Yesterday I got a brand new computer--something that should have enough computing (I'm gonna be honest, that may or may not be the word I need to use here) power to keep up with Photoshop, and eventually some video editing. This baby right here. We were able to snag a deal on it thanks to John's heads up. It's taking a little getting used to, as I haven't really used a laptop in like 2 years.

We settled in for the night and my road rage lately feels justified after watching the recent "Bad Drivers of South Carolina" video.

So one of the biggest parts of my job is doing all the office stuff for our missions camp for girls. Camp La Vida has been around since 1983, and brings missionaries from all over the world to be accessible for girls in SC to meet and spend time learning from them. It's really a unique camp, and makes such an impact in the lives of so many girls--including my own as a kid.

Today I got to spend a day out at camp with our staff and a few of our campers, getting to see a little better of the ins and outs of all they do. Sometimes it's easy to forget that there is more than just names on papers--that there are actually real campers, staff, and missionaries that spend hours and days at camp. Putting faces to names I read, write, and type really makes me feel like all I do does have a purpose and meaning. It's hard to remember that sitting from behind a desk.

We mainly got to plan out a lot of different ways for us to use social media to our advantage and bring camp to many girls right at home, sparking a desire to come experience the real thing. Our staff is so exceptional--it's ridiculous. I mean I can't express how blessed we are to have the staff we do, doing an amazing job for weeks on end as they dedicate their whole summer to this.

Our girls are already rocking our social media--posting this incredible sunset that I think must have set all over South Carolina tonight.

Beautiful sunset on a wonderful day at La Vida!!

A photo posted by Camp La Vida (@camplavida) on Jun 28, 2016 at 6:10pm PDT

Today's outfit is one of my favorites, and I felt so on point. Especially sitting in Hank.

Striped dress, yellow cardigan--classic sunshades? Yes.

Before we left for the lake today, we held a quick prayer for a tough meeting we had to have with someone. I think what God set out to accomplish, was done--and for that I am thankful!

We grabbed food, headed out to Holiday Shores, ate and had a quick devotional. Then the rest of the afternoon was fun in the sun and water. After being pushed in a couple of times, I spent some moments swimming and sitting on the dock.

It was a relaxed afternoon of fellowship and fun. It was so cool to me to see how well integrated everyone has become. God also reassured in me this morning that some of the investment I've made in individuals lives have proven to be fruitful and not gone unnoticed--which is encouraging. Also, at a point in the past couple of weeks I've felt rather isolated and alone. It's hard sometimes to put yourself out there with people to engage and be social when you feel no one returns the sentiment. Through missing out on Thursday night's service, I had countless people asking me how I was and telling me they missed me. I'm telling you, even though I felt horrible for missing Thursday, God used that as a way to prepare my heart for this weekend and to remind me that he has placed good people in my life--caring and loving people!

Our place.

Hank is lurking.

Lake day material. ⛵🏊⛵

A photo posted by Brittany Prahl (@diednsaved) on Jun 26, 2016 at 11:55am PDT

Hank had some good adventures this weekend that is for sure.

We capped off the night at FamJam's first evening. Holy Moly! I have been to some VBSs before, but LexFBC's FamJam is a whole nother level! We'll be helping out all week being transportation for the kiddos.

Finding Neko aka Prodigal's Son

Stranded at the drive-in 🎵🎶

A photo posted by Brittany Prahl (@diednsaved) on Jun 25, 2016 at 4:07pm PDT

Spending time with friends, as well as roasting in the sun as we waited for the sun to go down. This place was packed. God placed us exactly where we needed to be, right beside the line for the concessions--meaning our group time prayer for Daniel to share the gospel with a friend, meant a whole slew of people got to hear us openly speaking to Jesus.

Well Lydia was ready 😉😉 Cooking in the sun as we are waiting to watch "Finding Dory"

A photo posted by Brittany Prahl (@diednsaved) on Jun 25, 2016 at 4:13pm PDT

The crew.

Up close and personal.

The sun set, and the movie began playing so Lydia, Nicole and I hopped into the back of Hank. I layed down just far enough in that I could still see the stars shining bright above us as we enjoyed a movie in the cooler night air all the way out in Monetta, SC.

Today I spent a lot of my day back and forth between home and getting groceries. I gathered all the ingredients for the perfect bowl of shrimp and grits--my speciality. Side note: Super weird to think I already have a speciality. Especially when I've practically stolen the recipe. Only extra thing you need is some grilled or sauteed tomatoes to go in it. Also you can add a little sauteed spinach as well--but my dad hates spinach and this was his make up Father's Day, so I had to cater to him. No being sneaky and putting extra veggies in his dish. And then to top it off, add 2 cups of sharp cheddar cheese, instead of just the one. Trust me.

I've semi strayed from the recipe lately, so this time I followed it pretty exactly, minus my edits I make. We had stone ground grits that were cooked for 8 hours in the slow cooker, as well as apple wood smoked bacon from our local Four Oaks Farm. It was spot on.

As it stands now.

Shopping at local owned places like this, getting food from places right next door, it kind of puts this old world flare in my life that I love. These places I've grown up with... helping mom and dad pick out flowers in the green house they had next door, getting to see my childhood best friend working there behind the butcher counter for a few years, and now seeing neighborhood and church friends shopping shoulder to shoulder--it leaves a feeling of nostalgia.

Little under the weather today once I got home. I drew all the curtains closed in the bedroom, closed the bathroom door so no light would creep in, and I ventured to take a nap in our cozy bed before we headed to church tonight. Stephen came in about 30 minutes later, and let me know he was going to work on the car for a bit.

By the time church rolled around my back was aching and my stomach was nauseous--two things that seem to come hand and hand. So I stayed home.

But I think I needed this moment to prepare for the weekend. More and more I'm learning my balance of alone time and people time, and it's weird feeling like I have to make space for that alone time instead of vice versa.

I just got to rest. I got to watch a movie. I got to sleep. I got to be in the quiet of my room. It was a needed moment and a reminder to slow down.

Sometimes my job is so difficult. I mean really. 8:30 to watch a movie for the next hour and a half--gosh, awful.

I know, go ahead shoot me now. Getting random movie breaks and having all my Fridays off--"you're sarcasm is not funny".

/The Insanity of God

Today we got to watch The Insanity of God, which has been a book for a while now, but just now turned into a motion picture--do they call it that anymore?

What's neat is how this couple has not only lived the call to missions, but they have been called to hear that calling God has put on other people's lives around the world. This couple is also closely tied to many here that I work with. Even one of the homes they film some interviews in is the previous missionary housing one of my coworkers used.

This movie was a real challenge to my own life--it begs to live differently. 

Tonight after I woke from my post dinner nap, Stephen and I drove over to Kristen and Brian's new house to take a look at his Ford Ranger he was wanting to sell. Kristen and Brian are the ones who created the Columbia Food Tours, and used to live in our neighborhood till they moved about 6 months ago.

We've gotten to spend time with them before, but never quite this long or this much in conversation. As Stephen and Brian looked over the truck, I hung out with Kristen inside with Landon their 2 1/2 year old son.

They have begun renovating a 70s ranch home, and have done a great job so far! Taking a fixer upper foreclosure can be tough, but in the midst of businesses they run, they manage to do it and raise a family.

How?! Just how?! 

Today was one of those days where I couldn't get out of my own thoughts. Sometimes that's a dark trap in there, just saying! Not until I got a sweet text from Stephen did I seem to snap out of it. Sometimes a quiet day in the office, is NOT what I need. But the day was good nonetheless.

Made a quick pit stop by the Postal Express for some stamps for camp, and then went to pick up my book on reserve at the library across the street. I just wrapped up Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter, and so now I'm on to On Folly Beach. Which I read about a page of tonight, until I just about couldn't stay awake any longer.

After coming home with my new book in tow, Stephen and I quickly changed clothes to head over to Steve's for our Monday dinner. Pizza, and a few of our closest friends, it was a nice small gathering--which speaks wonders to my soul! God knew just what I needed, and just when I was contemplating not coming because I was not feeling crowds. God provides, even in the little things.

And before reading my new book, and drifting off to sleep, I did get to view this amazing wonder from Jenn.

Today we spent the day with Stephen's family up in Greenville. We sat around for hours discussing politics, religion, family, friends, and much more.

So glad to call these people family. Also such a joy to spend extra time with our nieces and nephew too!

So grateful for the blessing of Stephen's dad and the impact he's had in Stephen's life to make him into the man he is today. Even more thankful for the man I call dad. Even if I didn't get to see him today. He is always so sacrificial of his time for us, going above and beyond to make sure we're taken care of--even at his own expense.

Happy Father's Day!

Tonight Stephen and I headed into downtown Columbia to walk the Riverwalk, which comically closed right as we walked up to the entrance. So we walked the Gervais Street Bridge, first for us both.

Not my image.

We took in the sights of people tubing and trying to get back to shore before nightfall, others still out fishing.

We then headed to the Columbia side of the bridge, walking on the board walk under the bridge up to the Canal and Edventure. We spotted about 5 kittens who'd made a home in the rocks.

Crossing back over the bridge, we caught some of the most beautiful images with the sunset capping off the experience.

We then finished the night with Starbucks and Chickfila eating all the wrong things--you know the terribly sweet and unhealthy things.

Today I walked the dam with my mom. Took a shower. Then headed over to see Joanna and Jack.

We watched Hercules, no not the new live action ones, the cartoon one--good ole Disney. And we played with all sorts of Snapchat filters.

My puppy friend.

They grow up so fast.

I also was able to steal lots of love from Mr. Jack who was oddly obsessed with kissing me today. I'll take the loving I can get!

Headed home for a bit before going to see Micah and Tori for dinner at Momma Rabbits and a movie at Pastime, Me Before You. Which I have to say this review was pretty spot on for how I felt about that movie, plus a few other reviews I read kind of feed into how I feel. I think the movie was a Hollywood glossed over version that tried to paint the picture to live life to the fullest, but failed to do so because you killed a guy who pretty much said life is not worth living. Plus cutting away from the horrible reality that you sat by and let someone you love kill themself, once again reinforces to the audience that assisted suicide is a beautiful thing. No. Nope.

Returned home to a loving husband, and ended my night around the glow of the TV.

Started the day being sneaky...

He was out this morning.

Today I played around with the idea of doing a shaving contest to help raise money for Operation Christmas Child, or otherwise known as Summertime Christmas Child this year.

This font makes me swoon

Ended the day in worship and fellowship with 40 of my closest friends. Haha.

This song.

Today was kind of a normal day in every sense of the word. Nothing too intense to stand out, but all the same a good day.

I sat down tonight to do my devotion, which reading 1 Chronicles 13 (I believe) we learn about a man named Uzzah who helped in moving the Ark of the Covenant. After reading that God's wrath was inflicted upon Uzzah for what seemed like an innocent mistake of trying to catch the Ark as it fell, turned out to be much more. First, the fact the ark was not being carried by hand to it's destination was against God's commands, instead they had an ox carry the Ark. Two, they were never to directly touch the Ark, and while he may have done so out of reflex, the Ark of the Covenant was an important piece in recognizing the holiness of God and his perfect wrath in administering judgement. The fear of the Lord should have compelled him not to try and take it upon himself to "save God" in that moment by catching the Ark. God knows the intent of the heart, and while David was angry with God for doing this to Uzzah, God knew that Uzzah did not do any of this out of fear of the Lord--instead it was the exact opposite.

So do I fear the Lord? Whew. Going to have to chew on that one.

I ended the night with more of Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter. This slow paced book, which I can only assume is to be a reflection of the nature of the south, has really picked up the pace in the last few chapters. I'm kind of thoroughly enjoying this reading thing, and not being glued to the TV until 1 am.

Ahh. Bed. And a dog.

Today was one of those days, where just nothing seems to go quite right. Not a bad day, but I let the enemy take hold of my thoughts. I start feeling alone. Doubting myself. Isolating myself.

My introvert self finds it hard to not gravitate towards the familiar and people I feel connected with. I try to branch out of that, and I can socialize with some of the best of them. But my soul craves closeness and one on one time with people. Unfortunately that circle tends to be small, and when I have to continuously invest outside of that circle, I start feeling alone. Like no one knows ME. It's not true. I know it's a tactic of the enemy to isolate me. Sometimes it's hard to realize it in the moment though.

Today I got to do one of the things I enjoy. Creating artwork or ways to promote things.

This year's as we are running our support of OCC through the summer.

Last year's, although unfortunately we never got to use it.

Today it was for our Operation Christmas Child at FBC Lex. They'll be using this in the bulletin to help raise support. I'm sure we'll be changing it up a little week to week. Just makes me feel good to accomplish something.

So we have had a visitor with us the past two days, well including today. It's interesting feeling guilty in the blessings God gives you sometimes.

This is NOT to brag, because not by any means does this mean our life IS perfect or that WE are perfect. That is farthest from the truth, trust me. I've struggled many years with pornography, I've struggled many times during college with other sins, and I've done some awful things in my life and some awful things to other people. But by the grace of God I've been saved, and forgiven. I'm still learning day by day what it means to pick up my cross to follow Him, and thank goodness in my shortcomings God is the one glorified!

So yes not bragging at all, but our life is pretty blissful and blessed most of the time these days. I'm so thankful that our marriage has been one that supports each other. Even when we're upset with each other or having to deal with a conflict, we've managed so far to do so with love and grace. It means I come home and feel like Stephen is a safe place for me, not a place of worry and stress. When we were tight on money in the beginning of our marriage, God blessed us with the financial sense from our parents' teachings to not spend more than what we had, and budget for what we did have. So not only did we pay off a car, but we were able to save money as well. Now we've been blessed with two great jobs, that pay way more than we ever earned before, and we have a home that is filled with far more things that we might need.

And in that, there's a bit of guilt. We don't struggle like some families, and you wonder why at times we are any different than others. But I remember a story once from a missionary at our WMU Annual Meeting. She spoke about needing a couch, and while that seemed like a silly request to send out to all those that supported her, her couch was her ministry. She held after school programs in her home to help the neighborhood kids with school and homework, as well as providing a meal that would probably not be given at home. She didn't have enough room for them all at the table, but she had enough room for them to use the couch as a table too. But her couch had seen better days, and she needed more space on that couch to squeeze more children into her apartment. So she prayed for a couch, and was given a couch. And she was faithful in using that couch for God's glory.

No lie, about that time we were buying our own ridiculous sized couch. I have a bit of design bug, so I really want our home to reflect us and feel warm and welcoming to others. Our odd shaped living room meant there weren't a lot of couch options that worked. We tried the two couch option from the two hand-me-downs we'd received when we first were married. It definitely didn't work. So we decided a U shaped couch was the best option. This couch was pricey, although we did find one at the bottom of the price range for that couch--so being frugal in our splurge! But it is a huge couch. Why did we need such a couch? Two couches really did work, it just was ugly. So why this couch?!

Our living room about 2 years ago, not much has changed.

So I heard her story, and I knew, this couch would be used for ministry. And while it's taken about a year or so to really get used, it's doing just that! Bible studies have been held here, deep talks and conversations have been held here, the beginning of a spiritual journey to salvation has happened here, relationships deepened here, and finally the beginning of outreach has begun here.

So yesterday, we had a new visitor. He's staying with us for a short time as he gets back on his feet. Those extra rooms in our house being put to use for the second time with someone needing to stay for a bit. And again, I'm reminded that God can use these blessings for Himself and His glory and purpose. In that, the guilt fades, and we realize why we live a slightly cushy life. It's not for us to hog up and use up on our own, it's to share. To share without reservation.

Trust me though, relinquishing that control and having to give up the blessings God has given you can sometimes be really tough. Having a guest in your home takes up funds, space, privacy, and can weigh on your marriage too if you're not careful. But God's going to give you the resources to get through those difficulties too.

Our old neighbors Kristen and Brian began Columbia Food Tours a couple of years ago. About a year ago they were super sweet and let us have free tickets to one of their tours--totally worth it! Food was amazing--we've been back to many of the places on the route--and the extra history was awesome to get to learn about our own city just 20 minutes away.

Again, they offered us some free tickets, and since my dad didn't feel up to going, my mom and I went! We had an amazing time sampling all sorts of food, and even getting to see the city from above.

Up in the sky at #capitalcityclub with #columbiafoodtours

A photo posted by Brittany Prahl (@diednsaved) on Jun 11, 2016 at 1:37pm PDT

Food tour underway with the mom! ❤ #columbiafoodtours

A photo posted by Brittany Prahl (@diednsaved) on Jun 11, 2016 at 12:04pm PDT

Around 10 am this morning I headed out the door, and down the road in the Jeep, to Joanna's house. We piled up with Jackson into her Yukon and headed up to Greenville to have a pool day at her Aunt Cindy's house--something that we did pretty frequently during college.

I got to see Jenn, Katie, and baby Micah, along with many others from Jenn and Joanna's family that are practically my family. They treated me like I was one of their own for 4 years, and even up until now. Their sisters are practically the sisters I never had, and it's been awesome to get to know Joanna as a friend now instead of just Jenn's sister.

Many crazy nights and days at Aunt Cindy's, and so it was cool to be back in the place that held so many memories from 6 years ago--please tell me I'm not really that old!

I also got to see Heather, and for a while there it felt like we were back in college. Just needed Allison, Kayla, and Carla with us and we'd been set. It was the epitome of a summer's day. Just exactly like it should be. Friends, food, family, water, and sun! 

Today I worked on coloring book pages, and camper assignments until about 7:30pm before I finally left to head to church tonight. Scarfed down some Chick-fil-a on the way there, and managed to arrive at church around 8:30, due to running home for a get well card.

After church we headed out to IHOP which has become a tradition on Thursday nights of sorts. We bombarded them around 10:30 pm with 25 people. Maybe that's why one of the cooks quit? The poor lonely, last cook left took about 2 hours to complete our order--and then we got like 3 additional tall stacks out of it because the orders never worked their way out of the system. But this lead to a few good talks with the cook who was out taking a smoke break--since you know he'd been slaving over our meal for the past 2 hours, least you can do is thank him! :)

Right after some of us left, the 25 became like 8

I headed home separately, since I'd driven myself to church. I crashed in bed until Stephen finally creeped in around 2 am I'm assuming.

"Dam" puns. So clever.

Morning Lake Murray Shot

Well this isn't my photo, and while this photo was today, it looks like a morning image. Tonight I walked with my mother across the Lake Murray Dam. While we still haven't made it completely across, we've definitely been walking about 2.5-3 mile round trips, which has gotten surprisingly easier over the course of 3-4 walks.

My mom had hip surgery a few months ago, and instead of continuing physical therapy, as long as she keeps walking it keeps her loosened up. So we've been going about 2 days a week together to walk the dam. Neighborhood walks are good, but seeing the sun set on a summer's evening with the breeze of cars whizzing past, and the Columbia skyline in the distance, well the dam has neighborhoods beat.

Today was exceptionally beautiful. The day was super clear out, so no humidity to really distort the sunset, and the colors that spread across the sky highlighting every wisp of cloud and ripple in the water was so beautiful that we had about 4 photographers set up taking as many shots as they could before the fisherman floated back to shore and the sunlight was completely gone.

Why don't I take my phone/camera with me more often? Psh. I'll learn.

After last Sunday's game night where we played two board games of Quelf simultaneously, could it possibly be that my card to sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" was only predicting all of our very futures?

Take me out to the ball game, take me out to the crowd #unleashedlex

A photo posted by Brittany Prahl (@diednsaved) on Jun 7, 2016 at 6:33pm PDT

Okay you're right, probably not. But getting to see Lauren's last game of the season was pretty cool, especially when you're surrounded by some great people cheering her on.

And the night finished out with one last hit from Corey, a downs syndrome guy from the other team. How the whole stands erupted in cheers and encouragement as Corey rounded the bases bringing home a final run for the night was about the sweetest thing to be a part of.

In other news, my plant has gotten huge--although I'm finding it hard to keep the little white flowers alive.

Way to go Sweet Potato Vine!

So I am strongly influenced already by Erin Napier and her blog--obviously trying my hand at this blog of mine. But she also has some other small influences on me, especially when the timing of her blog post on her new bed sheets came right when I realized we had only jersey/winter sheets, as all of our other ones have torn (from Stephen's efforts of tugging on the top sheet to have the crispest straightest sheets possible) or they are a hodge podge of different patterns or discolored or holes. I didn't realize how bad it'd gotten.

So I had to buy a set of these Erin Napier approved sheets. Lets just say these sheets are absolutely the right texture and are perfect in every way. Really. I'm not overselling that. So this bed is getting close to perfection--but the linens, those are definitely perfection. We have our breathable, getting-softer-with-every-wash linen duvet cover, a great mattress, and these amazing Threshold Vintage Wash Parcale sheets. Now I just need a good bed frame, mattress pad, and comforter insert, and it'll be the best bed on the planet.

Some days this room is real hard to wake up and get out of. Or everyday. Yeah everyday. #notamorningperson

A photo posted by Brittany Prahl (@diednsaved) on Apr 3, 2015 at 7:53am PDT

Also, Stephen came with me for the first time ever to the Lexington Library. I thought he was deceiving me when he said he'd never been in there--which actually I know he is fibbing, because I've shown him my hand print that is tiled on the front wall of the building--oh yeah I'm famous. It's yellow in case you go looking for it.

I decided I need a good bedtime routine. Something to unwind the day with, instead of staying up till the crack of dawn, trying to unwind using the internet and tv. It doesn't work. So hopefully now maybe an hour before bed, I can wash my face, brush my teeth, change into pjs (who am I kidding I'm already in them), climb into bed, speak with God for a bit, and drift off as I read a few pages of a book. So I picked up Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter, which is not my normal choice in books (but can I say I really have a preference, when it's been like 2 years since I've picked up a book that wasn't the Bible or my devotional book?). It's set in 1970s Mississippi, and  is a bit of a murder mystery. Managed to read one chapter tonight, so maybe I'm not so bad at this reading thing as I thought.

Those sheets though.

These past two weeks since coming back from vacation have been hectic--well at work hectic. We've been gearing up for camp, and well the only time I have to put towards writing the blog is during breaks at work--which I haven't had time for! So here is me getting up to speed on what happened the past two weeks.

We've had a lot of great moments with friends and family, and the summer weather is definitely in full swing now!

Cul de sac on a summers evening

Cul de sac on a day where we added like 10 cars to the neighborhood

It looks so pretty; was pretty tasty too. First try at potato soup

Best smelling cleaner!

Anniversary flowers from parents

Flowers for Kayla. Trader Joes, amazing!

Emeals is my new best friend

This candle. Mrs. Meyers is the best.

Friday after we got back from our coastal tour, as I'm calling it, we couldn't sit idly and let the vacation excitement die. So we figured that'd be the perfect chance to take advantage of our friend's Chris and Joanna's kayaks to take down the Saluda River. Sounds like the perfect calm, vacation thing to do. So we loaded up the kayaks in Hank, and I drove as slow as possible, because I was totally fearful they'd slide out on the road and we'd be paying for brand new kayaks to replace the crushed ones.

Loaded up

We got in the water down at Saluda Shoals, and started paddling upstream. Which was tough. Did I mention that it was like 63 degrees that day, ton of rain from days before, and they'd let water out of the dam recently? No? Okay well that was the case, and it made the current extra strong. We got about 150 feet upstream, and Stephen's arms were worn out. I was too, and was following behind him to go and rest with him. He found a log to rest against, and well the current made a mess of that. Instead of resting against the log, it turned into a ramp fueled by the waters, and flipped him completely out. The kayak filled up with water super quickly, and the paddle started floating downstream. Stephen thankfully grabbed the kayak, completely submerged at this point, and started floating downstream as I paddled to rescue the paddle of his and also rescue him. He floated down to another log, and finally was able to position himself to stay still while holding this completed submerged kayak. Stephen standing in the frigid cold water, tried to lift the kayak out of the water to empty it. With both of us, we still couldn't get it empty, but Stephen got in and I helped guide him back to shore.

Saluda River

That wrapped up our 20 minute kayak experience. Fisherman on the other shore enjoyed a full show; but he wasn't worried. :) We got back in the car, wet and cold, and headed back to the Joiners an hour after having picked up the kayaks. We couldn't help but laugh the whole way back.

Cold and afraid. Haha

The next day, Stephen tried to take me out to dinner on our 5th anniversary. We headed out for over an hour to Lake Wateree for dinner on the lake, but unfortunately due to power outage they had closed for the day. So we headed into Ridgeway and at at a cute local restaurant.

Since then we've had a lot of good moments at church lately. We've had our top attendance this past Thursday at around 60 plus! God is so good! Who would have thought a ministry of about 5 college and career people would be 60 strong one day, and still growing!?!

With the change in our dynamic at church, and the impact it has had on Stephen and mine's own life, we're having some moments of growing pains I guess you could say? These moments have been full of grace from God, because they could easily turn to selfishness and lack of understanding or desire to understand the other person, but instead God has given us peace in these moments and in our personalities to understand one another and just want to help each other. Lift each other up.

So I'm a pretty introverted person, always have been. But I enjoy people. I think it's taken a while for me to differentiate the two, and that being an introvert doesn't mean you hate people. It means I energize myself differently. Stephen is an extrovert through and through, he gets pumped being around people, and if he goes too long by himself he feels drained at the end of the day. I love being around people, but where Stephen feels energized, I get depleted if I don't allow myself some alone time. I've tried to explain this before to Stephen, but he didn't really get it. Not until about a week ago, when having people at the house after a long day, and a few longer days of being constantly around people had maxed me out! I kind of broke down, and instead of getting upset or moving on from it, Stephen took the time to talk with me and understand where I am coming from. He's taken the time now to assess how I'm doing and if we need to cut things short or avoid going to things. It's appreciated. I find more energy just knowing that things will not be 5 hours long, or that there is an end in sight, or that Stephen has my back. He's watching me now, and learning my limits. I don't feel so alone.

So all that has lead me to wonder, have I changed over the past few years? Does Stephen feel like he married someone else? Did I trick him into marrying me, when really I'm someone else? It just has felt like the past 6 months have been extra rough, and I don't know why. Before I felt like I had time to myself, like this wasn't an issue, but now it is. Stephen mentioned a good point last night, which made me feel a lot better about always having been me--which is that our life has changed a lot. We are constantly with people, from pretty much sun up to sun down some days, and at least 4 out of the 7 days in a week are filled with church activities and people. That leaves 3 days to myself, but not really--we work, we make other plans that aren't normally schedule things, and then we have our own things we have to get done. Life fills up quickly, and while it's all with great things, my personality gets exhausted.

❤

A photo posted by Brittany Prahl (@diednsaved) on Jun 3, 2016 at 4:59am PDT

For the past 4 years or so, Stephen has had to adjust his extroverted self to fit in the realm of introverted--as life just didn't really allow him to be otherwise. We had a lot of down time. His friends were far away. We only had each other really. It's changed, and with that comes some growing pains and adjustment--just on my part this time. Just so very thankful for an understanding man to be married to.