The Delisio's are beginning to settle into the married life. After just over 2 months doing the married thing, they seem to have a better handle on the in's-and-out's of being united to another human being.
Michelle started working 30 hrs/week with about a 1.5hr commute daily, a few weeks ago. Jason has since begun helping to keep up the daily chores and general cleanliness. The two are now earnestly trying to find time to spend quality time together, opposed to simply daily-tasks time together. One incredible advancement in the relationship because of all the juggling of tasks, is communication. Jason is sharing and expressing himself more than he ever has in his life, and Michelle is learning to put others needs before her own and to be a good listener always (not just when easy to listen)!
The budget lifestyle is going great. The Delisio's are getting creative with date ideas, learning how to save, curbing their impulsivity in spending, and learning to have correct perspectives about luxury vs. needs. God's blessings never end though: Jason will be getting a promotion in July, and Michelle's company allows her to work anywhere from 30-40 hrs/week at her convenience. MmmmmHmmmmm, God is good.
_ They still do need prayer, of course. Specifically for Jason, that he would experience God's peace completely. Pray for Jason to be able to give the things up to God which he is trying to hold onto and fix himself. Also that he is able to see himself the way God sees him, a blameless forgiven sinner who is loved unconditionally.
_ Please pray also that Michelle would be exactly the kind of supportive and encouraging wife that Jason needs as he battles against these sins. Pray that she be patient and selfless, and that her love would pour out continually, not only when she feels like loving.
Now the two are anticipating a few non-stop weeks of traveling. First, to Kentucky so Jason can be a part of his old friend's, Gabe Lawson, wedding! Then the following weekend the two are headed back to Ohio for a cousin's wedding and to pick up Michelle's old mattress from the Delisio's house. Their previous mattress ended up being a dud and did more harm than good, so they got rid of it. All of this going on while Michelle and Jason are with only a single car, as a close friend of theirs is in need and are borrowing their CRV for a couple weeks. * Prayers of safe travels for all would also be appreciated kindly!
Thanks for being such wonderfully loving friends! Until next time...
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
cookin good
Being a newlywed, I've been asked what I'm cooking or how I like being a new wife/household chef. I have a terrible memory so I can never remember what exactly I have been making! To remedy this (which will hopefully take some pressure off myself), and to appease all the mom's who want to make sure I'm doing my wifely duties and feeding my new hubby, I've decided to make a list of the dinner menu that I plan each weekend for the following week (Yeah, that's right. I'm a planner); so here's the menu of the past few weeks:
WEEK:
Mon- White Bean Fennel Soup
Tues- Date Night (shared pulled pork sand. at a local walk-up BBQ)
Wed- Lemon Garlic Tilapia
Thurs- Three Bean Salad, cheese & crackers
Fri- Artichoke & Sun-dried Tomato Chicken
Sat- PaneraBread-inspired black bean soup & fresh loaf of bread
Sun- Chicken Parmesean Casserole
And just as a side note, it's a pleasure to cook. I really enjoy it actually, and have liked it for a few years now. The fact that I come from a home that wasn't one with homemade meals doesn't mean that I don't valuing creating a home like that for us. To make it even more enjoyable, Jason has graciously been part of the culinary creations! Whether he is acting as a sous-chef or cleaning up the dishes after we've finished eating and chatting; Jason is a vital and equal part of our everyday family meals :) What a fantastic husband and an amazing life God has blessed me with!
WEEK:
Mon- Italian Sausage & Veggie Saute
Tues- Fiesta Salad (brown rice, diced bell peppers, grn onion, corn, etc.)
Wed- Date Night (shared a Panera Bread You-Pick-Two)
Thurs- Quinoa w/ Roasted Almonds & Cranberries
Fri- Revolution Church cookout! (I'm bringing my favorite, sweet treats)
Sat- breakfast quiche & grillin' steaks for din-din
Sun- Spicy Chicken Soup
Side Note 2: Usually I make sure to save some leftovers to pack in Jason's lunch for the next day. If there isn't any left after dinner, because it's just too good to have appropriate portion control, I make him a turkey/ham sandwich for his lunch the next day (along with veggies and a treat, of course!).
WEEK:
Mon- Slow Cooker Brisket
Tues- Date Night
Wed- Winter Lentil Soup
Thurs- Grilled Cheese w/ leftover soup
Fri- Veggie Pizza
Sat- Bible Study Cookout, we brought brownies with homemade frosting!
Sun- Veggie Burgers & Sweet Potato Fries
In addition to these delectable dinners, I often make some kind of fun sweet treat to have after dinner. Anywhere from butterscotch brownies, rice krispie treats, roasted pear sundaes, pumpkin frozen yogurt, to oatmeal chocolate chip cookies!!
It seems kind of crazy right now, but I predict that as I start working and we get into more of a routine we'll have more of a set menu/ list of things we typically eat. Right now it's just so fun to try all kinds of dishes, methods, and tons of different flavors!
WEEK:
Mon- Nutty Broccoli Slaw
Tues- Spicy Chicken Soup
Wed- Balsamic Chicken
Thurs- Spicy Pinto Beans & Cornbread
Fri- Special Wild Rice Salad
Sat- Date Night
Sun- Veggie Burgers, Sweet Potato Fries, Roasted Asparagus
WEEK:
Mon- White Bean Fennel Soup
Tues- Date Night (shared pulled pork sand. at a local walk-up BBQ)
Wed- Lemon Garlic Tilapia
Thurs- Three Bean Salad, cheese & crackers
Fri- Artichoke & Sun-dried Tomato Chicken
Sat- PaneraBread-inspired black bean soup & fresh loaf of bread
Sun- Chicken Parmesean Casserole
And just as a side note, it's a pleasure to cook. I really enjoy it actually, and have liked it for a few years now. The fact that I come from a home that wasn't one with homemade meals doesn't mean that I don't valuing creating a home like that for us. To make it even more enjoyable, Jason has graciously been part of the culinary creations! Whether he is acting as a sous-chef or cleaning up the dishes after we've finished eating and chatting; Jason is a vital and equal part of our everyday family meals :) What a fantastic husband and an amazing life God has blessed me with!
WEEK:
Mon- Italian Sausage & Veggie Saute
Tues- Fiesta Salad (brown rice, diced bell peppers, grn onion, corn, etc.)
Wed- Date Night (shared a Panera Bread You-Pick-Two)
Thurs- Quinoa w/ Roasted Almonds & Cranberries
Fri- Revolution Church cookout! (I'm bringing my favorite, sweet treats)
Sat- breakfast quiche & grillin' steaks for din-din
Sun- Spicy Chicken Soup
Side Note 2: Usually I make sure to save some leftovers to pack in Jason's lunch for the next day. If there isn't any left after dinner, because it's just too good to have appropriate portion control, I make him a turkey/ham sandwich for his lunch the next day (along with veggies and a treat, of course!).
WEEK:
Mon- Slow Cooker Brisket
Tues- Date Night
Wed- Winter Lentil Soup
Thurs- Grilled Cheese w/ leftover soup
Fri- Veggie Pizza
Sat- Bible Study Cookout, we brought brownies with homemade frosting!
Sun- Veggie Burgers & Sweet Potato Fries
In addition to these delectable dinners, I often make some kind of fun sweet treat to have after dinner. Anywhere from butterscotch brownies, rice krispie treats, roasted pear sundaes, pumpkin frozen yogurt, to oatmeal chocolate chip cookies!!
It seems kind of crazy right now, but I predict that as I start working and we get into more of a routine we'll have more of a set menu/ list of things we typically eat. Right now it's just so fun to try all kinds of dishes, methods, and tons of different flavors!
WEEK:
Mon- Nutty Broccoli Slaw
Tues- Spicy Chicken Soup
Wed- Balsamic Chicken
Thurs- Spicy Pinto Beans & Cornbread
Fri- Special Wild Rice Salad
Sat- Date Night
Sun- Veggie Burgers, Sweet Potato Fries, Roasted Asparagus
Monday, May 3, 2010
the book of Joshua
The book of Joshua is a perfect example of living fearlessly, based on the knowledge that God is with you and behind you in everything we encounter. In Joshua1:6-9 the words "courage" or "courageous" appear three times, each as part of God's command to be strong and take courage. Jason and I have been finding over the last 43 days or so, that in every new experience, situation, confrontation we encounter as a married couple that there is nothing to fear. God is with us, He is among us, He is directing and protecting us.
With this confidence in mind, we are currently discussing short and long term goals for our marriage, our life as a whole actually. Decisions such as which small groups to be a part of this summer; whether we should be in one as a couple or each individually become part of a gender-specific small group. We're praying for freedom from debt by Christmas of this year, and outlining a strict budget to help us achieve that goal. We are beginning to ask God where He would have us live once our lease is up next February: whether we should move closer to the church we're committing to, or we should stay where we are. The long term goals of owning a home and expanding our family with children have also been topics we've touched on. So with all these big decisions and the pressure that comes from having another's life to consider, we are apprehensive. Mmm... cautious is a better way of describing our attitudes I think, because we are confident in the Lord's protection and His strength behind us.
Say it. Pray it. Display it. - A good way to know and live God's calling for us. So we're saying it here and now: We will be strong and courageous, we will not be terrified for we know our God is with us. We are praying through these things regularly, seeking the Lord Himself; as well as seeking sound and godly council. Now all that's left for us to do is to act! To display our faith in Him and act according to what we feel led to by His will. God is so wonderful to have set up such easy-to-follow guidelines for us to be prosperous and successful (v. 9). Praise Him for His goodness and grace! Hallelujah!
Other than these bigger discussions and the obvious difficulty of setting (and sticking to!) a pretty strict budget, Jason and I are as happy as clams :) We've each adapted to the adjustment of being married and having a permanent roommate who we do everything with. Now the 'honeymoon stage' has finally begun to sink in. We are so content and so incredibly grateful to God for blessing us with this life together! Last night on our family walk (yes, Jason, Michelle, and Autumn take family walks fairly regularly) we were just smiling like school kids, talking about nothing, and praising Him for how far he has taken us in the last two years! It's a good life friends, and we owe it all to Jesus!
With this confidence in mind, we are currently discussing short and long term goals for our marriage, our life as a whole actually. Decisions such as which small groups to be a part of this summer; whether we should be in one as a couple or each individually become part of a gender-specific small group. We're praying for freedom from debt by Christmas of this year, and outlining a strict budget to help us achieve that goal. We are beginning to ask God where He would have us live once our lease is up next February: whether we should move closer to the church we're committing to, or we should stay where we are. The long term goals of owning a home and expanding our family with children have also been topics we've touched on. So with all these big decisions and the pressure that comes from having another's life to consider, we are apprehensive. Mmm... cautious is a better way of describing our attitudes I think, because we are confident in the Lord's protection and His strength behind us.
Say it. Pray it. Display it. - A good way to know and live God's calling for us. So we're saying it here and now: We will be strong and courageous, we will not be terrified for we know our God is with us. We are praying through these things regularly, seeking the Lord Himself; as well as seeking sound and godly council. Now all that's left for us to do is to act! To display our faith in Him and act according to what we feel led to by His will. God is so wonderful to have set up such easy-to-follow guidelines for us to be prosperous and successful (v. 9). Praise Him for His goodness and grace! Hallelujah!
Other than these bigger discussions and the obvious difficulty of setting (and sticking to!) a pretty strict budget, Jason and I are as happy as clams :) We've each adapted to the adjustment of being married and having a permanent roommate who we do everything with. Now the 'honeymoon stage' has finally begun to sink in. We are so content and so incredibly grateful to God for blessing us with this life together! Last night on our family walk (yes, Jason, Michelle, and Autumn take family walks fairly regularly) we were just smiling like school kids, talking about nothing, and praising Him for how far he has taken us in the last two years! It's a good life friends, and we owe it all to Jesus!
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