As of today...

I am officially at my pre-pregnancy weight!

As I say this, quite coincidentally, I'm eating a warm chocolate chip cookie with RediWhip. Hm...

I have enjoyed reading everyone's comments on my "rings" post- the ones in the comment section and the ones emailed to me. If you haven't replied yet, please do! It is so interesting to me to see how different people have such varied perspectives on rings and what they mean.

Anyway- have a cookie today, on me! :-)

A question..

I have a question for all y'all married folk...

Do you keep your wedding ring on ALL the time? (Or, if the answer is "Of course I do- it won't come off!"- DID you keep it on all the time in your former years?)

Here's why I ask: Jon doesn't.

Which doesn't bother me, because, well, I don't either.

Neither of us leaves the house without them, but we take them off when we get home, or at least before going to bed. Many times, one or both of us is running out the door, late, and can't find our ring...

I never really thought much of it, until yesterday when I was reading The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. I was helping Jon prepare for some classes he's teaching by making PowerPoint presentations for a couple of the chapters (who ever said I wouldn't use my church secretarial skills...)

If you're not familiar with the premise, Chapman maintains that there are 5 basic love "languages"- Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch.

Jon and I are both Words people, with QT being our second. It works out well.

But, by far, both of our LEAST felt languages is Gifts.

Which leads me to why I ask this question- Chapman mentions that, for people for whom Receiving Gifts is their primary Love Language, the visual symbol of keeping the ring on every waking and sleeping moment- and having their spouse do the same- is of utmost importance. For people who don't value gifts as much (obviously this doesn't mean you don't ENJOY gifts- but this is just not how you feel most loved), things like rings- while a nice symbol and something to be treasured- aren't absolutely necessary.

Do you find this to be true? Do you wear your ring all the time? Expect your spouse to wear his/hers? Where do you think Gifts would fall in your Languages?

Just curious...

Lessons Learned

I have many things I would like to write about, and a few posts will be coming in the next few days about my week!

But for now, I want to write about my husband.

He is absolutely wonderful.

Let me explain.

He not only listens to me, shows affection to me, and is altogether kind to me, but he also does things to make me feel special.

When I took my finals earlier this spring, I came home to freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and milk! (and if you know Jon, you know that while he is a fantastic cook, baking isn't high on his priority list...)

We got home late last night, and to celebrate him doing well on his PT (physical training) Test on Friday, we decided to order pizza (after having eaten very healthy foods for the past couple weeks...)

I went out to pick it up, and when I pulled in the driveway, he met me at the door, wearing khakis and a collared shirt. That's when I knew he was up to something.

As I got closer to the house, I could hear Nora Jones playing in the background, and he led me into the dining room.

He had changed the tablecloth, lit candles, and set out the fine china.

For our pizza.

He said he wanted to make me smile.

I write this not because last night was anything unique- in fact, quite the opposite.
Having a husband who goes out of his way to do things (even small things like bringing me chocolate when he returns from a trip) just to make me happy is an indescribable feeling.

The very first night we talked, two and a half years ago, he had just gotten done taking a marriage & family counseling course at seminary. I remember him speaking about how he was determined that the key to a happy marriage is waking up every day and thinking of something nice to do for your spouse- and do it!

We didn't even know we would date then, much less get married.

But you know what? I have met countless couples who have been married longer than I've been alive who haven't seemed to realize this yet.

What is your spouse's love language? (words of affirmation; quality time; gifts; acts of kindness; physical affection- though I am CONVINCED that food is a separate love language...)

Speak it to him or her, even if it's not the language you prefer to use.

That is my challenge to you: whether you have been married one week or fifty years, do one thing today to make your spouse feel special. To make him or her smile.

Not married? Do something kind for a friend- putting others before yourself is the key to any healthy relationship; not just marriage.

Until next time...

Our Anniversary Trip

We had a fantastic time in Charleston!!

We left Saturday morning and headed up the three hours to Charleston, South Carolina. It is one of the oldest cities in America, so it has a lot of historical significance.
On Saturday night, we went out for dinner with a friend of Jon's from CHOBC and his friend. We had an absolutely lovely time catching up with him, meeting her, and walking about the city!







Sunday morning we were determined to find a good church for our Easter Service! We found one that we were really excited about and got there ON TIME, only to realize that they only had an evening service... figures... we did find another service to attend and enjoyed it for what it was.

That afternoon we went to Fort Sumter. It is an island that was built as a defense in the Civil War. It is interesting because it was occupied by the North, then the South, then the North... can you even fathom all the history of that small little plot of land? Being an island, we had to take a ferry across... and boy was it cold!! (notice the picture of me huddled trying to keep out of the wind...)

After that we toured the Yorktown, the oldest Naval aircraft carrier still afloat today. Aside from a minor claustrophobic near-breakdown in the depths of the engine room, it was quite enjoyable!

It was really neat seeing the exhibits about the chaplaincy on the ship. The picture of Jon standing in a room is actually the chapel room itself- there is a picture hanging to the left of him of the chaplain doing a service in the same room. It made us feel a part of that heritage of ministering to members of the military- whether it's to soldiers, sailors, marines, or airmen- it's all ministry.

The whole weekend was wonderful. We stayed at a cabin at a campground (can you believe I went three days without wifi?) It was fully equipped with a bathroom and kitchen (including pots/pans and dishes!) Now that's what I call camping! Monday morning I accidentally locked us out of the house. We were enjoying our morning coffee on the screened-in porch overlooking the river, and the door was one of those that opens from the inside even when it's locked (I HATE that!) We found one unlocked window on the side of the house... we pulled the picnic table over and Jon hoisted me through. Only me, only me...

Enjoy the pics!

Two down, forever to go...

Three years ago today, I was living my life alone. I was the secretary for a church, also working at Pine Ridge Bible Camp. I was living in the basement of the camp office, not having any idea what I was going to do with the rest of my life.

Two years ago today, much had changed. I had met an incredible man who had asked me to be his wife, and we said "I do." He wore his dress blues, and I had daisies in my hair. It was perfect.

One year ago today, I was again living alone. My husband of 12 months was in Iraq, though was but a week away from redeploying. I had dessert with some friends to celebrate. The joy I found in my anniversary was knowing that I was soon to see Jonathan again.

This year, however, is much different. My husband is home and not leaving (long-term) for an indefinite amount of time.

To all of our friends and family who have been with us for the past two years, even if just for a season, Thank you.

To Jonathan, my love, here's to the rest of our lives...

'til death do us part

one year.

one year ago today, i became a new person. sara nave vanished into the past, and sara fisher began life anew.

i'm not really even sure what to say... the emotions that come along with this event are entirely surreal.

of the past 365 days, i have spent 28 with jonathan. it has not been an easy year. he comes home very soon, and for that i am thankful. many people say that our "real" marriage is about to start... and in some ways, i agree. we have not lived together, we have not shared in daily life experience together. but we HAVE walked through one of the most trying experiences any couple could go through... and we are coming through much stronger than we started. how can you get more "real" than that? one year ago, we had no idea what the next months would hold. we could not even imagine what deployment would look like, nor the frustrations and challenges it would bring. we knew it would be hard, but there are things you don't know until you walk it. all things considered, i think we have done well. i look forward with excitement (albeit mixed with some fear) to his homecoming and the new challenges and joys that will accompany it.

i celebrated our first wedding anniversary by getting a massage and having dessert with some dear friends. sadly, it is likely our second will be the same way. but in the middle will be some time that we will cherish more than others would, for we know that time is fleeting. my heart beats for those times.

for better or worse, jonathan, til death do us part...

chatting away

my life has been all abuzz of late. jonathan is currently in transit home for leave, and... well... there are many preparations, and many emotions, involved.

we have now been married for 9 months and 9 days. we have spent a total of 13 of those days together. i can't entirely wrap my mind around the fact that he will be here, i will see him. it's exciting, but a bit nervewracking at the same time!! i have found myself expressing this in several ways... a few weeks ago, i was crying several times daily. over the last week, i think i may have cried once. now... i'm just getting chatty. it's the same way i get late at night... it's like, my mind is not filtering what is pertinent information for the listener and what is not... so he or she just gets it all. i really am so excited... though admittadly, my mind every so often wonders to that dreaded day in early february where we must once again say our good-byes... fortunately, this time it will be for 3 months, as opposed to 9. that is magnificent.

earlier this week i bought a shelf/cabinet thingy. and yes, i assembled it by myself. that 50 cent screwdriver and 1.99 hammer are proving to be excellent purchases :) ... you know, as much as i never would have thought it, i rather enjoy doing things like that. i think it's because there are definite directions to follow. it's indicitive of my personality, really... tell me what's expected, and i will do it. give me freedom to exercise my creativity on my own, and i will stare at you blankly.

well... on that note... enough chatting for now...