So Thankful! :)

This blog post is dedicated to how thankful I am for all the blessings in my life, like my apartment and my husband.

A week ago, Tuesday, May 24, we were evacuated from our apartment because of a horrible wildfire very close to our apartment.  Thankfully, there was no structural damage in Midland at all.  I praise God for that completely.  When we were packing up things in our apartment before we evacuated, I realized it was one of those moments everyone talks about, but you never really think you're going to live it.  The "if you had 5 minutes to get things from your house, what would you grab" moment.  I grabbed pictures, clothes, and my computer.  I was frantic and freaking out.  Then there was Nathan.  Perfectly calm, cool, and collected.  He was already at the house when I showed up, and he simply hugged me and told me everything was going to be ok.  He was perfect.  He made me feel safe again.

After we were able to come home, we said a prayer of thanks for watching over Midland and saving so many homes.  Nathan and I drove around the areas that were burned the next day, and it was almost sickening how close the fire got to homes, churches, and some businesses.  I kept asking over and over, "How did they put the fire out?  The wind was horrible, how did they do it?"  Nathan simply answered, "God."  I completely agree with him.

I don't think I could be more thankful for my husband, and the blessing he is to my life.  He makes me want to be a better person and brings me closer to God through his walk with Christ.  Thank you, Lord for Nathan!!!!!!  :)

Nathan found an aerial view picture of the fire, and our apartment is circled and were the fire was stopped is pointed to by the arrow.  Just thought you would be interested.

5,000 acres burned.

"The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;  my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.  He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety."  Psalm 18:2

So Thankful, 

Kait Rio

Wonderful Weekend :)

This weekend was so much fun.  My parents came down to see our little apartment.  It was so cool to have them come visit our house.  This weekend was wonderful because we were the hosts.  My parents came to our home and stayed with us.  It was so awesome.  I love being married and showing off my husband and our little apartment to my parents.  I am so blessed!!!!
My parents took us to eat, and we went shopping all together.  My mom even bought me some shelves for above our kitchen sink, and Nathan put them up tonight.  We don't have much to put on them right now except our awesome Fiesta coffee cups!  :)  I love these swirly shelves!

They are so simple and perfect.  LOVE THEM! :)

My mom also took some pictures of our bedroom and bathroom, and I wanted to share them.  I like posting on this blog because it makes me feel close to my family and friends, so y'all can see our home and hopefully visit it one day.  :)

Our beautiful bedding.  I love it.

Mom took this picture.  I think it looks so cool.

This is our beautiful shower curtain.

If you haven't already noticed, our apartment is mostly black and white, with bright, bold colors.  I love the contrast, and I think bright colors are so much fun.

I'm calling a couple different places tomorrow about possible job opportunities, and I would love prayers for the situation.  I feel very positive about my job search because Nathan has been optimistic and keeps reminding me that God will provide.  This morning we visited Golf Course Road Church of Christ, and we liked it.  There was a visiting preacher, so we are going to go back to hear their normal preacher.  

I am so thankful for this weekend.  It was so much fun, and I loved having my parents here and visiting a new church.  Midland is a wonderful place, and I am happy to say it is my home.  :)

Fixin' Our Home! :)

Nathan and I have been working feverishly on our little apartment.  We are very proud of it, and I wanted to show y'all some pictures of the awesome things we have done.  We think they're awesome anyway!  haha.

Since we look at the TV a lot, I wanted it to have a cute little setup, and I think we accomplished it!  I LOVE the cute little stars.  My sweet husband hung them up there for me.  (By the way, I love having a husband that does things like that, so I don't have too, it is awesome!  haha!)

He was so happy to hang those stars!

Finished!!!  You can't really tell, but that word on the TV says 'Believe.'  I love it, it makes me so happy.  Very simple but cute.

The next thing we hung up today was our finished Wedding Tree!  When the guests came to our wedding, they stamped their thumb with green ink, and put it on our Wedding Tree, then they wrote their name next to it.  I LOVE the tree.  It looks wonderful, and makes me wish I could go back to my wedding.  I miss it.

It is so precious!!!!

Tonight, we're going to eat and probably go watch one of our friends play with his band.  I love living in Midland with my husband, and I am so thankful for the opportunities we've been given.  We're still in the process of looking for a church home here, so if you have any suggestions we will gladly listen!  My parents are coming tomorrow to hang out with us and see our little home.  I'm excited for them to see where we live.  I love this little place!

One more thing before I go, I want to brag on our God for a little bit.  Nathan and I had a long discussion last night just about my job search and finances, grown-up boring stuff.  But I was a little worried, and Nathan said a great prayer for us.  He reminds me that we are so blessed and should never forget to thank God for all he has given us.  I worry to much, and Nathan prayed for me about that too.  This morning, Nathan gets a verse of the day on his amazing phone and we woke up and read this...

1 Peter 5:10  And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

I thought is was awesome, and I just wanted to share because it showed me that I am not in control of anything, but that God will always be with us.  Isn't that wonderful?  :)

~ Kaitlin Riojas