By Ashley Wells, on August 30th, 2010 Today, I’m guest posting over at Life’s Not Always Fireflies and Hummingbirds as part of Chrissy’s To Have and To Hold Series.
 I got married 6 days after I graduated high school. I was 18 years old. I was happy, excited, and hopeful.
Why the rush? Why not? We knew we wanted to be together, so why wait? We were ready for our two lives to become one (Genesis 2:24)…
There have been many people that I graduated with who have now gotten married as well. However, the sad reality is that many of those who were married after me are now also divorced.
That led someone to ask me, “What makes your marriage different? You actually like being married. You both love each other. You don’t fight and bicker like other couples I know. It seems like you want to be married to each other…even after 5 years.”
Read the rest here.
By Ashley Wells, on August 27th, 2010 I am loving this book I am reading (Sleep, It Does a Family Good)! Not only am I learning a lot about sleep. But, honestly, it is causing me to reflect and think about many other areas of my life. I already shared a little bit on At the Well earlier this month.
Today I’m going to share more. This quote is from pg. 136,
I believe that success at marriage is not about “finding” the right partner; it’s about “becoming” the right partner.
Now, of course, in the context of this book, the author is talking about sleep, and being compatible, and such as that.
However, I think that this quote clearly has a pplication for marriage, in general, as well.
How many times do we hear someone describe their future (and usually unidentified) spouse as “Mr. Right.” Our culture today points a HUGE emphasis on soul mates, matches, and compatibility.
Where does the fact that we are all sinners come into play?
Your future spouse, or current spouse (Yes, married ladies, this is good for us to hear too), is not going to be Mr. Right all the time! It is impossible. He is a man who falls short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), he is going to mess up, he is going to make mistakes.
However…the beautiful part of marriage, and of this quote, is that we are all on a journey.
I think that this effects us two ways.
Firstly, we need to realize that each day your husband is becoming more and more “right” for you. The two of you are molding and shaping lives together on this journey. You are grower closer together and becoming more “right” each day.
Secondly, we need to aim to become more “right” for our husbands. Is there something he would like us to learn how to do better, or cook more often, etc? Is there something we can do today to becoming more “right” in his eyes?
There you have it ladies, what can you do today to “become” the right partner for your hubby?
By Ashley Wells, on August 25th, 2010 Each month, I like to take the time and introduce you to that month’s “Featured Partners.”
Right now all of my Featured Partners are people or companies who partnered with me to provide prizes for Give! Win! Send!.
So, without further delay, here are my Featured Partners for this month:
Angela Vinez Designs
Angela Vinez Designs is a wide range design company that has a lot to offer! Angela offers very affordable items that are custom made for you!
You can also find Angela on twitter, a design blog, and many other places.
Steady Mom
Steady Mom is one of those resources, providing the ideas and inspiration mothers need to nurture our children and enjoy deeper relationships in our families. It’s about being on a journey toward intentional, professional motherhood.
You can connect with Jamie (aka Steady Mom) by reading her book or blog, or you can follow her on twitter.
Green Field Paper Company
Green Field Paper Company is all about paper – tree free paper. They specialize in their Grow-A-Note Greeting Cards. These cards are meant to be sent, and then planted in the ground to grow beautiful flowers.
You can find the Green Field Paper Company on facebook and on twitter.
Halas & Phos
Halas & Phos is your one stop shop for Christian jewelry, accessories, gifts, books, bibles, games and home & office décor. They offer a wide variety of products…you are sure to find what you are looking for!
Halas & Phos has a mailing list (Sign up at the top of their site) to stay in the loop, and can also be found on twitter.
The Vintage Pearl
The Vintage Pearl began in 2007 as a creative outlet while Erin stayed home and raised her kids. It quickly blossomed into a business and continues to grow! They provide high quality hand stamped jewelry of all kinds.
You can connect with The Vintage Pearl through their blog, newsletter, and on twitter.
Kathi Lipp
Kathi Lipp helps women renovate their life with projects for the soul. She is a national speaker and author who inspires thousands each year to take beneficial action steps in their personal, marital, and spiritual lives. Earlier this year I reviewed her book The Marriage Project, which I loved!
Kathi can be found on facebook and on twitter.
Blessings Unlimited Consultant Chrissy Berry
Blessings Unlimited is a place where you’ll find lots of beautiful things. Things for your home. Things for your friends. Things that will bring you closer to God and strengthen your faith.
You can also connect with Chrissy through her blog, or on twitter, facebook, and blog frog.
Notetrunk
Notetrunk loves to combine old and vintage, with new and modern styles. They are creating unique personalized stamps with a twist that will add a fresh look to all of your papergoods.
NoteTrunk offers a wide variety of stamps that are sure to meet your needs!
Make sure to take some time and meet this month’s featured partners!!!
By Ashley Wells, on August 24th, 2010  Today I am joining in on Top Ten Tuesday.
Ten Things I Am Thankful For Today:
1. My Husband. He gives love so freely and provides for me in amazing ways! I am always amazed at how God matched us together!
2. My New Job. I am so excited to start a new job next week. This job is super flexible, I pick up shifts whenever I want to work. So, this will allow me work around Michael’s schedule. And I will be able to work less when I’m needed more at home, or Michael’s job becomes more demanding.
3. Our New Car. Michael’s Great Aunt passed away late last year and left us her car. Without a will it has taken a long time to get the car transferred into our names. However, this is the perfect timing for the new car! Now I don’t have to ride my bike to work anymore (Which is a good thing since my new job is a little farther away).
4. God’s Provision. I am continually amazed at how abundantly God provides for all of our needs, and more! I am so blessed beyond comprehension.
5. Country Bob’s. I am beyond excited about The Relevant Conference. Thanks to winning the ticket from Country Bob’s I get to go and not have to stress about how I am going to pay for my ticket. This makes me extremely thankful!
6. My Cats. lol…I know, I must be a dork. But, my cats bring me so much happiness!
7. Our Adoption Training. Yes, it is sometimes dull…but, after we move next spring, we will be able to get our home study done and get licensed, and then get a placement!!!
8. Michael’s Passion. Since we have moved to Louisville, I have seen Michael’s passion to share the gospel increase ten-fold, and fleshed out in his life in real and practical ways. He is volunteering (Soon to be employed, as well) at a local nursing home and is talking with many of the residents about Christ. This makes me so excited as he is starting seminary in January.
9. The Seminary Wives Institute. This week I will be starting to take classes through the Wives Institute at Southern. These classes are designed for future ministry wives. I am so excited to start get some training for my future role as a pastor’s wife.
10. The Future. God has some amazing plans for our lives! Adoption, Future Ministry Roles, moving next Spring, lots going on! I am so excited to see God’s plans come to pass in our lives!
What are you thankful for today?
By Ashley Wells, on August 20th, 2010 I received the following book from Crossway for the purpose of reading it and providing an honest review.
 Purity: A Godly Woman’s Adornment was a wonderful, insightful, and quick book! Lydia Brownback, in my opinion, did a great job at tackling this HUGE topic. Here is a great quote that captures the magnitude of the topic (pg. 9):
“Purity is much more than moral behavior. Purity is first and foremost a matter of the heart. To be pure is to be single-minded. It is to have a single goal, a single focus, and a single purpose for ourselves and our lives. That is biblical purity, and from it springs moral behavior – the good we do with our bodies. At its core, purity is having a heart for the Lord that isn’t watered down or polluted by lesser things.”
The book is made to be read “on-the-go.” And it absolutely can be! I love books that are arranged in smaller chapters, because they are easier to read! Much more manageable! This book is just like that!
In addition to reading the book, I also participated in an online book discussion group with the author on facebook. This was a great opportunity to hear more from Ms. Brownback and further reflect on the topic of purity.
I would highly recommend Purity to any Christian woman, teen and up, who wants to dive deeper into the topic of purity!
Thanks again to Crossway who sent me a copy of Purity to read and review!
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