Stayed home spending time together

Today, went to church as usual in the morning at 9am. During the small group session just before service from 9-1030am, Danny's wife, Julie shared her testimony on her marriage life with Danny. For ths past few weeks, the topic of our discussion was on relationships with your spouse and Danny has been talking on the book, "5 Love languages" by Dr Gary Chapman. Last week, we were not around but heard that Danny shared his side of the story.So, this week, he asked his wife to share.

Me and CT felt it was timely for us to listen as we need to strengthen our foundation as a married couple before we wanted to have the little ones around. Julie was sharing on the seperation she had with Danny for 8 months after 17 years of marriage! Many people think that if you are married for 17 years, everything would have been settled and plainsailing from then on. I was amazed that it is not true and it took 17 years for things to explode as many issues in their marriage life has been swept under the carpet.

Anyway, to cut the story short, the result of their seperation was because of meeting their spouse love language. Danny thought that as long as he worked hard, earned enough money for the family, he would be showing his love for Julie. Julie thought that as long as she took care of their 4 kids for him, cooked, did all the housework, she would be doing her part. But both parties did not feel loved as it was a different love language they were speaking. Danny's love language was touch. But Julie shared that her family's culture was not to hug and kiss. So, it was diff for her to show Danny that. Julie's love language was quality time which means that she would be happy if Danny spent time with her.

I was tearing a bit when she shared her testimony as I felt her pain. After 17 years of marriage, they parted and Julie was telling us how devasted she was and went into a period of depression with her 4 kids. She said that when desperate, people usually do stupid things, but on the other hand, people may do smart things, which is to pray. So, Julie got down on her knees and talked to God. She told God that she has done everything right..but yet, it did not turn out the way it should. She asked God for wisdom to handle the matter and God revealed to her that she has been speaking words of condemnation to Danny.

So, Julie called Danny one day and apologized to him and slowly, Danny began to open up again and after 8 months, they were back together. Julie said that she would not trade anythug for this experience though it was painful as God has taught them a lot through this.

Everything happens for a reason and before we were born, God has already planned all this to happen. It reminded me of the train accident that my family went through. It may seem heartless for God to allow such a thing to happen..but I am reminded of the fact that the meaning of God, means that He is infinite- all knowing. So, " how can a mere finite human be sure that infinite wisdom would not tolerate certain short-range evils in order for a more long-range goods that we couldn't foresee?" ( The Case For Faith by Lee Strobel- Highly recommend this book for skeptics who face intellectual barriers) It means that the difference between God and us is great, so we cannot use our finite wisdom to question his infinite wisdom.

It is just like the dying of Jesus on the cross. Many people mentioned that if only Jesus did a miracle on the cross by performing some magic and got himself out of the cross, then people will believe Him.. That is why we cannot just use our short sightedness to view matters and question God.

So anyway, Julie's sharing has been very insightful and I am just reminded of how loving God is for allowing trials in our lives for us and everyone around us to learn something about God , draws us closer to Him and thus change our thinking and views for the better.

After small group, went down for service. Pastor was speaking on 5 ways to teach our kids. I feel it is another preparation for me and CT to learn something about parenting. :)

After that, we went to "Wintzell Oyster House" for lunch. The seafood gumbo soup is fabulous. It is voted #1 in Mobile..so we tried and compared. IT was very nice. Seafood gumbo is like a stew like soup with lady fingers, shrimps, crab meat etc. Very yummy. I ordered oysters for lunch- 2 raw, 2 fried and 2 with spinach and cheese, called "Rockefellar". CT ordered an oyster po boy. Po boy means like sandwich. So, he had a fried oyster sandwich.

After lunch, we went back and watched VCDs..played guitar together and just spent some quality time together. Oh, we washed our car together as well as there bird shit in the front on the car. We were quite proud of our car after washing it up as it was so clean.

Cooked beef stew with rice for dinner today. Something simple after a filling lunch.

After dinner, we cut up the watermelon together. CT was in the hard chopping department, while I was in the de-shelling department. He would chop the melon in slices while I would de-shell it! Took pictures of our 'struggle' with the evil watermelon using my new tripod!