Bert and Andy (not Ernie this time!)

Andy Stanley (Pastor of Northpoint Ministries) was on The Bert Show Monday morning… what a brave man! He was doing a little bit of field study for his new series coming up in May on dating. He was asking the community if “marriage matters anymore?” After the show you could email Northpoint your ideas and suggestions, thoughts and opinions. Since I am not a morning person and couldn’t compile my thoughts that early, I decided to write after hearing about 50% of the community calling in and saying “No it doesn’t matter anymore… we already live together… we are basically married, who needs it legalized?, etc” Here is my letter:


My first piece of advice for the new series is to REALLY push for the 2 to 1 Premartial program that you guys have. My husband and I are members of NP and did the 2 to 1 program before we got married on October 16th, 2010 and it was fantastic. Not only did we gain SO much from the dicussions and grow tremendously in our relationship but we made lifelong friends with our Premartial Couple, who are always still there when we need advice! My husband and I are currently in a Newlywed Small Group now too through NP and we are constantly bringing up what we learned in 2 to 1. We swear by iMarriage as well! We give that DVD (along with Staying in Love) to all of our friends who get engaged... every couple should watch both of these... whether they want to get married or not.

As for "Does Marriage Matter?", well I am sort of biais to that because I am married. I am also a Christian. I believe that Adam was given Eve because "being alone" was "no good" in God's eyes. I believe marriage is a gift from God that many take for granted. There are things only those in marriage should be sharing, such as intimacy (physically, emotionally & spiritually). My husband's love is the closest thing (on Earth) that I am going to receive to Jesus' love for me and I want that forever. When we got married, there was a oneness between him, me and God. No relationship will ever get that gap closed without marriage.

It is definitely something to think about (Andy has that effect on us...making us think!). Why did you get married or do you want to get married?

Little Reminders

I love the little reminders that life throws at us sometimes such as the really cheesy emails that actually make you stop and think! Well I got an email this morning from a co-worker and she warned me that it was long but really good so I waited until I had plenty of time to read it and I am sure glad I did. It was long but incredible. It is just a bunch of those little reminders bundled up in 1 email. I found myself thinking “Oh I am going to send this to this person and that person because they should read this” but then found myself thinking “but then again, it is perfect for me to hear….actually I should read this every day.” It is funny how we can point a finger so quickly but then realize it is just what we need to hear too. Like Matthew 7:3 says perfectly, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"

So here it is… get some popcorn cause it’s pretty long! Enjoy and soak it in!

 (Since it was so long, I found a website that has it on there instead of putting it all here!)

 Click this link: The Awakening by Sonny Carroll

Why Christianity?

My co-worker and I have had plenty of discussions on religion over the past couple of months sitting right next to each other but today’s was a little different. It was different because it really made me think (more than usual!). I was telling her that I wish I knew at least 1 person from each other major religion besides Christianity (Judaism & Islam) that I could actually sit down and really be able to talk to them about what they believe. I have some things about each of those religions that I simply don’t like (as I know there are some things people don’t like about Christianity) and I want to know their perspective on those things. I know that if someone were to come to me about the things they didn’t like about Christianity, I would want to chance to either explain, or try to figure out myself (since I am new in my walk, I certainly don’t know enough to answer it all). Then my co-worker said something interesting… she said something to fact of “instead of all of that, I would like to know what people DO like about their religion, what draws them toward it.” So that is what got me thinking…why Christianity for me?

This is how it all started. I will admit that I have called myself a Christian for a long time. I said it because that is what everyone around me claimed to be as well.Like many others, I strayed from all religion, made comments about the “God Squad” that would walk by me in school, & lived my life for me. What I wanted to do, what worked best for me, what would help me in the end, etc. I did this because growing up I was not forced to pray or go to Church, etc. Which, in my eyes, is awesome. Anything forced is not genuine. It allowed me (after time & maturing) to do my own research of who I wanted to be and what I wanted to believe. Since doing the research on Christianity & a little on the other major religions, I decided that I love Christianity more & more with every little thing that I learn. Not one thing has made me question or take steps back. There are no contradictions. SO, here are only some of the things that I love about Christianity:



 - It is a relationship, not really a religion. I believe religion clouds the mind and alters people from experiencing God.

- It is selfless. We live to serve and love others.

- I like how Christains want to do acts of service not have to do them.

- The Bible was written by many different people from all different backgrounds, walks of life, time periods, and all they all claim the same. You can’t deny that! This is history people… it really happened. 

- We have Jesus on our side. Who is greater? The guy fulfilled all prophecies, performed miraculous deeds, & rose from the dead. Who does that? Only the best! Talk about someone I would want to follow & strive to live for.

- The love, peace, joy, forgiveness, patience, and many many more things that I feel after accepting Jesus as my savior! Knowing that times won't always be easy but I have a Rock to lean on to and that loves me for me!

- Lastly… how cool is it that our modern day calendars go by Jesus’ birth (BC & AD).


So why do you believe what you believe? It really is something good to think about.

Hobbies

I want more hobbies! No wait, I would like more time to do the hobbies I only dream about! First and foremost, photography. See now that I said "First and Foremost," it will probably get pushed to the end of the list. That is why I am not even going to tell you what is left on the list!

So I got this awesome new camera for Christmas and it has been in it's bag more than out of it. It did show it's face for a few hours while a good friend of mine (shout out to Lauren!) attended a camera class at Best Buy. The class was way over our heads and we found ourselves staring at the instructor, staring at each other, and then just staring at our cameras. We didn't even know where to begin. I then attempted to give it a go and snapped a picture of Lauren who was sitting about 2 feet from me. The viewfinder went black. I thought my camera was broken. I attempted to take more and just more black. What the heck? I then realized that during this class of ours, we were instructed on how to change our settings in manual mode. I guess I know how to listen but not comprehend because I had changed something but had NO CLUE what I changed. GREAT! So then the instructor said he was going to come around and "mess up" our settings and then we had to fix them and take a picture that looked normal (aka: that had some color)! When he got to me, I can guarantee you that he didn't have to change anything on mine... they were already messed up! So needless to say, I left the class, bought $20 worth of accessories that the class had convinced me to buy (when they weren't even trying to do so), and then the camera went back into the bag. It is still there.

I will keep you posted on when the camera comes back out but I am hoping that it works out better than the last attempt! Who knew that photography could be so complicated if you are really trying. I don't EVEN want to get started on Photoshop. I watched about an hour of 5 minute You Tube videos on it and I know nothing! I think I need to go back to school. Would anyone like to fund me on this? If so, can you find me some time to take the classes as well? Thank you!

My 2010 Year in Pictures...aka The Year of Weddings!

So a friend of mine and 1 of the amazing photographers at our wedding, Becca Stanley, posted her year in pictures and I just thought that was the coolest idea ever (for my followers who are not following Becca her blog is http://thestanleyclan.blogspot.com/, check her out!) So I am stealing it! When I first went back through Facebook and wrote down all the pictures I wanted to grab and put in this post I came up with 51 photos and that didn't include the month of December so I had to cut it way down... that was hard! I had such a great year and made so many memories that it was hard to pick but I think I have done a good job at grouping some together. So here is my 2010 in 34 pictures (and captions). Enjoy:

Got engaged Dec 2009 so the beginning of 2010 we had Megan Davidson and Megan Metcalf take our engagement pictures. 

 Jen, Sam and I ran in the Susan G Komen 5K race at Atlantic Station.

 Mike and Candace got married! They had a pool party the day before and they got married at the Inn at Serenbe on June 20.

 Kyle and Lindsay got married in Dalton on July 10. (I was a bridesmaid!) Before that we all threw a couples shower (BBQ, Beer, & Blue Jeans theme), went to Nashville for her bachelorette party and lingerie shower, and attended the bridal brunch and rehearsal dinner!

 Greg and Sam got married August 21 at Brumby Gardens in Marietta, GA. (I was a bridesmaid!) Yes it was pouring during the entire ceremony and it was absolutely amazing. Before this we threw them a couples shower, had her bachelorette party in Charleston, attended her lingerie shower and the rehearsal dinner.

 Avett Brothers came to Atlanta. What an interesting concert!

 Steven drew this picture of me. I know, he has a major talent!

 I tried on my Mom's wedding dress, and it fit. Didn't look very flattering though!

 Went to Savannah for my bachelorette party. It was Oktoberfeset so you know we had some brats and German beer!

 The day before Steven and I got married we both got baptized in the ocean (at the same spot we got married). We invited all of our friends and family who were there to come witness this special event. What a glorious day!

 This was at our rehearsal dinner at Pompano Joe's. It was a laid back dinner on the beach with music, friends, family, and speeches! My Grandpa Cox also made us this wooden box. Inside it we put a nice bottle of wine (compliments of my mom), 2 plastic wine glasses, and Steven and I also wrote each other a love note that we sealed up and placed in there. There is a slit on the back of the box that we gave the option for anyone else to write us a note and slip it in there. At the dinner we nailed the box closed. On our 1 year anniversary we will open the box, the wine, and read the notes!

 Steven and I got married on October 16 in Miramar Beach, FL (Destin). It was a perfect day. We had wonderful weather and our closest family and friends were there to celebrate with us. Our reception was at a groovy little joint called the Love Shack in Santa Rosa Beach, FL. A very special day that I will never forget... I got to marry my Best Friend!

 We honeymooned in St. Lucia! No Pressure, No Problem!

 We took a mud bath (on the honeymoon) and then about 2 minutes after this picture was taken I had my first heat stroke... in the middle of the jungle... in a 3rd world country. It was pretty scary. The ambulance was called but thankfully there were 4 nurses on our excursion with us that slapped me back to life. Poor Steven. I am going to try and not do that again to him.

 Fright Night at Six Flags with some of my besties! It was fun trying to scare the villains when they were trying to scare me!

 Mountains! Headed up to Scaly Mt, NC for the weekend with some friends. Good food, good music, good drinks, good 4 wheeling, good snow, good hiking, good company, and a bear suit!

 Roger and Lindsey got married Nov. 6 at Villa Christina in Atlanta, GA. (Steven was the Best Man!) Before this we went to Nashville for the bachelorette party and lingerie shower (the guys went to Taledega in an RV) and attended the rehearsal dinner at Maggianos. Yum!

 Thanksgiving. I am so thankful for my whole family (now officially including Steven's side)!

Good Bread, Good Meat, Good Gosh, Let's Eat!

 Took my Mom to the aquarium for her birthday! We found Nemo!

 Nora (born 10.10.10) is now a Castardi! Here is our family photo!

 CBS Holiday Party Time!

 Holiday Cheer gathering with some of my besties! Gotta love Christmas Time and Best Friends!

 Santa was so good to me and got me exactly what I asked for... a new camera!

 FARKLE! Steven and I learned how to play the coolest game ever... Farkle... from our awesome premartial counselors over dinner one night. We are sort of obsessed!

Our Christmas Tradition: Bundling up, rolling the windows down, grabbing a  hot beverage, turning up the Christmas music, and riding around to look at lights!

 Nora got a Falcons Jersey (compliments of a Build-a-Bear in our toy chest at my dads!)

 Christmas Eve at Dad's with the Ingram Family!

 Christmas Eve night and Christmas Morning with my mom. Best Cook Ever!

 Christmas Day and Night at the Castardis. We had a sleep over because we got snowed in!

 Booti took his best picture yet!

 Our First White Christmas as a Family! (and 1st white Christmas for GA in 100 years!)

 Our 6ft snowman!

 Grandma and Grandpa came to GA and brought gifts from Indiana. We all loved our techno-hoodies!

 Last but certainly not least... The Falcons led us into  the New Year with a winning season. Superbowl here we come? Maybe!

See you in 2011!