I've always enjoyed reading blogs, especially photography blogs or blogs that are spiritually encouraging.  And I've always had a desire to write one.  A few years ago I attempted to start a blog but I felt like it was pointless at the time and I didn't really have much to write about.  But now that I'm married and we're living pretty far away from our families and a lot of our friends, I figured this blog would be a good way to keep people updated on what is going on in our lives.  I will also probably use this blog to record my thoughts about different things, whatever comes to mind.  I also hope to use it as an encouragement.  As I'm encouraged in my relationship with God I hope to encourage others.

I would like to add that I'm actually kind of nervous about this.  I'm not much of a writer, so getting my thoughts out or even just making sense might be a struggle. But I'm trying new things :)

Okay, now the reason for the title of this blog, "Let Nothing Be Wasted".  It comes from John 6 where Jesus feeds the five thousand.  After everyone has been fed they had leftovers and Jesus tells his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted."  I've heard an analogy based on this statement that God uses everything in our lives, even the little details that seem insignificant.  He can use the good, the bad and the ugly. Nothing is wasted and I just can't seem to get over it.  I feel like I'm always being reminded of that. The statement "let nothing be wasted" pops into my head all the time. And it gives me hope.  Hope that there is always a purpose behind every trial that I may go through.  Hope that there is always a purpose behind every blessing I receive. God has a purpose and the things that we endure and the things that we enjoy are not in vain or "just because".  We should seek God in everything that we do because He's using it all.  Let nothing be wasted.


(Side note:  The next few posts will mostly be backtracking to the day we got married and onward and I will eventually catch up to the present and hopefully do a good job at keeping everyone up to date. We will see. haha)