The Great Smoky Mountains

Today is the day that we are celebrating our anniversary (which was Tuesday the 17th). We are going to Cades Cove which I believe is one of the most beautiful places in the world. I'm pretty sure that because I love it so much wherever my house is in heaven will look a lot like it. Anyway, we are going to pack a picnic and go hang out there until time for our dinner at the Richmont Inn restaurant where they serve a four-course fondue (MY FAVORITE!) meal, chocolate included :). There is a pretty good chance for rain today, but it held off long enough for us to go running this morning so maybe it will hold off while we're at the Cove.

Three years of marriage have FLOWN by. We've lived three different places, lost contact with friends, gained new friends and changed our opinions on different things. God has been so good to us in our 3 years. I am looking forward to the next 3 (and more). If you have any GOOD comments about marriage please leave them here. I like to hear people say good things about their spouses.

By the way... the biggest thing that I have learned in the past 3 years is that it is true what the Bible says: "It is not good for man to be alone!" Just kidding... my biggest lesson (and the hardest for me to learn) is the lesson of silence. I know that verbal communication is VERY important in a marriage, but usually if I will keep quiet and take it to the Lord first, the problem or concern or whatever passes much more smoothly. Sometimes its never brought up because in talking to God about it, I realize that it was my own selfishness or spiritual emptiness; sometimes Ben will bring it up to me before I even say anything; sometimes I am the one to bring it up after my praying first and the discussion goes very well. Now, I'll be honest and say that I don't ALWAYS pray about something before I bring it up to Ben. Ladies and gentlemen, that is a mistake. But, like I said, this has been my biggest lesson and the most difficult for me to learn. Thanks for listening. And Ben, I love you more than ever!