#24 ~ Carpe Diem!

 

"Carpe Diem" is a phrase that means "Seize the day!" and I would have to say that this is KEY in marriage dear heart. You will get thrown with obstacles, trials, death in the family, exciting new births, car troubles, stress of life, challenges and allllll of the above! However, a key to happiness and joy in marriage is understanding how to live in the moment. Now, I understand that everyone is not spontaneous and likes to live on the edge and trust me...I get it! I am a planner by nature and love to plan my life, plan my day and plan each hour. However, sometimes you just need a moment. Not a moment planned. But just a moment. A moment to relax and a moment to release.

 

Life will still be there when you finish your moment, but don't forget to take it. Take a pause from life's norms whether it be the hussle and bussle of work tasks, tending to the kids or talking on the phone non-stop to one of your favorite home girls and enjoy the still...quiet...moment. It is often in these times of calm that we will hear and feel the tranquility of the Holy Spirit. It is also in these times that we are able to enjoy our spouse. Talk about how each of your day went. If it was stressful, take time to relax and unwind. Talk about your future together and your goals, dreams and vision for your family. Take a walk in the park to just gaze at your husband or wife's eyes while just enjoying their presence. Talk about the weather...talk about the news....whatever makes you both happy, do that and just enjoy the moment!

 

The best part about being around the person you love and desire to spend the rest of your life with is that sometimes you don't even have to talk. Just embrace them and enjoy the quietness of being in their arms. It's a beautiful feeling when you can just relax and release from the day or from the week. Don't think about the bills that are due or upcoming, how the car needs to be fixed or even what's on the agenda for the weekend. Just enjoy the moment!

 

Now trust me...I understand that for those of you with kids, you may be saying "Whew! Well my moment will probably only be for 5 seconds before I hear "Mommy!" or "Daddy!" And that's totally understandable. In the season of parenting, your children take 200% of your attention most of the time. However, don't forsake to make your moment with your spouse mandatory. Even if you have to schedule for 5 minutes of alone time each week...do it and cherish it!

 

My husband is sooooooooooo incredibly busy during the week with the nature of his job and being in full-time ministry. However, we have our night. Our night is Thursday and though we call it "date night," it really just allows us to have and cherish our  moment. Sometimes we don't even go out to a restaurant or to an event, we just come home, relax, turn our phones on silent and enjoy being in each other's presence for the moment. The entire evening is dedicated to nothing more than spending time and investing in US. My job had a team outing on Thursday night and I declined and proudly stated that my reason was because Thursdays are dedicated to my husband. With the burdens of life that can sometimes weigh us down, we have to ensure that we protect our greatest investment: our marriage.

 

Though our date night is our scheduled time each week, I also often remind my husband to unwind, turn off work mode and enjoy the quiet moments. The nature of both of our jobs involves directing and leading, but each moment won't be that way. Each moment won't be planned or scheduled and it comes more than just on Thursday evening. If you have a moment in the morning while getting ready for work, or when cooking dinner, or when unwinding after work...that's perfect. Savor it! Cherish it! No matter how long! At times, your moment may simply be a long hug in the kitchen before preparing dinner or an embrace on the couch to talk about the day.

 

This leads me to an ending sidebar: just as you cherish your time and moments with your spouse, cherish your quiet time with the KING. Spending time at the feet of Jesus will change your entire day and set the course for your entire week. Thus, I always suggest to people to try to do it in the  morning if possible before they start their day. This allows you to commune with Jesus before communing with anyone else. Cherish that time and savor the moment with the KING. He will comfort you and speak to your situation like only HE can. This discipline of spending quiet time will transpire into your marriage and lead to a discipline of making time, cherishing time and savoring precious moments. (Isaiah 26..9 ~ My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you.)

 

Nuggets to remember:

1) Don't allow life to get you so bogged down that you forget your #1 investment: your marriage!

 

2) Don't be such a planner that you forget to savor and cherish the sometimes unplanned, unscheduled quiet, intimate moments with your spouse.

 

3) Your quiet time with the Lord is soooo essential and will change the course of your day. Cherish and savor those moments! It will help you to ensure you're doing the same regarding time with your spouse.

 

4) Don't feel pressured to always plan a "night out." Get creative and understand that sometimes the best moments are the quiet moments where you don't even need words...just love, affection and tranquility.

 

(Song of Sol. 6:3 ~ I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine.)

 

God Bless!
~CW

 

 

 

 

#25 ~ "Cut the Cord"

I have a list of things that I can say have been the easiest part about being married. However, I definitely know what the hardest challenge was: leaving my family. I am extremely close to my mom and reallllllly close to my entire family. My weekends typically consisted of occasional family events, outings with my mom and sister, and Sunday dinner with my great-grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins. Ahhh!! It was a perfect feeling to which I always looked forward after a long week of school and loads of work. However, I knew that when I got married I wouldn't be able to attend every family event, every outing or every Sunday dinner anymore. Chicago wasn't close enough to North Carolina to simply take a drive to see family. So what was I going to do? How was I supposed to cope with this?

Well, dear heart, let me be honest and tell you that it wasn't and hasn't been easy. I have moments where I cry and really miss my family. I also have moments where I laugh thinking about good times that we've had. And most importantly, I rejoice at knowing that I can take trips to visit them by plane, especially when there's a good deal going on with my favorite airline (*whispers* It's Southwest ;-) However, the biggest comfort came when the Holy Spirit spoke something very clear to me. He told me, "Your CALL is bigger than your COMFORT." Whewww!! Those words have resonated with my spirit since the day they were spoken and constantly serve as my motivation for cleaving to my husband even when I'm not comfortable with the situation of being away from my family.

(Genesis 2: 24 ~ Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.)

I know that my husband is called to Chicago and that the Lord's call on his life is to make an impact in the city of Chicago. In fact, I knew that when we were courting for marriage. Additionally, I know the call on my life is aligned with his. Thus, I desire to minister alongside him and win souls for the Kingdom of GOD! My daily goal is to share the love of Christ with someone and, as Minister Dianna Amacker says, "to increase the population of heaven."  

Am I telling you that it's always easy? Absolutely not! But what I am telling you is that if you're in an unusual place or a place of discomfort, you are in a breeding ground for growth. A plant grown from concrete is much more extraordinary and demonstrative of strength and resilience than a plant grown in a pot. Why? because something that grows out of a hard place shows a perseverance like never before and comes out with more maturity.

Don't worry dear heart, it may hurt initially but once you understand that your call is greater than your comfort, it will help you cut the cord. What cord? The umbilical cord. When babies are first born they are connected to their mothers by the umbilical cord. However, at birth, when they can breathe on their own, the doctors cut the cord. Don't become paralyzed by allowing someone to provide nourishment to you that no longer comes from them but from GOD and from his strength IN YOU.

Nuggets to remember:

1) Your call is connected to your spouse's call. You are ONE.

2) Your call is greater than your comfort.

3) Understand that discomfort is the breeding ground for supernatural growth.

4) Realize that the strength that you used to receive from "the cord" now comes from THE CHRIST.

God Bless!

~ CW 



#30 ~ "After The Music Stops"

The morning of May 23, 2014 was such a magical day!!! I woke up excited as a little girl anxious for Christmas and yet full of so much peace that you would have thought I was on an island. It was AMAZING! I was ready to marry the man of my dreams and my prayers. My mom, little sister and two of my best friends had come to Chicago to see this day happen and I was overjoyed to have them there. My future husband's parents and siblings had taken off work for the day as well....it was perfect! We did our small, intimate ceremony at my husband's church, Bethel House of Prayer at 3:00 in the afternoon. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping and my mother nature friend wasn't scheduled to visit me for a couple of weeks. Everything seemed so perfect in my eyes and I knew that GOD was pleased with our heart to please him.

As my spiritual father, Pastor Phil Mitchell, pronounced us husband and wife, he declared with a loud voice "CELEBRATE THEM!" There was some delay in the sound booth as cousin Tim wasn't informed that we wanted exit music (oops..that was our fault), but when the music came on, it was HEAVENLY! We exited out to Michael Jackson's "Love Never Felt So Good" and it hadn't. I was married to my best friend and my amazing lover and felt as though we could conquer the world. After  taking pictures, we left the church and headed to Chicago Chicken & Waffles. Delicious food + live music and family friends= PRICELESS!! My husband and I (that sounded so good to say only minutes after the ceremony) were enjoying ourselves so much that he took my hand and invited me to dance! LOL! YES! In the middle of the restaurant! It was unplanned, unscripted and yet perfect! I felt so full of joy that I didn't care who looked on as we stepped and slided to the live music in the background.

After enjoying dinner, we headed to the hotel and started our stay-cation HONEYMOON! It was beautiful and we truly enjoyed each other as we relaxed and enjoyed each other's company as newlyweds. Fast forward to a couple of weeks later...we moved into our first apartment! It wasn't glamorous but it was ours and we felt grateful to be there. It was a small basement unit, but we loved every moment with each other there because we purposely had no TV. We wanted to truly enjoy our first months of marriage and decided to have no TV in our home as a result. Time went by and I received an email from my law school. They notified me that my cumulative GPA was 0.005 points away from being eligible to return. WHAAAATTTTTT??!!!! Are you kidding me?!! I'm about to be in my third year of law school and I can't go back to complete what I've started!! NO WAY!! WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?!! WHAT IS GOING ON??? LORD WHY??? LORD WHAT?!! I was devastated. I had never suffered in my grades before...EVER and I had no idea how I was going to go forward as my plans were to stay in Chicago for the summer and return in the Fall to complete my semester.

I went into a state of confusion, bitterness and anger. I couldn't believe what had happened to me, especially because I had encouraged sooooo many of my classmates that "we could do this" and that "GOD was with us!"At that very moment, I heard the Lord speak softly in my ear "I'm with you and I've never left. Trust my plan." My husband was one of the strongest people I know during this season because I would have crying outbursts, nights where I cried myself to sleep in his arms as he wiped my face, joyful days where I trusted in GOD's plan and in-between days where I felt confused. Yet, in the midst of it all, GOD WAS WITH US! He never let me nor forsook me and was faithful to his word! (Deut. 31:6 ~ Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.")

During this time, I was still currently enrolled in Distance Learning online courses and decided that I would continue on to finish them. I was determined to try to increase my cumulative GPA and return. One night my husband needed to head to his office to work on a task for the upcoming week so I tagged along. It was a very productive night as I was able to finish my project for class. Upon our return, I was confused. All of the lights in our house were on and the window in the front room was open. Clothes were thrown everywhere and jewelry boxes were opened. WE HAD BEEN ROBBED!! Ugh!!! Lord, WHAT IS GOING ON?!! WHY DID SOMEONE DO THIS?? LORD WHY?!?! LORD WHAT?!! Immediately we called the police, filed a report and tried to regain peace. We met more of our neighbors that night as they all came and banded with us to provide support. We then started putting clothes back and realized that they only stole my husband's BEATS headphones and his watch. They tried to steal our rings but they were on us. GOD WAS FAITHFUL TO US! Even better, we weren't there when it happened and the Lord protected us by keeping us from danger. In the midst of it all, he was there!

Weeks later, we prepared for the Annual Youth Convention with my husband's district (and mine too now) as he serves as YPHA President. The Youth Convention was a huge success and we returned home tired, yet full of joy! We decided to watch TD Jakes on streaming video and started to take notes. As we laid across our bed, I smelled something that was very similar to a sewer. I looked at my husband and said "Did you poot?" to which he replied while laughing, "NO! Did you poot!" He went outside of our bedroom to find that our apartment was full of water. Our apartment WAS FLOODING!! We immediately gathered our shoes off the floor, gathered clothes for the night and next day and evacuated. As we left our apartment, all we could do was laugh and say "Lord, we trust your plan!" It was such a moment of agony and yet peace because we realized that the LORD WAS WITH US in every trial, tribulation and situation! (Isa. 59:19 ~ When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.)

We understood then more than ever that the solution to problems is PRAISE and the relief to worry is WORSHIP. Remember, weddings are beautiful and such a day of bliss! However, marriage starts as soon as you say "I Do" and after the exit music stops, LIFE is waiting for you outside.

Nuggets to remember:
1) Remember that the foundation to any marriage is CHRIST. For without him, we are nothing. (Psalm 16:2 ~ I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.")  

2) In tests and trials, don't be dismayed. Understand that they have come to make you strong.
(1 Peter 1:7~ These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.)

3) You and your spouse are ONE! You are a team. Therefore, every hurt they experience, you do too. Likewise, every joy they experience, you should too. Be each other's biggest cheerleader and biggest support.
(Amos 3:3~ Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?)

4) Above all, don't forget that when you don't know what to say or what to do, just TRUST GOD'S PLAN!
(Jeremiah 29:11~ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.)

God Bless!
~ CW

#29 ~ "Money, Money, Money, Moneyyyyy....Mooooooneyy!!"

When you're single or used to being independent, you're used to spending your money the way you want and not having to answer to anyone but GOD for how you do so. Furthermore, your budget is based around YOU and YOUR bills. If you have an extra $25, you can decide if you want to get your nails done, eat out for dinner or just put that money into savings. Welp! This was my former life. My mother is a finance GURU so I was accustomed to creating budgets, but boy oh boy....I GOT MARRIED!! Money seemed to run our lives at one point.

I was working at a summer internship, but then the stipend was cut once I received the horrible news from my school that I was not academically eligible to return due to 0.005 points (as mentioned in my previous blog post). Therefore, we were living off of one income- my husband's. Now, don't get me wrong, my husband gets paid a good salary, but our budget was TIGHTER than a parking spot in downtown Chicago. Whew! We had to be disciplined (mainly me) and understand that the things we used to be able to buy at a whim whenever we wanted, we no longer could until we ensured that the budget allowed it. I love getting my hair done and I truly believe manis and pedis are our preview and glimpse into heaven. However, I had to learn SACRIFICE. I had to learn that first and foremost, my husband is the HEAD of our home. Therefore, he leads our home and submits to the Lord in order to make decisions. Although we work as a team, my husband takes the lead in areas where he is strong. In the same way, I take the lead on my strength areas as well i.e. budgeting.

I'm sure you're probably saying..."If you're strong in budgeting, why did you have to learn sacrifice?" The answer is something that my parents and husband will rejoice in hearing...I AM SPOILED! I like getting things when I want them how I want them from where I want them from. YES! Little ol' me...I know you can't believe it (yeah right lol) but it's the truth!

I've learned the importance of not being so dependent on money and realizing that GOD is TRULY Jehovah Jireh! He always provides for us even when times have been tighter than Chicago parking spaces and when we've had arguments about  me spending money on a Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice when I knew I should have saved it. GOD HAS BEEN FAITHFUL!

I'm so overwhelmed at GOD's grace because the beautiful thing is that he orchestrates our lives according to his will....IF we submit our will to his. He's such an amazing father and a beautiful friend.

Over time, the Lord has blessed me with admission into a JD/MBA program in downtown Chicago and blessed me with a full-time job that allows me to do what I love: help people! I am so grateful for what GOD has done because he constantly shows his SOVEREIGNTY!! In the midst of every financial dilemma, we remained faithful to tithing and giving offering. Additionally, we would always take a step back and remember that we didn't need money to be happy. GOD is the source of our joy and is our true provider.

Nuggets to remember:
1) Don't get into long, drawn-out arguments over money. At the core of your marriage is CHRIST and your SPOUSE. He will provide for you! He's a good father!

2) The common acronym (C.R.E.A.M.- Cash Rules Everything Around Me) is a LIE! Don't allow money to run you because if you do, it will RUIN you and your marriage. Money is not everything nor is it the provider of everything! GOD IS!

3) Create a budget and stick to it. Don't be selfish or spoiled to the detriment of your finances. You're a TEAM!

4) Even if you two don't have a dime, learn to laugh, enjoy life and dance through it all!!! You'll remember the rough times and appreciate them in the long run.

God Bless!
~ CW

#28 ~ "Tomayto or Tomahto?"

What do you get when you mix Garrett's popcorn with mason jars? North meeting South! Or Midwest meeting South rather. Either way, you're getting a blend of two different areas coming together as one. This is exactly what happened when I married my husband. There was such a blend of cultures and norms that I had to realize something very important: my husband and I were NOT the same! Who'd a thunk it?

My husband was born and raised in the city of Chicago, while I was raised in the suburbs of North Carolina. We were also raised very different and have different personalities. I was accustomed to men washing cars on the weekends, mowing the lawn and taking care of the bills and budget. However, I had to realize that Keith rode the bus before he got a car because he lived in the city, mowed the lawn occasionally because he had other brothers and would prefer for me to take the lead on creating the budget. At first, this all seemed fine. But there were times where I would get SO UPSET! And the worst part was that he didn't even know why I was upset....the key word: unspoken expectations! This wasn't fair to my husband at all but I assumed that he would wash my car or take it to the carwash automatically and take lead of the budget as well. Even though we had already discussed our strengths and weaknesses, and I had agreed to doing our budget, I went into spoiled brat mode and wanted him to do the things I was raised seeing.

The biggest breakthrough came when I realized that my husband couldn't read my mind or know my expectations without us talking about it. How was he supposed to know? He wouldn't! Thus, the key to marriage especially for newlyweds is to understand that you may be from two different worlds!! Even if you were both raised by single mothers or raised with two parents, chances are that you probably had differences in the way you both were raised and the norms of your households. Don't expect your spouse to automatically know your silent expectations.

When I'm sick, I like to be catered to and then left alone to rest with constant check-up. My husband on the other hand wants you to give him meds and leave him alone- no check-in, no check-up, no nothing! Soooo...this was hard for me! I love hugs and touch because they are one of my love languages so I wanted to check-in constantly and ensure that I was giving affection but he didn't like it at all. Though he appreciated my love, he would often have to remind me that he preferred to be left alone while he was sick. Another example of our differences is in our personalities at home. I am a very outgoing, lively, vibrant person and at home though I do like to settle down and relax, I thought it was best to greet my husband with an outgoing spirit and charm! NOT QUITE! Though my husband has a larger than life personality outside of our home, he loves to have chill/relax time as soon as he arrives. He loves to be greeted and then maybe have a little discussion. But he values his quiet, alone, wind-down time. I definitely understand this more now but I think that my newlywed excitement caused me to not want to be away from him once he got home. I wanted to be with him when he walked in the door, talk to him through the bathroom door about his day, ask him what he wanted for dinner, talk about his day and cuddle. I know...I know...it sounds like A LOT! But I love being in my husband's presence and we both value quality time, but I learned that this was not exactly the way he preferred. He likes to come home, be greeted by me, tell me briefly how his day went and then take a wind-down moment alone. After his wind-down moment, he's back "on" and we discuss in detail our days and other things that are on our hearts and minds at the time.

You and your spouse being different is NOT a bad thing. It's definitely a plus. I mean who doesn't like sweet tea and lemonade mixed together? It's a great combination! But you must learn to accept these differences, seek to understand them and remember that you're not your spouse and he's not you. Whether you say tomayto or tomahto, it doesn't matter. You're still speaking the same word, just in a different variation.

(Psalm 133:1 ~ How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!)

Nuggets to remember:
1) Communicate your expectations and thoughts. I'm sure your spouse has many talents, but I know that reading minds isn't one of them.

2) Understand their differences and learn to accept them 100%.

3) Implement the change. If they don't like something a particular way, make sure you don't do it that way. Don't continue to try to push your way of doing things onto them. They are NOT you!

4) Don't nag about the small things. Dwell together in unity and love and when you do, you'll experience a home of peace and joy.

God Bless!
~ CW

#26 ~ "Watch your Words"

Has someone ever said something to you that resonated with you hours later...even days or weeks later? You can be in the grocery store or riding in your car and you all of sudden hear their words all over again. When those words are positive, it's a beautiful feeling afterwards. But boy oh boy, when those words are negative IT HURTS! Those words feel like knives in your heart as you start to replay the words in your mind. The old saying "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" is such a myth. I can't help but wonder who came up with that phrase and why it became so popular because it's certainly not true.

By nature, I am a very sensitive person and thus I aim to be conscious of people's feelings when I say things. But, I am human. Therefore, I don't always say things the way I should or in a loving way. However, I learned before marriage that the words of a wife can build or break her husband. You can make a man feel like he can conquer the world with the right words. Likewise, a woman's words can also make a man feel so defeated and disheartened that he can feel hopeless.

As a wife, I realized that I hold such value to my husband that my words must be edifying and spoken in LOVE. Even if you feel right in what you're saying, you must be conscious of your delivery. Often times it's not the words that make the difference, it's the WAY the words are delivered (i.e. the tone). There have been times where I say something to my husband and it causes an intense fellowship because how I said caused hurt. A few minutes later, he'll come to me and say that I was right in what I said or that I had a point, but that the way it was said or the timing of when I said it was hurtful. Thus, it's essential to be aware of how and when  you say things. If your husband's car breaks down, that's probably not the best time to respond with, "I told you that you need to do better with car maintenance...actually I've BEEN saying that for a while now....see that's what happens when you don't listen..." Bad timing dear heart...bad timing. Instead, help with the current situation, bite your tongue and speak life into the situation. Don't let that tongue do damage. Look what the Bible says about the tongue...

(Prov. 18:21 ~ Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.)

(James 3:5-6 ~ So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.)

Therefore, it's important to keep your tongue and your words in control. When your flesh feels like you just HAVE to say it, restrain. Use self-control and allow the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom on what's best to say at that moment, if anything at all. Though the childhood phrase mentioned above is not true, there is another phrase that I learned as a child that is VERY true. "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." In moments where feel that your words may cause hurt or bring forth negativity, it's usually best to not say anything at all and pray instead. Wait until the Holy Spirit gives you wisdom in HOW and WHEN to say it. Let's be mindful of what the Bible tells us in James 1:19 ~ My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

The enemy will often change an atmosphere of peace that you have in your home, your car, or wherever you are by stirring up conflict and confusion through words. DON'T LET HIM. Be warned that he is the author of confusion and thus only wants to see your marriage destroyed with fighting, arguing and constant tearing down with words. Again, I warn you to BE ON GUARD. (1 Peter 5:8 ~ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.) Let GOD arise in your marriage and every enemy be scattered!

Nuggets to remember:

1) Know your value and how your words impact your spouse. When not spoken in love or at the right timing, words can HURT. Words have the power to build or break your spouse. Learn to BUILD them up and not tear them down.

2) When you don't know what to say, sometimes it's best to say nothing and pray instead.

3) Be slow to speak and quick to listen. You learn how to best respond when you're listening to the person's point of view and seeking to understand.

4) Be alert and know that the enemy desires to allow words to tear your marriage apart. Don't let him! Fight him by going to GOD in prayer and declaring peace over your marriage! He makes his ears bleed and sends him running.

God Bless!

~ CW

30 day countdown!!

Hi World!

My name is Chazle' (pronounced chaz-lee) Woodley and I am an overjoyed newlywed! I married the man of my prayers and dreams on May 23, 2014 in Chicago, IL. My amazing groom's name is Keith Woodley. The awesome part about our story is that we met in 2009! Yes! 6 years ago! We met at a Christian sports camp called Kids Across America in Golden, MO and remained friends over the years. We reconnected in 2011 when a bad storm hit Chicago and the rest is history!

Now fast forward to now...we're celebrating and having our BIG WEDDING in North Carolina on May 16, 2015 at 1:00pm. We are overjoyed and as I'm preparing for the big day, I have sooo many thoughts about our first year. It was filled with trials, obstacles and challenges. But most importantly, it was filled with a lot of purging, purification and submission....no not only to my husband, but to GOD's will for our lives.

As we near our 30 day countdown mark, I want to share 30 things I wish I had known before marriage. I pray that as you read and go through this 30 day journey, you will be blessed and encouraged!

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. (1 Thess. 5:11)

With Love,
Chazle' Woodley