Marrying Young?

An interesting article from the Washington Post:

In my research on young adults’ romantic relationships, many women report feeling peer pressure to avoid giving serious thought to marriage until they’re at least in their late 20s. If you’re seeking a mate in college, you’re considered a pariah, someone after her “MRS degree.” Actively considering marriage when you’re 20 or 21 seems so sappy, so unsexy, so anachronistic. Those who do fear to admit it — it’s that scandalous.

How did we get here? The fault lies less with indecisive young people than it does with us, their parents. Our own ideas about marriage changed as we climbed toward career success. Many of us got our MBAs, JDs, MDs and PhDs. Now we advise our children to complete their education before even contemplating marriage, to launch their careers and become financially independent. We caution that depending on another person is weak and fragile. We don’t want them to rush into a relationship. We won’t help you with college tuition anymore, we threaten. Don’t repeat our mistakes, we warn.

This article is incredibly interesting and I’d encourage you to read the entire piece. I’ll admit, I have bought into nearly every idea presented in this article.  While I still intend to finish my bachelors (another two years), this article has caused me to think about the next ten years of my life.  I’m beginning to realize that marrying may not be such a crime afterall!

This looks like….

….a picture one would find on Facebook. 

And furthermore, when you give a gift to the Queen, please, please, please give her something better than a stinkin’ iPod.  She happens to be one of the world’s wealthiest people and she already owns one.  Something more unique might be a good idea.

notable quotables

“You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.“

-James 4:2-3

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

-James 4:7-12

More photos

I posted my photo for the week here.  However, Little G. is just too cute to post one picture so here are more!More can be viewed on my flickr!

Notable Quotable

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” -Helen Keller

Around the ‘sphere

I have been sick with a nasty cold/virus this week, so blogging has been light.  Here are a couple of posts that I’ve found beneficial this week.  It’s my hope and prayer that they bless and encourage you too 🙂

Lanier Ivester at YLCF has posted a wonderful series on watching out for wolves.  Don’t be fooled by the title, ladies!  Be sure to read part one and two!

And while we’re on the topic of series, Hannah and Lindsey at Beauty from the Heart, are starting a series of posts regarding Heaven.  I loved the first installment and can’t wait for more!  Also, if you live in the Richmond, Virginia or Dallas, Texas area, but sure to register for their one day conference!

Suzanne Hadley at Boundless Line discusses my friend Tim Sweetman’s article regarding Facebook.  Interesting stuff! EDIT:: I have decided that it would be wise to disable my facebook account for a very long time.  No telling when I’ll return, but for now, I’m relishing the extra time I have to pursue other activities!

And I’ll leave you all with this article.  The title says it all:  Senate reviewing how college football picks No. 1.

Happy Weekend 🙂  I’m off to get some rest!

New addition!

I have added a new page to my blog.

Go check it out 😀 😀

katie.

Loving when you don’t feel like it…

The passage from Matthew that reads “love your enemies” has never hit so close to home for me before.  Loving others who have hurt you through their actions, words or attitudes can be one of the most difficult things ever.  What do we do when those you love shut you out of their life unexpectedly?  How can we love someone we no longer speak to or see?  I have been grappling with these questions lately and believe one of the best ways to love someone in this situation is to faithfully pray for them.  Albeit, it’s hard.  Very hard.  Getting on your knees consistently for someone who doesn’t care for you anymore can be tough.  The Blazing Center recently posted two stories that encouraged me regarding this subject (thanks for sharing this link Hannah).  This has been a challenge for me, but no matter how hard, it’s the right thing to do.

Re: facebook

I found an article on Boundless about Facebook.  In light of my recent post, I’d encourage you to read it completely.  This snippet nicely summarizes partly how I feel:

And yet, for all the appeal, I can’t help but think that most of the time I spend on Facebook could be accompanied by Bono singing, “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for….” Because for me, at least, Facebook offers a tease of an encounter but not the fullness. It’s like gazing at a window display of another life — you can see just enough to be intrigued, but you can’t get in. I mean, you can poke, or even “superpoke,” but the glass is still there.

Read the rest!