Happy 50th Birthday, Daddy!

The Super Bowl is not the only thing turning 50 this week. My amazing father turns 50 today! I wanted to celebrate the monumental day with a few words about my daddy. 

My mom would say it was love at first sight. And she is probably right. I have thought my dad hung the moon as early as I can remember. I was “Daddy’s girl” from the very beginning. Even though he has only known me for 26 years, I have known him my entire life. He was the first man to hold me in his arms, he was the first man to tell me he loved me, and he was the first man I ever loved. 

Dad made me chocolate milk every single morning until I was about 8 years old. He left for a men’s retreat once, which was probably the first time I remember him not being at home with Mom, Mack, and me. Truth is, Mom could have made it better than Dad, but I was not drinking it. That was our thing. I have not had a glass of milk since. I am telling you, our bond is tight. One non-Dad-made cup of milk and I have never looked at milk the same again. With our strong bond, he shared his passions for sports, the farm, and Jesus with me. 

My love of sports came directly from Kerry. Well, not all sports are created equal. There is football, basketball, and track, but mostly football. NASCAR and golf are used strictly on Sundays to create a better environment for a nap. Saturday afternoons were spent watching college football and playing basketball on our gravel driveway. He was my biggest encourager all through school with sports—spending extra hours in the gym to teach me how to shoot in the trees (tall girls—I sometimes played post at 5’3”), taking me to run and jump at the track on the weekends, and always making sure I remembered sports were not the most important thing in life.

Despite what some may think upon meeting me, I take the title “farm girl” seriously thanks to Ol’ Kerry. We checked cows together nearly every morning that I did not have to go to school. Dad let me steer the truck in neutral while he kicked hay off the back, and he never made me open a fence. Given the opportunity, I would gladly choose to sit on the arm of a tractor chair just to hear him hum as he worked the ground or baled hay. My most cherished memories come from riding in the farm truck with him from Grandma and Grandpa’s house back to ours, listening to him sing songs from his Promise Keepers soundtrack that was always in the cassette player: “If the Lord had not been on our side, all our enemies would’ve swallowed us alive. They would have swept over us. If the Lord, if the Lord, if the Lord had not been on our side.”

That leads me to my most favorite part about Kerry Gillham—he is not just my dad. He is my brother in Christ. He is the one who told me who Jesus is. He is the one who showed me how to live life as a follower of Christ. Dad is so gracious—even in the difficult times of growing up, he showed me Jesus's love, grace, and mercy. He seriously is the most humble person I know. He showed me what it looks like for a man to love his wife as Christ loves the Church. He set the standard high as a tangible example of a man after God. As I grow older (and he does, too, like 50 years old), I see the blessing of him being my earthly father become sweeter and sweeter. I thank my Heavenly Father for such a blessing.

Dad, thank you for everything you have done for me. You are seriously one of my most favorite people on the planet! Thanks for being your goofy self. Most importantly, thank you for sharing the Gospel with me at a young age and living it out as an example for all to see. Your influence on my life and others’ lives for the last 50 years is incredible. I am thrilled to watch how the Lord will use you in the next 50 to come. I am SUPER grateful to call YOU mine! 

Happy 50^th birthday, Daddy! I love you forever!

Outside Lane.

With the lifestyle I have had since meeting Ryan, it is hard for him to believe I really was (kind of) an athlete in high school. Being back home, a few people have mentioned moments from my (not-so) glory days and he just stares at me in complete disbelief. The same cliché comment rolls off his tongue in such a sweet tone: “Madison used to run? I haven’t even seen her run to the fridge!” 

Either way, one day I will be running my child around a track like my dad did with me, and I will be telling them all about how their mom was a (self-proclaimed) track star. (People always get more confident the further in the past it becomes, right?)

My race was the 200 meter dash, the “candy cane”, “half a lap”, whatever you want to call it. I did not have the legs to run the 400 or the 800, even though many coaches thought they could turn me into a middle distance runner. I was not a decent sprinter either. I would get completely throttled in the 100. I could run the 200, and that is how it became my race.

In long distance races, most athletes want in the very inside lane to cut down on the distance they will have to run. In sprints, athletes tend to want to race in the middle lanes to be able to see their competitors in their peripheral view. I never was much for the normal way of doing things. 

Sitting back on the heating benches before my race, I would hope and pray for the most outside lane. If I got lane 1, I would secretly wish to pull something coming out of the starting blocks because I knew I could not win. I would become distracted with my competitors, the crowd, or the field events inside the track. The closer I got to the last lane, the happier and more confident I became. If my dream did come true and I was placed in the last lane, I am sure I walked with my nose in the air, knowing I had won my heat already. Why? It was all about the focus.

The way I looked at it, the further out I was, the easier I could see the finish line. If I was in my beloved last lane, once the gun went off, there was nothing (and would not be on great days) anything in my peripheral view. My focus was set on the finish line. I would run without any distractions toward my goal.

While studying Matthew 14 this last weekend, I was graciously reminded to not shake my prideful head at Peter in the story in verses 22 through 33.

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:22-33)


Ol’ Peter. His impulsiveness was his weakness and also his strength. Peter sees Jesus. He gets out of the boat. His focus is Jesus. He is walking on the water towards Jesus. Suddenly, Scripture says Peter saw the wind. Wait a minute! Only a few verses before it says that the boat was beaten by the waves because of the wind. Had Peter forgetten about the wind? No, of course not. His focus had changed. He became afraid and began to sink.

I am similar to Peter, especially here in this story. So often I do the exact thing. I see Jesus at work in a place. He stirs a passion in my heart. He calls me out of the boat to join Him. I jump out. I start running toward the finish line, towards Him. My focus is set on Jesus. All is well. Until, just as when I found myself racing in an inside lane of the track, I take my eyes off my focus point. I start to see things in my peripheral view. I take my eyes off of Jesus and look around at all the circumstances, dwell on the what-ifs, or entertain the thought that I could do better on my own. I quickly begin to sink. I become afraid.

Peter cries out, “Lord, save me!” And Jesus immediately catches him. Grace. Jesus asks Peter why he doubted. For Peter had a front row seat witnessing the power and authority Jesus holds. Moments later, they would get back in the boat together and the winds would cease. The disciples would worship and praise Jesus as the Son of God.

Why do I doubt? I have seen Jesus’s work in my life and others’ lives around me. He has used me in ways I never imagined and could never have dreamed on my own. Oh, me of little faith! However, when I cry out, Jesus reaches out His hand; He takes a hold of mine. He shows me His amazing grace. He reminds me what He has accomplished, what He is doing, and what He is going to do.

No matter what lane I find myself in, no matter the waves around me, my prayer is that the next time Jesus says, “Come,” when He calls me to a certain place, a certain person, or a certain project, I will jump out of the boat and place my sole focus and eyes upon Him. I will trust in who He is, remember what He has done, and look forward to what He will do. Knowing, no matter what, His grace is within my reach. I pray to run wholeheartedly towards Him, never giving the distractions a glance. After all, trusting in Jesus is infinitely better than the outside lane.

Trinity.

Dearest Trinity,

I walked into the doors of your gathering place for the first time nearly five years ago on August 8, 2010. I came to you as a little, typical church girl, only missing church a handful of times throughout my life. With that type of background comes a certain number of usual experiences. I had seen the worst kinds of hurt within the walls of a church building affect those near and dear to my heart, and I had lived the lifestyle that comes with a ritualistic routine of attending church every Wednesday and twice on Sundays, being whoever I wanted to be the rest of the time. 

Before jumping to any sort of conclusions, I was still a “good kid.” Looking back, I know there is so much more to the daily walk of a Christian than how I lived from age 6 to 17.  At age 17, God shook my idea of church and a Christian life up by moving us to another church about 20 miles away from home. Bless my parents’ hearts; I fought them to a nasty end. I realize now that I was only fighting the discomfort of the needed growth that I knew should take place. Really, God was using that country church to prepare me for my five years with you. He shook up my life, just a little bit, to break me out of the same ol’, same ol’ and desire more.

Then, I met y’all. Instantly, Trinity became the place I would call home for the rest of my adult life. You became my family. The church was real, open, loving, and most of all, gospel-centered. You created an environment that this little church girl was unfamiliar with—whether that was at the worship gathering, prayer meeting, Sunday lunch, Christmas parties, or in the middle of Downtown Diner. For the first time, I was truly experiencing the church being the people, not the building where they meet.

Words are not adequate in explaining how God has used you to shape me into who I am today and who I will be until He calls me home. Trinity has definitely had an eternal impact on my soul. You have shown me the lasting importance of the gospel and preaching it to myself each and every minute of each and every day. You have cultivated a love for the Word that I had not enjoyed before. You created a place for me to use my gifts by teaching Sunday School for three and a half years. You fueled my passions of caring for the orphans around the world. You walked with me through the worst and best times of life, maybe not even knowing. Your love and grace allowed me to be open and honest. You always pointed me to Jesus.

Having had the amazing opportunity of worshipping, living in community, and being apart of the faith family for the last five years, I know Trinity is familiar with transitions. People come, and people go. As Ryan and I prepare to go in a couple of weeks, I felt led to try to put into words my abundant thanks for all you have been to me. God has used Trinity in mighty, glorious ways, and He will continue doing so, even with little church girls, like me.

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:3-6.

Love always,

Madison Russ

Unstained.

Let’s just cut to the chase. This world is full of pollution. Wait, wait, wait. My post today will not be about the damaging effects of smog, litter, or hairspray (I do think God has called us to take care of the world we live in, but it is not the most important issue). No, this post is about an even worse type of pollution that fills the world and has since Genesis 3: sin.

Every day I am reminded of the disgustingness of sin. I cannot open social media, drive down the road, watch television, or step off my front porch without seeing open rebellion against God. It is disheartening and discouraging to my soul, whose citizenship is elsewhere (Philippians 3:20).

Where does the Christian fit into this world? If we speak out against this pollution, we are labeled as close-minded, bigoted, and irrelevant. If we agree, we are literally at odds with our own souls, the Bible, and God, who is our ultimate authority. If we stand silent, we are doing a disservice to the lost.

James 1:27 says, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” I have written a post over the first half of this verse, but today I would like to focus on the last half. “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this…to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

Unstained. Whoa. Another version says, “to keep oneself from being polluted from the world.” This pollution seems so prevalent, though, especially with the immediate access we hold to the entire world that is usually within an arm’s length. It seems as if there is no point to abstain from what the world says we should accept, what the world says is okay, what the world says is accepted by our God.

My least favorite introduction to people’s posts on social media about “controversial” issues always begins with something like, “I am a Christian, but…(insert something blatantly against God's word).” No, NO, NOOO! I can just picture that person wearing a brand new white shirt while beginning that statement. The written junk that follows the word “but” is always mind-boggling to me. By the end of the thought, I can imagine the shirt no longer being white as snow, but full of the worst kinds of stains. They have allowed the world to contradict the Word that should hold supreme control on our opinions and responses to the pollution. We are not the authorities. We cannot make up the rules as we would wish. (Otherwise, I would ignore the sin of withholding forgiveness as discussed here).

Followers of Christ hold the cure to the pollution, to sin, to eternal separation from God. We should hold it out, instead of lowering God’s standards to please the polluters only for a short while.

Sin is hated by God, all sin—everything from a lie to murder. (Psalm 5:4-6)

Sin separates us from the Holy God for all of eternity. (Revelation 21:8)

We are all sinners. If we break one law, we are guilty of breaking it all. (Romans 3:23, James 2:10)

In our own strength, we have no chance of recovery. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

(And this is where I really like the word “but”).

But God sent His own Son to redeem.  (1 Corinthians 6:11)

To redeem means to buy with a price. (Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 6:20)

Jesus did that by dying on the cross and taking on the sins of the world. (Matthew 27:50-55)

That’s not the end of the story, though…

He died, was buried, and rose again—conquering death for all of eternity. (Luke 24:1-8)

Those who put their trust in Him are reconciled to God, marked with the Holy Spirit. (Romans 5:11, Titus 3:3-7)

The sons and daughters then carry that message of reconciliation to the world. (2 Corinthians 5:14-20)

I would highly recommend looking at those scriptures. That, my friends, is the gospel. The gospel is what each of us must hold fast to in our own lives, proclaim wholeheartedly to our neighbors, and use to remain unstained from the world. When we do not speak out against homosexuality, gossiping, bitterness, racism, murder, etc., we are withholding truth that leads to the eternal remedy to sin. We are lying to the lost, allowing them to believe they are okay. We are withholding Love--the ultimate Love that will win. His name is Jesus.

1. "Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
2. Striving to please Him in all that I do;
3. Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
4. This is the pathway of blessing for me.
5. 
   
6. Living for Jesus, who died in my place,
7. Bearing on Calvary my sin and disgrace;
8. Such love constrains me to answer His call,
9. Follow His leading and give Him my all.

Living for Jesus, wherever I am,

Doing each duty in His holy Name;

Willing to suffer affliction and loss,

Deeming each trial a part of my cross.

Living for Jesus through earth's little while,

My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;

Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,

Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,

For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;

I own no other master, my heart shall be Thy throne;

My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ for Thee alone."

Sole Purpose.

Valentine's Day marked six months into my first year of being a teacher (and when I first began typing this blog...time has gotten away from me, but decided today it needed to be shared); I am now ten days shy of nine months and the completion of my first year. I think I have experienced about all I can--the good, the bad, the fun, and the not so fun. I have learned thousands of lessons, reflected on many situations, made tons of decisions, and had several epiphanies on my purpose as an educator. One of those epiphanies has been stirring around my heart since the AHA! moment occurred. I would say it is my main purpose in the education field. Something so profound, if I recall it in every moment and practice it as my sole purpose each and every day, it will always keep me from simply being just "a teacher".

As early as Kindergarten, I remember being asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. I would simply respond, "A teacher." I could not give anyone a reason for my choice. I had no exact purpose behind the plan. No one in my family was in the education field. I had only been in school for less than a year, but that was what I desired to be. 

There were only three times I thought I was going to change my mind. The first time was in fourth grade. My cousin was graduating from high school and was headed to pharmacy school. I wanted to be exactly like him and someone said something about lots of money. When I found out about all the math and science in my future, I quickly ran back to "a teacher" (no one told me about those lovely elementary math courses at SWOSU).

In high school I deviated from the plan by saying I wanted to go into the medical field. I do not do blood. I do not do puke. I do not do snot. I do not do waste of any kind. (I know, I know. I will have to handle it one day in my classroom and in my own home; the Lord will have to give me the strength is all I can say). After passing out from watching a video of an incident I would potentially deal with in the medical field, I went back to the plan of being "a teacher."

I had a quarter life crisis in the middle of my college years. I changed my major for a whole two weeks to social work because I did not think being "a teacher" was enough. God, in His great faithfulness, put me back on track a couple of weeks before I found out my college was no longer offering a social work degree. That was the end of second-guessing my career choice. I had run out of time. I was going to be “a teacher.”

Looking back, even as far back as fourth grade, I chose another career that the world would deem more meaningful, more important, or more significant. Deep down, I knew that was an incorrect assumption. I knew being “a teacher” had an essential purpose—even if I could not adequately put it into words. After all, teachers do FAR more than just teach. I had seen it first hand. 

As a follower of Christ, I know I am called to ministry--no matter what occupation I have. My mission field happens to be an elementary school in rural Oklahoma. Of all things Christians possess to share and show to the world, the greatest is love.

Had my wedding been normal and not in the middle of a tornado, the familiar love passage would have probably been read. Although, this passage of scripture is not just for the husband and wife. It is for everyday life—including in my workplace, my classroom. (I will be the first to say I am the furthest from perfection in exhibiting this real love to my students. This post is for me more than anyone).

Love is patient and kind…even when I did not receive the amount of sleep I needed, a child is ruining my lesson plan, and the Kindergartener inside of me wants to call names back and throw a fit in the middle of the rug. 

Love does not envy or boast...even when my children failed that test and the teacher’s class next door rocked it, or when my children were perfect all morning. Chances are, it had NOTHING to do with me (and just wait until afternoon).

Love is not arrogant or rude…even when that whole day went just as expected or I have repeated myself one thousand times in the first two minutes.

Love does not insist on its own way…even when it would be easier to go on and pretend they all are listening and understand. I may just need to stop and listen.

Love is not irritable or resentful…even if this is the fifth time to say that kid’s name and it is only 8:20am. I must wipe the slate clean every second.

Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth…even when it is hard to discipline. I cannot leave a child where they are; I must teach them the right way.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.

When a teacher shows this real love in the classroom, the children thrive. They know someone will fight for them, believe in them, wish the best for them, and never give up on them. The children will recognize the teacher will ALWAYS love them, even when they are no longer in that classroom.

During my undergraduate studies, a person in the education field tried to convince me that loving children is matter-of-factly not a reason to pursue a degree in education. My argument is when you mean the kind of love discussed in 1 Corinthians 13, there is absolutely no better reason to pursue a career as “a teacher.”

If I have the best classroom management skills, perfectly elaborate and efficient lesson plans, the highest test scores, and countless professional development hours but have not love, I am nothing. My students and I gain nothing. Love is a teacher’s sole purpose.

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends." 

1 Corinthians 13:1-8.

The Golden Year.

In light of today being my last day as a 22 year old (and the fact that we throwback on Thursdays), I decided to share a post from my last day as a 20 year old, the reflections on my "Golden Year." 

I absolutely love the idea of a “Golden Year.” I can’t remember who even introduced me to the idea of it, but whoever you are, thank you so much! For those of you who don't know, a "Golden Year" is the year that you turn the age of the date your birthday is on. Mine just happened to be 20 on the 20th! I don’t think the year could’ve happened at a greater time. I got to say goodbye to the dreaded teenage years and experience what was most definitely the best year of my entire life up to this point. Praise the Lord! So, I thought I should cover the major points of this fantastic year by the month!

February.

The day before, I planned for the goodbye of my life as a 19 year-old and thanked the Lord for showing me His loving faithfulness through the last teenage year. I celebrated with my wonderful parents, Grandma, Grandpa, and my three best friends (Mack, Taylor, Murray) on the farm.

The first day of this Golden Year, started off with a lunch with sweet Jonna Myers, Murray, and Taylor. The Cup’s sandwiches were a tasty birthday meal, which turned into one of Taylor’s and my “usuals” and was followed by a killer birthday nap. Hey, it’s hard turning 20!

March.

Ryan’s birthday was the highlight of March. Before March, I was hardly accepting or encouraging of his never-ending pursuit of me. (Boy, how things change!) However, with a little encouragement from my Nabors girls, I bought him a Fossil watch for his birthday AND took him to Cheddar’s. He fell in love…with Cheddar’s, of course! He’d fallen for me wayyy before then. 

April.

April probably wins the “scariest” month award for the year. Mack’s senior prom was in the middle of the month and being her number one fan, I HAD to be there for her very last promenade. Well, Oklahoma’s weather thought it would stop me. Ryan and I literally hopped tornadoes to get to Maysville. I missed her walking by two minutes. BUT I still got to take a fantastic picture with my favorite flamingo. She grew up entirely too fast!

Then, at the very end of the month, on Mack’s 18th birthday, I had the biggest scare of my life. I picked Ryan up on Sunday morning from the Memorial Run in the City. On the way to church, it started to rain. Obviously, we aren’t real used to that this year, and at that time, we hadn’t seen it in quite a while. I’m convinced the roads were wayyyy slicker than normal. When I exited off the interstate, I had two sharp curves. I made the first one, fish-tailed the second, when my tire blew out. Then, at 40 mph, we hit an embankment head-on. You know when people say their “life flashed before their eyes”, yeah, mine didn’t…but it was that type of moment, for sure.

Anyways, I ended up in the emergency room with a neck brace; Ryan handled it way better than me. Thankfully, nothing was really wrong. We just ached for days and couldn’t talk or walk well.  Taylor Boyd became my nurse for the week.

By God’s sweet grace, we were fine, but my car, Pretty, was not. She was totaled and I was car-less about a month.

May.

May was full of excitement!

I moved into my new apartment the first week of May after I could get around by myself once more. Finals were taking place and Taylor and I had lots and lots of free time. So, one day, the same week I almost broke my neck, we went to the lake and picnicked and canoed. Man! What a horrible time for a work out.

Ryan Todd Russ became a graduate of Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Yayyyy! I was such a proud girlfriend!

And my baby Mack graduated from Maysville High as an honor student! She is basically a legend now, no big deal.

Just a few days before I left on the most amazing trip of my life, I bought a car. Her name is Jetta, because she’s a Jetta. I like her; it’s not a “love” thing…yet.

The night before I left for Zambia, I told the man I’m going to marry that I loved him for the first time. It probably would’ve been a little longer, but I figured he should know just in case a rhinoceros got me while I was gone.

And off I went to the other side of the world with Lance, Staci, and Mack.

We had a few crash hours in London. It’s a beautiful city. We were surprised there with a ride on the London Eye and got to see Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, in real life! It was fabulous! (even if I was sleep-deprived.)

Zambia was incredible. For those of you who don’t know, we spent about 2 weeks helping at New Day Orphanage. To say the time was life-changing does not even do it justice. We got to be a part of the Lord’s work there for a short time and it was nothing short of awe-inspiring. The Lord is good and He is working! You can check out more about the orphanage and its ministry at their webpage!

June.

June was full of the little things in life that make it so fun. Ryan surprised me a few times and we had a lot of fun dates! Mack and I manned the house down in Maysville, while my sweet parents grew accustomed to a new life in Bowie, Texas.

July.

July was…..intense.

Mom and Mack’s last week at the Creek occurred during the 4th of July. I got to spend it with Ryan, as well, and we almost ran out of gas coming down the mountain. Pretty great memory. 

Mack-dawg had her last cow show. It was a real emotional ordeal for me. She has grown up doing that and she loves it. I’m still not sure how you can be good at showing a cow, but she is. She has whatever “it” is. I absolutely loved watching her throughout the years and I’m literally counting down the days until she comes out of retirement… 

Mack’s last show was in West Monroe, Louisiana, so we just called it a family vacation, as well. West Monroe is a fun place! Not to mention, Duck Commander is there. Though I had no idea who they were when I was there, knowing it now makes it THAT much better. #DuckDynasty

Ryan Todd went to Swaziland at the end of the month. I got to be on the “other side” like he was in May. I loved hearing his stories of how the Lord was working there, as well. It’s absolutely amazing to realize how big this world really is, and how much bigger our God is than that.

He returned super sick and I finally got a chance to repay him a little for all his kindness he showed to me in the first months of our relationship. Poor boy! It took forever for him to get back to normal, but he did! Thank the Lord!

August.

August brought in the “new” normal. I headed back to Weatherford to begin the second-half of my college education! It really is flying by.

I also had the awesome privilege to get a job on-campus in the Admissions and Recruitment office. I get to work with my very best friends and show off the best college, ever, every single day. Be jealous.

Mack became my roommate and started her freshman year here with me, too.

AND after an entire summer, I was reunited with my precious Sunday school children at Trinity. I thought they were growing exceptionally fast when I left. Goodness! I left them for a few months and came back to find they’re all grown-up!

September.

In September, Ryan’s grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. We got to celebrate that with them and a number of family and friends. It’s extraordinary to know them and to celebrate such a beautiful marriage, especially in the time we live in now. At their party, though, I saw Grandma Sue’s wedding dress. I loved it. Her grandmother made it for her and it was just extremely lovely. After their party, Lauren Paige and I decided to see if I could fit in it. Lo and behold, it fit like a glove. What an enjoyable day! 

Also in September, Ryan surprised me with tickets to an OU game. So I did some of my own surprising and stole him away one Saturday for the Oklahoma State Fair. He’d been there, but not in a very long time. Me, I feel like I grew up there. It was the first year in a veryy long time that Mack wasn’t showing in it, either. It turned out to be a super hot Oklahoma day. However, we still managed to enjoy some delicious fair food, like a turkey leg and fried cheese on a stick. YUMMMM! Then off to the OU game we went! It was a really fun time and I got to sit next to a little girl that came with her dad for the first time. She hated all the noise, so I tried to keep her mind off of it. Plus, we played horribly that night and lost, so she was keeping me from having to watch the horror, also.

October.

Thank the LORD for October. October just happens to be one of my favorite months of the year. The weather is changing, football is in full swing, boots are being worn. It’s just beautiful here in Oklahoma.

Well, now October will forever hold one of the most amazing memories of my life…The Proposal!

You can see all the pictures and the story, and PLEASE enjoy the video!

November.

The first weekend in November, I said “YES to the dress!” (By the way, I can’t wait until it’s in…) Obviously I can’t show a picture of this one, but just know it’s amazing.

We got to spend our first Thanksgiving as a couple and enjoyed running all over the state to enjoy our families. The holiday season is always a joy!

December.

During December, I got to experience 12.12.12. Pretty big day since I won’t see the next 01.01.01. That’s sort of depressing, so, let’s move on…

Christmas time always seems to come faster and go by even more quickly every year. I love the time of celebrating our Savior’s birth with family and friends that you only get to see during that time. We had several great get-togethers over the break!

One HUGE thing happened on Christmas Eve that made this Christmas one I’ll never forget: my parents bought a house in Texas. It was such a bittersweet feeling, but I enjoyed having the last Christmas in the house I grew up in with the dear family I have been blessed with.

On Christmas day, the snow (by snow, I mean “ice”) came down and we had the first White Christmas in quite a long time. We had both sets of grandparents over, my aunt Paula and uncle Stewart, and my uncle Lee. It was quite literally one of the best Christmases I have ever had. I’m thankful to the Lord for giving us the pleasure of being together in that house one last time.

I also shot a gun for the first time in December. Yes, that is epic enough to make this novel. ;) After the third shot, I was a pro!

Then came New Year’s Eve! I gave Ryan tickets to the Thunder game that night for Christmas! It was my first game and we were super excited about it! We left Weatherford (late, I might add) and still made it to tip-off! I think he had a blast; I know I did, for sure! After the game, we had some breakfast food at IHOP, and then we walked around downtown until it was time to bring in the New Year!

10…9…8…7…6…5…4…3…2…1…

January.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Yes, so I got to ring in my first New Year with the guy I will ring in many more with! It was SUCH a fun night! We got back home at two in the morning, and then I woke up early and went to have my black-eyed-peas for lunch at the Gillham residence!

On January 3, my cousins had a darling baby boy. His name is Bowen Mack Gillham! Brock and Katrina are his proud parents and I got to see him the night after he was born! He’s a cutie and growing like a weed! I’m still ecstatic for Brock and Katrina and tell Bowen every time I hold him that we’re going to be the best of friends, like his dad and I are!

Ryan and I also attended our first marriage conference in January, put on by Henderson Hills Baptist Church in Edmond. Paul Tripp came to speak and it was such a challenging weekend! I’m so glad we went prior to being married. It also was a wonderful opportunity to spend time with our precious church family a little more! We also began marriage counseling with my “other” dad and mom (Steve and Amanda) in Mayberry that same weekend! I’m so blessed to have them in my life and for the examples they are to me as individuals and as a couple for Ryan and me.

AND on the VERY last day of January, Ryan and I bought a house! Yes! It was another amazing example of how God is sovereign and He provides in His perfect timing. We started working on it the night we bought it and it has been another once in a lifetime experience that just happened to end up in the Golden Year! 

February

February is obviously my favorite month! Some days snow falls, some days feel like spring, but love is certainly in the air. Though I have a precious man in my life that makes every single day feel like Valentine’s Day, it’s still a fun holiday! AND occurs right before the end of this year, so it must be shared. Ryan and I exchanged gifts and enjoyed a lovely dinner at Downtown Diner to celebrate, too! It was our first “real” Valentine’s date, because the year before I was quite sick. This one was lovely! Every day with him is lovely.

The End.

And now we’re back, back to where this Golden Year began. Tonight (February 19), I’m finishing up this note and the last day of the Golden Year. I celebrated over a dinner date with some of my very favorite people and then enjoyed some homework and time with my twin.

As I look back over this year, I am brought to tears, joyous tears. Every year of life the Lord blesses me with is truly golden, I know that, but I enjoyed making this one “special” by giving it a name. I must thank the Lord ultimately, though, for salvation, for life, and for the blessings He pours out on His children. I have been singing one of my favorite hymns since I woke up this morning. I’m sure it’s been annoying to the people around me that have heard it all day, but I feel like this song completely wraps up the entire year…and every day after.

“Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father. There is no shadow of turning with Thee. Thou changes not, Thy compassions, they fail not; as Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, sun moon, and stars in their courses above, join with all nature in manifold witness to Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide; strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow; blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see! All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided—great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!”