"For your constant presence here with me, You have been so good to me....I came here broken, You made me whole." Ah, God You have been so good to us-more than we could have ever hoped or imagined. Words cannot describe the incredible man I married and the relationship with have with our Father. Nate has encouraged me in my daily walk with the Lord and it has made our relationship that much sweeter. I have no idea where I would be without this man and his constant support and encouragement.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
For You are Good
Tonight at worship team rehearsal the words to the song "Good to Me" radiated through my soul.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
It's a looooong one
I pretty much hate Tuesdays. I work about 14 hours straight and the only break I get is to go to the bathroom. I woke up this morning to my husband kissing my cheek as he was heading off to work and reminded me there was coffee waiting for me on the counter. I walked to the bathroom to a note taped to the mirror reminding me that I am beautiful in the eyes of my husband and he was praying for me as I begin my busy day. He also reminded me that God is control of everything going on in our lives right now, which at times seems to be out of control. Nate continues to be the greatest source of encouragement other than the Lord. I wish I was better at being an encouragement to him....I am working on it, along with the laundry list of other things I need "be better at"
In four days we will celebrate 6 blissful months of marriage (ok, its not always blissful). As I think about the last 6 months and even before, as we were planning our wedding I am reminded of God's faithfulness and provision in our lives. Nate had been in 2 accidents and the Lord spared his life and brought him to me safely (the car? that's another story) He provided the finances and the people to come along side us and help us as we didn't really know how to take of the situation.
As much as we complain about our busy schedules, God has provided us with jobs...not only jobs, but careers we love. I don't think enough people can actually say they love what they do! I sincerely love teaching kids and I know my husband does too. Talk to me at the end of the week after 70 kiddies have gone through the studio and i might be singing another song...jk:)
There are also so many changes happening in my family. The Lord is doing an awesome work in my parents' lives and it has been a cool thing to see God move in ways I've never witnessed before. I cant write about it, but again, it's all reminders of God's faithfulness and His promise to give us more than we could have ever hoped or imagined if we follow Him.
As I think back on these examples of God's grace and sovereignty, why do I doubt He has control of the future. Why do I worry about things yet to come? Because I am a control freak and I need to have a plan. That's why. Releasing this control has been my biggest struggle not only in my relationship with my Jesus, but also my husband. Putting all that I have worked for into the hands of my husband and telling him I trust him to make decisions for our future is huge! The biggest thing in our lives right now is the decision to purchase an established music store in Franconia Pa. This has been a pending decision for the Kauffman family (i.e. Abbey and Daddy K :) for the past 3 years. It has now come to decision time. We have been given an incredible offer and its hard to look behind that to the reality of owning a business. I've already learned a whole lot from running the studio the past few years, but I know that doesn't totally compare to this venture. The more we pray the more excited I get about it! We want to do whats best for our family and let's be honest, I don't want to wait another 2 years for babies:) This is why I am letting Nate make the decision for us and not manipulate him to a different decision....which is alot easier to write then to practice. I am excited to watch God work this all out and I am excited to go through this process with the man of my dreams. We are slowing meeting with 10 different families to pray with us an offer us their advice and opinions on this huge undertaking. Some have not been so positive. Some, like my Grams, told me we would be stupid to not take it. I also feel a sign from the Lord as I noticed someone decided to carve an "A" on our coffee table. That pretty much solidified in my head it's time to move the studio!
I know I have to be patient...which is not my forte. I just want to make a decision so I can start planning one way or the other. This whole thing has been a growing experience for me. I know my husband cant see past a week at a time because he is so stinkin' busy so I am trying to take this process slowly. I am proud of him and how he works for us. He is an awesome man.
Whew, it just feels good to write all that out.
In four days we will celebrate 6 blissful months of marriage (ok, its not always blissful). As I think about the last 6 months and even before, as we were planning our wedding I am reminded of God's faithfulness and provision in our lives. Nate had been in 2 accidents and the Lord spared his life and brought him to me safely (the car? that's another story) He provided the finances and the people to come along side us and help us as we didn't really know how to take of the situation.
As much as we complain about our busy schedules, God has provided us with jobs...not only jobs, but careers we love. I don't think enough people can actually say they love what they do! I sincerely love teaching kids and I know my husband does too. Talk to me at the end of the week after 70 kiddies have gone through the studio and i might be singing another song...jk:)
There are also so many changes happening in my family. The Lord is doing an awesome work in my parents' lives and it has been a cool thing to see God move in ways I've never witnessed before. I cant write about it, but again, it's all reminders of God's faithfulness and His promise to give us more than we could have ever hoped or imagined if we follow Him.
As I think back on these examples of God's grace and sovereignty, why do I doubt He has control of the future. Why do I worry about things yet to come? Because I am a control freak and I need to have a plan. That's why. Releasing this control has been my biggest struggle not only in my relationship with my Jesus, but also my husband. Putting all that I have worked for into the hands of my husband and telling him I trust him to make decisions for our future is huge! The biggest thing in our lives right now is the decision to purchase an established music store in Franconia Pa. This has been a pending decision for the Kauffman family (i.e. Abbey and Daddy K :) for the past 3 years. It has now come to decision time. We have been given an incredible offer and its hard to look behind that to the reality of owning a business. I've already learned a whole lot from running the studio the past few years, but I know that doesn't totally compare to this venture. The more we pray the more excited I get about it! We want to do whats best for our family and let's be honest, I don't want to wait another 2 years for babies:) This is why I am letting Nate make the decision for us and not manipulate him to a different decision....which is alot easier to write then to practice. I am excited to watch God work this all out and I am excited to go through this process with the man of my dreams. We are slowing meeting with 10 different families to pray with us an offer us their advice and opinions on this huge undertaking. Some have not been so positive. Some, like my Grams, told me we would be stupid to not take it. I also feel a sign from the Lord as I noticed someone decided to carve an "A" on our coffee table. That pretty much solidified in my head it's time to move the studio!
I know I have to be patient...which is not my forte. I just want to make a decision so I can start planning one way or the other. This whole thing has been a growing experience for me. I know my husband cant see past a week at a time because he is so stinkin' busy so I am trying to take this process slowly. I am proud of him and how he works for us. He is an awesome man.
Whew, it just feels good to write all that out.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Ministry Weekend
This weekend was insanly busy, but incredibly awesome. Saturday morning I played for our ladies retreat and then I left to meet Nate to go lead the congregation in worship at the LCMI Banquet in Lancaster. There is no greater joy then to be worshipping our great God alongside my husband. I felt so full after Saturday, I feel it's what we were called to do...not only in music, but for our lives. To live sold out for Jesus Christ together and glofiying Him through our marriage realtionship.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Applebees Aniversary
Friday, February 26, 2010 Nate and I celebrated our 5 month anniversary at Applebees (he wanted to take me to some Italian restaurant, but I wanted boneless buffalo wings:). I can't belive how fast time flies. These past 5 months have been the best, but also some of the most challenging months. While sitting in Applebees, Nate asked me what has been the best part about being married, aside from the obvious benefits of newlywedhood (is that a word?) I told him how I love there is someone to come home to every evening and someone to fall asleep with each night. This sounds cliche, but it's totally true. Even though we have our struggles and we rarely see each other during the week, I know my best friend and my biggest fan is right beside me. He shares my joy and makes the sucky days suck less. He helps me forget about the things I worry about and dreams with me about our future.
Nate is an incredible man of God and I am so blessed to have him as my husband. The cold hard reality is I married a sinner....and so did he, which at times makes marriage a little tricky. My mom and dad both reassured me before we got married that the first year would be the most difficult. I thought to myself, "I know Nate so well there couldnt be anything I dont know about him." HA. I am learning so much about Nate and each day I learn to love him more than the day before.
Nate is an incredible man of God and I am so blessed to have him as my husband. The cold hard reality is I married a sinner....and so did he, which at times makes marriage a little tricky. My mom and dad both reassured me before we got married that the first year would be the most difficult. I thought to myself, "I know Nate so well there couldnt be anything I dont know about him." HA. I am learning so much about Nate and each day I learn to love him more than the day before.
Monday, February 15, 2010
The Sweetest Place on Earth
Nate and I spent 4 blissful days (after two days off from school) in Hershey Pennsylvania for the Family Life Weekend to Remember marriage conference. It was an incredible weekend spent together learning how to do this who marriage thing a little better. We had an encouraging time together and loved being away from everything and everyone. Nate and I talked about our plans to write a book and began the brainstorming process in this new adventure. I experienced God in a whole new way at this conference and was so excited to return home and start living out what we learned.
Then came real life. We got home to reality-to bills, to work, to family drama. Our mountain top experience that had brought us so close together was crashing down around us, it was quite evident satan was well at work in our lives. I am constantly reminded of the need to stay in the Word, to constantly walk faithful with Jesus Christ so that I can be the kind of woman God created me to be....especially to Nate.
Then came real life. We got home to reality-to bills, to work, to family drama. Our mountain top experience that had brought us so close together was crashing down around us, it was quite evident satan was well at work in our lives. I am constantly reminded of the need to stay in the Word, to constantly walk faithful with Jesus Christ so that I can be the kind of woman God created me to be....especially to Nate.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
I cannot begin to describe the giddy, childlike excitement i am feeling at the present moment as the threat of a huge winter storm approaches us. I cannot wait to finish this work day and get home to my hubby. I am praying we get snowed in for days, but the reality is that it will probably just be tomorrow:)
Yesterday, I spent the morning with my girl Emily. We had lots of fun together! I was reminded of God's continued faithfulness in my life as He surrounds me with quality women to encourage me. Emily is such an awesome person and listens because she cares. I can tell her anything and I can be myself, it's a good feeling:) Plus, she has the two cutest kids in the world and when I hang out with her I get the chance to love on her girlies:)
Nate and I are headed to Hershey this weekend to the Weekend to Remember Marriage Conference. We are beyond excited. We have 4 whole days off together away from our crazy hectic lives.
BRING ON THE SNOW:)
Yesterday, I spent the morning with my girl Emily. We had lots of fun together! I was reminded of God's continued faithfulness in my life as He surrounds me with quality women to encourage me. Emily is such an awesome person and listens because she cares. I can tell her anything and I can be myself, it's a good feeling:) Plus, she has the two cutest kids in the world and when I hang out with her I get the chance to love on her girlies:)
Nate and I are headed to Hershey this weekend to the Weekend to Remember Marriage Conference. We are beyond excited. We have 4 whole days off together away from our crazy hectic lives.
BRING ON THE SNOW:)
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Consumer Report
Ok, I wanted to keep this blog to write about Nate and my first year of marriage and all the lovey doveyness that goes along with that, but I have to vent.
For the past 3 years I have poured my time, passion and energy into building a music studio. I love teaching private lessons and over the year have been able to build a fairly large base of students. I call my studio Kauffmans Music and now Nate and I have over 80 of the most talented students walking through our doorway each week!! God is good and has given us a love for kids and a passion to teach music. We are currently looking at locations to expand and how to outsource some of our incoming business. I have been learning instrument repair and have added that to my bag of tricks. Nate and I have also been working on writing some music together. Pretty much we love music and i love running my own business.
Now, in the beginning, it was not easy. I juggled an office job, a waitress job and taught for some local teachers. I juggle a lot more than that now, but at least its in the same field:) I deal with lots of parents, grandparents, friends, co-teachers and friends. I took a ton of financial hits in the beginning because I wasnt the best about keeping records. Basically, if I didnt keep track, I didnt expect payment from customers. Kauffmans Music grew to this size for a few reasons I feel: 1. I love music and I cant help but exude my excitement and passion on my students. 2. I worked with people, with their schedules and their financial situations. 3. I love watching students succeed and learn about hard work. I wish I could be as flexible with my schedule, but I cant due to the size of the studio.
I have drawn some conclusions over the past few weeks about my attitude toward people that give lousy customer service. Here is the preface....I recently started going to this alternative medicine facility where they practice "nutrional response testing" I was so excited to go. I loved their philosophy and did some research about NRT and thought it would be awesome to try. My first interaction with this place was on the phone to make my appointment. The girl on the phone was nice, but not very accommodating. "Ok, she could just be having an off day" I thought to myself.
But then I arrived for my first appointment.....yes, first appointment. Call me crazy, but I always thought it's good to make a great first impression. I do whatever i need to with new students to make that first impression a great one. I don't think this facility cares to feel the same way. I was about 5 min late-because I got lost-and for what was suppose to be a 45 min appt. ended up being almost 2 hours. Is their time more important than mine? Yes. This is the message they sent loud and clear to me that day. For someone that bends over backwards to accommodate lots of families on a very regular basisbecause I want to have a growing business, I was not impressed.
The last straw came this weekend when I had beyond rude treatment on the phone. I was so annoyed, mad, angry and quite frankly, pissed. I was then upset with myself for getting so upset. Was my heart so full of anger it came out in this fashion? Lord, I feel you had brought be so far in this area?!
I came to the conclusion that, yes, i probably shouldn't have been so upset, but my annoyance came from the fact that I try my best to please people on the business side of my studio, that I just cant take crap from anyone else. For real. You may be a thriving business now, but continuing to treat people the way I was repeatedly treated will not be blessed. Its ashame that some business run that way. I hope I am the only one that experienced this, but I have a feeling I am probably not alone.
Anyways, I love my husband and we are so excited to attend the Weekend to Remember Marriage retreat in two weeks. We've had a bumpy few weeks here lately and I think this weekend away is going to be rejuvinating for both of us and give us a new refreshed look on this awesome gift he has given us to enjoy.
Whew, time for bed!
For the past 3 years I have poured my time, passion and energy into building a music studio. I love teaching private lessons and over the year have been able to build a fairly large base of students. I call my studio Kauffmans Music and now Nate and I have over 80 of the most talented students walking through our doorway each week!! God is good and has given us a love for kids and a passion to teach music. We are currently looking at locations to expand and how to outsource some of our incoming business. I have been learning instrument repair and have added that to my bag of tricks. Nate and I have also been working on writing some music together. Pretty much we love music and i love running my own business.
Now, in the beginning, it was not easy. I juggled an office job, a waitress job and taught for some local teachers. I juggle a lot more than that now, but at least its in the same field:) I deal with lots of parents, grandparents, friends, co-teachers and friends. I took a ton of financial hits in the beginning because I wasnt the best about keeping records. Basically, if I didnt keep track, I didnt expect payment from customers. Kauffmans Music grew to this size for a few reasons I feel: 1. I love music and I cant help but exude my excitement and passion on my students. 2. I worked with people, with their schedules and their financial situations. 3. I love watching students succeed and learn about hard work. I wish I could be as flexible with my schedule, but I cant due to the size of the studio.
I have drawn some conclusions over the past few weeks about my attitude toward people that give lousy customer service. Here is the preface....I recently started going to this alternative medicine facility where they practice "nutrional response testing" I was so excited to go. I loved their philosophy and did some research about NRT and thought it would be awesome to try. My first interaction with this place was on the phone to make my appointment. The girl on the phone was nice, but not very accommodating. "Ok, she could just be having an off day" I thought to myself.
But then I arrived for my first appointment.....yes, first appointment. Call me crazy, but I always thought it's good to make a great first impression. I do whatever i need to with new students to make that first impression a great one. I don't think this facility cares to feel the same way. I was about 5 min late-because I got lost-and for what was suppose to be a 45 min appt. ended up being almost 2 hours. Is their time more important than mine? Yes. This is the message they sent loud and clear to me that day. For someone that bends over backwards to accommodate lots of families on a very regular basisbecause I want to have a growing business, I was not impressed.
The last straw came this weekend when I had beyond rude treatment on the phone. I was so annoyed, mad, angry and quite frankly, pissed. I was then upset with myself for getting so upset. Was my heart so full of anger it came out in this fashion? Lord, I feel you had brought be so far in this area?!
I came to the conclusion that, yes, i probably shouldn't have been so upset, but my annoyance came from the fact that I try my best to please people on the business side of my studio, that I just cant take crap from anyone else. For real. You may be a thriving business now, but continuing to treat people the way I was repeatedly treated will not be blessed. Its ashame that some business run that way. I hope I am the only one that experienced this, but I have a feeling I am probably not alone.
Anyways, I love my husband and we are so excited to attend the Weekend to Remember Marriage retreat in two weeks. We've had a bumpy few weeks here lately and I think this weekend away is going to be rejuvinating for both of us and give us a new refreshed look on this awesome gift he has given us to enjoy.
Whew, time for bed!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
This past week was one of the toughest weeks I've had in a long time. I felt completely hopeless and recklessly abandoned. But in my deepest times of feeling abandoned, I was overwhelmed with God's love for me, my husband and our life together. I know God has a beautiful plan for us and this trial is merely the next step in our journey to growing closer to our Lord and closer to one another.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Today, I am so overwhelmed by God's amazing grace and His love for me. I am so blessed with an incredible husband who encourages me to walk closer with my Jesus everyday. I have a wonderful family and friends and I truly count my blessings today. I want to live each day better than I did the day before and I want to be so intimate with Jesus Christ that I am like a light shining in the darkness, pointing the way to the most wonderful, beautiful truth you can ever experience. I am consumed with the passion to know Jesus more. He has started to change me, to heal me, to ignite me again. I am not the woman I was and I will never go back. I relish the time spent with my heavenly Father and wish it were always this easy.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Yesterday I was so sick, I thought I was dying. My adoring husband did everything in his power to help make me feel better. He is so good to me. The great news is that I am alive and doing much better today:)
Here's what's on my heart today:
I find myself every evening thinking and planning out the day ahead of me, sometimes I think and plan the next few days down to the min. I spend time thinking over my hectic life while missing out on quality time I could be having with my husband. This life is a gift from God. A wonderfully,unrepeated life. I struggle with giving the reins over when it comes to the simplistic things in my life-such as all the the details that need to get accomplished in one day. I treat our crazy lifestyle like it's my fault I am this busy, but in reality, God has called us to this lifestyle at this stage in our life. He has planned out some awesome things he wants to be apart of for His Kingdom. I have been so challenged with this lately, partly due to the fact that I get so depressed that A.) Nate and I never see each other, B.) We can't do things that we want to do.
I know there is a balance and we probably have not figured that out yet, but if I can continue to learn how to hand my worries to Him each night and realize that this is my mission Field and this is where God has us, my perspective will be different..
Ok, time to teach the kiddies:)
Here's what's on my heart today:
I find myself every evening thinking and planning out the day ahead of me, sometimes I think and plan the next few days down to the min. I spend time thinking over my hectic life while missing out on quality time I could be having with my husband. This life is a gift from God. A wonderfully,unrepeated life. I struggle with giving the reins over when it comes to the simplistic things in my life-such as all the the details that need to get accomplished in one day. I treat our crazy lifestyle like it's my fault I am this busy, but in reality, God has called us to this lifestyle at this stage in our life. He has planned out some awesome things he wants to be apart of for His Kingdom. I have been so challenged with this lately, partly due to the fact that I get so depressed that A.) Nate and I never see each other, B.) We can't do things that we want to do.
I know there is a balance and we probably have not figured that out yet, but if I can continue to learn how to hand my worries to Him each night and realize that this is my mission Field and this is where God has us, my perspective will be different..
Ok, time to teach the kiddies:)
Thursday, January 7, 2010
boots and bags
Adjusting to married life has been fun yet, at times, frustrating. I (Abbey) had been living in my own 3 bedroom townhouse for over a year. Needless to say, I spread out and took over all closet space known to man. When Nate and I got married, he moved in with me because his bachelor pad was not up to my standard of living to say the least (that sounds mean, but he would whole heartily agree:) Nate has realized I was not exaggerating the amount of clothing I own and that I truly have a closet for just my boots and bags.
On a more serious note, I am continually grateful to our Lord for putting Nate and I together in the way that He did. I am reminded daily of God's grace and faithfulness in my life through Nate. My husband loves me so much and encourages me in so many ways. I strive to be the best wife to him, but at times I fail miserably. I am so glad I didn't settle when I felt it was right, rather waiting on God's timing and God's choosing is far better than I could have ever imagined. I am learning so much just being married to this amazing man and we are learning the art and the dance of this awesome love story!
On a more serious note, I am continually grateful to our Lord for putting Nate and I together in the way that He did. I am reminded daily of God's grace and faithfulness in my life through Nate. My husband loves me so much and encourages me in so many ways. I strive to be the best wife to him, but at times I fail miserably. I am so glad I didn't settle when I felt it was right, rather waiting on God's timing and God's choosing is far better than I could have ever imagined. I am learning so much just being married to this amazing man and we are learning the art and the dance of this awesome love story!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Macungie, PA
My incredibly thoughtful husband took me to the most beautiful bed and breakfast for my birthday over the weekend. Neither one of us had been to a bed and breakfast, so it was quite the treat. I had a hot stone massage Saturday morning and loved every min of it!
We are not looking forward to getting back into our crazy busy lifestyles, but thankful we have each other and a faithful God who continues to make Himself real to us with each day that passes.
We are not looking forward to getting back into our crazy busy lifestyles, but thankful we have each other and a faithful God who continues to make Himself real to us with each day that passes.
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