A Great Husband

Andrew and I are not a perfect couple, but we have our moments. Allow me to share with you a great moment in my life. Last night I was discussing with Andrew the book I'm reading about managing money. It's been very enlightening and encouraging, and we have set forth to make a better budget. I was showing him what I had worked on and the small amount of money allocated each month for us to do with what we want. The way I had written it was that Andrew has so much money and Elizabeth has so much money. He said, "it will be true sacrifice when one of us wants something that is more than what is allotted and the other gives up theirs for the other." I really believe that he would, so I have a great husband. Also, I strongly recommend reading The Complete Financial Guide for Young Couples by Larry Burkett. I never thought I would enjoy reading a financial book, but I've actually laughed and learned a lot. Not only does he stress the Proverbs and being wise, but also encourages differences in a marriage. As my mother says, "where two people are exactly alike, one is not necessary."

First Fruits

On April 3, Andrew and I set out to be gardeners. Andrew rented a tiller and tilled two garden strips. I proceeded to get as much grass out as possible; we added manure and planted our first garden. Yesterday,

May 25, we had our first fruits. I now have a slight understanding of the passages in scripture which talk about first fruits; they are precious. In these pictures you can see our two rows or garden. There are squash, zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes, green beans, and bell peppers. The cucumbers haven't began bearing fruit yet. We picked the two zucchini; and are waiting for our squash to catch up. So far this has















been a very fun experience and it will save us money on our produce bill. Also, the marigolds you see they protected our tomato plants from nematods(that may not be how you say/spell it) when they were young. Those bugs like to eat the roots of tomato plants, but marigolds keep them off the tomato plants. I think it's very neat how God designed things.

Fine Wine

I am currently reading a couple of books Searching for God knows What by Donald Miller, The Complete Financial Guide for Young Couples by Larry Burkett, and rereading The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis. This diversity fits my inconsistent nature. On Saturday morning before going on my first yard sale adventure with a friend, Miriam, I was reading Searching. I read about how he went to a seminar for Christian authors and was taught that you need a formula for people to get out of their crisis. He, Donald Miller, decided that these formula's are very difficult to find in scripture, and he decided God is more complicated than a formula. I agree. Later, he says a friend tells him "reality is like fine wine; it wont appeal to children." It's true isn't it. It would be much easier to ignore all of the harsh things this world has to offer, but it's a deeper satisfaction knowing the True God that will ultimately restore it all. So we know the brokeness but look forward to the repair. Also, having a relationship with God allows us to experience some repair in the midst of the brokeness. Nothing new, but still great to be reminding.

You Oughta Know

I will go on and tell you that I am a pretty inconsistent person; so this may be the first and last post. I hope to write about things that interest you, but I may not. I will mostly write about what I think I know. That may include my favorite people, books, music, or my current thoughts and activities. I will say that I feel quite vain starting this blog, because I don't think my life is that noteworthy. That being said, I have a couple friends who have convinced me this is fun.

Some people say I'm a deep person; I don't know if that is true or not, but I think about things. I will post things here that are serious and religious. I hope not to offend anyone, but we all have different opinions and that may not be possible.

Thoughts to ponder from the Coyle-Covington-Clark family Table:

Yesterday at my family lunch with my Mom we were having a typical family discussion about who we are as people and more specifically our theology. My mom made an interesting comment, "I'm not perfect, and the scary part is I don't even know where I'm wrong" she said. I thought this was fascinating for two reasons. Number one, I had just had the exact thought not 24 hours previous. Number two, it's terrifying to know that you pray and struggle to know God and he blesses us with getting a lot right (hopefully) but we are sinful and still get a lot wrong.

Just a funny side note, my sister Hannah said, "I don't know Mama you might be; I mean look at us" My family is awesome. All of them even the ones not in this anecdote. So my prayer after this lunch was God please continuously correct the things that I think about You that are wrong and remind me of Your truths. Thank You for Your promise to finish the work that you began in me. (Phil 1:6)