Blog break is OVER!

I haven’t posted for a long time!  Truth is I have been doing some thinking about my good old blog.  I guess I will call it a blog break.   I have been on a blog break.  I am honestly sick of the break!

If you have been keeping up with my blog, you probably noticed that I deleted my most recent post called, "Cold Hands and Great Books".  I deleted this post because there was some question as to whether or not the books I talked about were appropriate for my blog.  I know that the people who read this are diverse and I never want to offend.  I just want to share my life!

My very last post that started this break (and is now deleted) was about two amazing books that I am currently reading. 

The first book was written by my good friend/mentor who lives in the south of France.  In her book, Building the Christian Family You Never Had, Mary takes you through her troubled life as a child and then shares how she has determined to give her own children a different life than the one she grew up with.  I am only in the first few chapters, but already she has touched my heart with her writing.  I read the preface and introduction with tears streaming down my cheeks!  She is an amazing writer who makes you feel like you are right there with her.   I completely recommend this book, especially if you have children!  No people, I do not have children yet and I am not pregnant either, so don’t bother asking!

The second book is called Passionate Marriage.  Out of all the books I have ever read, this book has changed my life the most.  As a Christian, I have read many books on how to be a better wife, a good mom, and a loyal friend.  Honestly, I have been a little turned off by the books that I’ve read that have tried to use fear in "helping" me be a better wife, one day mom, and friend.   This book was recommended to me by a couple people that I trust and admire.  Two amazing people who I see as examples of Christ’s love.  They both saw my dependence on Justin and knew that God had more planned for me as a wife and recommended I read this book.  What they didn’t know is that I had many fears of sex, being married, and issues with standing up for myself in general.  So, I thought I would give it a shot.  I was honestly a little skeptical because I have been so turned off by other books on marriage, particularly on the topic of sex.  But as I began to read this book, I realized that sex is only a small part of what this book is talking about.  It is more about being your own person, finding who you are and standing up for that.  I feel like this book has helped me find who I am, be confident in that, and therefore it has helped me be a better wife and friend (maybe one day mom)!  It has honestly made a big difference in every aspect of our marriage, and I mean EVERY!  The one drawback to this book is that Dr. Schnarch is VERY explicit with the words and stories he uses.  It isn’t uncommon for him to give a play by play of someones experience in the bedroom, using words that I haven’t heard since high school.  It also isn’t uncommon for him to use the F-bomb.  I am super sensitive to this subject and easily disturbed by sex being turned into something that God did not intend it to be, but for me, this book has changed my life.  I have been able to somehow not be offended while reading it.  If you are married and would like learn some simple skills in standing up for yourself, not letting other people’s insecurities bring you down, and simply being who you are (as long as it is healthy) and being OK with that, I would check this book out.   If you are sensitive to graphic language, then this probably isn’t the best book for you!

I know that the book is a little daring in it’s words.  I wish it wasn’t because more people, especially Christians, would read it.  I didn’t write the book though.  I am simply saying that this book has changed my life.  Now you know what to expect if buying and reading this book! 

I have decided that the purpose of my blog is to share my life with you!  That means my LIFE!  I am very excited about what God is doing in me right now!  I want you to know the things that interest me, the things that change my life, the things that I do here in Paris just to have a good time, the silly and crazy things that I do on a daily basis.  I want my friends in the States to really know how I am doing and the best way I see doing this is to share my life!  Part of my life is the ways in which I am growing.  Right now one of the biggest ways I am growing is through Passionate Marriage.