One Year Anniversary Getaway!
Nick's Cabin. New Auburn, WI. Me lighting the grill! I look like I've done this before, right?
The porch was quite the restful haven. We played lots of songs and sang and wrote. Definitely fun!
Cruisin'.
I like this pic. I feel like it reflects the plea of my heart... seeking light and freedom... seeking wisdom and glory from this great God of mercy. That is what marriage has really taught me. To seek. To ask for what I do not have. To glimpse moments of becoming complete in Him, of being healed by Him. The light in this pic is much like the light that Jesus has kindled in our marriage. He continues to shine on us, bless us and rescue us as we wrestle this battle of sin and life daily.
My baby lighting the fire. Good job baby!
We made blueberry/banana pancakes for breakfast... mmm mmm very good I must say.
We ate dinner at the "Larabee Lodge." If that doesn't sound hick-ish, I don't know what does! Beautiful view, no? Shortly after, Nick whooped me in a game of pig on the outdoor bball court. Not cool.
Awww. I am a lucky girl to be so loved.
I guess I love him too. Just a lil' bit. 
The lovely weekend ended in a deep scrub down of the entire cabin... I couldn't resist. Much like God has used marriage in so many ways to deeply clean and scrub me too! I know that sounds wierd... but roll with me peeps. After one year, I am SO THANKFUL the Lord has revealed so much of my need for Him to come and remove old things still festering deep within me. Things that I stubbornly and angrily don't want the Lord to see or change, but then He DOES it, He changes me daily, and I am a transformed woman by Christ in our marriage every morning. Our marriage is entirely a different relationship after one year of growing together. It has been hard, sweet, emotional, blessed, and so rich with God's faithfulness. I know the deep scrubs will keep coming over the years... and I am watching the Lord change me from a stubborn and angry surrenderer to a willing and humbled surrendering woman. I am so thankful for my husband, Nck, who loves me and adores me. There's no words to describe waking up to the likeness of Christ. Thank you, Jesus, for this man who gives His whole heart and mind to you and leads me through this life. Amen for the first year of marriage!
What Its Like to Be Five…
I have heard so many cute and hilarious (and heart-warming) comments from the kindergartners at Hope Academy that I just HAVE to post some of the things they say.
I hope it makes you smile!
“He’s not nice!”
“Look! I drew the doorway to heaven!”
“Did you know that its easier to do a handstand in the water than in the air?”
(In the middle of a speaker at the nature center field trip…) “MRS. STROMWALL! MRS. STROMWALL! Did you know they are building a WATER SLIDE for me at the YMCA!?!?!”
“Mrs. Stromwall, you look like Mrs. Jacobs. Except your hair is messier!” (haha… white and blonde… I guess we stand out together. And apparently my hair is messier! haha.)
“Mrs. Stromwall, you have a neclace, so you’re a mommy.”
“You smell like you took a bath today, Mrs. Stromwall.” (lol!)
“Mrs. Stromwall, can you even drive? You don’t look like you can drive.”
That’s all I got for now! (And hey, I CAN drive thank you very much!)
Breathing This In
I’m getting more and more into this. Blogging from remote locations in the moment when something captures me. I am watching small boats ripple through water like glass up at the rustic Stromwall cabin. So Many days are a fight to get up, but today God woke me up to His peace, His silence, His glory, His healing. And coffee. This is great breathing in this creation He allows us to dwell in.
Two large themes of my summer thus far have been healing and processing. These seasons come and go, and for the moment I am soaking in this slow and rejuvinating grace.
Thank you, Jesus, for being the healer of all of us who are suffering and for letting us come to you as we are.
