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.

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.

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.