Liz's Blog

I posted on my facebook status this evening the following message:

“I’ve come to the optimistic conclusion: I will survive this semester with the help of God, caffeine, tv dinners, lack of a social life, little sleep, & my fellow social work classmates. What a journey this will be!”

I have to admit when signing up for the social work program I was unaware of the amount of stress I would be under my junior and senior year.  College is by no means easy as it requires much dedication, hard work, and sleepless nights.  This week I began having many doubts about continuing with my education, but I was not alone as many of my fellow classmates are struggling as well.  This semester we are faced with an internship, 4 solid class loads, and many of us work full or part time jobs  in addition to school. The only day I have free of classes & work is Sunday. The rest of the week consists of long days.  Add housewife responsibilites in there and well, I’m sure you can do the math.  After all, we were prewarned by our professor/supervisor that this was the “semester from h-ll”.  However, I know God will provide and will help me overcome what feels like the impossible. In the meantime, if it seems like I vanished from planet earth….have no fear…….I simply am buried in a book, writing a learning plan, or working with clients.

PS: If you know a social worker give them a hug.  You would not believe the amount of work that they do and the amount of stress they undergo for the little income they receive.  We do it simply for the benefit of helping others.  If all my tears, studying, thousand dollars spent, and exhaustation resulted in just one life being changed-then, it would all be worth it.

I may be a bit of a geek when it comes to The Office tv show.  Phil and I just can’t get enough.  We own The Office board game and for Phil’s birthday I got him a “Thats what she said” tee, so I’m sure we can be classified as over-the-top fans.  Even my future children will know who Michael G. Scott is.

So, it is no surprise that The Office makes Thursdays so delightful. Tonight an all-new episode airs and we  can not wait!  I wanted to spread some Office cheer and show you some bloopers from our favorite tv show.  NBC  9pm

I decided to try something new for Monday blogs:  Music Mondays. I got the idea from a fellow blogger.  This weeks theme was pick a song from your wedding.

© ST Photography

Our wedding was intimate with our closest family and friends in attendance.  Our ceremony took place at our home church and our reception followed at the Gennett Mansion. It was a perfect day!

I must admit, choosing the music to be played at the wedding was the easiest and best part of wedding planning (well, okay, second to cake tasting).  My husband loves music and loves playing music.  After all, we own 2 guitars, a bass,  drum set, harmonica, and some bagpipes (which unfortunately can no longer be played after a dog got a hold of them).  Music is a big part of our lives.  So, when it came to deciding on wedding music I choose the songs that had significant meanings to us and our relationship together. I wanted our music to reflect ourselves and I think I achieved that.

There is one particular song I would love to share with my readers, it is played during the pouring of our unity sand.  Our unity sand was a twist on the traditional unity candle. (We had a white layer of sand at the bottom.  This represented that Jesus Christ is the Lord of our lives and the solid foundation that holds our marriage firm. We had our own unique colors of sand to represent our own individual lives and then we poured our sands together and intertwined our lives.  Just as our sand is inseparable, so is our marriage). The song that played while we were doing this was “Holding Hands” by Steve Green. The song itself is not popular, but after I stumbled upon the song I knew that it needed to be included in our ceremony.  The song is about facing the future together; whatever that may be. My favorite part of the song is:

“And then we trace God’s daily grace

Thankful we’re still holding hands” 

 

 

 

I love these lines of the song, because I do believe that because of God’s grace he has allowed us to share our lives together and I am thankful and very blessed to have such an amazing, hard-working, loving, christian husband!

Isn’t marriage a wonderful gift from God?

January 15th, 2006 was the day Phil made his way into my life.  Back when Myspace was the BIG thing and facebook had not hit popularity just yet.  I had a message in my inbox from a 22 year old in Indiana.  He simply wanted to let me know he thought my smile was beautiful & that he thought it was awesome that I had God listed in my heroes section.  I have to admit (and giggle to this day about it) I almost hit “delete”, but I decided to message him instead. From there it was a whirlwind of messages, emails, im messaging, and  long phone calls.  During one of the phone calls we discovered my best friend was living in the upstairs apartment of his brother and sister-in-law’s house (destiny, perhaps?).  After a week of knowing each other,  Phil told me he was going to marry me one day.  I blushed and was flattered, but played it off.  Well, you know how the story ended, Phil was right.  In the beginning, we were young and very much in love.  Now, we are maturing and finding our place in society while the love between us continues to grow.  There was something about Phil that was different. When I looked at him, talked with him, and was in his presence I experienced a love I had never felt before. And when you find a love like that, you can never let it go because it changes your world forever.

I thought I’d take you through memory lane.
This picture was taken Easter of 2006. We adored each other to no-end (we still do). & in case you were wondering, yes, that is pink in my hair.
Summer 2006. Even though it was only 4 years ago, we look so young here.
Another 2006.
2007.
Winter 2007.
May 2008. The day after my 21st birthday.
May 2009. My birthday.

Isn’t it crazy how much things can change in just 4 short years?

I’m hoping everyone had a wonderful & safe New Years. We had a wonderful time last night with our good friends, the Brown family, but have spent most of today lounging around and feeling lazy as we recover from the festivities of yesterday evening.  I did find the energy to make lunch, put away laundry, and reorganize the food pantry after a good nap.  Thankfully my husband and I grabbed carry out tonight for dinner so I had a night free of dishes and cooking. Yay!  More reason to celebrate right?

Can you believe another year has passed and another year has begun? This past year was a year of many “firsts” for Phil and I.

• Moving into our first place.

• My first time living anywhere other than the city where I was born & raised.

• The first car accident we’ve been in (other than a fender-bender). We are just so blessed no one was hurt & still hoping that someday we will be reimbursed for the damage.

• First joint bank account

• Our first married holidays: Sweetest Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Eve (I consider the holidays very different now that I am married. Your family changes in unique and new ways).

As the 7 months led up to the wedding in July of ’09, I really was unaware of all the ways marriage would change us as individuals and as a couple.  I no longer look at my husband the same way as when we were dating, but have a new love and respect for him.  Granted, we still are learning how this marriage relationship works and as each day passes with God’s wisdom we are working to create a stronger marriage. We are also learning from each other.  My husband and I are two opposites.  He is laid-back and easy-going, while I am always making plans, setting schedules, and worrying about the details.  I envy his abilities of being able to just let life happen, while I struggle to let go of the control, put my trust in God, and let it be. I have worried enough for the both of us about: jobs, health, finances, and hardships.  For the longest time we never really understood each other.   We saw the world from two different angles.  Over time  by watching the ways of my new husband, seeking God, and with the help of listening to Joyce Meyer’s “The Cause and Cure of Worry I have learned that worrying will lead me nowhere and I am only in control of what happens today. Lately, I have been working towards letting go of the worries and fears I have and place them in better hands.   For the first time in my life, I can feel the weight beginning to lift off my shoulders and it is an incredible feeling of relief.  As time passes, I am sure this task will become easier and my heart will no longer carry burdens but an overwhelming joy.  So, for the first time as a new year begins I have no plans or expectations, but I know that God is overseeing Phil and I’s lives and will create the path for us to follow.  As Martin Luther said, “Pray, and let God worry“.

Matthew 6:34
So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Phil and I had a wonderful “First” Christmas together!
We ate entirely too much delicious food, had a blast playing Taboo, & enjoyed our families. We are very blessed with wonderful loved ones that make Christmas time very special.

Here are two little boys who just couldn’t wait to see what was underneath the tree.

Here is the McComb & Royer Family on Christmas Day

Here are our handsome nephews: Gabriel (left)  and Gavin (right)

& all of the McComb families: (L-R) Phil, Liz, Gavin (hidden), Kerissa, Gabriel, Ryan.

For unto us a child is born… and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Last week, the husband and I celebrated 5 months of matrimony. One month short of half a year.  2009 has been an eventful year for us. The first half of 2009, was slow and long anticipating our July wedding.  After we moved into our first apartment in June the time began blending together and life sped up.  In the past five months, we said “I do”,  had the car accident, gained a nephew, college started back up in the fall, and we recently lost a beloved grandmother.

The past 5 months has had it’s wonderful occasions and it’s fair share of hardships, but with each day we grow stronger: individually and together.  With that being said, for the past month I have been excited for Christmas and New Years to arrive.  This is my favorite time of the year. I get giddy when I hear Christmas music, want to make far more cookies than we can eat, and would decorate my house as Santa’s workshop if Phillip let me.

I thought I’d share with you a “taste” of what the McComb house looks like around Christmas time.
This is our first Christmas tree.  My grand-parents are actually going to be giving us a bigger tree next year, so this is just to get us by for now. It’s cute (and colorful when “on”). We just need to work on collecting more ornaments for the bigger tree next year

My grand mother made this mouse house years ago and as a child it was always my favorite to display. I am looking forward to sharing this with our future little ones. It is very special to me and I am so blessed to have this dear keepsake.

This is part of our Christmas village that my parents set up every year.

This “first” Christmas is very exciting, but I am also looking forward to the many more Christmases we’ll share together. It is a special time of the year: the birth and hope of our savior and a time for family and friends to share, celebrate, and love. I wish every day was a little more like Christmas.

The past few weeks and days have been difficult and full of trials. Sometimes life doesn’t make sense and it is hard to see God’s will for your life. For me, I am struggling with understanding his plans for me and being able to follow it patiently and faithfully. I wanted to share some musical lyrics from songs that have touched me and have brought me comfort during these hard times. (& for future reference for when a bad day comes along)

“And even though I feel so lonely
Like I have never been before
You never said it would be easy
But You said You’d see me through the storm.”
-Mark Schultz : He Will Carry Me

“I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn’t there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right.”
-JJ Heller : Your Hands

“You cry yourself to sleep
cause the hurt is real
and the pain cuts deep
All hope seems lost
With heartache your closest friend
and everyone else long gone
You’ve had to face the music on your own
but there is a sweeter song that calls you home”
-Meredith Andrews : You’re Not Alone

My Husband, Phillip

Every day I learn something new about him. Marriage has been a learning experience and a eye-opening journey for us. There are good days and there are days when you struggle, but there is no one I’d rather walk through life with. The feeling of being loved and needed by him makes my world continue spinning. When I think of my future, I can’t imagine him not being a part of it.

My Mom & Dad

You know when your parents tell you “someday you will understand”? I always told them I wouldn’t. Surprising enough, as each year passes by and I grow older I find myself realizing they were right about a lot of things. Growing up, I never realized how much they did for us. The braces, cheerleading uniforms for me, and basketball camps for my brother. We were always put first. & I couldn’t thank them enough for all they’ve done to ensure me a good life.

My Family & Friends

The company of my friends and family brings me great joy. My grandparents, brother, in-laws, relatives, and close friends who have supported me through life…each one of them mean a great deal to me. Whether they were there to share laughs with or to cheer me up when the weight of the world was on my shoulders, I am who I am today because of them.

My Needs Are Met

I’m sure college students can relate to how poor you feel while in your early twenties working part-time and in your final years of education. We have had to make a lot of sacrifices, but we are blessed in this time of economic recession that we both have jobs and we have not had to worry about not being able to pay for rent, food, or gas. Sure, there are times when you start counting pennies, but God has always provided and we are taken care of every day.

God

He has given me this life and has given me everything in it. He has placed me here for a purpose and I am thankful for every day he gives me. I know when the world ends, he has bigger plans for us all. I am thankful that he loves me unconditionally.

The list could go on & on. It seems like my blessings are endless. & really, when you look around, there are more things to be thankful for than you may have realized.

I have been on hiatus for awhile. Between being a wife, maintaining an apartment, working part time, and being in the social work program – my days are pretty full lately. Although, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Life is good & married life is great.

You may be wondering what 111 days means. Yes that’s right.. 111 days of being a married woman. I think married life has taught Phil and I a few things about one another as well as about ourselves. For starters, being selfless instead of selfish. One of the biggest things I have learned in the past 4 months is that it’s no longer about yourself, but instead it’s about another person. Marriage is a lot of give and little take. I believe everyday we grow stronger as a couple and we do our best to place our lives in God’s hands. ♥

On a different note, when Phil and I first moved into our place I promised a few folks I would post pictures. Well, I finally got around to it. Enjoy!

This room was our computer room at first. We ended up switching the computer room & bedroom. I love the switch. Thanks to Emily for the “Kiss Me Goodnight” picture. I love it!

This is our kitchen. The counter top area is small, so cooking can be quite the challenge, but we make do. At least we have a dishwasher

Our kitchen table. The banner behind it is an Irish Blessing. We got it on Mackinac Island on our honeymoon.
It says “May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
May the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand”.

Our living room.

Again, another living room shot.

That is just a sneak peek of our cozy place. We are very blessed!