We have been selling my condo and Jon's house that we each owned before we got married. Neither are places we could grow into as a family someday. So we have been working our little hind ends fixing up both and maintaining them for showings, packing up all our life into cardboard boxes and living with things scattered everywhere. And I enjoy a good, organized home where everything has it's place and it feels cozy...so that's been a struggle for me. And Jon's pretty organized too so I know it has not been thrilling for him either. However, as I type this blog, we officially have a contract on the condo and a contract on his house. The hard work and prayers are coming full circle, and it is hopeful we will be free of both properties before Thanksgiving dinner.
I was intending to take the MFT Exam in August, however I failed to realize the testing site didn't have me registered under my new married name. Which delayed registration. Which means I missed the deadline. Which means I didn't get to take it as expected. So still gotta knock that exam out. As of this week, I officially have approval from the MFT Board to move ahead and register for the exam window coming up and I will be passing that test as Michelle Wren.
A few weeks ago, we had a scare. One of my mom's tests came back with a spot. They wanted to do a biopsy to declare if her breast cancer had returned or if it was a benign spot. 7 years ago she had fought against cancer, and the thought of that ugly, horrible, disease invading again all but took the life out of me. I was pretty down for a couple weeks while in the waiting. We recently got official news that the spot was a 3/4" in diameter piece of fatty tissue. We are so grateful for this wonderful news. I can now joke with mom that now I know where she hides all her fat, since she's such a little bitty thing: under her armpit ; )
There are other things up in the air and happening in our lives and I am sure I will be giving more updates again here real soon. But in the midst of all that is going on God continues to remind me of my complete and utter dependence on Him alone. One of the things that is wonderful about being married and then going through stressful times is that Jon is able to remind me of my faith and trust in God when I don't feel it. And I am able to do the same for him. It is such a priceless gift we can give each other. But it is also difficult to realize how out of control and powerless we are to fix or change what the other person is going through. When I was so sad about mom, Jon could only do so much and come so far in meeting me where I was. And that wasn't due to him not doing everything he could to reach me. I realized there is a space for each of us, all of us, in which the only person who can completely join us in those moments whether they be filled with sadness, hopelessness, frustration, disrespect, or hurt...is God Himself. There is so much in life we cannot control. There is so much yet ahead that will be difficult times for Jon and myself. And one of the best things we can learn early in our marriage is how to take the other before the Throne of God in prayer. Taking each other to the One who is everything we need, recognizing we can never be all each other needs.
There's a song that keeps resonating with me during this season of life. Despite all the stressful times and difficulties we are experiencing, this is also such a sweet and wonderful season for Jon and myself as well. For all the times, Matt Maher's song "Lord, I Need You" keeps playing on repeat in my headphones and my heart. I hope it encourages you too!
We look forward to sharing more SOON!
Love you all.
Jon and Michelle
