Our Top 10 Things we LOVE to do Together

Spending most of your time with a bunch of teenagers can be taxing, especially on the marriage side of things.

Three night's out of the week my husband and I are at church giving all of our energy to others, and the other four days are usually spent recuperating.

With that being said...for those of you who are in the same boat...remember that it's important to spend time with your spouse outside of youth group and church functions.

The very center of your marriage hinges on spending quality time together and enjoying one another's company.

I know this from experience because when Mr. YM and I don't take time for us...we get cranky and irritated with one another instead of living out 2 Corinthians 13 (you know...the chapter in the Bible about Love...). 

Our Top 10 Things we LOVE to do Together

(These are not in any particular order.)

1.) Movie Night- this could mean going to the movies, renting a movie, or watching a movie on Netflix.

2.) Going to a local park or beach with a homemade packed picnic or fast food you picked up on the way.

3.) Arcade Fun- Find a local arcade where you can both have some friendly competition. (Mr. YM especially likes this one! :)

4.) Try a NEW restaurant every week OR at least once a month! We've recently been trying out all the Sushi restaurants in our area. We are super excited to have found a sushi HAPPY HOUR! Half price on all sushi rolls...why thank you I think I will!

5.) Go on a walk, hike or bike ride together! This can be exhausting sometimes, but sooooo worth it! It's like quality time and "FUN" exercise rolled into one...which I need desperately since I don't usually enjoy exercise.

6.) Figure out the local festivities and GO TRY SOMETHING NEW! Mr. YM and I found a local Rib Fest here in Miami last year and made a point to go to it again this year.  IT...WAS...AWESOME! Finger-lickin' good!

7.) Read a book together- This is something Mr. YM and I do occasionally and it's totally worth it! Although he is usually a much speedier reader and can retain more info than me, when we read together we are learning together. We share common thoughts about a certain subject and can reflect on the subject together. No this isn't something that's ascertainable all the time, but reading the same book together occasionally is pretty beneficial if I do say so myself. Some books we've read together...The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller, In a Pit with  a Lion by Mark Batterson, What's so Amazing about Grace? by Philip Yancey, and Enemies of the Heart by Andy Stanley.

8.) Plan a weekend trip together- It's fun and needed to just GET AWAY sometimes. Make time to go somewhere together to explore, relax and renew your minds. You'll be glad you did!

9.) Date Night- Pick one day/night a week that you spend together. It doesn't have to be super fancy. It just has to be the two of you. Sometimes Mr. YM and I just like to sit around and do nothing together. Just as long as we're in the same room enjoying each other's company.

10.) Pick a project and work on it together- This could be cleaning or fixing stuff around the house/apartment together...cooking together...making something. 

Now these are just our TOP 10, and I'm sure there are more ideas out there. Let me know if you have any other ideas or things that you and your youth minister spouse like to do together!

Have a blessed day!

Sincerely,

MYM Jessica

Uncomfortable moments and quick convictions

Sometimes it's difficult to understand why God puts us in certain situations.

Mr. Youth Minister and I have been living in Miami for about three months, and while that's probably not a long time, it sure feels like we've undergone a lot of changes in that time frame.

Many days I ask myself the question, "Why, God? Why did you call us here?"

And I usually don't get an audible answer, but I do see pieces of the puzzle coming together.

Just the other day God confronted me with one of those "this is out of my comfort zone" situations.

Now before I explain my story, let me preface that although I know in my head that God has called his followers to love EVERYONE, sometimes it's hard...so don't judge.

With that being said, the other day I had to pick up a prescription at Walgreens. Now if you know anything about Miami, you know that taking a trip to Walgreens isn't a light task.

You have to battle traffic...which is ultimately controlled by crazy people who think blinkers are unnecessary and honk their horns at you if you're not moving before the light turns green.

Soooo, I'm making my way through the heavy traffic to Walgreens, and after almost having a few panic attacks, I made it to the parking lot.

And if you knew anything about me, you'd know that I did a little victory dance right outside my car door.

You know what they say, "little victories."

As I made my way through the parking lot I also almost got hit a few times by once again, those crazy drivers.

Frazzled, I stepped under the front awning to walk through the front door, and saw a Hispanic man hunched over leaning against the wall.

As I walked by he looked up and made eye contact with me...

This is the part where it's "out of my comfort zone."

I knew when he looked at me that he was going to ask me for money.

Now, in Alabama, at least in small town Alabama, we don't have many "homeless" people.

So when we moved to Miami, I wasn't to used to seeing so many people in those types of situations.

And I also wasn't used to the fact that some may not actually be homeless, they're just panhandlers. And I also wasn't used to the fact that some are a little unstable or have major addictions, so no, they don't want food...they want your money...and they want it now.

So you see, when I made eye contact with the man, my first thought was , "Oh no, I'm not sure if this guy is crazy or not...or really even needs my money..."

After making eye contact the man said, "Please mam, I don't usually do this, but I'm hungry, and I need money for food. Do you have any change you can give me."

 My next thought was brief, and without even really considering I said, "I don't have any change."

He then said, "It's OK. God bless."

Whew! Talk about a quick conviction.

"God bless?"

Really?

Here I was staring at a guy who really did need some kind of blessing, and he's the one blessing me.

So again without really thinking, I hurriedly walked into Walgreen's to the pharmacy counter.

As I stood in line I thought of the Hispanic man.

I then realized that without evening really trying I had let my uncomfortable feelings toward homeless people overshadow my convictions of helping and loving God's people.

Like so many of us do, I let me fears win out even though I know I have nothing and no one to fear accept God.

"If God is for me, who can be against me?"

I also thought about Peter when Jesus asked him three times, "Do you love me, Peter?" And Peter said, "Yes, Lord." And Jesus said, "Then feed my sheep."

Here I had a perfect opportunity to really love God's people and literally feed his sheep, not just through food, but through showing his love.

So after my quick conviction, I ran back through the store and outside to tell the man that I had found a little extra money to help him out.

"What would you like to eat?" I asked.

"Cookies," he said sheepishly.

"And to drink?" I asked.

"A coke."

So I went back inside, found some cookies, a coke, and a few extra things because I thought, "There's nothing nutritious about cookies and a coke."

After purchasing the food and my prescription, I went outside and handed him the bag of goodies.

 His eyes lit up, and then he began to tell me how he's been having a difficult season in his life. His brother had recently passed away, and he didn't want to ask his family for money.

He said he was grateful for the food, and if I needed any help with yard work or things fixed at my home he would love to do it for free, and that he could be found almost any day at Home Depot waiting for work.

We then exchanged a quick hug and he kissed me on the cheek.

In that moment, I received another piece to the puzzle, and realized that God's plan and purpose for us being here is far more amazing than I could have ever believed.

Through uncomfortable moments and quick convictions God is teaching me how to be loved by him, to really know him and in turn love his people.

I hope this brings you encouragement, and helps you to see that although we don't always understand God's plan, he really does have a purpose.

Even if it's facing some of your fears, bringing you out of your comfort zones and getting kissed on the cheek by a "homeless" man.

Until next time...

With His Love,
MYM Jessica