So I am writing today on our 100th day of marriage! Neither of us realized it, but it was on a wedding countdown app on facebook. Truthfully it just feels like we've been married for so much longer than that. Not in a bad way though. Between both of our work schedules and making time for friends and family, we stay pretty busy. Which is why our Mondays off together are so special. We really protect that time together because we need it. Camp is very busy from spring to summer. We have a guest group pretty much every weekend, so that means that Mark has kitchen duties in addition to regular office work. I went to help out this past weekend so we could get out earlier and go on a date, but I also try to make sure that everyone sees that I support my husband's ministry 100%. So that also means that we don't get to go to our church all of the time either, because part of Mark's job is visiting churches that support us, and making presentations to get the word out to potential campers and their families, and also, potential staff. It's been very cool though. I have really enjoyed going to different places with Mark and the other staff members. He has been a little stressed with finding staff for the summer, but it is only his first time doing this part of the job. I try to encourage him every day because I truly think he is doing a wonderful job! God has blessed this place and always provided for it, and He will continue to provide! Still, I understand how it is hard not to get caught up in worry. But when it seems that all is impossible, the Lord shows His attributes and provides above and beyond what we really think we need. The longer we are here, the more we love it.
Although we are trying to wait a couple of years, Mark and I talk about having children all of the time! We are so excited to be parents someday, but right now we are enjoying being young and married at this moment. We talk about how to discipline, schooling them, and always what to name them! We fell in love with a few Hebrew names a while ago: one because of its meaning, and another, just because Mark loved it so much for a little girl. For a boy we have picked Jaron James. Jaron means "He will sing," which is so appropriate considering my husband's many musical abilities, and because it is a name calling its bearer to sing to the Lord. James would be after Mark's late grandfather, James Donald Gray. The girl's name that Mark most adores is Hannah, which means "Grace." We would give her the middle name Ruth because part of our marriage vows came from the book of Ruth. There are so many trendy names that babies are given today, but our desire to give our future children names that give glory to the Most High was further reaffirmed in our devotions the other day. The entire devotion was about Godly names that the Israelites gave to their children because they were aware of their divine calling as God's people.
Godly parents were very conscious that "children are a heritage from the Lord" (Psalm 127:3) and commonly gave each of them a name with some special spiritual meaning.
The devotion was referencing the name Elioenai in particular, which means "turning your eyes to the mighty God." Although not particularly important in our history, this man's name was significant because it pointed to God. So when Mark and I do have children, we want to make sure that their names are a testimony to others and point to the God who created us!
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