Today, we celebrate six years!

Prayer of a Married Person

Lord Jesus Christ, by Your presence You blessed the wedding in Cana and showed us that You are the true priest of mystical and pure marriage. We thank You for the day on which by Your heavenly blessing You joined us in the sacrament of marriage. Lord, continue to bless and enrich our marriage in love companionship, mutual support, oneness of heart and progress in faith and life. Protect our Holy wedlock from sin, evil and danger. Nurture between us the spirit of understanding, the spirit of forgiveness and the spirit of peace, that no resentment, quarrel or other problem may cause us to stumble and fall. Grant us to see our own faults and not to judge each other. Keep our bond of love always new. Gladden our lives with the joys of marriage, that with one heart we may praise and glorify You. Amen.

Prayer of the Married

My bountiful God, I beseech Thee, listen to my humble prayer, that I may ever feel that the married state is holy and that I must keep it holy. Grant Thy grace that I may never sin against the faithfulness and love of this marriage. Foster between us the spirit of understanding and of peace, that no strife, quarrel or misunderstanding may arise between us. Grant us health and our daily bread, whereby we may serve Thee more. Amen.

Hot Springs, NC

Cade and I took an extended weekend retreat to Hot Springs, NC, last weekend. Mara spent the weekend with Nana.

We stayed at the Bright Leaf Junction bed and breakfast. It's newly opened and under new management, but we loved it. The decor is great, with exposed brick walls partially covered with plaster, bright colors of teal, purple, and blue tones, oversized wood door and window frames, wood floors, tin ceilings at soaring heights, and a minimalist and inviting design. There are a few other Bed and Breakfasts in town, and many other lodging options, as well, but we would love to go back and stay in the exact same place!


Our room--a double bed, closed off full bath, a beautiful view, and, well, what more do you need?

Our room was the last on the right. 

The skylight above the huge open hallway 

The painted tin ceiling was throughout the whole building and in several other buildings, as well. 

The restored wood floors seemed to be original to the building. We loved how the planks made right angles to turn with the hallway. 

The steps from the side entrance, showing the sky light in the ceiling. 

The gray section is the restaurant and the second floor of the red brick section is the hotel. The corner of the first floor is the police department.  

Our window 

Bright Leaf Junction Hotel and Restaurant main entrance

Cade's caboose picture 

Hot Springs Welcome Center is inside an old red caboose. 

Cade pushing a huge log 

House on a Hill 

A pretty church 

Cade on Spring Creek 

Spring Creek 

A stone front house 

A pretty house just before the Old Red Bridge 

Another view of the same house