Engagement Anniversary and Comments on Marriage

On December 26 in 2010, Titus asked me to be his wife.  It was one of the most beautiful and happiest days of my life.

I am a blessed woman.

I can't promise "happily ever after," but certainly "for better OR worse" and NOT FOR GRANTED.

My husband is a blessing and has made our marriage wonderful.  I love waking up next to him in the mornings, watching him brush his teeth and examine himself in the mirror.  I love seeing his waiting face in the window when I come home from work.

I have a hard time blogging or doing anything on my own that doesn't involve him sitting next to me.

And that's all I have for now. :)

Love love love,
Mrs. Titus Romdenh

Change

Change is the title of this chapter of my life. Since April 30, I have had to learn what it's like to NOT being a student after being a student for 16 years. Soon-after, I transitioned into the workforce full-time.  Since first entering the post-graduation work-force, I have held four different jobs.  Almost two months ago, I became a wife.  A few weeks after becoming a wife, Titus and I moved from my parents house to our own apartment on the other side of town.  Finally, we just recently began attending a new small group on Wednesday nights.  All of these have been GOOD changes... "for-the-better" changes... but none have been easy.

I'm looking at another change; a change that is going to change a lot of things; a for-the-better, but hard change.

On December 27th, 2011, I was hired by Indiana Wesleyan University as Schedule Specialist in Graduate Organizational Leadership.  It means [much] higher pay, 13 days paid-vacation, health insurance, a wellness program that pays me to walk, and numerous other benefits, including... free tuition for my hubby!!!  Praise the Lord!  We (and others) have been praying for this!  While I admit that I would rather be with those one, two, and three-year-olds that have stolen my heart, my attitude is changing [and it's taken lots of prayer and humility] because I really do trust that this opportunity is God's Best and God's Will for us right now.

I feel nervous... excited... humbled... and honored to be chosen for this position!

Love love love,
Jewel

Reflections on time spent not blogging:

Gracious me, it has been a LOOONG TIME since I have blogged.  Almost three weeks ago, I started my last entry with a similar line. Between working 3 jobs, being a new wife, moving into our new apartment (which doesn't have internet,) my sister's surprise visit for Thanksgiving, and etc., I have had LITTLE-TO-NO time to blog in the past few weeks and I am so disappointed about that.  Much has happened.

After waiting more than a month for the previous renters to move out of the apartment that Titus and I signed a contract for, we signed another contract for a different apartment and told our previous landlord-to-be that we were no longer interested in his still-not-empty apartment.  God has been so gracious my husband and I, and we have been B.L.E.S.S.E.D by the generosity of others as we have been given a couch, lamps, end tables, a microwave, a microwave cart, mirrors, knives, etc!  We are still eating our meals either picnic-style on the floor or sitting on the couch beside an end-table.  I'm anxious to have a dinner table where I can display my wedding bouquet 

and have my morning devotions with a cup of strong, black coffee.

In other news:

I am still LOVING my job at the daycare and I think often about the kids on the weekends.  (I still cherish my weekends and some time off, but I do miss my babies!)  I had a conversation with two co-workers on Friday about *having favorites.*  I will be the first to admit that I have favorites; I love 3 or 4 of my babies much more than the others.  One co-worker was quick to say "we shouldn't have favorites" (blah blah blah,) but I really believe it's okay to have favorites IF the other babies aren't treated poorly because they aren't your favorite.

Cracker Barrel is still ROUGH and I have wanted to quit numerous times (especially when I was scheduled to work ON Thanksgiving Day!) but God keeps reminding me that right now Cracker Barrel (both in the prep area and in the dining room) is my mission field.  In fact, I might be the only missionary there... and it's a very dark place to work.  I am growing and learning and certainly being challenged -- all a part of preparation for Cambodia -- and I definitely COVET your prayers that God will be seen in me there.  A few weeks ago, I started writing "God bless you!" on the back of my guests' receipts; but after a guest left a salvation pamphlet under my tip this week, I have been seriously evaluating how I can be a light to my guests, and especially my co-workers.

I could write so much more, but I just heard the dryer finish and I desperately want to finish ironing my clothes so Titus and I can return home and I can eat my leftover Oriental Chicken Salad from our hot date at Applebees last night. :)  I hope I will have an opportunity to write again this week!  Thank you to my loyal readers who remain after I have starved you of blogging for so long. :)

Love love love,
Jewel