God Gave Me You

Today marks one full year of marriage to my handsome man and too-good-to-me husband. This year has been full of ups and downs, triumphs, lessons, changes, blessings, and memories. There is plenty I learned the hard way and moments I will never, ever forget. I am blessed to call Eric, my husband. My apartment, my home. And my dog, my baby. This is what I've learned.

-It's okay to have differences in personality and opinions. We're a great team and learn from each others perspective. I'm often overly optimistic and he can be pretty realistic. I'm messy and he's a neat freak. I'm a take it as it comes girl and he's a planner. I've learned to make lists and have a plan when I need one, and he's learned to relax and smile when things get stressful.

-I will always have a number one fan. I know that Eric will support me in anything I do and will push me to do my best. I'm a great cheerleader for Eric when he has dreams and aspirations. It's a powerful thing to have someone you love on your side.

-Husbands are not mind readers. As much as I might want to deny this, I often catch myself dropping hints or thinking that Eric must know exactly what I'm feeling or thinking. Not true. And not fair, either. I've learned to realize that I can tell him anything and that I need to take advantage of that, and not assume he has other worldly mind reading powers.

-I married a sinner. And so did he. Grace is a huge part of our marriage and we both encourage, pray, and support each other when it comes to each others faults.

-Always, always tell each other the truth. I've learned the value of the truth in the little things. Leaving out the not so great details of a situation or forgetting to mention something unpleasant causes nothing but problems. We're a team. And as a team we can work through just about anything, even the bad stuff.

-Men and women are so, so different. This has been one of the hardest but simplest lessons to learn. Eric and I are wired very, very differently. He doesen't think that same way I do and operates on an entirely different kind of system than I do. And I need to continually remind myself of this.

-Gods grace is much bigger than mine. My husband is not my savior and I am not his. I've learned not to rely on him for every single one of my emotional, spiritual, mental, and physical needs. One person can only handle so much. God's shoulders can handle anything I throw at them. My husband is a human. (Another mention to those ever so absent mind reading abilities).

I am blessed beyond measure by a man who puts up with me, laughs with me, listens to me, encourages me, forgives me, and loves me. Here's to the years to come. I love you, Eric.

Love Wins // My Thoughts

Here are a few of my thoughts on Rob Bells new book: Love Wins. I finished the book over the weekend. I'd first like to point out that I really have no place diving into the theological aspects of the book - I want to re-read the book and do my homework. I also think the book is about more than that.

Also, Regardless of the topic, we should never judge a book by it’s cover, or by any preconceived notions. It grieves me that so many people are not only calling this man a heretic, but making these accusations without reading the book or really hearing what Rob Bell has to say.

Simply, I give the book five stars. I really enjoyed it.

I think he accomplishes his main goal in writing this book - he wants people to ask questions.

I like Bells writing. Its simply beautiful. He keeps things simple and straight forward.

I think it's an important read.

Do I think he is a universalist? No.

Do I think he loves Jesus & yearns for others to do the same? Yes.

Do I think he wants others to understand the relentless love that Jesus has for them? Yes.

Do I think he outrightly speaks against the existence of hell? No.*

Do I think he makes some great points in the book? Yes.

Did the book have me asking questions? Yes.

*“Do I believe in a literal hell?” he asks. “Of course.” (p.72)

That's it. The rest is for you to read and come to a conclusion on your own. From reading the book yourself - not from reading reviews or listening to the hype.

an unfaithful bride

"I will punish her for all the times she deserted me, when she burned incense to her imaged of Baal, put on her ear rings and jewels, and went out looking for her lovers," says the Lord. 

"But then I will win her back once again. I will lead her out into the desert and speak tenderly to her there. I will return her vineyards to her and transform the Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope. She will give herself to me there, as she did long ago when she was young, when I freed her from her captivity in Egypt. 

"In that coming day" says the Lord, "you will call me 'my husband' instead of 'my master'. O Israel, I will cause you to forget your images of Baal; ever their names will no longer be spoken... I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as Lord. 

Hosea 2:13-17, 19-20

To few and far between

So I'm sucking at keeping up this blog I spent forever making look exactly how I wanted it to. But I'm not gonna be upset about it. It's my blog and I do what I want.

I'm finally about to start working for real again and couldn't be happier. *enormous round of applause and cheering* and the weather is slowly but surely warming up. Enough to even get Eric and I outta the house to go geocaching yesterday AND two long walks with Big B. Here's to hoping it stays that way.

I leave you with a few fun finds from this week. Happy Sunday!

true. lets live it.

Love, love.

I've never been a huge fan of valentines day. I've also never hated it either. But I have to say I'm loving being married to my valentine. And I love him!

Yes, I'm done with the mush, I promise.


I got to spend time with my momma this morning before sunrise, spent the afternoon with my siblings and the dogs, got to talk to my daddy, and have had the whole evening spending time with my husband. Spaghetti Warehouse take out and Arrested Development. Perfect describes today.

Oh, and did I mention that I got the TIFFANY RING I wanted?! Yes. I die. And Eric set the bar for valentines days to come. :)

eek! who doesn't love a pretty little ring box?

um, I like.

thanks, darlin!

I hope that everyone spent some time with someone they love today!

Weekend Reboot

This weekend I'm finally getting around to reading a book I received from a dear friend right before my wedding - Love and Respect by Emerson Eggeriches. I've only worked my way through two chapters and I'm already being convicted and motivated. He teaches in the beginning on understanding how literally God is in Ephesians 5:33 - 

"And the husband must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."

Women - respect your husbands. I cannot stress this enough even as I am still learning the importance of this. We desire a fairytale love from our husbands and expect it without respecting them. NEWSFLASH: They desperately need our respect, just as much as we long for affection and love.  

My Dads advice to Eric and I on our wedding day was this: "Eric, remember, your bride has a short memory. When you tell her you love her, repeat it. Often. Every five minutes should do. And Trish, remember that Eric can't read minds. If you want him to know something, tell him. Out loud. Use simple words."

He said it best. I'll leave the rest for the review, as I'm still reading and definitely still learning! 

Has anyone else read this book? What did you think? Positive or negative, I would love to hear what you thought!

Hoover Hustle

Okay, this is a little terrifying to proclaim via the INTERNET where everyone can see and call me out on screwing this thing up. But fear is a great motivator, right? Okay, here goes.

I, Trish Palac, WILL be running the Hoover Hustle on April 17th. It's a 5k/10k race here in Westerville, OH and it's something I promised myself back in December that I would do. I did a great job of keeping up with my training schedule for quite some time but  then I let myself slack off for a week so before I had some health complications (totally unrelated) and stopped all together.  But I still have time to whip myself into shape and run my little backside (ha!) over that finish line. I'm really not and never have been a runner, but it's also the only form of physical activity that I enjoy. Once I get back into the swing of things, that is. The first week is always the hardest, but I know I can power through it. My long term goal is to do a half marathon by the end of the year. I don't know how realistic that goal is yet - but I would like to do one eventually.

So now that everyone who wants to know is aware of my one and only resolution this year - keep me accountable! Knowing I have to answer to anyone about it is a big motivator when choosing between the gym or a chick flick paired with Ben & Jerry's.

21 and done.

Ever hear that 21 days of something will turn that something into a hard and fast can't-live-without-it habit? Yeah, me either. And maybe it's not that extreme. But it's still intriguing. There's an endless list of things I would like to turn into everyday habits. Like eating more veggies, drinking more water, NOT falling asleep with make-up on, reading more, and we're gonna go ahead and throw in daily exercising (yeah, right).

So I'm giving it an honest try. I'll go with a couple attainable goals to begin with. THEN I might tackle training for that 5k I promised myself I would do in April. Yikes! That's coming up, huh? Okay, next week. This week I will be working on actually drinking water daily. At least 6 glasses. And cleansing my face of the toxins I call makeup at the end of the day. I continually fall asleep and wake up with eyes that not only look like a raccoons, but a raccoon with a black eye. 21 days, huh? Let's do it!!

____________________________

Oh and I found this beauty on Etsy today. YES PLEASE. I want this print. Bad.

P.S. I'm totally drinking glass of water number one mid post. Go me!

I'm a sucker for a handwritten love letter.

In a world that thrives on acceleration and convenience - handwritten letters aren't exactly the most popular form of communication. A text can be received by my lovely grandmother across the country and answered within minutes. I can Skype with my dear friends to catch up and learn what's going on in their lives. I can even email my dad now, who is in prison half the country away, whenever I wish. Why should a girl complain?

Well, I'm not. Not really anyway. I love being able to email a professor, fax paperwork, and blog my thoughts within seconds. But there is such.. elegance in taking the time to sit, think, consider, and prepare a handwritten letter. I don't have a stack of texts and emails in a box that I'll keep forever. Letters from my dad and brother, old love poems, and postcards that are special to me. Those are the tangible memories that I want to stash away and treasure.

I repeatedly wish I had more people to write to. My dad and brother are two people that I regularly write to and I love receiving letters with their handwriting. It always makes me feel like even though I can't see them and my heart aches not knowing when I will see them again - I have a part of their hearts there with me. Seeing and holding the letter they took the time to sit and write to me, along with the amusing attempts at sketches or drawings intended to make me laugh, never fails to brighten my entire day.

How about you? Have you received something handwritten that holds a lot of meaning to you? Do you wish letters were more of an everyday occurrence?

Complacent and Wretched

Thoughts on Isaiah 1

First of all, I fully believe that God spoke directly through Isaiah in his vision here. I also believe that while there are times in the Old Testament where the words and actions described in the Bible are specific to the time - I think that there is always an application for us here and now. In terms of broad principles at least, versus specific laws, there is application for us whether it’s a message to learn or knowledge to gain, it’s always there.

I don’t believe Isaiah is talking about an ignorance of God like I might have an ignorance of Chemistry or of Physics.. but rather a rejection of God. They had gradually, and it seems almost totally, drifted away from God. They had lost belief.

I know I’ve said plenty of times in my life that “I know what this Bible passage says.. but how does this matter to me right now? How is it relevant to me, now?”. I wonder if the people in Isaiah’s day said the same thing? Maybe I’m more like these revolting people than I think. Maybe I’m revolting in God’s eyes.

I’ve so often doubted the practical application of God’s words then - to today. I feel like I have to continually remind myself of the statement I made at the beginning of this post. It’s always there.

Besides, who is the man who is qualified to tell us what changes need to be made in the Christian faith? Who knows the mind of God well enough to challenge the practice of today versus that of what’s found in the pages of the New Testament? I know I’m not. Sounds to me like blind guides leading blind people. We over and over create our own brand of Christianity today to suit our needs (IE, hundreds of denominations). We have become, or I have become, just like the people of Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah is crying out to for change.

Those people Isaiah was speaking to weren’t outright mocking God either - they were still holding worship services, giving burnt offerings, using incense, ect. They had the whole godly act down to a science. But God was still saddened by it all because their hearts and daily life weren’t in it. It was all an act. Sound familiar? I know it does to me.

God even said “I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.” (1:13) He says their incense “is an abomination to me.” (1:13) He doesn’t want us to put on a show for Him.

There is only one way to know and understand God. One must become a faithful and diligent student of the word of God, not just an occasional and casual reader. It’s His personal love letter to us! Why do we struggle to spend time reading a book that was written and dedicated to us personally. One thing that my husband and I have been trying to make a priority in our lives, is consuming the Word of God on a daily basis.

God tells us to “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes. Cease to do evil, learn to do good.” (1:16) He sure does make it sounds easy.

But God is able and willing to save the greatest of sinners, to save me and you, if we will just repent. But isn’t it more than that? I can’t even begin to count how many times I’ve fallen to the ground begging God to forgive me. Begging Him to make me new. Over and over God tells me “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (1:18). Even now as great as my sins, as deep red at scarlet can be, God can wash us to the purest white. That’s mind-boggling. Why aren’t we jumping for JOY!?

God wants restoration for me. He wants to rebuild our lives. But how do we attain that? A daily journey? I believe so. Without our authentic and loving God in our lives throughout every moment.. who are we to demand forgiveness? A relationship needs to be made. And it needs to be priority.

“He prays to God and finds favor with him, he sees God’s face and shouts for joy;he is restored by God to his righteous state.” Job 33:26