There was a time in my life when I would have considered myself a political 'junkie.' I watched the news and listened to talk radio, constantly. I volunteered in 2004 and 2008 with the Republican Party. And actually enjoyed it. I hugged George W. Bush at one rally and shook John McCain's hand at another (see picture to the left? That was me dressed in red, white and blue at a McCain rally in Jacksonville, FL. Just in case you needed proof of the political "junkie-level" I'm talking here). I still remember the time that I had a "very important" question to ask (regarding the support and endorsement of Mike Huckabee) and I called in to Sean Hannity's radio show and was put on the air to discuss the 2008 election season for all to hear.

Judge me if you will, but I blame a lot of that part of my life on the fact that I worked a job in a cubicle. Being cooped up like that can do crazy things to the brain. 

But the truth is, for many years I put my hope in who I wanted and believed should become president. 

Honestly, I've debated blogging about this election season for two reasons: 

1) I don't, particularly, enjoy being controversial.
2) I don't really care who wins.

Now let me explain.

First of all, it may come as a surprise to many of you that I truly DO NOT like controversy. I can understand that. I mean, I'm currently writing a post on politics and mostly everything else I write about is on my faith - and everyone knows that those two things combined is a recipe for controversy. 

But on the flip side, I am a passionate person. Particularly one who is passionate about what I believe about the gospel. That Jesus Christ is the son of God, our atonement, the Savior who came to save us from evil/darkness/sin. And if what I believe about the gospel of Jesus is true, I must speak out. 

Especially when the rest of the world is chiming in and deceiving people. (I got yo number, Satan!) 

So anyway, I hope that answers the first reason.

Now, to explain why I said "I don't really care" who wins the nomination as the Democatic/Republican candidate and eventually, the presidential election. That is not completely true, because if i didn't care AT ALL I wouldn't be taking the time to write this post. But by "I don't really care" who wins, I mean this...

My hope is NOT in who becomes the President of the United States.

Amen! Praise Jesus. If you want, you could stop reading right now. Just that one line will change your life. I promise.

But to all my brothers and sisters in Christ, if you are still not convinced, let me put it to you this way - while this may not have been true just a few decades ago, it certainly is evident that this is the truth in 2016 - there is no longer a chance for a political candidate that could represent our country in a God-fearing, God-honoring, God-pleasing way to be elected as the President of the Unites States. In fact, they won't even get a chance at the nomination for the Republican Party. Not in this culture. Not in this day and age. Maybe, not ever again.

And please understand, I'm not saying this because I am bitter. I have no reason to be bitter. My candidate of choice has not lost, because I still don't know with certain who I'm going to vote for. 

I'm saying this because I believe it to be true. And I believe that the Bible (and Revelation, specifically) predicted it long ago. 

The problem with America (and the world, in general) does not lie in who is President of the United States. The problem with America (and the world, more importantly) lies in the heart of man. 

No matter what the history books say, our nation is no longer a Christian nation and we should not expect a Christian president. 

It's easy to blame the way our country and world is heading when we don't like the person in the "driver's seat." But, if you haven't noticed already, every politician is just saying what they believe people want to hear! They are trying to woo and win an audience. They are salesman. If it's not obvious to you by how many times candidates swap stances on issues, or mince words, or straight-up lie when the circumstance calls for it, then I don't know what will convince you.

You don't have to possess the gift of spiritual discernment to recognize that these men (and woman) running for office are not being completely truthful. Perhaps the one that is being the most truthful, the Trumpster himself, is actually the least presidential of them all. And by truthful, I am only speaking in the sense that he says all the dumb things without packaging it in a box of shiny, "politician" hogwash. 

There is a reason he is leading in the race for the Republican nomination and that's because people believe him. 

And maybe more than anything else, maybe more than even caring what values or plans of action the political candidates say they stand for, people just want to BELIEVE in something. In someone. 

So we may get Donald Trump as our President. Ridiculous as it sounds to write that, I am not even that concerned. Is he my choice? Hardly. But what I do know is that people are seeking authenticity. People are seeking someone who doesn't give a care about "political correctness" and is what they are. No more or less. 

I know many will say Donald Trump is far from authentic. And I'm not saying he isn't, but even the appearance of authenticity is enough for the cynics in our country. 

But in all of this I still have hope, because I believe God has a plan to use even this to draw more and more people to Himself. I mean, He planned for the fall of man, I think he can handle a Donald Trump presidency. And if you want some biblical comfort to that fact, if Trump does become president, Romans 13 says God actually placed him there. 

“Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.”

— Romans 13:1

If our world is searching for someone to believe in, someone who holds to His promises time and time again, then they look no farther than the God of the Bible. He has never failed on a promise! And even when things look dark, He promises to be with us. 

So while I agree that we should prayerfully vote and prayerfully support the candidate we believe aligns with our values the most, let us not be hopeless when the choice appears to be the lesser of evils. 

I know the end of the story, and while I'm still studying to try and understand the details, I can tell you for certain - the world isn't supposed to start looking any godlier anytime soon. We know the only One who can change the hearts of man. Let's not try and pretend a presidential candidate can do that. Or more importantly, stop that. 

“Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there. But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the LORD their God.”

— Psalms 146:3, 5

I will never forget Valentine's Day 2006.

It was my first Valentine's date with my future husband. The last man that would ever get to call me his "Valentine." And the first man that I ever really wanted to. :)

Josh and I were in college and had only been dating for a couple months, things were still "fresh" and "new." We went out to dinner together and then to see a movie. 

I wrote him a poem. With pictures included. Ok, basically, I made him a scrapbook. 

He gave me... well, actually, this is where my memory fails me. I have absolutely NO idea what he gave me for our first Valentine's Day! I'm 99% sure it was candy of some kind. Chocolate, probably. But beyond that - no clue. (Sorry my love! Just proof that you mean more to me than any gift!) 

But I do remember that I was in love. Before I ever said the words and before I let myself admit it, I really was. 

I will also never forget Valentine's Day 2008. 

It was the day Josh asked me to be his wife and I gave the easiest "yes!" I could have ever said. 

Prayer and patience make you certain of some things and saying "yes" to marrying my husband was one of those. 

I love that as soon as Josh picked me up for our date that Valentine's Day, he took me straight to the beach to propose! He didn't wait until after dinner, or sunset or when the "moon" or "mood" was just right. He proposed around 5pm and we enjoyed the rest of the evening basking in the anticipation of our future together. 

There are some things not worth putting off, and we were married only four months later.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day 2016.

And in honor of this special day and ONE DECADE spent with the man I love, I thought I would jot down just a few things that I don't want to forget about my husband.

This may sound obvious, but I never want to forget just how much love I have for him. A love that transcends feelings, although the feelings are strong and bring me to tears. A love that speaks 10 years of memories, good and bad, exciting and painful - memories that we can't remember and the ones that we will never forget. 

I want to remember the way my hand fits perfectly in his (and has from day one). And weirdly enough, this has always made me feel safe and at home with him.

I want to remember how he still makes me laugh at the same old jokes. And how I'm mostly laughing because he never stops telling them. 

I want to remember how beautiful it is to look at our children and see both of us in them. How gracious God has been to entrust us with two incredible lives to nurture and raise. How we almost thought we may never experience biological children, and how okay we would have been with that. But God. 

And most importantly, I never want to forget how God's grace is woven into every aspect of our marriage. We are two imperfect people who have surrendered ourselves to the need of a perfect Savior. I could never imagine marriage without Jesus, just as I could never imagine a life without Josh. And until death do us part, I'm so glad I don't have to.

Happy Valentine's Day, my love.
Here's to decades more!

It's the eve before Christmas Eve. The day before everything becomes a giant blur and we wake up with PCD (Post-Christmas Depression) wondering what just happened and where all our money went.

Or maybe that's just me.

But likely, most of you probably know what I’m talking about.

Before we let these next few days pass as quickly as a slice of ham - I just want to take a moment to reflect on the reason we celebrate in the first place.

A Savior came for us.

I can get caught up in watching cheesy Christmas movies and baking cut-out cookies with the best of them - but nothing gets my heart going more than reflecting on Jesus coming to earth as a baby.

I'll be honest, for twenty-five Christmases that didn't really mean much to me. I mean I thought it was adorable and everything - Jesus as a baby, with shepherds and wise men bowing down to Him. I pictured the scene from The Lion King when Mufasa was holding Simba up for all the animal kingdom to see. Except, Jesus' crowd was a little smaller - but considering the angels - still epic, nonetheless.

Now that I've had two babies of my own, I consider so many other things about the infancy of Christ.

Like, remembering the first moment I laid eyes on my own baby boy's face. It was an overwhelming feeling that I've never been able to put into words. And one that I imagine overwhelmed Mary in a similar, and even greater way. Her baby boy was also God in the flesh. You don't have to be a parent to consider the awe of holding God for the first time. But somehow, I never really grasped it until I was.

I also consider things like the fact that Jesus would have once had to have his diaper changed. Talk about humility.

There is actually a common theme of humility strung throughout the story of Jesus' birth. From the unwed mother who carried him, to the unconventional place He was born, to the first people to learn about his arrival - Jesus was not sent to be royalty on earth. And yet, God chose for Jesus to be biologically carried full-term and born from a woman because, he wanted him to have a birthday. He wanted His Son to be celebrated. And from the moment the angels appeared to the shepherds to announce the birth of our Savior, the celebration hasn't stopped!

And thousands of years later we have an established calendar holiday for the birth of Jesus Christ - the day we call, "Christmas." 

But if I could be honest with you, Christmas Day as much as I enjoy it, doesn't quite seem like enough. First of all, it comes and goes so quickly (TWO MORE DAYS!) And I struggle to fit in every single tradition - decorate the tree, go see Christmas lights, read stories, open gifts, prepare food, watch movies, sing songs, eat food and enjoy being with family. Those are all wonderful things and great ways to celebrate, but if we were really to celebrate the birth of Jesus the way God intended it - I think we would do more seeking of His face and less stuffing of ours (but by all means, please do stuff your face - good food shouldn't go to waste!)

When you believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus, just celebrating His birth isn't enough. He becomes worthy of celebration in the normal, mundane, every day of your life.

And this, my friends, is the most wonderful news of all! Good news to those of you who want peace, love and joy all year long. And good news to those who feel like Christmas Day is full of pain and a longing for better days. 

This Christmas will be a bit of a different one for us. We'll be missing some family members and utilizing the (great) invention of Facetime and social media to share moments with others.

But when traditions end, plans fall through and family can't be together to celebrate - Jesus still deserves to be.

And maybe, for some of you, this will be the first Christmas you really, truly see Jesus as the reason to celebrate. I can promise you, that once you do - Christmas will never be enough for you either.