THE GUYS BEHIND THE BLOG // April Link-Up

It is that time again! Boy did the month fly by! So here we go… Let’s see what Mr.QD had to say?

1 // Has Starbucks ever spellled your name wrong on a cup? If yes, what’s the craziest way that someone has spelled it?
Yes. Just Willie with a Y instead. Nothing too crazy!

2 // Who would play your wife/fiance/girlfriend in a movie or TV show about your lives?
Mr. – Uhmm what’s that girl’s name from the Notebook and the Vow?
Mrs. – Rachel McAdams? Her, really? Why?
Mr. – I dunno. Because she comes out in all romantic movies and because you are a hopeless romantic.
Mrs. – Ok?
Mr. – Well this is a hard question because I don’t know celebrities. I mean I still think that the girl from friends (Phoebe) is the same girl from 27 Dresses (Katherine Heigl). Ok ok let me think… Oh I know! The wife from King of Queens (Leah Remini)?
Mrs. – Seriously? Why her?
Mr.  – Yeah her! I dunno because she is direct, speaks her mind, Doesn’t back down, and she is really funny!
Mrs. – Seriously? Her?
Mr. – Yeah babe, because you are REALLY FUNNY!
Mrs. – SURE!

3 // What is your proudest accomplishment?
Marrying you? Or graduating from college.

4 // What is your favorite holiday and why?
Christmas, because it has a lot of memories. Also because it is a warm season. And of course the birth of my savior!

5 // What is your favorite breed of dog?  If you don’t have a favorite breed, describe the characteristics of your ideal dog (or cat)!
Definitely not a maltese! I mean he is a good puppy but I don’t like him.
(1. this is the breed of our current dog // 2. he isn’t a puppy anymore but i like to think he still is // 3. he says it’s his wife’s dog // 4. deep down inside he loves him)

If I could have my way… it would be between a Rottweiler and a German Shepherd. Strong, big dogs. Remind me of my fine self. Fearless, brave, strong, and protects.

And there you have it… the MAN has spoken! Hope you enjoyed Mr.QD’s response. We had a good laugh doing this month’s GBTB! Stay tuned for next month’s post, and if you missed last month’s here it is!

PEONY PROJECT // Peace

I think it is so fitting that this month’s Peony Project post is on PEACE. I will be honest, this is an area in my life that is quite difficult for me. For those who know me well, they know that I like to stay busy. I am often over committed. I do not know what it is but I seem to inflict stress upon myself often. In turn, I struggle with being still. My life is often chaotic.

How do I find peace in it all? Honestly, it is Christ that sustains me. Majority of the things I do that keep me so busy is done for other people (essentially for Christ of course). For example, my job. I have a full time teaching job. I probably am more invested than I should be at times but my job to me is not merely just a job but a ministry. I love my job and all that it entails. I love my students, the families I serve, my colleagues, the school I work at, the district I work at, my administrators, etc. Is it all peachy all the time? Of course not, but I love it because at the end of the day I know that I am using my God given gift to teach for the Lord.

One way I find peace in the chaos is by spending quality time with my husband. If you think I am busy, my husband is even busier! Currently he is a full time student during the week, then works in the ER on the weekends, still manages to make it to church on Sunday and we serve the Junior High group at our church together. I have found that life seems to be the most chaotic when I am not rehearsing the Gospel daily and when my husband and I are not on the same page. We try to spend a minimum of one evening a week to touch base and to be sure that we as a couple are centering our marriage on Christ.

Then individually speaking, I find peace in it all the chaos through my daily meditations. My pastor, Milton Vincent wrote this amazing book called the Gospel Primer.  The book speaks of “…preach(ing) the gospel to yourself each day…” Every morning as I drive to work I rehearse the Gospel to myself. My morning commute is a sacred time for me as I foresee my long day before me, and I find peace in knowing that the Lord is by my side each stride of the day. I take comfort in also knowing that each challenge that I may encounter is sovereignly placed before me to sanctify me.

1 Corinthians 10:13 is often thrown around. You may have heard “the Lord will never give you anything you can’t handle” as this is true it is important to read the verse in its full context.

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”

Here is a great blog post that breaks this passage down in the context in which Paul intended.

With all the said, Jesus is my peace in all the craziness of life. I would love to hear what is your peace in the chaos of life. Also, let me know if you read the blog post on 1 Corinthians 10:13. I’d love to hear your reflection!