It's here!

What a year. 

Has it actually been that long??

John's Teen Challenge graduation is tomorrow. This is so surreal. The excitement of this day has been here since September of last year. But it still hadn't felt real. Until today. I was in the middle of writing down some paperwork when the reality of what is happening hit me. 

John will actually be around all the time. No more phone calls limited to ten minutes. No more weekend visits home - because he will be home for good. No more two and a half hour visits on Sunday's, because he'll already be with me after church. He'll be a physical part of my everyday life again. 

This is where real life begins again. This year has been like a break of sorts, for us to get back on track and right with the Lord. But it's about to resume rapidly. And although there's a lot to be done in a short time after his graduation, I couldn't be more excited. This year has proven that any adventure, whether happy or hard, is gladly welcomed as long as I'm walking through it with John. 

This season of life has been incredible. At times it was unbearable. At others, the excitement was unbearable. John and I have both grown tremendously in our walks with the Lord and in our lives in general. Seeing the change in John just makes my heart light up. I was there to experience what the drugs did to him: his bad moods, his lying, his laziness, and picking fights over minuscule things. It's brings me such joy to see the opposite qualities in him now. God has made him into a real man. I'm so blessed to get to experience it. 

To everyone who has read this blog and kept up with our story over the past year, thank you. I could say that a million times. You're encouragement and prayers helped me at my darkest time. I'm blessed by every one of you. It kind of makes me sad that not every single person can be at the graduation tomorrow. But if you know my mom at all, you know you'll see enough pictures to make you feel like you were there. Thank you for walking this journey with me. I love you guys!

That's all for this one year of life. 

Onto the next season!

The end is near.

I know it's been forever (as usual) since I've blogged. Since the worst half (the first half) has ended, not a lot happens on a frequent basis. But I've accumulated a couple things that have happened within the past month or two that I haven't publicly talked about. So here are some updates!

• John has decided what he is doing after he graduates. He will definitely not be interning or staffing at Teen Challenge. He wants to start working and saving up for our future. He has a few different job opportunities but nothing is definite yet. Also he has to take a couple classes through the state to get his license back so pray that everything regarding that will go smoothly. As far as his living situation, he will be moving into the apartment above our garage beside our house. For those of you who may be inclined to think that's an awful idea, we have prayed about it and we are putting lots of rules and boundaries in place. 

• I mentioned in our last post that we got the go ahead to start counseling but that's as far as it went. John asked a few times but nothing was done about that but for certain reasons we are glad that it didn't happen. 

• Last month John came home for his 10 month pass. I just LOVED spending time with him. He's the cutest. And even though he has no money or means to do much of anything, he still came home with some exciting surprises in store for me. We were able to talk about some important things that we hadn't got to talk about and it's awesome to see more pieces falling in place. 

• I found out last week that starting in September, I'm allowed to visit John on Sundays, which is visiting day. The only thing is I have to have my Uncle Mark with me. The will be out of town the first visit week so please pray that someone else can come or there can be another way. If I can't, then that only leave two weeks to visit but either way we can FINALLY see each other so it's exciting. 

• Although August 16th was the official 11 month mark, he graduates on September 26th so this Tuesday marks one more month! It's getting so close I can't even comprehend it!

That's all that's new for now. Stay posted for more on his graduation! We're only 33 days away!

3/4!

Hey guys! I know it's been a really long time since I've written anything, but as always, I have a reason. I got some exciting news but didn't want to share it until it was official.

Today is a very special day, just like the 16th of any month, but today marks John's 9th month in Teen Challenge! It's another big mile stone. He is 3/4 of the way finished, 3 months away from graduating. This specific marker, however, is probably the most happy one so far. A few weeks ago, I was told that John and I got permission for me to come into the center once a month for counseling, starting after his 9th month (if you've been paying attention, that means TODAY). 

I don't know what we will specifically going over during this counseling. It could be for marriage, to work through the past, or to get prepared for the future. I'll probably find out when I get there haha. Whatever we talk about though, it means I'll get to see and talk to my love. It also makes these last few months easier because I won't have to go an extended period of time without seeing him again. If the counseling thing hadn't happened we wouldn't have seen each other until mid July for his 10 month break. And then another gap until his graduation on September 26th. Now, I'll see him once a month (if all goes according to plan), and for a weekend in July. 

There is no set date yet as to when we will start, but even the fact that it's allowed is exciting. If you've talked to me about the whole me coming in for counseling and to visit thing in recent months, I've just been saying "I keep praying for The Lord's favor in that area." It's so incredible to see how God has blessed us since we've turned our lives back to Him and gotten back on track. I really can't tell you how ecstatic I am about it. When I found out, I cried on the phone with my mom, and I don't cry in front of people (aside from when I saw The Fault In Our Stars, but we won't talk about that or I'll cry again). It wasn't something I was expecting or trying to find out answers about. I just let God handle that part and trusted in His will. And even if something should happen and we can't do the counseling, I'll still have peace about it, because God is in control. 

Thank you to everyone who continually prays for us, checks in on us, and asks about us! It means so much to me, even the littlest things. A lot of BIG things are going to happen in the next 3 months and even after that. I can't wait to let you all know! Love you guys and happy 9 months!!

q&a.

A little while ago I asked you all if you had any questions for me pertaining to this whole situation...and not one of you asked anything. Good job everyone! (Yes, that was sarcastic) Outside of that, I get asked a few questions on a pretty much regular basis. I'll go ahead and answer those because, if you're like almost everyone else, you're probably wondering too. 

• (This is one people ask me all the time.) Are you still getting married?

Yes, we are still definitely getting married. I didn't stick around and go through everything in the past seven months just to be friends with John and I surely didn't do it because it's fun. Before John and I even entered into a relationship, God had showed we would get married. So in some ways, I sort of view him as my husband already because I know he will be. The Proverbs 31 woman does her husband good all the days of her life, including before their marriage. I am here to do whatever I have to to support him, encourage him, and help him continue to live as he is right now. I am not worried about past hurt, broken trust, chances of relapse, or all the criticism we are sure to receive (and already have). I am confident this is what God has called me to do, so if I follow the Lord's leading, He will take prefect care of every little thing. 

• Similar to the first question, Have you set another date?

No. And setting a date is not a priority. The first time around, we were so excited to get married that we didn't properly prepare in many areas, and the stress of it was a big contributer to John using drugs. He and I didn't talk about it about this issue as much as other things, but I know for me, my first priority is to make sure John stays strong in The Lord. I don't want him rushing to get established after his graduation. I want to make sure we keep our focus on God and do things the right way. The lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. (Psalms 37:23 NLT) He is more than able to guide us where we need to go and show us the right time to get married. 

• What is John planning to do when he graduates?

He isn't sure. God hasn't showed that to him yet. He has a couple different options for where he can live and work. What I do know is that he wants to have time where he can meet with certain men he's met while in Teen Challenge on a regular. And it's clear that John is going to be in ministry at some point. But as of right now, no definite plans. 

• How can I be praying for you?

Well that all depends on what day it is. When I asked John that question, he said the hardest part about the program is being with guys and only guys all the time. I know he would really appreciate prayer for direction and wisdom for what to do after graduation. Recently he has been struggling with missing me and getting bummed out, knowing that other guys who have graduated come to our church and get to hang out with me and my family. He's also a bit upset that he can't do fun things with us this summer, like go to the beach. For us as a couple, pray that we would just keep growing and letting The Lord guide us in every area. This time in our lives has been incredible and I don't want it to be for nothing. 

So that ends our q&a time. But seriously if you have any questions, you can ask me. I love sharing about this situation because I know how it's encouraged and helped people. 

I'll finish with this exciting thought:

It's that point in time where we are planning certain things that John will actually be here for. Our family takes a trip to a Spruce Lake every year around New Years. The other day my dad was telling me that he put the deposit down for this year's trip. And it hit me - John will be there too. I've gotten so used to John not physically being in our lives, it's so exciting to imagine him being around all the time. But I'm more excited for him to be here for the little things. Sitting beside him in church, him genuinely laughing when I try really hard to be funny, hearing and seeing that perfect giggle of his, calling him when I have an awful day. Instead of just being a part of our lives, he'll be in our lives. 

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!

^that's an understatement. 

*4 and 1/2 more months left you guys!!