together, because marriage matters

 My brother emailed me today and asked how our marriage was going in Nepal,

 being that we are in a hard place with new types of stressors. 

I sat for a moment in pure silence, thinking and reflecting upon that loaded question. A warm and lovely light seem to illuminate the home we've made here, and I smiled as the answers began to form. 

It's hard to describe how beautiful our precious time here together has been, 

and in short to his question, my answer would be delightful. 

Yes, our marriage has been delightful over here in Nepal. 

not because we are perfect people

despite the fact that we look pretty ragged and gross after puking up last night's dal bhat

or the fact that our bathroom conversations typically end with one of us yelling "my butt just fell off" 

{which is probably about as unromantic as it comes especially when the smell wafts over}

and also, despite the fact that sometimes I'm an emotional train wreck with sob stains on my cheek 

but mostly because our marriage matters in this place. 

It matters because our love is a light that shines in darkness. 

and our love is on a mission to bring the kingdom of God, here and now. 

every marriage matters in the place they are, because every marriage is a ministry. 

every time we serve one another and choose to love even when it's hard, 

heaven tenderly pours down. 

and when our love is on mission to be about more than just us,  

it is a very small expression of Christ, who gave himself up for others. 

today as we lay on our bed in the morning, I leaned over and gently kissed Kev, 

whispering in his ear that I was humbled to be his. 

we laughed and talked about what made this time so special. 

back in the US, when we were both working full time, evenings and weekends were our only time just the two of us. The days filled, and we always had somewhere to be. 

But here in Nepal, we are together every moment of every day. 

we walk all over the city together, we snuggle up at night after the electricity has gone out and talk and laugh and watch movies together, we attempt to cook together, and buy fresh vegetables and fruit at the market together. we meet new people together, and teach the girls english and even some songs and dances together, we take each other to the doctors together, and slowly, painfully learn nepali together. 

together. 

my favorite word. 

It is like Abba has handed us this sacred gift of time, 

where we have one goal and one heart to love and serve God.  

We get to dream and plan and organize and write together. 

recently an amazing organization that works with rescuing trafficked girls approached us about helping to start a website for their handicraft business. Their items are amazing (I can't wait to feature a few on the blog, and maybe even do a give-a-way!). But what was so exciting is just thinking about how Kevin and I are a team in all we do. And that this adventure is really two hearts living as one. 

and that I think is the essence of what makes marriage so sacred and special. 

that God in his infinite wisdom 

would plan a union that unites two,

as a strong cord

 to LOVE God, love each other, and love others

together. 

it's like holy teamwork. 

and even as I sit here all disheveled in my pajamas, my hair a tangled knotty mess, and probably like 500 parasites crawling around having a party inside of me, I feel so thankful to be loved so fully by a man who chooses each and every day not just to "exist and get through" life with me but to "LIVE OVERFLOWING" life with me in a crazy, adventurous, brave, abundant kind of way. 

a way that chooses "us" over "me".

because marriage matters. 

and i'm so humbled that God gave me Kev. 

happy day sweet friend,

love Katie