Last week, Taylor and I got to escape and get away to our honeymoon spot! It was the most wonderful way to spend our one-year anniversary! We were so refreshed by the crisp mountain air, a cheery fire in the fireplace, sizzling bacon in the mornings and the endless breath-taking wonders to be seen in ever direction!

We spent every morning sleeping in, multiple afternoons racing about on quads and most evenings cuddled up by the fire with our books in hand.

Ladies, I would like to share something with you. Every day that I wake up beside this man, I am reminded that God is good. Yes, He is faithful and good. He knows me, my needs and my weaknesses better than I ever will—He knows yours too. Though waiting is hard, please, please, please know... it is so very worth the wait to be with the man that God brings in His good time—no matter how long and hard the wait.

A few years ago, I resigned myself to settling. I decided this, despite the fact that I knew with every fiber of my soul that God was asking me to loosen my grip and release my future and my love life into His care and orchestration.

Mmm, no, thank you, God. I'm just fine. I found a path that that will work just for me. Besides, it's not worth the drama and heartbreak that would surely ensue if I gave it into Jesus' care! I'll make do and I'll be happy.

I am stubborn, but God is patient. Over the next six months, the Spirit steadily spoke to me so gently and patiently saying,

I am the architect and caretaker of your heart and soul—Trust me, child. Give the broken pieces into my hand, that I might make them into something beautiful.

I ignored this sweet, clement voice. I was resolute. I was too deep now to turn back without experiencing the agony and chaos resembling that of a collapsing star.

Then, all at once, I was given clarity to see that my soul was lying in a heap in the midst of the road I had stubbornly chosen. I was exhausted from carrying a weight so heavy. I had no idea why God was asking me to give up the one thing I thought was 'in the bag'... but He was.

"These trials are for the testing and strengthening of your faith—they are waves that wash you further upon the rock—they are winds which waft your ship the more swiftly towards the desired haven. I cannot, Lord, Thy purpose see, yet all is well since ruled by Thee." —Charles Spurgeon

I had little faith. In the moment I realized this, I also realized that when much grace is needed, much grace is given. I needed it—badly. So, to make a long story short, I will just tell you that I let it go. My shoulders felt bare with the absence of my weight. I had forgotten what it felt like to breath.

I was a soul that had fallen apart, but that He has pieced back together! I'll be honest and tell you that the process and choices of trusting and faith can be quite tedious and uncomfortable, even excruciating at times. But, oh! The joys of seeing your failures and dead ends being transformed into something beautiful is beyond description! It is JOY.

Jesus is a carpenter who makes beautiful things. He makes masterpieces out of fallen trees.

Like I said earlier, every day that I wake up next to Taylor, I am reminded of the goodness and faithfulness of my Jesus. I am reminded of that grace He gave to trust. I am reminded every day that I don't know the best plan for my life, but God does.

A lesson that I have learned: if God ever tells you to drop anything to follow Him—it is always worth it. Don't hesitate. Do it.

You don’t have to understand God to trust Him. Restoration and peace are His specialty. He will be your refuge and your strength. Right now, quietly turn to Him. He is waiting.

This weekend, my husband and I had an adventure up in Trout Lake, Washington to celebrate one-year since we got engaged! We aren't crazy campers, so we didn't take a tent, sleeping bags or anything like that... just some down comforters, some folding chairs, some bread, brie cheese, strawberry jam (homemade, of course!) and chardonnay. Simplicity is our favorite.

Why struggle to set up and sleep in a tent on the ground when you could throw a futon mattress in the truck bed and bring comfy blankets? (make sure to check the forcast!) We like to call it "tramping".....truck-camping.

We had a marvelous time talking over the past year, and talking about the next year. My husband is a fantastic listener. He listens to my heart, not just my words. He listens to my feelings, as well as my thoughts. And it gets even better than that; I trust him with everything I have and am.

More to come, soon!