.Loved Relentlessly.

Wow...I haven't posted in a while. Life has been slightly full this fall season. I have enjoyed a quiet morning at home this morning. The rainy weather changed my plans...for the better, I think. Dan is off today, and in the midst of folding laundry, and washing dishes, and writing in my journal, I have heard the steady beat of his hammer from the garage as he builds and creates. I love the feeling - the sounds, the smells, the little realities - of just being home - and being home together. October was an absolutely glorious month. When I think back on September and October 2011 someday, I hope I can remember all the picture-perfect days in a row. And so much color! Deeps reds and vibrant yellows and the most delicious orange. Fall has not been a going to sleep here this year...it has been a coming awake . Delightful. We took a family camping trip to Dale Hollow two weeks ago, on mine and Dan's birthday weekend. A little chilly at night, but the days were fine , in the full...

Every window in my house is open today. Even with the buzz of traffic on Jefferson Avenue out front, I love it. For over an hour this morning I could be found out in my back yard, soaking myself in the September breeze and the Word of God. It is a balm to the soul...all that which is God-breathed. The Word. The wind. Creation. A couple of years ago, I remember walking to the mailbox at the office where I worked. It was late February. A touch of warmth mixed in with the chill in the air, and I heard Him whisper... Spring is coming. I remember drinking in the revelation in the deep parts of my heart that what He promises, He gives. He has been faithful to a thousand generations, and when He says spring is coming, it comes. The cold ebbs away to make room for the warmth. Growth begins. New life happens. I remember this, and I think of the two year olds, in my class at school...twirling, moving, wiggling, singing, discovering. Spring. And then I think of the sharp, brutal reality of death....

Married musicians + a small house = a room of wall-to-wall instruments, music literature, binders full of lyrics. There will probably come a day when we move from our lovely little Jefferson Avenue abode and have more room to spread out our musical paraphernalia , but for now it makes me happy to stack the binders, and move the guitars to get to the bookshelves. The house where music dwells is a glad one. The Lord has been pouring out music in our house lately like never before. My soul leaps at the thought of singing with Dan in our living room or our little office, because I know the Lord is going to meet us there. Songs He brings, revelation He gives...worship in the home with whoever happens to be there is a powerful thing. And it should be the rule, not the exception. It's so very easy to be distracted by the mundane and forget that there is a Lover who longs for our attention, Who longs to spend time with us. In the rush of schedules and traffic and lunch dates and meetin...

I know we've only been married for one year...and 3 hours... but already we have learned so many lessons - honestly, more lessons that we ever saw coming. Many people have told us, "The first year is the hardest! After that it just gets better." We are trusting that every day with the Lord going before us will only be better than the day before. I am by no means claiming to have perfected the technique of marriage - because there is no technique. I do, however, want to offer some thoughts on lessons we've learned in these first 12 months to others who may be brand-newly married, engaged to be married, or looking forward to marriage someday in the future. Praise God for His new mercies every morning, and for His grace daily poured out. Dan does not complete me. Before you gasp, let me clarify. Marriage is not the prescription for a completed life. Your spouse cannot and does not fulfill every deepest longing of your heart. I promise, after a couple months of living ...

Pre -serve: to keep alive or in existence; make lasting. One of the most rewarding experiences I've had this summer is learning to can. Thanks to the advice of my Mom and numerous Internet articles, we have different kinds of jam, salsa made from our garden-grown tomatoes, canned peaches, and soon to be spaghetti sauce in our pantry. It's a simultaneously simple yet lengthy process to preserve food. There are steps to be taken to ensure the safety of things, and steps to ensure the taste. My list-making, task-oriented personality loves it. But after peeling and coring a certain amount of tomatoes, your feet do hurt and your hands do get tired. As cliche as it may sound, the Lord started speaking to me in my kitchen today about how our lives here, in this habitat that is not Home, resemble a preserving process. We are grown, we are matured, we are seen by the King and brought into the Kingdom with intention and with tenderness. We are prepared. We are d...

This song speaks to what marriage...family...deep friendship...what these relationships truly are. Our first year of marriage has had its share of ups and downs. We have experienced a myriad of emotions in the last twelve months, and I trust there are only more to come. But God is faithful, He is trustworthy... And when the shadows roll in and the enemy throws doubt and anxiety and worry and fear our way, I am so thankful for a husband who does not throw in the towel and run, but instead says to me... I want to live through this with you. What a precious gift is unconditional love. -HK

Happiness is...mastering the mocha at home. For some...this is a small thing. For me (an admitting coffee-house junkie) it is a long-sought destination. I like *strong* candy coffee - girly coffee with a kick - that has bold espresso flavor, with a good amount of the sweet stuff, too. So for my taste buds, this victory today was cause for much celebration. Here's the recipe I used, for anyone interested. I tweaked a few different recipes I found online, and what I ended up with tastes comparable to Starbucks - better, actually, considering that I still have an extra $4 in my pocket... - Prepare strong coffee (preferably espresso shots in an espresso machine or french pressed...but you can also do a small pot of STRONG espresso roast, drip style. The stronger, the better...) - While coffee is brewing, in a saucepan, combine 1 tsp cocoa, 2 tsp sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Stir together - do NOT heat, yet. - Microwave 1/4 cup water until boiling (about 1 minute). Pour ...