Apartments...

We officially (although we weren’t too concerned) have been approved for our new apartment! On May 8th we are going to be moving from our current apartment to a newer apartment. I wish I could say that our new place will be bigger, however, we’re not that lucky. Or rich. BUT I’m pleased to announce that our new apartment does have a washer and dryer IN it. My days at the community laundry mat are over!! I couldn’t be happier about this. My husband is also very happy knowing that his wife will get the laundry done in a much more timely fashion, plus I’ll be in a much better mood while doing the laundry!

Last night I was laying in bed thinking about the things I would miss about this apartment. I couldn’t think of anything. Ha. So, I decided it’s much easier to think about all of the things that I would NOT miss. So, for your reading pleasure – is my list of things I will NOT miss about Summerwood Apartments.

*the fact that the hallways slopes and dips so badly you feel as though you’re going to fall through the floor.

*my lack of counter space.

*hearing every single step that the couple above us takes in their apartment.

*hearing the man above us SNORE every night. (our ceilings are very thin apparently).

*going along with that- we definitely won’t miss hearing the couple above us do…married things.

*our slippery bathroom floor (I have the bruises to prove it).

*the sound our tub makes when someone is in the shower (as you can guess we can also hear the people above us when they are in the shower).

*I also won’t miss knowing exactly when our neighbors above us or beside us flush their toilet.

*the geese.

*the random times our smoke alarm decides to go off. For no reason.

Huntington Cove Apartments – I think I already love you! :)

Lyrics

For the last few days I haven't been able to get this song by Francesca Battistelli out of my head! It's called "Free to be Me". It's on the radio alot these days and everytime it's on I can't help by sing along.

"At twenty years of age I'm still looking for a dream

A war's already waged for my destiny

But You've already won the battle

And You've got great plans for me

Though I can’t always see"

Oh how these words resonate in my heart. I feel like I should have my life figured out by now, but here I sit - still unemployed and wondering what in the world God is trying to teach me! I need to remember that my life has already been planned out. I just have to trust in Him.

"Cause I got a couple dents in my fender

Got a couple rips in my jeans

Try to fit the pieces together But perfection is my enemy

On my own I'm so clumsy

But on Your shoulders I can see

I'm free to be me"

I love those first two lines. What a great way to talk about your life. We all have a few dents or tears in us. But it's our Lord who fixes us and puts the pieces back together. God knows that I'm feeling a little beat down due to not being able to find work - but He will put the pieces back together when He feels I'm ready.

Love it or Leave It

I got this idea from another blog that I read and I thought I would give it a shot. Since I am a newlywed, I've tried my fair share of products trying to get our apartment feeling like "home". So every few days I'll do a "Love it, Leave it" blog. I'll talk about products that I love and have found a great use for. But for each "love it" product, I'll do a "leave it" product. A product that didn't quite meet my expectations or I decided isn't worth the money. I would love to hear feedback on my opinions and also if you have a love it or leave it product!

Love It:

Lysol Neurta Air Freshmatic

I love this product! We have two of them actually. One in our kitchen and one in our living room. These are the air freshners that you can set to go off at 9, 18, or 36 minutes. I wasn't sure what I would think of these, because they make a noise everytime they go off. But you get used to it and don't even notice it after a day or two. The little refill bottles last for about two months. I didn't realize how much of an effect they had in the rooms until we ran out the first time!!

Leave It:

Glade Scented Oil Candle.

I love candles, but these I can do without. It's not worth the money. The oil only lasts for 2-3 hours and I could have easily gone through two in one evening. It smells nice, but no better than any other candle. I'll stick with yankee!

Sunshine

I've been sick the last few days, but this sunshine and warmer weather definitely helps! I'm finally feeling better and I opened up the windows today and it's so nice to feel the fresh air!

I'm ready for you summer!!

Happy Birthday Nick

Happy Birthday to a man who just five and a half years ago left this Earth to live his life with our Savior in Heaven. Happy Birthday to a man who would be 26 today. Happy Birthday to a man who graced us with his presence for 20 years on this earth. Happy Birthday to a man who we all miss everyday.

Jim

A few days ago, March 5th, was the 5 year anniversary of a man who lost his battle with cancer. A man who led many to Christ through music, a quiet faith, and a love for people. This man was Jim Weldy. I grew up with his family through North Main. I have many memories of Jim, but one of the fondest, and one that many people remember is every Christmas Eve Jim would always sing "O Holy Night". It never really felt like Christmas until you heard this song by him. There was always something different about a song when Jim sang it. I didn't realize what it was until the Christmas after Jim had died. I realized that Jim sang with TRUTH. He sang with such conviction of what he was singing. He truly believed every word of the song. I am blessed to have a CD of 20 songs that Jim recorded over the years. We played one of them at our wedding. On my drive back to Merrillville the other day, I slipped it in the CD player and listened intently to each word that came from his mouth. One song particularly got to me. The chorus says,

"Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave."

It's too bad that I find such value in these songs now that Jim is gone. But I feel that this is part of his life and testimony. These songs are part of his legacy. I'm one that was touched by his faith and generosity. Even in the darkest of days. I can almost hear Jesus leading him into Heaven and saying,

"He said 'my child look around you-

FOR GREAT IS YOUR REWARD'".

Thank you Jim, for giving to the Lord. I am a life that was changed.

Good News!

Lucy, the oldest child at the Baby Center has been adopted!

Date Night

Mike and I had the priveledge last night of attending Nappanee Missionary's "Date Night at the Grand". We had a great dinner, and Michael O'Brien performed. He is the lead singer of Newsong and has a new CD out of love songs for his wife. He and his wife also shared of their own marital problems and issues. Mike and I were possibly the most newly-married couple there. But it was such an inspiration to see married couples all around us making an effort in their marriage. There may have been some couples struggling, there may have been some couples doubting each other, feeling hurt or betrayed. But last night, I believe they were filled with hope. They were offered help: Jesus. Mike and I are just starting out, but last night was a great reminder of who needs to be at the center of our marriage. I'm so blessed to have such great role models around me to show us what a marriage should look like. I thank my parents and grandparents for being those role models. If you haven't heard of Michael O'Brien, I invite you to go to his website and listen to some of his songs! He has a great voice and an even better sense of humor about life.