Where is it more beautiful?

 Today we thought we'd show you the beauty of where we live. Leave us a comment and tell us... Where is it more beautiful? Where Patrick lives or where I live? 

Patrick:

My top favorite little farm ☺

Iris:

Behind my house

 

Behind my house

The Huguenots lived in this house!

Can you decide? ☺ Comment below ↓↓↓

Today is...DATE NIGHT! ☺♥♥♥

The Bathroom Conversation

The Bathroom Conversation probably took place around this time 2 years ago. So the first real conversation Iris and I had was while we were working together renovating the bathroom at the European Missionary Press' new building. Iris was assigned to finish working on the wall in the bathroom that I had started while I go run an errand. I explained to her what still needed to be done and showed her how to operate the tools. I got everything ready for her before I left her to work by herself.

When I got back Iris was still working on trying to get the wall smooth for painting. I asked her if she wanted me to continue but she declined so I took the sponge and started wiping the wall where she had been to get rid of the dust.

After awhile Iris did ask me to take over the machine because she was getting tired. Iris then took over the sponge (Iris- I could have found something else to do but since Patrick seemed interested working with me [and I kinda liked him] I thought I'd hang around and work with him too). We stood there working on the wall not really saying much but after awhile things changed. Often we were found standing there with the machine and sponge in hand just talking.

I did most of the talking back then and told her about my brothers, there names and instruments they played. Iris and I talked about the different instruments we played and generally talked about music. Iris told me of her family and her plans on becoming a teacher. We were probably "working" for about 2 hours and talked "while" we worked. ☺ Iris was standing by the door so I was trapped!!! Where could I go? All I could do was stay and talk. This was a turning point for the both of us because this was the first time we really started to get to know each other.

(Iris)
That night my mom, after saying goodnight, asked me if I "liked" Patrick. I didn't want to say yes but no would be a lie so I responded with: "I guess, a little bit. I don't really know him so how can I tell but from what I know I guess I do..." ☺

Also, the next time my Dad and I talked on the phone I told him that I was able to talk to Patrick for a long time. He didn't say anything about it till a few months later when I told him that Patrick and I were dating. He told me he kinda knew something was happening between us when I told him about "The Bathroom Conversation." ☺

Reading- an adventure at home

Who of you likes to read? We sure do. Reading is probably one of the most important things in life. Because of reading we can learn so much. We can learn about God from the Bible, we can learn about facts of life by reading other people's experiences and discoveries or we can read exciting adventures while we sit at home with a cup of tea.

 How many of you know the feeling when you cannot but a book down because you just HAVE to know what comes next. I have read  books from quite a few authors where I know that if I start reading this I will not be able to put it down. Those books are the books we talk about for weeks afterwards and just HAVE to tell others to read it too. 

As a couple we have read 2-3 books together over the two years of dating. It kinda started when I (Iris) saw a book at college and started reading it. After about 4 chapters I knew Patrick would love it too and wanted to read it with him. Whenever I finished my schooling for the day I'd read 2-3 chapters out loud over Skype.  The first book we read together is called "X's and O's on Layaway". An awesome book about how a couple started dating and got married. Here is the blog for the book and you can buy it at Before The Kiss.

Iris and I want to list some of the books we like to read. Some of you will agree that they are good books and maybe some of you may find some new reading materials! ☺

Patrick

• The Bible, especially the book of Ester
• Westerns from Louis L'amour
• The Sacket Series 
• Rustler Roundup
• Bronce Bow
• The Redwall Series

Iris

•  The book of Proverbs in the Bible
• Gown of Spanish Lave
• Not My Will
• All books from Jannette Oke
• Song of Acadia Series
• Peabody Series
• A Bride for Donnigan
• The Canadian West Series
• Elsie Dinsmore Series
• Any books on childtraining.
• Dog books
• If its a fictional story... I'll probably enjoy it. ☺

What books do you enjoy to read? We can't wait to read your comments!

First greetings

Meeting the first time ...

(Iris)
The first time I saw Patrick was at the street-meeting. I remember wondering who this Patrick guy was and wanted to see how he looked like. I already had passed out tracts and was on my way back to the box with tracts to get more. Before crossing the road I saw the "new guy" holding one of our banners. I wanted to see how he looked like but didn't want him to see me staring at him...

(Patrick)
On the way to the street-meeting I was nervous because I knew I would be meeting the church. I already had met some of the men from the night before but now I would be meeting their families. I was wondering if their were any people my age there. When we got to the streets I was put on holding a banner. That is when I saw Iris for the first time walking across the street. I knew she was a part of the church because 1- she was wearing a skirt and 2- she was holding a stack of tracts. ☺

The Wednesday after the street-meeting Pastor picked up Iris. On the way to church was the first time we were introduced. Pastor asked if we had been introduced after shaking our heads he said: "Iris the is Patrick. Patrick this is Iris" We smiled and said "hello" and that was it! ☺

_____________________

Things we enjoyed this week...

(Iris)
I came across this blog that seems to be awesome so far. It is written by Sally Clarkson a mother of four adult children. The focus of her blog is to edify and encourage women to be the set apart and godly women that God wants. She also teaches how mothers are to best fulfill their roles, be joyful and at peace. Check it out!

 

(Patrick)

Iris and I enjoy YouTube very much. Be it movies or music- it can be a very fun thing to do together. I recently remembered a very good version of dueling banjos. I showed it to Iris and she also enjoyed it. I hope you do too! Check it out here.

 

"He Lives! He Lives! Christ Jesus lives today

He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way

He Lives! He Lives! Salvation to impart.

You ask me how I know he lives?

He lives within my heart!"

Happy Easter!

Pros and Cons of Long Distant Relationships

(Patrick)
This day two, years ago... bags were packed, I was sitting in a plane on my way to Germany... I did not know what lay before me but I was excited to see what the Lord had in store. I did not know that in just two days I was going to see the love of my life. I did not know that in just a few weeks a special friendship would start. I did not know that in just a few months I was going start courting the most beautiful girl in all the world, my one and only true love- IRIS!

We will tell about our first time seeing each other and when we were introduced next week. ☺

______________________

So have you ever wondered what it is like to be in a long distant relationship (LDR) ?

Long distant relationships are definitely not easy. They take a lot of work and there has to be commitment and trust on both sides. Too often long distant relationships do not work because one or the other wants an easier route. When Patrick and I started courting we had a normal relationship for three months but after that its been long distance. It is hard to be apart when you cannot even do simple things like eating together. We've been in a long distant relationship for almost 2 years and here are some pros and cons for we've gathered about LDR's:

PROS:

• You get to skype ☺
• You really prove love and commitment in your relationship
• You see if the relationship is worth the struggle
• You prove to be there in the good days and the bad (LDR)
• You talk more in depth about different subjects because all you can do is talk

CONS

• You can't really do anything together
• No real dates
• Families often don't know each other
• There's a disagreement on where the wedding will take place.
• You get jealous of people with normal relationships. ☺
• You can't do any activities together.
• Where will you live eventually?
• You can't get to know how the other person acts in certain situations or around particular people.
• The longer the LDR- you start running out of ideas.
• Time difference takes away from the time you could spend together.
• Family and Friends cannot get to know your loved one as well as you do. 
• You cannot go to church with your loved one or do any church activities with them

These are a few pros and cons we came up with today. Though I wouldn't wish a LDR on anyone and  its been hard on us we definitely know it was worth any minute of it. They say "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" which we both believe to be true. Our love to each other grows daily. Another beautiful LDR- quote that I like very much goes: "Distance is to love like wind is to fire... it extinguishes the small and kindles the great!"