Wednesday, January 13, 2010

No seriously, I’m still here.

I’ve been pondering this post for weeks. Weeks, y’all. I’m not really sure why it’s taken me so long to write because it’s all good things that I want to write about. Perhaps because it’s a post that walks the line between honest and holding things close that need to be held. Maybe it’s that it has been so long in coming. Whatever the reason, it’s just taken me longer than I thought to finally get back here.

And then a sassy little friend facebooked me {yes, I just made Facebook a verb} and asked, “So, when are you going to get back on your horse named Blog?”

Ahem. Right. Climbing back on.

I’ve missed my little piece of the internet but the time I’ve spent away from it has been necessary and good and fruitful. The short version {to be expounded upon later, let’s just get all this out first} is that, to start with, the lifestyle change has resulted in forty pounds lost, a running habit regained and is still going strong. Well, reasonably so. I cooked a fair amount of Pioneer Woman recipes over Christmas and New Years that have played havoc with what you might call “healthy eating patterns”. But the Cheesy Artichoke Bread? TOTALLY WORTH IT.

In December, our time at The Mountain House ended and a move was made to a delightful area of Chattanooga proper just north of the Tennessee River. While I miss our amazing neighbors terribly, I’m not going to lie- I do not miss driving up and down the mountain or the thirty minute commute to school. The Shore House is our side of a darling duplex and I’m discovering that apparently I do better with smaller spaces. Nesting has been easy and quick and something about having to get creative with less space has kicked up the “decorating on no budget” juices.

But bigger than all that has been the reason I took a sabbatical from blogging last September. What I couldn’t tell you then but can tell you now, is that Jason and I were separated through the autumn months. Divorce seemed imminent, papers drafted but never signed. It was a hellacious time for everyone involved and I’ve never been more grateful for my family and friends. However {and how often is there a “however” in stories like these?}, there is a happy ending-in-progress.

God did a miracle, something I didn’t think was possible. He brought Jason and I back together. Our story is still being written and there is probably more of it that I will share down the road when the time is right. But this part, this little piece, I wanted to share with y’all. I am starting the new year with my husband by my side and with a marriage that is on a completely different trajectory than the last three years. And that? That makes it a very happy new year indeed.

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Ephesians 3:20, The Message

18 comments:

  1. Big, shining tears in my eyes.

    Much love to you!

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  2. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. I know that it was probably extremly difficult for you too and I completely understand the break that you needed. I wish you all the best in your "new" marriage.

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  3. I love that our God is in the business of restoring broken things. We are very happy for you two!

    Lance (& Heather)

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  4. And your sassy little facebook friend is so glad you took another go at it- now could you write an entry for me- I seem to be stuck.

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  5. YAY! That you're back.

    PRAISE! For God's goodness.

    PROUD! Of your bravery.

    THANKS! For birthday calls. :)

    Love & XOXO

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  6. So so so proud of you.

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  7. It's people like the two of you who teach me about what marriage really means, and what those vows we make really encompass. I'm sending you much love and many good wishes for a wonderful 2010.

    And "God did a miracle" is my favorite sentence ever.

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  8. I've been "stalking" your blog for awhile now and have appreciated your honesty. I had to write to tell you how much I admire your honesty. I've been married 6 years and have 2 kids and have learned that being married is HARD. I will be praying for you and Jason and thank you for sharing with us. I look forward to reading more about the wonderful love story that God is writing for you. :)

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  9. Thanks so much for keeping me updated through all this my sweet friend - you have been in my prayers and, again, I am so so glad that we serve such a BIG GOD who does miracles for us :-)

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  10. God is good! From what you said in previous posts, I was so afraid this was the case. I'm so SO glad to hear that you all are working through it, and I'll keep on praying for you!

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  11. happy beyond words for you both!

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  12. I am so happy that you and Jason have worked everything out. And I am so proud of you for all of the weight that you have lost. Super big hugs from me to you!

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  13. Anonymous11:05 PM

    Dear Brave Girl: I'm proud of you, I'm continuing to pray for you and I love ya! Hugs, La

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  14. Anonymous11:14 PM

    Hi Leslie! I have no idea if you remember me, but I was a Redeemer youth middle school-er years ago when you used to help out. I found your blog from a comment you left on Jennifer Edward's blog a few weeks ago.

    I've enjoyed reading your blog and learning about your life. I'm so thankful that the God we serve does do miracles! Thanks for putting yourself out there and sharing.

    Karen S (karen425/gmail/com)

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  15. Anonymous10:19 AM

    Thank you for sharing and know that you were missed during your absence. However, I am very happy that you took the needed time to repair and reflect and I am so glad to hear that things are going well. Congratulations on the weight loss!!! That is marvelous!

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  16. Jenny Braden Hobbs6:23 PM

    Thank you for your honesty! I know I'm terrible about keeping up with old friends, especially over distances, but when I came across your blog last summer, I really enjoyed reading about you and getting caught up on your life. And you have a way with words that is just a joy to read. When things got quiet and there were no birthday or Christmas pictures with Jason, I suspected something was amiss and have been praying for you. I am so glad that God has chosen to work a miracle in your marriage and I will continue to pray that all things work for the good of those who love Him. Marriage is a far bigger challenge than I ever imagined and we continue to struggle. If you ever want to talk, I'm here to listen.
    Love,
    Jenny

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  17. I am so proud to have a friend like you. You did a very courageous thing by writing and posting about your personal life. It has been so great to see the twinkle back in your eyes and the skip in your step. You are like a young girl in love. We pray for you both, and I too am so thankful for the wondrous works God is performing with you and Jason. My prayer is that you will both continue on such a wonderful path. Oh, the weight loss is awesome. You are a skinny thing. You need to show everyone your very "couture" new do! Love Ya!

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