Long post alert!!!♥️😊🎁

Seven years ago today we said I do. It has been a rollercoaster ride. I believe you can truly say people come into your life as a blessing and or a lesson. The first time Jesse Littlejohn and I met we talked all night. We had a deep conversation about our pasts, our beliefs, our goals, all kinds of things. I felt like I could tell him anything. He was different and unique. I told myself I didn’t want to date him because he was too tall and not my type. He was the complete opposite of me. Being around him made me feel calm, collected, and safe. I pushed an intimate relationship away, but he became my best friend. He never tried to get in bed with me. He listened to me, gave me advice, and was there for me when I needed. We were friends for a few years before becoming a couple.

I never had a guy treat me so kind and sweet without wanting something especially sex in return.
I believe with my prayers, God sent me my husband. We still had a lot to work through from my past hurts and previous failed marriage but it was a great start. We spent a lot of time together and had lots of fun. I finally found a like-minded individual who shared similar goals, had the same beliefs, and was a man of God. Jesse has an amazing story of how he found God. He also fit the description of my dream man. Tall, dark, handsome, classy, a believer in Jesus, and romantic.

Our first Easter we had went to visit my aunt’s church. This couple had been talking about how their life was before committing their life to Jesus being full of sadness, depression, and addictions. I completely related to this. I was truly touched by their story and felt my heart being tugged. When they had asked the congregation to close their eyes if this story touched anyone’s heart. Then to raise their hand while praying this prayer of accepting the fact that I was a sinner and needed a savior. I decided to recommit my life to Jesus Christ that day. I believe I knew who God was but didn’t know Him personally until after that day.

The most amazing moment was when Jesse and I both had our eyes closed we were holding hands and we each had put our hands up together without knowing it. I shared with him my decision, he smiled and said he did the same. I felt at peace and knew this was the start of something great. I had no idea how much it would change our lives. I knew my life would never be the same and ever since that moment, it hasn’t been.

Immediately we wanted to find a church so we could grow and develop in our faith as well as get married in because we had gotten engaged. We visited several churches and found one very close to our home. It was full of all kinds of families, children, and they were focused on glorifying God and making more and better disciples of Jesus Christ. We decided we wanted to not just attend but serve. We loved this church because it wasn’t about forced religion. It was based on truth in scripture and having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. One day after our Sunday service we had been asked to meet with one of the pastors. They were thrilled about us wanting to serve in the church and getting involved. One problem was they knew we were living together.

The pastor wanted to share with us what scripture says about sex and living with someone before marriage. He gave us a pamphlet and we knew it made perfect sense. We felt that tug on our hearts and were convicted. The church had offered a few different options. They told us they would find a place for Jesse to live until we got married or we could move up the wedding. They wanted to make sure we were not forced to make a decision. They wanted us to think and pray about it. We did and decided right away to sleep in different bedrooms and completely stopped having sex until we were married. We wanted to be able to tell our children the truth and also wanted to follow Gods word and not be hypocrites in our Christian walk. It was the best decision for our marriage being founded in Him.
On top of making this decision we moved the wedding up and got married at our church October 26th 2014.

We committed our lives to one another and to Christ. It was an intimate ceremony with our family and close friends. As I held Jesse’s hand in front of our loved ones my heart pounded and I felt so much happiness and joy. We were going to grow old and wrinkly together. God willing. I knew God put us together for a reason. Our wedding scripture was 1 Corinthians 13: 4 – 8 Love is Patient, Love is kind. It does not envy or boast; It is not arrogant or rude. It does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, endures all things. Love never ends. Jesse and I try to live our life on this truth. To be faithful, grateful, loving, and humble.

Jesse and I moved to Florida before we had our first baby because we wanted to focus on our marriage, our family, and thought if we didn’t move we never would. It was very hard leaving everyone and everything. This journey moving and becoming a family of four has challenged and stretched us in so many ways. In my opinion becoming a mommy and wife is way harder than anything I have ever done. I am a different person. We are a different couple in so many ways. We learned that we need to depend on God and each other through every circumstance. Grace, respect, and forgiveness is at the center of any successful relationship.

God has really been working on our hearts and desires 💕 We focus on the most important relationship in our life. A personal and daily relationship with Jesus Christ!

We have intentionally worked on learning how to be patient, forgiving, and loving. I am also learning how to respect my husband and how to effectively communicate with my husband. Forgiveness and submitting to my husbands lead is hard for me. I am learning to trust God and seeking Him in all circumstances. Jesse has helped me learn how to study the Bible in context and helps me understand how to apply it in all areas of my life. He is a great provider and protector.

Life keeps getting better and our faith is getting stronger. We are closer to God and each other more than ever. We have so much to be thankful for and two amazing children. “The family that prays together, and is in God’s word together, stays together.” We will never give up and will always put God first. It doesn’t mean that we have it all together or ever will but God.

Surrender your expectations for your life, your marriage, your family and your future to God thin. We expect and desire good things in our lives. There is nothing wrong with that. But when we hold on to those ideals, God is saying, “Trust me with your life. I have something so much better than what you are holding on to.” God has our best interests in mind. He knows exactly what we need. He is working all thing’s out for our good.

Become a student of your spouse. Study them. Get to know them better than you think you do. Learn how they think. And learn what their needs are and how they feel loved. Become a student of God’s word. Look daily for who He is and what He has done. It helps you know and trust Him. It affects all areas of your life especially your marriage!