Category: 31 days

31 days

31 days – fall 2013 – praying together

Rachel Atwell5 Comments

Yesterday, we hit another milestone as newlyweds… the big 3!

Three MONTHS that is – we have officially been married for a total of 93 days according to our wedding website.

We celebrated our three month-a-versary by making having breakfast for dinner! Can you really ever go wrong with that?  I shared a picture on instagram of our candlelight affair… pancakes, eggs, baked apple crisp {which we didn’t even touch}, fruit, syrup, sugar, coffee, and homemade whipped cream. Buddy the Elf would have been proud. {Pssst- did you know that you can make your own whip cream? Goodbye cool whip and all your crazy ingredients that taste so good. You’ve been replaced.}

three month-a-versary

It was a sweet time together talking about the usual day to day things, the past few months, and also all of the unknown that lies ahead.

It seems like there is quite a bit of uncertainty right now in our life. Where will we be next? Should G start seminary right away? Should I go back to work?

With all of these questions that tend to flood my mind, I find alot of comfort in my own daily prayer time with God.

But something new I’ve been able to share with G these last few months is praying together as a couple.

When we pray together, it not only draws us closer to Him, but it also draws us closer together because we are reminded of our purpose together: to know Him more and to make Him known to others.

When we approach our Father together, asking for His will, guidance, and plan to prevail over anything we want for our selves, it reminds me that He knows the path before us and we just need to continue to seek Him.

31 days - newlyweds | Atwell Adventures

31 days

31 days – fall 2013 – establishing community

Rachel Atwell3 Comments

Have you ever joined a gym only to never go? {raises virtual hand…}

I think gyms and churches are alike in some ways.

People join the gym {church} with the best intentions… “I’m going to go every day it’s open.”

Two weeks later, they’re down to once a week – if that – and not to mention, ready to leave as soon as they get there.

There are exercise classes {small groups} available, but they decide they’re going to save those for when they have extra time or for when they “really get in shape”.  They begin to miss out on the community formed inside these walls and even the accountability that can be developed in the sessions, all because they don’t want to be vulnerable or uncomfortable.

Still with me?

Yesterday I talked about how it was important for us to find a new church as newlyweds. But we knew we didn’t want to just find one and join – we wanted to build our muscles and get stronger:)

I’ll be the first to say that being the new person anywhere is always a little bit uncomfortable.  But every time we try something new, whether it’s Sunday School, a new service, or my latest endeavor a quilting class{!}, the Lord is faithful in establishing a community around us and growing us more.

And right now during these early days of marriage, quality community is so important to us! Just like accountability partners at the gym are helpful in making sure you are staying on track, the other members of the church are there to support us as we seek God’s will for our lives and encourage us to keep putting Him first in all things.

What ways are you involved in your church?

31 days - newlyweds | Atwell Adventures

31 days

31 days – fall 2013 – finding a new church

Rachel Atwell6 Comments

One thing that I never anticipated doing during the first three months of newlywed?

Finding a new church.

Because G was already involved in a local church – I was ready to jump in with him after I moved and enjoy the six months we were going to be here {we might be moving in January… did I mention that?}.

Looking for a church together would be something that we would do after our next move.

The second Sunday after we got married and I moved to Hampstead, we walked into Sunday School and I was excited that I was finally able to worship alongside my husband, and not 500 miles away like we had done for the previous 14 months while we were dating/engaged. I was ready to get involved in a small group and to see what God could teach us through church during our first six months of marriage.

The lesson plan He laid out was a little different than I imagined though. He didn’t want to teach us just through church, He wanted to teach us about His church also.

After a couple of months of getting involved, we felt God begin to change our hearts and plans for our time here in Hampstead.

As G and I talked about things that were important to us in a church, we began to stalk look at churches online. {Can I just say how much I love the internet?}

Through a little bit of searching, He’s showed us where He wanted us to be.

As I think about this last month and what God has shown us – through his Word, the teaching, and encouragement from others – I’m reminded how sovereign He is. He knows what we need and when we need it.

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”

31 days - newlyweds | Atwell Adventures