Thoughts on Marriage

Yesterday we attended the wedding reception of my uncle Jim and his new wife Hilkka who were married on our 5th anniversary (July 19). They have both lost their spouses to cancer and God brought them together now and what a blessing that is. One thing mentioned at the reception was that they had both told a mutual friend that if they remarried, their main 'attraction' in a spouse would be someone who would help them get to heaven. If only so many others in the world could have that same goal in looking for a spouse, what happy marriages there would be. When God is first and foremost in a marriage, blessings abound in every area. It makes our own wills subside and helps us to look to the greater goal of the family, rather than selfish ones. If we pray together daily, our goals become and remain the same, united with God's will whatever that may be. A strong marriage is so needed in this world today, with so many things threatening its health. Any stresses can get in and destroy (just what the devil wants), so we must be extra vigilant to follow God and not anything/anyone else (even family, jobs, kids, beliefs, whatever) come between husband and wife. Mark 10:9 "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."

An awkward Situation

So, last week a friend calls up and asks if I'd like to take a Hunter Education course with her. We had talked of it last year, but the classes were filled so I had kind of forgot about it. I reply, "I'd love to" and we get things set up. With a gun loving husband as I have, I figure the best thing I can do for my boys is learn to handle firearms safely, know one type of gun from another to keep from looking too ignorant, and be able to shoot if given the opportunity. When I lived in Alaska I sold guns, shot guns and handled them, but didn't have much knowledge of them. So, I was excited at this learning opportunity, as well as a chance to focus on some non-Mommy stuff for a few days. Knowing that most hunters start in their teens, we assumed (correctly) that the class would be full of kids (mostly 10-12 year olds), but that was fine. Another friend joined us as the lone 3 adults in the class. Last night was our first class. It was very informative and now I know some much needed basics to the gun/hunting lifestyle. The awkwardness was doubled not only by the age of our 'peers', but when one of the intructors showed up, I find he is a guy that I went out with briefly in Alaska, who was working up there for a while. When he came back here, we kept in contact for a few months, and one time he called I was entirely single, and the next time I was engaged to be married to Greg. Luckily Reidun answered that last call and tried to explain my situation, but at best had a hard time. "Rachel is getting married in a couple months. Yes, I know she was single last time you talked, but things have changed. No, this isn't hasty. Yes, she does know what she's doing. Sorry about your luck." kind of conversation. Hmm. Now I have to run into him in a class of 12 year olds. Thankfully I didn't have to talk to him yesterday so that I have time to think about explaining what I'm doing in WA in his class (rather than out of his life forever living in AZ). Well, I'm sure it'll be fine, but I guess I just wasn't quite expecting that sort of situation when I signed up to learn about guns and such.

Monday thoughts

Well, it's Monday and although my thoughts are many, they have been mostly in the form of prayer. I've been mostly praying for the little boy Cole Ruotsala and his family, who has a very rare aggressive cancer. I can't imagine what they are going through. My kids are the same ages as theirs, and it could so easily be us. Life sure isn't fair, but we can trust that God knows what He's doing, and how ever difficult the journey may be, we know that His promises are true and someday we'll meet Him in eternity. In all of life's difficulty, we wonder "why?" in yet we often never know that answer. God only tells us to "trust Me and I'll carry you". Hymns often say things so beautifully, and a few of them have been on my heart "Ask the Saviour to help you, comfort, strengthen and keep you, He is willing to aid you, He'll carry you through", "What a fellowship, what a joy divine, Leaning on the Everlasting arms", "God's way is the best way, though I may not see..." and so many more. I guess what it comes down to in all, is that as Christians, if we can all share each others burdens, it makes them lighter and much easier to bear.

Here we are, home again...an enjoyable, full trip. Finding that line between jampacking it with fun and relaxing as much as possible is always a struggle. We saw as much family as possible (2 new nephews were the draw in the first place, although we had seen Ray already), found a few Canadian items that I wanted, and then were still there when a dear friend was killed suddenly. Ron and Gail Ramsay are friends from church who I boarded with a total of 2 years while in college, etc., and last Thursday Ron went out riding a horse and didn't come back. They found him later, but it was too late. He had quit his job a couple years back, and he and Gail had fulfilled their dream of buying a horse ranch where they broke horses, had riding camps for kids and boarded horses. They were an excellent example for me of what a marriage should be, as they always honored and respected each other in everything they did. They would always say "treat your husband like a king, and he'll treat you like a queen". Their roles were always very well defined, which I believe also added to the strength of their marriage. They never had any children of their own, but took in dozens of foster children over the years. I don't know what Gail will do now, but your prayers for her would certainly be appreciated. We then made our way back home, with Mom also driving with us. (she came to help Rebecca whose baby is due today) It is a good thing that it is a 2 day drive home, because when we left, my heart was feeling rather homesick, but as the road went along, the thoughts turned to getting back home to my own house, and finishing my summer projects. It's good to just drive and think though, and be able to sort everything out, pray a bit and visit with my husband who I never get that much of a chance to in everyday life. Luke rode with Grandma most of the way, so that was exciting for him, and then she could listen to his cute but endless chatter.

The Day Before Vacation

I know, I know...I should be packing for our trip tomorrow, but this blogging thing has peaked my interest and I just had to get started. With so many thoughts running through my head on a daily basis, and neither of my kiddos caring to listen, I thought this might be a good outlet to share my brainwaves, vent my frustrations and ponder the aspects of life that just swirl around in my head until they are written down somewhere. My journal sits empty (and has for many months), and somehow it has lost its appeal. I wrote in it faithfully daily until my eldest son was born, and then, it has just fallen by the wayside as trash out of a neglectful car window. So, until the Canada trip is done...here we go. I better get packing.