Vacation is almost over

Virginia beach as been a great time to relax and get things I have wanted to get done, done. I have been working on my website "artiswork.org" this week and I expect to fully launch it sometime in the next couple of weeks. I am hoping it can be more than just a website where I can show my own work, maybe a place where many can show work, and also dialog about art, life, and maybe bring up the joys of fermentation occasionally. In any case Amy and I have also done a great deal of resting on the beach, taking long naps in the afternoon, and being part of her family. Amy's two sisters were here the whole week, and her brother came for the first weekend. It has been a ruckus. Amy is getting bigger and it has been fun to see her dig a hole in the sand to fit her belly in. We all got a lot of laughs out of it. This week Amy and I have begun seeing new things in our marriage and particularly needing to decide what we want our marriage to look like. Mostly it has been a spotlight on me and my ambition to be an artist and a creative person, which is a good and righteous thing, but when it depletes my energy for our marriage then it is time to evaluate the balance. This has meant me dying to doing things as I see fit, and when I see fit. I am not naturally inclined to often think of others, I think of others when it comes to mind, or when it seems like it might feel good to doing something sweet for Amy. Pretty ugly huh. A wise man reminded me recently that Christ died for his bride, and that I am called to die for mine : die to control, die to my timeline, die to my schedule, so that I might live in love, be resurrect in unity with my wife. It all sounds good written out, but I always find it really gut wrenching when it comes to the real deal. This week has been a good time to be reminded of my calling as a husband, and to be reminded who courts me in love - my Jesus. We'll be home in Philly soon. We miss our friends, we miss our church. I would not have guessed six months ago that I could say as much. Hallelujah.