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Communication Marriage

The One Word that Will Keep Pride Out of Your Marriage

couple sitting in the sand and talking on beach
A few weeks ago the Holy Spirit whispered to me “ I want you to be more vulnerable”.
When I heard the word “vulnerable” I immediately thought that I was the poster child when it comes to being vulnerable, especially when it comes to my marriage. I am naturally a “feeler” and enjoy having heart to heart conversations with friends and family. As I began to allow the word from the Lord to rest upon my heart I began to see areas within my marriage in which I have neglected to allow my husband access to, which comes from being misunderstood or rejected.
To be vulnerable is to be : “open to attack or damage, being susceptible to be emotionally wounded, exposure”. What a powerful definition! When I read it for the first time, I was immediately humbled and began to measure the definition to my current life and relationship with my husband.
When you get married you become one with your spouse. Everything that you have is his and everything he has is yours. When you say “I do” I believe that in that moment the Lord knits both of your hearts together along with His to create a powerful team that is unstoppable when they allow themselves to be vulnerable with one another. You may ask how can I be vulnerable with my spouse?
 
Share your deepest dreams and desires with your spouse, allow him into your world.. the good, bad and the ugly. Yes, you see your husband or wife everyday and have conversations about life on a regular basis, but the tone of the conversations are usually surface and ritualistic. I still hear the Holy Spirit whisper to me “share more, he needs to hear your heart”  as I share with my husband an emotional or hard truth that may be taking place in my life. When I obey, I see how our conversation turns from surface to purpose and I begin to see his heart open up and receive me in a whole new way.
Don’t be afraid to be the real you. When you are who God created you to be and you choose to involve him in every area of your life and marriage. You will not be afraid, because you know that whatever you share, that God is involved and that when you and your husband choose to allow Him to be the foundation of all that you say and do, being vulnerable will be a regular and enjoyable practice. Watch how your marriage becomes more enriched as you choose to allow your spouse to visit the most deepest parts of your heart, dreams and desires.

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Home Marriage

Interior Decor Inspired by God's Creations

I was inspired by a piece of art that immediately ignited intense feelings of euphoria. While visiting the Houston Museum of Natural Science with my husband, I could not take my eyes off of this piece of petrified wood.
According to Geology.com, Petrified wood is a fossil. It forms when plant material is buried by sediment and protected from decay by oxygen and organisms.

Petrified Wood
I enjoy the beautiful objects that God created and often try to implement natural elements in my home whenever I can. Natural elements remind me of God and how marvelous and amazing He is. Only He could have created something so beautiful like a tree, and then transform it. The tree stump looks like it has no life until a plant is imbedded inside and then He creates this unique art piece.
Nehemiah 9:6 – Thou, [even] thou, [art] LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all [things] that [are] therein, the seas, and all that [is] therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.
The bright colored material is hard like stone with rich hues intermixed in a beautiful collage. AHHH! Lord you are so amazing! To see this in person, well it is simply breathtaking. Well, I was so inspired by this art that I decided to design a bedroom for those who appreciate natural elements as much as I do. I used wood, metal, and natural fabrics to create this room. Here is a collage of my ideas, and I even attached some links of the resources for you. ENJOY!!

Modern Masculine Bedroom.001

Agate Sconce
Aged Brass Sconce
Flush Mount
Table Lamp
2 Light Table Lamp

Bed

Pillows

Fabric 1
Fabric 2
Fabric 3
Fabric 4
Fabric 5
Fabric 6

Shanghai Stool
Petrified Wood Table

Petrified Wood Trays

Indigo Geode Print

Cast Iron Hand Sculpture

Brush Sculpture

Metal Shape Sculptures

Dresser

Rugs

Categories
Home Marriage

The Pros and Cons of Purchasing a New Home or an Old Home

If you are thinking about investing in real estate and buying a home, you may be trying to decide whether to build a new house/purchase a newer home or an purchase an older home. Both home types come with pros and cons.  I want to shed light on some key factors to help you make the right decision.
 

Newer Homes/New Construction

real estate photo: Real Estate Bakersfield CA Real-Estate-BakersfieldCA-2_zpsf7ef1547.jpg
Pros

  1. All the major components (HVAC, foundation, roof, water heater) are brand new and you should not have to be concerned with replacing these anytime soon.
  2. You get to select your building materials and design the home to look exactly how you want it.
  3. All appliances and plumbing are new. You get to break in that stove and you are the only one who has used your bathroom (at least we hope).
  4. Brand new home smell. Nothing beats the smell of fresh paint and new carpet.
  5. 1 year builders warranty. If anything gets damaged during the first year, the builder will replace it at no cost to you.

Cons

  1. You typically will pay more for new construction than older homes.
  2. Newer homes will have baby trees and landscaping so you will have to wait a few years to get any real shade.
  3. Building delays-Sometimes these are just not preventable. The wrong tile could be ordered or the manufacturer decided to drop the tile you chose. This happens all the time with new construction so be prepared and have back up plans in case you need to add a few more months on your apartment lease.
  4. Home is built-in less time with less quality materials than older homes.

 
 

Older Homes

home photo: home zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz-5.jpg
Pros

  1. You may get quality building materials (like real wood flooring and exotic granite) for a fraction of the cost you would pay for them in  a new home.
  2. Mature trees and landscaping.
  3. Some older homes were built with architectural design features that are historic or timeless.
  4. Your home comes with a story. Someone has already put a lot of love into it and you get to add another chapter to the book.
  5. Pay less per sq ft than a newer home.

Cons

  1. You may have to do some major repairs to make the home livable.
  2. May not be move in ready.
  3. You are the new kid on the block so it will take some time to acclimate to the existing neighborhood culture.
  4. Insurance may be higher because the home is older.

 
I hope this list helps to make your decision on finding a home a little less daunting. My best advise to you is that you should research and evaluate what is most important to you. Buy a home that you love and that will also love you back for years to come.