Lessons From the Fall: A Holiday Update from the Newlyweds

Hello Newlyweds, Engaged, and Married Friends!

The journey God has led my husband and me through during the Fall season has been one that was very challenging and yet very fruitful! I've slowed down on writing to focus on the lessons God has been teaching me in this season. It's interesting to step back and see how much of a blessing it is when God doesn't give you exactly what YOU want the way you want it right away, but allows tough situations to build your character and lead you to seek him with a pure heart. We've learned so much about ourselves, our relationship with God and how important that is, along with a heart to be obedient, patient, long suffering, and kind to God and each other. I've personally made many mistakes and have sinned many times against God and my husband, and through their loving correction I continue to grow stronger. I have a long way to go. It has been so amazing to watch the gradual way God is polishing my husband as an incredible leader and husband throughout it all!

We've both been working hard in Los Angeles and keeping focused on career goals and financial goals. Nick's been doing some incredible production and songwriting work, as well as continuing to serve as a Minister of Music at the local church we attend and thoroughly managing the business of our home. I'm still working on the business side of music in public relations, pursuing the final stretch of my bachelor degree in Business Marketing (I should be graduating this time next year!), and looking into local volunteer ministry and speaking opportunities. It's been a busy year!

It would be such a BLESSING to hear an update from all of our friends and family about how you're doing in your marriages and what God has been showing you this last fall, summer, and now into the winter holidays! Whether you're engaged, newlywed, or going on 40 years, we love to hear from you! Please comment and share with your friends!

You can leave your comments below, and please use the share link to Facebook!

Blessings,

Crystal A. Blount

P.S. Here a photo of Nick and me on thanksgiving at our Pastor's house! Wishing you all a great Christmas!

Confession: The Greatest Lesson I Learned As A Newlywed

Confessions and Lessons of Year One

by Crystal A. Blount

Hello Newlyweds, Soon-to-Be's, and Married Folk!

It's truly a blessing and honor to be able to share my reflections with you in this blog. This blog was initially my idea of a way to join with my husband in a hobby that we might both take interest in. I'm more of the blogging type, and for reasons mentioned below...you've heard mainly from me. However, my husband Nick's leadership and guidance has been an undercurrent throughout this process, and I am grateful to have his support as I express myself through the written word. 

The Lord led me to a quiet place of soul-searching, and so I have not blogged in almost 2 months. The last two months have been life-changing, full of hard work, and yet very healing for me as I've begun to allow God to go deeper into my heart in my efforts to trust Him fully. I can see promises of God being fulfilled now and in the future for my wonderful Husband and me as we approach our ONE-year Anniversary! 

But before I can really get excited about our 25 year anniversary, or any others, I have to come clean about my struggles so you all can truly see my heart in this blog and be blessed by God. We bring our pain and sin to God, and he can make it something beautiful.

The Confession:

I have never fully trusted God, my Husband, or any man in my entire life.

What's The Point? How Marriage Teaches You To Forgive

Loving and Forgiving Even When I Don't Feel Like It?

During times of stress in marriage, I've begun to find myself wondering "God, what is the point in all of this?" What motivation do I have to continue to give of myself in this when it doesn't seem like what I'm doing is producing any fruit or change? Whether I'm feeling guilty of my own confessed shortcomings, pointlessly dwelling on the flaws of my spouse, or just frustrated with the entire process of becoming one, God must have a plan.

"Up Under" Each Other? Why Your Friends Come Last Now That You're Married

After the joy and fascination with getting married, the blissful honeymoon, and taking photos,there is a curveball that is thrown at newlywed couples that few "words of wisdom" at the wedding reception address. I'm talking about the first few weeks and months of marriage, and the adjustment stage.

"Wow! We're married, can you believe it?!" begins to turn into "wow. we're married. How on earth are we going to do this?" This new unique challenge isn't just about moving in together and figuring out where we will fit all of our clothes now, or who will clean the toilets. After the bliss of the honeymoon subsided for us, we found that the idea of "cleaving" to one another can be a very different and uncomfortable situation for two very different people, with two different ways of doing things, from two different walks of life. The joy of having a companion to wake up to everyday can quickly begin to feel isolating, and even at times annoying, as you get to know one another and learn to work through conflict.