The Boy Who Answered the Door

    Diseases never seem all that scary until they affect you or someone you love. To be honest, cancer has never seemed all that scary to me, AIDS is no big deal, and Anorexia-psh that's only for self conscious cheerleaders. I understand that I don't really want to get any of these things, but they don't seem all that scary to me. However, that all changed a few months ago, when I went home to visit my family and a little boy answered the door.
    He looked so different, his cheek bones stuck out further and his eyes looked bigger. I could put my fingers around his thighs. This boy was my brother-that much I knew, but something had drastically changed. I ran up to the bathroom to cry out my shock and fears for this boy that meant so much to me. When I finally pulled myself together I went back downstairs to visit with him, only to be met with a running stream of information about his diet and exercising routine. I was scared again. A few short months before, all he wanted to talk about was gaming and animals. What had happened in that short amount of time?
    A few months later, he was diagnosed with Anorexia. That disease that before seemed so ridiculous to me, was now very serious. It now affected someone I loved. Eating disorders affect approximately 8 million Americans. Nearly half of all Americans know someone with an eating disorder.
    Last week I went to visit my brother who is now in a Psychiatric facility receiving the care that he needs. While we were there he made us all bracelets. We told him we would wear them until he gets out of there (which will hopefully be no more than a month; however, he will struggle with this for the rest of his life). They are our prayer reminders. I ask that you also would think of Cory when you see the colors black and yellow (maybe next time you are watching a Steelers game ;) ), and pray for him.

One Year Later...

    Relationships are a precious thing. When we are young we rely on our relationships with our parents to meet all of our needs. As we grow and become more independent we rely on our relationships with  friends to support us and hear all of our problems. When we are grown  there are a few of us that are blessed with a special kind of relationship with a one of a kind human being. In these relationships the two individuals share everything-home, food, bed, problems, joys, sickness, health, and life. These relationships are designed for a lifetime. They are beautiful gifts from God. This kind of relationship is called marriage.
    I have been incredibly blessed to a part of a beautiful marriage for one whole year! I have loved every minute of sharing my life with someone so special to me this past year. It was not an easy change at first, going from what I had called home all my life to an entirely different life. However, God knew what he was doing, and knew that I needed Steven at this time in my life. I needed him there to walk with me hand in hand as I walked out into the world.
    Along with my new relationship with Steven, I have opened up a new door in my relationship with God. As our lives change, our relationship with God changes as well. We see him in a new light. Our goal when we got married was to keep God at the center of our relationship. It takes three to make a marriage, and it is not always easy, but of course we aren't perfect and we continue to work at it.
    I could never fully understand what married couples meant when they would say, "We become more in love everyday." I understand even after a year that love grows as time passes. As we face everything that life throws at us, together, it brings us closer as a couple. It is a truly beautiful thing.

I love you Steven!

                                                             



 

Same Old Same Old

 
    It has been a little while since I have posted, mostly due to the fact that nothing really exciting has happened lately. My life continues to consist of work and sleep. I have been given some new responsibilities at work which require me to be there at 5:00 AM. This has messed up my sleeping schedule a bit so I have been a little more tired than usual. However, I have really been appreciating the morning hours. I have always wanted to be a morning person, because it has such a nice calm atmosphere. It really is a nice time to work, despite my extreme tiredness (thank goodness for coffee).
    Anyway, the new responsibility I have been given is titled as "the prep person". Basically I get everything ready in the morning. I distribute sanitize water, unlock the patio, get all the food ready and packaged for the day, and whatever other random things need to be accomplished before the start of the day. I enjoy new responsibility. I love a good challenge-I think that is what has really been keeping me going lately. I need to constantly be challenging myself with something new in order for me to really enjoy what I am doing.
    I am not officially a trainer yet, because I first have to take a class, but I was asked to train someone last night, and it was a rather enjoyable experience. Once again, I love being given new responsibilities.
    This is my life right now. Between working and sleeping I try to spend as much time with Steven as I can. He has also been fairly busy lately with Child Evangelism Fellowship, which he is really enjoying. I am very excited to say that next Sunday we will be celebrating our one year anniversary! This past year has really flown by!