's now 21. The past three years of our friendship were full of such patience, understanding, kindness, and acceptance. There is no one I have ever met that has pursued me the way he has. There is no friend that cared so much about me as he did during our times of friendship, and there is no one that could ever treat me with such gentleness like he does. Seeing him grow up into a man these past three years has been exciting and so rewarding. I've been able to see the way God has miraculously teach him, transform him, and sanctify him. It has been beautiful watching him grow from a friend to a boyfriend. I am so blessed and overwhelmed that God allowed me to be a part of his life and experience all the wonderful things God has in store.

In about a month it'll be our one year anniversary, so be expecting another sappy, long, love post about him. I'm just so thankful for everything he is and the things he's still growing to be. The Lord made a master piece, when He created Tony.

Ten Months of Blessings

I can't believe it's already been ten months, since Tony and I began a relationship seeking the Lord. It has been a fruitful ten months filled with love, adventures, growth, and patience. I can't say it enough how wonderful Tony is to me. God has truly given me a godly man who wants to seek Christ and who constantly pursues me. Despite my brokenness, he has shown me so much love. He is a representation of my King, and God has used him to reveal my sin, to face my fears, and to grow in my spiritual journey. There's no one I else I could see myself with following the path to our Kingdom. Tony is my leader, my teacher, and my best friend. Love posts may be silly, but my words will never ring more true of who he is. With ten months behind us, coming up on a year together, I am slowly but surely learning how to be a godly women, not only for him, but for Christ. 

This past Saturday he surprised me with a wonderful date in Galveston. We went on a ferry to see some dolphins, had dinner at a nice restaurant on the seawall, walked the beach, and had some late night coffee. He is too good to me. 

"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer." -Ecclesiastes 4:9-12