Where has the time gone?
So seriously guys, I am all messed up. For what you ask? For not writing anything in my blog for a super duper long time. Yeah, that would be life you hear in the background. It has a way of just getting in the way. No that doesn’t sound right. I’ve just been extremely preoccupied with other opportunities and spending time refining my life.
I am reading Dan Miller’s book 48 Days To The Work You Love. You guys need to pick this book up, it’s absolutely amazing. While struggling to find consistent work in my industry, I felt it absolutely necessary to look into this book and I have not been disappointed. This book outlines a new and fresh approach to that childhood question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
He believes we all have:
- unique skills and abilities
- personalities traits
- values
- dreams
- passions
From theses areas we can find clear patterns to make career and job decisions. Dan Miller explains that theses patterns create a compass, providing a sense of continuity in the midst of inevitable job changes and workplace unpredictability. 85% of the process of finding proper direction comes from looking within; only 15% comes from the application to career choices.
So, with holding these ideas close to me, I am on a journey searching for the perfect job to fit my vocation, which just happens to be; to change the world through my relationships in Hollywood. Wish me luck, I’m gonna need a whole lot of it.
Check out Dan Miller’s site here: http://www.48days.com/
Working Hard
I am a firm believer that hard work pays off. However, it frustrates me beyond belief to know that there is a generation of youth that have bought into the lie that anybody can become rich and famous. I don’t blame them though. I mean, what else are they lead to believe when the media is constantly praising the likes of Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian, just to name a few. And what exactly are they famous for? Well, probably spending their parents money. But wait a sec, maybe I am being a bit harsh. I am sure Kim has some kind of talent, right? I mean, maybe she can act? Wait a sec that won’t work. OK, OK, I know. What if she could sing? Ha! Never mind. Have you heard that song? I mean come on!! Talk about passionless! Now the beat, the beat is ok, but that song straight up stinks.
It’s funny seeing people who are famous for nothing try to be good at something. It’s almost as if their soul knows deep down inside that there has to be something more. I am convinced that we all share this same desire, the desire to become. “Become what?,” you may ask. To become something bigger than yourself. I call it destiny. You have a story that only can be told when you step out in faith to live the life God set you apart to live. You were created to dream. You were created to risk. If you do not risk, you can never truly live you story.
I have been recently struggling to find consisted work. But what a blessing the work that has come in been to us as a family. I have passions. I have dreams. I chase those dreams because deep in my soul I know that this is what I was created to do. It’s been a year of blind faith. With no consistent paycheck and with a passion to become debt free, you can see that there are ample opportunities to feel lost, scarred, and discouraged. Many people trip out when I tell them that we never really know when the next paycheck is in the mail, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Everyday I work hard to make new connections and new opportunities. Sometimes I feel like I am waisting my time, but then I remember that one day my son or daughter will come to me in a discouraging moment looking for a glimpse of hope. On that day I will tell them to never give up on their dreams. This is what keeps me going. I work hard because I know that the dreams I have in my soul where put there on purpose. God has crafted each one of us with talents and passions that lead the way to a purposeful life. Take time to quite your mind and your heart and ask what those are.
Hard work does still pay off my friends and do not let anyone tell you otherwise. If we all worked a little harder, sacrificed a little more, maybe, just maybe more people would be inspired to once again dream.
“We are the music makers, and we are the dream of dreams.” as said by Willy Wonka (by Arthur O’Shaughnessy)
One dream we have to is become debt freeeeeee!
Goal Checkup
So how are your goals? You remember don’t you? At the beginning of the year I suggested that you take some time to sit down and write out some goals. Not just any goal’s, but goals that were specific and had a time frame attached to them. So how goes it? Have you found this difficult? Has it been easy? What kind of benefits have come from setting written goals?
Zig Ziglar once said, “If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time.”
I have to admit…I lost focus. I did, I really did. But not with all my goals, just the ones that I forgot about. Here’s why:
In order to stick to goals you must be reminded of them daily. This is why I suggested to print them out or post them to stickies. Because we do not have a printer right now, I simply had to rely on remembering them or the occasional glance at the original word doc. However, I was not entirely disappointed with my first attempt at written goals.
The last time I read two books was probably when I was in High School, so like fourteen years ago. Sick, I know. Anyways, that’s what I set out to do and that is what I accomplished. I have to admit, it was hard at first. But just like riding a bike, once you get back on it all comes back to you. I am now in LOVE with reading.
We got rid of our cable tv on New Years Eve and have not looked back since. I replaced this time with reading and other productive activities. It feels so great to not have the distraction of the television in our life. We have seriously been able to do so much by just shutting the tv off! Maybe you should think of doing the same.
So what did I read? Well, it should not be a huge shock to you that it was something financially related as we are serious about our debt free journey. Both books are by Dave Ramsey, Financial Peace Revisited and The Money Answer Book. Both books got me excited for this journey we are on. I am now moving on to The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley. Are there any books you recommend? It may seem weired, but I just cannot believe it took me this long to enjoy reading. Reading is really the path to knowledge. The more you read the better informed you’ll be.
Keep working hard toward your goals. Mine are now printed out and on my desk. Writing them in a calendar also helps and acts as another form of tangible accountability. It’s tough, but keep moving forward.
Here is a link to Financial Peace Revisited and The Money Answer Book
Happy Birthday Sweet Ella
It was about 2:30 A.M. when Anna woke me up. Half awake, I could hear her, but did not make out clearly what she was telling me. Then I heard her LOUD AND CLEAR …I think it’s TIME!! That’s right, baby Ella was on her way. As I look back on that early morning, I remember both being excited and calm. You can plan and plan what that morning would look like, but until it comes you never are really ready for what the unexpected can bring.
From our sitter not being ready for a 3:30 am call, to having what seemed like no family around, we took what was given to us and enjoyed every minute. God had his hand on that morning. Several hours later both Anna and I would find ourselves basking in the new found love for our baby girl, Ella Marie.
Looking back, we were so blessed to have such an amazing and quite arrival. Our 1st few hours with our baby girl were so special. We cried, we laughed and we dreamed. We dreamed of a life so special and blessed, full of opportunity and purpose. I could only remember that I kept telling my self, “Remember this! Remember the smells, the feelings, the moment.” Life has a way of helping you remember. I went home that evening to be with Caleb. Even though my heart ached to be away from my wife and new baby, Caleb need daddy. But, Ella needed daddy more.
My phone rang earlier than I would expect the following morning. It was Anna, and she did not sound good. Ella had been rushed to the NICU because her breathing was not normal. Every thought ran through my head that morning as I rushed to the hospital. “This was not suppose to happen to us.” But, it was real and it was really happening. Ella spent the next three days in the NICU as they monitored her. Having a spinal tap done not once, but twice! Our hearts were heavy, but they soon were filled with great thanksgiving.
Ella was released from the NICU after only a three day stay. Doctors could not explain what was wrong with her or what she had, but all the test came out negative and we were headed home. Looking back at that time, I can’t help but remember feeling so cared about. Our community of faith at Mosaic, our FB friends, and our families wrapped us in their love and prayers.
This year has passed by so extremely fast. Looking at our little girl now you’d never know that she had such a stressful beginning to her life. She is so graceful and calm. She is a sweet soul. When I look at her I am reminded about our journey in life. We all face moments where our faith and hope is tested. It’s in those moments of adversity we find out who we really are. Who we turn to, says even more about our character.
Happy Birthday baby Ella. You are truly a “Light” to all.
A special video to celebrate Ella’s first year:
So Much On My Mind…
There has been so much going on in my own head recently. With work kind of slow right now I’ve been forced to do a lot of thinking. I love what I do and would not change a think about the areas of interest I am passionate about. However, I cannot get the idea out of my head that God wants me to think bigger! Yes, I love composing music and creating sound, but is that really all I am supposed to do? I cannot listen to my internal heckler any longer. I am really being challenged and stretched. There are simply not enough hours in the day for the kind of thinking and dreaming that has been happening.
This week I found myself turning to a world that has kind of been unknown for me. The world of youtube. Youtube has changed a lot of how we interact. Stumbling through a few videos, I could not help but wonder why I have not taken full advantage of this kind of social networking. So, together, Anna and I decided to put this form of communication to work.
This week we launched our own youtube channel. I never thought that we would have the courage to do something like this, but here we are. Our channel is going to document our journey to become debt free! We are so excited about the things we have learned through Dave Ramsey’s financial wisdom that we want to share our journey. Our goal is to encourge others who have bought into the lie that they cannot change their financial situation. We are a family of 4 living in SoCal trying to live below our means and we want to bring hope to others that it can be done! It has been an up and down road the past few months with income not really being what we need it to be, but we have hope that this year will yield some amazing opportunities to tackle our financial goals.
We hope to encourage you, excite you and challenge you as we document our life. We also need to learn from you so your interaction with us is going to be crucial. I know I may sound like a broken record, but we truly believe Dave’s mantra that “If you will live like no one else, later you can live like no one else.” That being said, our youtube channel has been appropriately named “LivLikeNo1Else.” Here is the link to the channel and we invite you to follow us.
http://www.youtube.com/user/LivLikeNo1Else?feature=mhum
To accomplish our goal of becoming debt free and staying that way, we need accountability. So, we ask you for just that, accountability. If you too are on your own journey to financial freedom, drop us a line and let us know where you are or how we can help you. Life is no fun going through it alone, so reach out and let life begin to happen.
Blessings, Joel
2011…Live for the Future!
Ok, so with work kind of slow and a mind full of dreams for the New Year, I have to say that this year is already off to a great start. First things first, Goals!
I tuned into The Dave Ramsey Show today, which has a new time for all you Los Angeles peeps 11am-2pm, and got some awesome motivation. As mentioned in previous posts, Anna and I are on a journey to become debt free. We are so excited to see what this year has in store for us. As we were reminded this weekend, we are choosing to look at 2010 as a year to build on. What if all that happened last year was simply preparation for all what lies ahead in 2011. Think about it for a minute. Stop living in the past and focus on the future. We have to continue to build on the events of our past. For me, the next step is setting goals. When is the last time you set some written goals? I set some every month now, it’s called a budget. But life is teaching me that it’s time to think bigger! Tunning in to The Dave Ramsey Show today I heard what everybody needs to hear. I wrote it down quickly so some of it may not be exact wording, but it’s pretty stinking close!
…courtesy of The Dave Ramsey Show
7 types of goals you should have for 2011…
- Financial Goals-Is it time to get on a budget? Do you want to attack your debt? Sit down and think about this.
- Intellectual Goals-When is the last time you actually read a book? Not a magazine, a book. Time to learn people. Want to become a better parent, spouse, friend? READ!!
- Family Goals-Do you need to take your wife out on a date? Spend more time with your kids? Make a plan to do it!
- Spiritual Goals-If you’ve never read the scriptures, maybe there’s never been a better time to start.
- Physical Goals-Stop wishing you could lose a few pounds, shut up and do it!
- Career Goals-Do you dread Mondays? Hate that cubicle? Time to dream, time to risk, time to make a change.
- Social Goals-Stop saying “We should get together soon.” Make it happen! Start spending time with more people. You cannot go through life alone. We need each other.
5 Things Goals Need To Be…
- Specific-For example, “I want to lose weight.” That’s a specific goal.
- Measurable-”I want to lose 10 lbs.” That’s measurable
- They Need to be Your Goals-You cant have a goal that is someone else’s. Listen to your heart, not your father’s or spouse’s. Be true to what you dream about.
- Time Line-This makes the goal real and gives you a specific time frame to accomplish it.
- Write them Down-Writing your goals down on paper does something to your psyche. It empowers you and makes it real. Write them down, print them out, keep ‘em posted to your mirror, keep a copy in your pocket. Do whatever it take to constantly see them. This is extremely powerful and one of the most important steps in accomplishing your goals.
I hope this help motivate you as it did myself. Take some time this week to sit and dream. Write out your goals and make a plan. If you are married, go out for coffee and dream of what 2011 could look like if you implement some goals. “Learn from the past, live in the present, live for the future.”-@erwinmcmanus
“A written goal is the only goal of value.” not to sure who said this, but it’s awesome!
“Saddle your dreams before you ride them.” Mary Webb
Tune in to the Dave Ramsey Show LIVE every Monday-Friday 11am-2pm on KFWB 980 Am in Los Angeles. Or, visit http://www.daveramsey.com/article/top-8-reasons-to-make-goals-and-stick-to-them/lifeandmoney_goalsetting/lm3/ for more info on setting goals.
Looking for a community of faith? Visit http://mosaic.org/ for a location near you.
2010 A year of blessings
It was this time last year that I knew 2010 was going to be special. This was kind of a big deal since I never really had that kind of feeling before. I just knew that God had something big in store for us. And I was right. Anna and I had a year unlike any other we’ve experienced in our nearly 7 years or marriage. I’d like to take a moment one this last day of 2010 to highlight a few memorable moments this year had for us. This post is a bit longer than usual, but hopefully worth the read.
It all started with a kids show, The Wannabes Starring Savvy. I was asked to check out some audio tracks and previous mixes the producers brought by one day. They were not happy with what they had so far and wanted help. Quicker than I could blink, I was supervising and mixing the show. Four episodes into everything I was also asked to take over composing duties for the show and the rest of the year was full of fun and great times working on that show. The Wannabes Starring Savvy is an international hit. Airing in over 60 contries right now, they are still trying to find a home network in the states. My prayer and hope is that they do and are able to work on a 3rd season. You can learn more about The Wannabes Starring Savvy at http://www.thewannabes.tv/
On January 30th our life got a whole lot better. Ella Marie Catalan, our daughter, was born into this world. Our second blessing from the Lord above and the 1st granddaughter for both sides of the family. Labor and delivery were a different experience this time around. With our son Caleb, who was 11lbs I might remind you all, things at the hospital seemed stressful. This time, there was peace and calm. It was an amazing day. Ella has grown all year long. Her beautiful smile and calm spirit have brought new life into our family. Ella is now walking and full of life. She sings, dances and plays games with mommy and daddy. She is such a precious woman. Just when you thought you couldn’t love anymore, God does something amazing and gives you a gift, the gift of life!
In April I faced one of my biggest fears, my money. I felt like I was drowning and there seemed to be no way out. But come to think about it, this was the way it had been for years. Back when Anna and I both got married we had quite a bit of debt. I think it was around $14,000 in credit card debt, ouch! We were actually able to get out of that in 3years, but I still had a major problem. I did not know how to behave with my money. There was no plan for our future. And on a Sunday evening in April, I was reminded that it needed to all change. I prayed for an answer. “Anything God”, I asked. So, one day while driving into Hollywood, I was introduced to The Dave Ramsey Show. I was looking for traffic info on AM 980 but was disappointed when I head talk radio. I was so irritated! But something kept me listening. This guy made sense, and for the first time in a very long time, I had hope. I quickly read his “Total Money Makeover” and became a regular listener. “Live Like No One Else, So Later You Can LIVE Like No One Else!!!” We quickly began changing how we behaved with our money. We were introduced to dreaded “B” word, a Budget! It took some time to get used to, 3 months to be exact, but the results were amazing. We now had a financial game plan. Stumbling across Dave Ramsey and his ministry has forever changed us. We are now on our way to becoming debt free. And hopefully this time next year we will be a whole lot closer. What are you doing in 2011 to clean up your finances? Why not join us in our journey? Visit http://www.daveramsey.com/ for more info on the road to financial freedom!
This year was also a year to become healthier. Food is an extremely personal subject for many of us. For myself, growing up in a Hispanic family, eating and health did not really go together. Don’t get me wrong, we always had plenty of great tasting foods, but there was never stress about eating healthy. So, when our dear friend Lisa asked if she could use us as a case study for her new ebook, I have to admit I was a bit reluctant. Let’s face it, to eat healthy in America is expensive. With us trying to get out of debt I was not at all happy about trying to change our eating habits. But Lisa is amazing! Her goal was to teach us that it could be done. You can eat healthier and stick to a budget. With the combined groceries of Trader Joe’s and the .99 Store, we have now been eating healthier and feeling great for 6 months. I’ve lost 30lbs from simply making healthier food choices. Anna and I are so grateful for the time and effort our dear friend Lisa poured into us. Check out her blog at http://radiantmothersproject.com/
May 15th my Bride and I celebrated 6 years of marriage! I cannot begin to tell you how fast it all has gone by. I know people say stuff like that all the time, but really, it has been so much fun getting to know Anna at a much deeper level. I have fallen deeper in love with her. We have journeyed this year and dreamed of what our lives could be like years from now. I am blessed to have her. She is woman who is loved and respected in her community and family. She gives hope to the hopeless and love to those who need it. She is a wonderful mother and wife. Life gets better everyday with her and I truly blessed! Looking forward to our 7th year celebration.
Caleb turned 3 this year! What an amazing little man. This boy continually amazes his mother and I with his tender heart and energy. This boy loves, and I mean LOVES baseball. There were times throughout this year that I would seriously pitch batting practice to him everyday for weeks straight. This kid is good. Better than some 6 year olds. We think it’s a special gift to him, but more importantly, he’s a special gift to us. We have seen him grow and his conversations are becoming more deeper. He knows that God loves him and can tell you opening that Jesus is in his heart. He is so precious. I cannot imagine my life without knowing and loving Caleb. He is our little man!
Thanksgiving was such a special time. We spent it with my immediate and extended family. Hosted at my parents house, I was in charge of the turkey. The turkey has kind of been my thing the past few years. Since I started brining my turkeys, I have produced some of the moistest and tastiest turkeys I’ve ever had. Someday I’ll post my video diary from that Thanksgiving so you can all check out how I do it. I have been so thankful for the amazing year we have had. It was a great Thanksgiving!
Christmas time for our family this year was so special. I will forever remember this Christmas as the one that changed our Christmases forever. We were able, for the 1st time, to pay cash for everything and stuck to a simple budget for the holiday. But more importantly we took time to enjoy each other. We learned that time and family are more important than the glitz and glamour the commercials want you to think it’s about. We spent time looking at Christmas lights, reading the Christmas Story, baking, singing and eating. We had an amazing Christmas and look forward to next years with hope and excitement.
So, this was my year. It was full of excitement and challenges. I found hope in the small things, experienced a ton of love, and grew in faith. I hope you had a similar year. If you did not, my prayer for you is that God shows you what life could really be like this next year. You are all very special to me. You are part of what makes my social network special. We have the unique opportunity with social networking to experience each others life from afar. I hope that my life has helped encourage a few of you to life live to the fullest. Live is amazing when you live with purpose and intention. I bid you a wonderful 2011. Here’s to excitement, adventure, and purpose!
Blessings, Joel
Cloudy With A Chance Of…Hope?
“Have you ever felt like you were a little bit different. Like you had something unique to offer the world, if you could just get people to see it…Then you know exactly how it felt to be me.” Flint Lockwood
These words, as simple as they seem, are not the opening lines to some profound speech, or better yet, some prolific author. No, they are the opening words to “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs”. I never really paid any attention to the opening scene the few times our son Caleb had seen the film. I just figured it was another cute film about silly stuff that seemed to captivate my son and so many kids alike. But this morning those words took on a whole different meaning.
I’ve always felt that I was different. When I was 12 years old I wasn’t spending my extra time playing ball or running around with my friends. I was leaning how to play the saxophone. You see, my dad played in high school and kept playing into his adult life, or at least until he had us kids. I remember hearing dad playing in his room and I was fascinated, swept away. I would press my ear up against the door just to get closer to that warm sound that drew me in like a moth to light. My mom often encouraged me to ask my dad to teach me, but I was too shy, or better, scared. I didn’t know why, but as I look back it was probably because I was afraid to fail. I eventually mustered enough courage to ask my father to teach me how to play and he did.
So, in junior high while everyone was listening to Boyz II Men and Red Hot Chili Peppers, I was listening to Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Gene Krupa. I would listen to those old records for hours, trying to figure out how to play those sax solos. I memorized all the parts, could sing them with precise accuracy. I was different. Some called me a nerd and a geek. I would ride my bike to school everyday and would die a little from humiliation because my bike had a rack attached to carry my sax. Silly when I look back on it, but that was my reality.
In the movie, Flint was made fun of because he had a passion for something that was different than what his classmates were interested in. He made spray on shoes growing up. How awesome is that?! But, in reality, being different was hard for him. I think often in our lives, we dismiss any thought that being different may be a unique gift. Instead, we look at being different as a burden, or some kind of character flaw. However, I want to challenge that thinking. What if we were created to be more that what we are right now? I believe with all my core that we were created to live a life full of purpose and destiny. There is a story out there waiting to be lived out. What’s the story you want to tell? Is it one that will forever change your family tree? Or is it one that will be heard for a moment, but then forgotten.
Flint ran away from school that day he shared his passion for science crying and feeling hopeless. But even his mom knew there was something special in her son.
“The world needs your originality Flint. You just have to grow into it and I know that you are going to do big things someday.” ~Fran Lockwood
She was right. I think we all have people in our lives who have said this in one way or another. But, if you’re anything like me, chances are there were a few times in life that it went in one ear and out the other. Well, if it’s been a while, I’m here to tell you that I believe in you. Playing the saxophone has taken me all over the world. I’ve seen things and been to places that I could have never imagined. Music is part of my make up, it’s what makes me, me. There is something that makes you, you. Hold onto that, own it, risk it all. Remember, everything you are forced to do isn’t you at all. God gave you the inherit desire deep in your soul to become something. Something original, something special and unique. Something different.
“People who take high responsibility for their life are the people who take the greatest risks in life” -~Erwin McManus
What I’ve learned being unemployed
For the past three months work has been pretty much non existent. I use to work at a sound facility where I was a full time employee. I would work 40 hrs a week and sometimes more. However, the facility was sold to new owners and with that move pretty much everyone was made freelance. The days of guaranteed work and consistent pay periods were over. This happened in June and ever since then life has shown me a different side of herself.
I am the kind of guy that cannot stand still, literally and figuratively speaking. Soon after my last day mixing at the previously mentioned facility, I found myself stressing out to find work. I was constantly checking email for any glimmer of hope for work. I knew that I would have work in November, good work, union paying work, but what would I do until then. I had to make money, my family was counting on me. Being the sole bread winner for our family, I began to stress out very quickly.
Back in April of this year, we began to take charge of our finances, the Dave Ramsey way. It was not long until our “Total Money Makeover” was in full gear. (more on our “TMM” in a future post). So, because we have now had several months of budgeting under our belts, we were fortunate to have learned some new money behaviors. It was these new learned behaviors that got us through such an uncertain time. I really believe that without the financial game plan we had in place we would not have been able to enjoy the time I had been unemployed. That’s right, I said enjoy!
Far too often we are influenced to think that the only way to a happy and successful life is to give ours away to a career or the pursuit of one. I’ll never forget the 1st time I asked for advise from a very successful composer. This man was everything I wished to be. He had worked with the likes of John Williams and Barbra Streisand. This guy knew his stuff and how lucky of me to have personal contact to ask him whatever I want. I was certain that he would be the man to give me the advise I was looking for as to how to break into the scene as a composer. I wrote that first email and got a response almost right away. I was surprised that his advise was entirely non-musical. He encouraged me not to get caught up with the pursuit of a successful career trying to climb that ladder at all cost. Instead, spend time with those you love. Take care of your family and your relationships because in the end, this is all that matters.
That email is about 5 years old, but you know what? I still hear those words loud and clear. The past few months have been hard because I have not had much work, but once I began looking at my time at home as time to invest in my family, my life has never been sweeter. This has definitely been the most time I’ve spent at home in then past 6 years. It has been a time to love on our kids, to date my wife again, and dream of creating situations that help me stay at home more. Work begins for me again next week and I’ll be back to some long days. But I can tell you this much, coming home to my family after a long days work will feel much more sweeter. Home really is were your heart is.
To My Bride…
Song to a Good Wife
A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long. She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing. She’s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises. She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day. She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she’s put aside, plants a garden. First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started. She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day. She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking. She’s quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor. She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear. She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks. Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers. She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops. Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile. When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly. She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive. Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise: “Many women have done wonderful things, but you’ve outclassed them all!” Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God. Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!
Prob. 31:10-31
To My Bride…
You are a good woman, a great mom and an even better lover. You may not always feel that way and I may not always remind you of it, but I want you to know that in my core, deep in my soul, you are always these every moment of the day.
At times, your body feels the stress of your joints, or the exhaustion of your fatigue, but your spirit is never down, you heart never broke. You look ahead to better days. and they do come. I know that when your body gives up on you your soul never does. Your heart is full of love, enough love for the whole world. And we are blessed to be the closest to your love and your heart.
Anna, you amaze me with the life you live, the choices you make and the vision you have for your future. You are filled with passion and life, people who know you see a radiant light that shines clear across any room. You befriend the friendless and nurture your close friendships. I’ve never met another woman who seeks constant knowledge and wishes to better herself with information. You are a true seeker.
God has truly smiled down on you and your life. I see his reflection in your own smile, in the glimmer of your eyes. Your beauty is captivating, your heart is love. You are the woman I’ve always dreamed of and I get you all to myself, for the rest of my life. I am the luckiest man alive.
