La Luna de Miel

Barak the Vote?

I say that with a question mark because I am not sure whom I am endorsing quite yet. Like anyone cares...but, still I have not yet decided where my vote will land.

Yesterday, my husband and I went to hear Barak Obama speak at a political rally here in Dallas. We both decided to go and witness history in the making. I am proud to see a black candidate make it this far in a presidential race, and to see that he is in the lead! In my opinion, these are exciting times for our country!

I cannot believe we actually made it in the rally. There were soooo many people there; about 18,000 turned out to hear Barak's inspirational message of hope. While I don't agree with all of his political positions, I do agree with him that America was built on the foundation of hope...and look how far we've come.

But what is hope?

The theologian in me could not resist disecting his speech as he spoke of hope! My husband says I am always thinking in theological terms!! Sometimes I think I wear him out. But anyway, as a Christian I truly believe there are no divisions between the secular and the sacred. What does this mean? It means as a Christ-follower I am compelled to bring Christ, His teachings, and His cause into every area of my life. No exceptions. Everything is spiritual in life...from the way we care for our families, to our careers, to how we talk to the person who checks us out at Wal-Mart, to issues related ot government.

I say all of this to say, I do not place my hope in Barak Obama or in any politician. So, as people were yelling and getting excited about the hope he spoke of, I found myself not able to get all that worked up. I am not looking for Washington to solve the problems of the world: education, poverty, genocide in Darfur, economic distress, gas prices.

Now, can the Lord use the government as a vessel to bring hope to these hopeless issues? Yes. But, it will be the Lord, not any politician who will bring the ultimate healing to our land. I pray, like King David of Israel, that our next president will be one who recognizes their position as a means to exercise and bring hope, restoration, and righteousness to our land.

In the meantime, however, the church should be a pillar of light and hope to the world. Christ is the hope of the world, not the government. No matter what the world may think, Christ and the good news of the Gospel are relevant to today! Every single issue our country faces, Christ offers His hope, not just right now in the present, but hope for the future too!

Because one day, a Savior will be coming back to restore that which has been lost. Jesus will restore order where there has been chaos. He will restore peace where there has been war. Jesus will restore righteousness where there has been injustice. I hope as Chrsitians we will all long for that day when there will be no more need for hope, because it will be fulfilled upon our Lord's return!

I want to insert here: the harvest is plenty, but the workers are few. Our nation right here in the United States is a mission field, ripe and ready to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Let's get busy bringing the message of Christ's hope to our world. What an honor to be a vessel of hope to others. So, in all areas of your life, bring Christ's hope...in the classroom where you teach, in the way you conduct business, or in your children.

Back to the presidential race: I am looking for a candidate who will stand for what I believe in: equality among races and socio-economic lines, a concern for the environment, educating all children, ending genocide in Darfur, extending help to the homeless, sanctity of life, justice, and peace.

What candidate fits the things that are most important to me? I'm not quite sure yet. But, when I decide I will be sure to post my thoughts. I am hopeful that God will place exactly whom He wants to be in Washington to fulfill history and the times which we are living in.

Keep hope alive!

I just can't resist...

...posting a picture of me and my sweet husband!

This picture was taken last Saturday night at a friend's house. Our two friends just got engaged and we helped him (along with lots of other people) with the proposal! It was a fun night & we wish them well!

Can't believe how quickly time zips by all of us...seems just like yesterday we got engaged. I guess it's just another reminder why we should enjoy each day and thank God for the blessing of it!

Oh Happy Day!

The First 30 Days!

Well, hello again, world! I am officially a married woman of 30 days! I haven't posted in a while, because as you can imagine, life has been HECTIC! So, let's catch up...

The Wedding

Our wedding was amazing! It was all I had ever dreamed of! The day flew by. So, word to those about to get married: enjoy every moment, every detail, and every minute of your wedding day. I can't tell you how many people kept telling us to "take it all in." So many people came to celebrate with us, I was shocked! Old friends, new friends, and family I hadn't seen in a while. Weddings really do bring people together, even if just briefly.

The weather was perfect! Go figure, it was 75 degrees on an early January day in Texas! An answer to prayer, as we prayed for no ice!

Right after I put on my 18 pound, princess-like wedding dress (with the help of all 9 of my bridesmaides), my mom came over to me and gave me a hug and said, "I could just hold on forever and never let you go..." Ugh...that was when I lost it & the tears started to come. Everyone started acting goofy to make me laugh instead of cry! That was such a sweet moment...

Another memorable moment for me was when my groom came down the ailse to get me, his bride. (We did this as a symbolic picture of Christ, our Heavenly Groom, coming to get us, the Bride of Christ) He cried upon the moment of the chapel doors opening! And though he was supposed to walk down the ailse to get me, he did more of a sprint! He was coming to get me! It was so sweet, and I've never felt more wanted and loved in my life. Thank you, Lord.

Our Pastor, Dr. Tony Evans officiated our wedding, and one of the most memorable things I remember him saying to me is, "Lynzee, your husband will need your respect more than your love." Sweetie, I will endeavor with all my strength to do just that...

My sweet husband had one last surprise for me as we prepared to depart the reception, I walked out and to a 1959 vintage, white Rolls Royce named, "Cloud 9".

I think that is a perfect way to describe the array of emotions I felt that day. It really was as if we were on Cloud 9!

The Honeymoon

We left the next day for our honeymoon: a 7 day cruise to the Western Carribean. I had no idea where we were going, so that was a fun surprise too! He just told me how to pack. We woke up that morning and just wept again...we couldn't believe we were married & how beautiful the wedding was! All we could do literally was thank God!

The honeymoon was great! We ate until we got stuffed, and then ate some more! Unfortunately, I got sick the last 2 days of the cruise. I guess D got a taste of, "...in sickness and in health..." early on in our marriage! He did a good job as I vomited all over the bathroom! (Sorry, too much information!)

One of our favorite stops was to Belize. We went on a private island and relaxed, laid out by the ocean, and ate. We even got adventurous and went kayaking!

Back to Reality

So now it's back to life, back to reality. I've moved all of my stuff over to my new home finally! We have been working on getting our home together and in order. I LOVE this part! My husband has just been singing my praises about how nice our place looks. That makes me feel so good!

Some of you who know me and know I cannot cook would be happy to know, I have been in the kitchen burning it up! (Not literally...well just one time I burned our dinner!) We have made a vow to abstain from 'fast food' joints this year (yikes!), so that means eating lots of meals at home...now, there's a lofty idea!

So, what's next for us?

I know you guys are all wanting to ask, "When are you going to have a baby?" Isn't it funny how we just keep moving from thing to thing to thing instead of just enjoying the here and now? Next on our agenda is to slow down, enjoy one another, adapt and adjust to married life (in every detail: finances, relationally, etc.), and to take it one day at a time.

So, babies will come in their proper season. We'll leave that up to the Lord and His timing. But for now, I just want to sit back and reflect on the first 30 days of my marriage!