Determination

This past week, William and I took some time and tried to run all of our "adult" errands that we possibly could in one afternoon.  Sadly, we didn't accomplish everything. But the most exciting part is that I received my acceptance letter, and have signed up for orientation for fall classes at Jefferson County Community College! This may sound like a simple right of passage to some, but this is something that I have desired to accomplish for a while now.  I've had to put it to the side for two years now, but year it is! I will officially be in school this fall! I feel like I've accomplished more than just getting in.  I feel like I've proven to all that I am determined to have a higher education, and that I will get it done.  Even if I am going to have to work and attend school full time. I am eager to be a student again.  I am excited to have to have papers again.  (: I feel like though the pressure should be on, it's like a thousand pounds off my shoulders!

-Michelle

Humbling Love

 "When the Lord is moving in people's lives, it's frustrating!  It's not simple! It's uncomfortable, and it can bring huge anxieties to our lives."  (Paraphrased)



Well we finally have an answer: Stress Induced IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).   I am not so sure how much I truly believe that I am so stressed out that my insides are this effected, but that fact of the matter is: I do not have a degree, let alone a PHD.  So I need to humbly accept that I have to change my diet, and also I need to find ways to help alleviate key stresses in my life.

My heart is incredibly humbled by the man in this picture. He has taught me through many different lessons that he will walk through life with me.  We will make it together. Such a wonderful thing to know!

With that said, we have been subtracting foods mostly out of my diet, so that we can see what all is causing the most issues.  What have I decided?  That I am not eating gluten or dairy: we are half vegan.   (We are buying vegan products because the preservatives in most things have gluten, and also because it's easier when eliminating both gluten and dairy.  We are cutting how much meat we eat, but mostly for our budget. And that is how you can become a half vegan).   This has been a long, seemingly hard process for both of us.  

The doctor(s) gave us this diagnosis, and I was crushed.  I felt as though one was telling me that after all that I've lived, I couldn't handle something as "simple" as living in a new town, with the man that I love.  (Granted I do understand there were certain aspects that I didn't have to deal with that I do now when living abroad).    The Lord is teaching me what his humbling love really looks like, and I find that a very frustrating, yet encouraging place to be.  Encouraging because the Lord, He has truly brought me to a place where I am seeing my need for him. And frustrating because I can't. I can't do anything to make it all work.

I can't fix my bill of health.  Even though by tests, I have a perfect bill of health, I and my husband, can vogue that it's not that easy.  There is pain involved.  I can't take that away.  I can eat healthier, but that doesn't ever completely help or heal it.  Nothing that I cook, no health book that I read, can or will make me better. That's a frustrating bite to swallow.

But as I am learning, the beauty of everything that I have just said is that, the Lord is sovereign in this whole thing.  He is sovereign in this illness, and he is sovereign in my healing.  I may never know that freedom this side of heaven, but I can take comfort that when I don't feel well (or heck! when I do) the Lord is sovereign.   I don't have to do anything to make it better, and in that I find utter comfort.

A new season.

Hello to all.

We are happy to update everyone with this blog. If you've been keeping up with us, then you will already know that Michelle has a new job, we recently moved, and Michelle has been sick.

Originally, we thought that it was just some easy fix of an ovarian cyst. But we have quickly found out that it's not anything to do with that. It's turned out to be stomach problems. Michelle went to the doctor again on Thursday, and he has order an ultrasound of the upper right quadrant of the gallbladder, a colonoscopy, and an endoscopy. We are ready for all the tests to be over with, and to have more answers.

We would love everyone's prayers. We don't know really how to cope with this , and we really need to be reminded of the gospel. We know that the Lord is the ultimate healer. We know that the Lord is going to take care of us even more so than the birds of the air, but we are still very tired, and scared with all that is to come.

In Him,

Michelle & William Berry

In sickness or in Health....

Hey you all!

This week has been such a full, busy week! We started the week making preparations for our friend Daniel's surprise party that we hosted on Tuesday. His wife and I had such a great time in fellowship planning such a great party! (:

I, Michelle, had a doctor's appointment scheduled on Tuesday morning for some pain I have been having, and let's just say we had a crazy day, that ultimately provided us a crazy week. I am okay, and very much not at risk at all, but we still are not very sure why I am still in as much pain as I am in. With that said, we are waiting on test results to know what else we need to be doing. Please be praying that the Lord would provide us answers, and would heal my body.

We also got new cell phones and numbers this week! Such an awesome feeling of independence for us both. If you need our new number please feel free to email us on facebook or just email us. ;)

We ended the week with Michelle giving her key back to McAlister's Deli, and having one of our first weekends off together in months! Michelle starts her job on Monday, and William is still hanging strong with UPS.

We are so thankful for the grace God has bestowed on our lives, and couldn't have asked for more. We know that he works all things for the good of His glory. And we trust that in all He is doing that we will be guided by His calling.

Please be in prayer as we are transitioning yet again.

Journeying in Persuit of the Cross,

Michelle & William

When it rains, it pours!

Hello again to all!

I am happy to tell everyone that we moved in and are almost completely settled in to our new place. We have quite a bit of extra space now, and we couldn't be more ecstatic to be able to have our friends over weekly. (We all watch Once Upon A Time together have group on Tuesday nights.)
I, Michelle, am happy to announce that I have decided to take a new job in Louisville as a receptionist with a local business here in town. The Lord provided the right things at the perfect time. I still feel call to Louisville and to school more than ever.

William is still at the UPS Store, and continues to support us well. We are so grateful for everything we are living right now.

Here we are moving, getting new jobs, and some what starting another chapter in our little life. ;)

Tschuess!

Michelle & William

Berry Update 101

Well here we are, now 6 months married, with many many stories. Over the past year we have had to learn so many lessons, both that have challenged us to become more gracious and more sympathetic to each other.

Our journey over the last year has not just provided us the since of a challenge, but has encouraged us to be there mentally, physically, and spiritually for each other. (Even though some times that was the hardest, yet most beautiful thing that we, in that moment, had to learn.)

I, Michelle, graduated with Honors in May. And then we tied the knot on June 25, 2011. We set off for our first adventures together as man and wife for one week in Nashville. At the end of the week, we were met by our two best friends, who we just this past week got to watch tie the knot themselves, and our parents. They all helped us move in, and got us super excited for our first place in Louisville, KY though it was six hours from all of them!

The day after everyone left, William turned 20, and we got lost trying to learn the new city. Through the next months we found a church that we love, started attending regularly, found jobs, and began to take action steps to get things started for school. (That was the whole reason we left everyone in Southaven in the first place!)

August came and we went to our orientation for school, which we were completely ecstatic about. During that weekend, however, we found ourselves disappointed in the lack of financial aid and scholarships, which we were heavily relying on to attend school. We kept getting declined for any grants and loans that we tried to apply for, seeing as we had no established credit. At that moment, our world fell out of control.

We moved over 300 miles to attend a school that we thought the Lord was calling us to. We visited 3 times before we moved, talked to many different people who all seemed to think our journey to school would work. No one could answer our questions about why all the sudden the money had not come through. I think that was one of the hardest things we had to face so early on in our brand new marriage. (Remember we were about 1 month married at this time.)

But the Lord has a plan, and always has had a plan. But this wasn't something we saw at first. Both of our employers graciously took us on full time. Since then, I have earned two pay raises, and got a promotion, and William has also earned a raise; we are decently close to both of our bosses. They have provided us with so many opportunities, and the Lord has given us so much more than we could ever need! Praise be to the LORD!

In October, after both feeling pretty homesick, we made a trek back to Southaven. We left Southaven that weekend, realizing that we had not made any mistake in moving to Louisville, but maybe we just didn't understand exactly where the Lord was calling us to. After much prayer and consideration, we both have agreed that we feel led to move off of Southern's campus so that we could attend public school in the fall.

The holiday season came, and how much fun we had! We made a VERY quick trip to Nashville, where William's family is from, and for Christmas we worked a lot! I worked my last shift Christmas Eve night. That same night we had a sweet friend over for Fondue, and there we started a nice family tradition. Christmas day we served at church, and then traveled back to Memphis. We had two days filled with great times with both sides of our families. Tuesday started our countdown to Ryan and Megan's wedding!

And now here we are ready to move into our brand new apartment, which will hopefully be this coming up weekend! We still are not very sure where the Lord is calling us to, but we are praying that He would continue to put His will in our hearts. We want nothing more than to bring Him glory where ever He sees fit.

With love for now,

Michelle and William

I haven't stopped falling in love...

It feels like there is some love in the air. You know like when you first meet someone and you hit it off. Like when you brush hands for the first time... you know the way your heart just bounces right out of your chest? Well it's like that is where we are all over again. (: (Honestly it could just be me.)

My fiancé is the most attractive, funny, and sensitive guy I know. I wouldn't have it any other way. I wouldn't move anywhere, or do anything if it meant loosing his companionship. He's like the best friend that never goes away. (:

I'm smitten. ;)