love, the stagnaros

new site

2014-05-10T14:55:00.003-07:00

hi friends! we have a new site! http://kelleystagnaro.wix.com/thestag

see you there.

No Greater Love.

2013-12-03T18:07:00.003-08:00

The Way of Love

13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. ²And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,^[a] but have not love, I gain nothing.

⁴Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant ⁵or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;^[b] ⁶it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. ⁷Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

⁸Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. ¹¹When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. ¹²For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

¹³So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

tune

2013-06-18T12:00:00.000-07:00

A quick, random post to break up the work day, haha. This CD is currently stuck in my car's stereo (literally), and is one of my favorites. May or may not have forced our intern to listen to this song over and over (sorry, erin!), Thought I'd share. Enjoy!

One Year Ago.

2013-06-16T04:41:00.003-07:00

One year ago, almost to date, I wrote my last blog entry. Last night I started looking back at the blog posts from the first year I started writing and was overwhelmed with God's faithfulness. That year of 2011 - 2012 (and first year of marriage) was a season of waiting and growth for me. I remember at the time feeling like life was at a stand-still and was uneasy with the unknown. If you look at my last blog post about job searching, you'll hear my frustration and confusion. But here's what I remember so clearly - He was telling me to wait on Him and on His timing and I knew he was using my lack of control of this situation (and many other circumstances) to begin preparing me for something.

Literally the date of my last post was the week Jacob and I moved to Grant Park and moved around the corner from Amelia. My business partner, but more importantly, now one of my dearest friends. She and I began sharing our backgrounds and experiences as if we'd been friends our entire lives and walked with one another through the hurt and healing we still needed from our pasts. The month of June 2012 was a month of dreaming for her and I as we felt the same calling in our lives. We prayed for the day God might provide the opportunity for us to serve women who were in "the life" of prostitution. 28 days after Jacob and I moved to the city God provided a way. Amelia and I had been working on incorporating a nonprofit organization that later became known as BeLoved ATL. June 28, 2012 we received our incorporation and began asking Him to reveal the next step. We quickly learned that His revealing only one step ahead rather than His entire plan brought us to a level of trust we had never experienced. Four months after being incorporated we received a donation to go on staff full-time, and a little over three months ago, He brought us a home and two residents!

I won't go into all of the details of BeLoved's story but I just kept looking at my past posts in tears. I had such little faith at the time. Yes, I waited, but I really doubted how tailor-made his plan for the next year of my life would be. I think back to the moments he challenged my faith and trust in Him. Oftentimes I failed, looking to Jacob to fulfill me or becoming depressed from my inability to provide for my family. I was hurting, and I wallowed in that. And yet, God brought joy and called me despite my weaknesses. Isn't that so like Him?

Being able to experience God through our girls has been, no doubt, the most humbling, challenging, and joyful time in my life. Some days I just cry in thanks, and sometimes from exhaustion. Some days I'm consumed by thoughts, still afraid that if I fail personally, I fail these girls, our organization, my teammates and even my husband. It's then that He challenges me to rest in Him and his promises. He is truly the only reason BeLoved exists and I pray each day that He receives the ultimate glory.

Last year, I also wrote a lot about Jacob and his time in Physical Therapy school. The stress, time commitment and challenges it brought to him personally and to us as a first-year married couple. I never thought I could look back and say this, but if I could recommend one thing to make you grow-up in general, grow in Christ and in character, I recommend getting married young and broke (haha, but seriously..) Obviously, no one prefers to live under constant stress, but now that we have weeks in a row where we aren't under that stress and are actually becoming comfortable in our lives, we start to lose the constant need to trust in God and miss it. Stolen cars, barely enough money to pay rent, starting nonprofit organizations instead of getting a paid job...haha.. Seriously, never thought I would say those words. But even so, God has done more than we could have asked and has shown us how temporal those materialistic things are. A lesson I had personally never really learned before now.

On the physical therapy side of things, I couldn't be more proud of Jake. He will be graduating August 3rd from PT school and has already received a position at Physiotherapy Midtown. Again, something we had prayed for despite being told he could never find a job in the city as a new grad. I think he's most excited that he can ride his bike down the Freedom Trail to work, which is pretty awesome. It's been three years in the making and he's finally almost done! Praise God!

The last thing I noticed from my posts one year ago was my tone and how hard I was on myself. Something I've learned through starting a business is the necessity of forgiving yourself and others for moments of error and moving forward, without judgement or grudges. I am typically quick(ish) to forgive others but continually become consumed with my faults and insecurities. I miss the joy God intends for me to experience daily. It's taken me many years to get to a place of surrender and forgiveness of myself, my selfishness, shame, and insecurities I've placed onto others. So, this past year I began meeting with a christian counselor. About 10 months ago, I began to experience a little gem known as panic attacks and was encouraged to seek help. Soon after, I was diagnosed with Panic Disorder and my counselor began working with me to dissect why I couldn't move forward but kept living through my failures, my past and allowed anxiety to consume me. How could I tell the girls of BeLoved to accept God's grace and not be consumed in worry if I couldn't grasp the concept myself?

"Voices of accusation are not from Me..My Spirit convicts cleanly, without crushing words or shame..Since I dwell in you, you are fully equipped to be holy." (Jesus Calling, Sara Young).

Learning the act of forgiveness has been a long process for me personally, but I can sense the Lord changing my heart with each day. I am choosing joy over anxiety (no panic attacks for 5 months now!) and am thankful to my team who has been such a source of encouragement during this season of healing. I know that my God is faithful and I'm prayerful that He will continue to transform each of our thoughts towards his grace - constantly reminding us that we are his children, His beloved.

love, the stagnaros

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

2012-08-07T13:47:00.003-07:00

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ."

april, may and june!

2012-06-06T10:31:00.001-07:00

Our spring in photographs. Birthdays, beach trips,one year anniversaries, crafts, new homes and all.

Happy one year anniversary to my sweet husband. The year flew by us, didn't it? So excited I get to experience life with you, Jake. I love you!

waiting

2012-05-22T11:26:00.003-07:00

The past month has been a difficult and confusing but has also provided much joy and perspective. Jacob and I have been blessed with finding a church – yes, I finally gave up control and allowed him to lead our relationship. After months and months of “church – hopping” I let Jacob have complete say in where we should visit that Sunday and he told me about a church he’d wanted to go to since we started looking. Obviously, I felt ashamed and guilty for my craving control having such a selfish affect but am so happy and thankful for where he led us.

And this story only gets crazier – the first day at this church we not only knew this is where we would serve but an opportunity to rent a home in Grant Park was given to us by one of the many friendly faces at the end of the sermon. The house is beautiful, in our budget and we are surrounded by the church community and other friends and family who live in Atlanta. God provided a home and a church all in one month. I’m not sure if we had mentioned this before but we had exactly 29 days to find a place to live before our lease was up when we were told about the house and things were finalized only two weeks before our move. God’s timing is perfect and way more spontaneous and daring then mine :)

On another note, our confusion and difficulties were brought on by what seems like a never-ending search in my finding a job. I know that after waiting an entire year I should just settle for any type of job, even if I don’t necessarily like it, but I feel so strongly that he wants me to wait and trust that He will provide a job that is a great fit for me. I’ve watched all of my friends receive jobs and have worked so hard in my current role and yet I feel as if I’ve failed.

I learned that I did not receive the job I thought God has crafted just for me this past week and was crushed. I posted this verse on twitter Friday morning and felt every word of it: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18.

If you noticed, I had prayed for complete trust in God in my last few posts and I am getting to experience that now. After a few days of freaking out I can say it is now a strangely calming place to be. When I first learned about the position being filled I cried for God to save me. I also asked for him to transform my heart to sincerely believe that my confidence and identity is not found in my ability to find a job, but is found in Him alone. I’ve had the chance to begin looking back on the past months and have seen how frantic I was to find a position, any position, but at the time felt like I was trusting God completely. I wasn’t. Now that I’m actually listening, I know he is telling me to just WAIT. I could end up waiting 2 weeks or even another full year – it’s not up to me but I’m waiting none the less.

I’m hopeful that one day I will find peace and knowledge in understanding his perfect timing and am thankful that he has provided what actually matters – a church home, relationships, and a circumstance where literally all I can do is trust Him and take my eyes off myself. All things Jake and I have prayed for since being married. Thank you, Lord for your unfailing love and for reminding me time and time again that your power is made perfect in weakness.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Love, the stagnaros

doubt

2012-05-07T15:27:00.000-07:00

Thank you to my thoughtful friend Maddie for the surprise birthday gift of A Confident Heart bible study. The front of the book reads "How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises" - At which I first doubted this book would actually challenge me to do (whoops).

I, like many other women, have struggled with confidence and insecurities for much longer than I can say but have never read a book addressing solely doubt – both self doubt and doubt that God is my trust. I think somewhere along the way I decided not to confront insecurities head on with Godly confidence because I managed to doubt that I could handle recognizing how all the insecurities fueled my sin. I realized within the first few pages that this book applied to me more than I thought it would– which was both humbling and strangely reassuring. Although I'm only on chapter 3 of this study I have already been so encouraged by the consistent message that God's love is perfect, I don't have to be - along with the many other promises throughout the rest of the study.

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. Jeremiah 17:7

Today I was challenged to actually live knowing my trust is the Lord. Despite my natural tendency to be anxious and crave control of my life - I'm praying for patience and the strength to trust the promise that he does not fail as I fail. I'm also praying for other women in my life who are lost in insecurity whether from a relationship, the world's standards, or from the desire to be in control. God's love is perfect - you don't have to be.

Love, the stagnaros

easter sunday

2012-04-08T08:31:00.001-07:00

"So the Jews said to him, "What sign do you show us for doing these things?" Jesus answered them, "Destroy the temple, and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews then said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?" But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken." John 2:18-22

Psalm 61:2

2012-04-05T05:32:00.000-07:00

"From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I."

Luke 22:42

2012-03-21T06:06:00.000-07:00

"...yet not my will, but yours be done.”

January, February, March..

2012-03-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

I did forget to mention a few awesome things that happened in January, February and mid March. So, here is that season in photographs.

You guessed it. We adopted a kitten on February 8th and named him Chaco. He's ridiculously cute.

Jacob set up an indoor picnic for us for our first Valentine's Day since it was super cold outside. And yes, that's Chaco in the basket.

We added another pin to our map for Jake's spring break - Jackson Hole, WY.

We had a great time visiting with Colby and Lucy, skiing (.. and falling a lot), snowshoeing, and looking for wolves and moose. It was awesome.

And THIS girl just found out she was accepted to UGA! So proud and pumped for her!

God's timing is perfect.

love, the stagnaros

in its time

2012-03-16T09:02:00.002-07:00

Okay, so it's been a while. And by a while I mean 3 months since the last post. I've honestly been struggling with not wanting to share our lives through writing - mostly because I cannot write as if I’m super happy when things have been tough. It seems January, February and now March have passed by us so quickly - months holding much uncertainty and – selfishly on my part – sadness.

I’ve been searching for a potential job position apart from my internship and have had everything but luck. I’ve been led down paths to only become disappointed, discouraged, and insecure in my ability to have a wonderful and passion-filled career. Jacob and I have been unsuccessful in finding a church community that we can truly connect with and be transparent with. We had what seemed like grandiose plans to move into Atlanta when I found a job that would allow us financially to do so. We are frustrated. We are sad. We are consumed by thoughts of “if only..” We have allowed this negativity, lack of community, and anxiety of finances to (understandably) affect our marriage - the way we respect and love one another.

I need a break. We need rest.

And so - today I finally felt like writing. I knew that meant my perspective had been refocused and my heart finally softened. It really wasn’t until this week that I began to feel at peace about our current circumstances, but I also wasn’t sure I’d ever feel at peace with them. I’ve taken a break from researching job openings, from networking, from interviewing. I’m finally trusting God that we will one day find community, we have embraced the idea of staying in Roswell if necessary, and I am fully trusting my husband’s leadership. Jacob had been trying to get across that God was protecting us for the past months– for whatever reason we do not understand now – he is protecting us and building us. We must be content with all he has provided for us apart from worldly things. And I finally get that.

Oftentimes I struggle to perceive anything joyful or potentially good during a series of let downs. But this week God allowed me to see past our circumstances and to see past the “what if” and “if only.” He’s given me the greatest picture of his love for me – Jacob. A husband who has been praying for me daily, who has managed to continue encouraging me despite my sadness, and who always reminds me that his plan is for us is good. It is so good. Thank you God.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11

love, the stagnaros.

john 3:30

2012-01-21T14:12:00.000-08:00

our adventure to california

2012-01-21T07:38:00.000-08:00

Now for a post on our trip to LA, Pasadena, and San Diego. It may be 3 weeks after we've been home, but it was our first trip to California so it deserves this entry :)

We visited Tampa, FL for one week with my family as usual and flew out of Tampa to LAX.

We made it to Pasadena for Kristin and Blake's wedding. Kristin is Jacob's awesome cousin, and her wedding was absolutely beautiful.

We spent a few days in L.A. and then drove over to San Diego to visit Jake's other awesome cousin, Jennifer. San Diego was one of the best places I've ever been to (thus far). Everyone was super laid back, nice, and the weather and sceneries were beautiful. We had burritos stuffed with fries with an accidental side of fries, went surfing, and hiked a mountain/cliffs that led to the beach (Torrey Pines).

Here's a glimpse into our trip. You'll feel like you were right there with us... sort of.

A visit to Santa Monica and Venice beach. The weather was a little dreary, but still fun.

and of course, Hollywood. (I know, I took a photo of the Twilight cast...)

Jennifer and her man Justin showed us around San Diego. This restaurant was at the top of our hotel and overlooked downtown San Diego and the bay.

The burrito stuffed with fries I was telling you about..

Post surfing in December. We didn't get any photos of us in our wet suits, but trust me, it happened.

My favorite spot, Sunset Cliffs

Needless to say, Jacob is determined to move to San Diego post graduation, haha. Can't wait to go back.

love, the stagnaros

sweets!

2012-01-09T14:42:00.000-08:00

Something about being home after two weeks of travels made me appreciate cooking, so despite my trying not to be mom-ish, I'm posting another recipe. But this time dessert!I found this recipe via pinterest on this website, and thought I'd give it a try for a cookout this past weekend. This cookie recipe might not be the right start to any New Years resolutions, but.. it's worth it once you see the recipe name.

Oreo Pudding Cookies (told you.)

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, room temperature
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 (4.2 ounce) package instant Oreo Pudding mix
2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 Hershey's Cookies N Cream Candy Bars broken into small pieces (King Sized bars)
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

To Make:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl and set aside. Cream together butter and sugars. Beat in pudding mix until blended. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well. Add the flour mixture and mix to combine. Stir in cookies n' cream pieces and chocolate chips.

Using a cookie dough scooper, place golf ball sized dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. The cookies will feel and look under-cooked, but they aren't. Let cookies cool for 5 minutes on baking sheet before moving to a cooking rack.

...so good.

day two, three, four...

2011-12-03T11:16:00.000-08:00

Okay, I have to admit that I began writing down my "thankfuls and joys" in my head and telling Jake in person rather than on this blog. I will, however, leave a list of things at the end of this blogpost to sum up the past week.

Jacob and I enjoyed our Thanksgiving break more than we ever thought imaginable. It was exactly what our relationship, minds, and hearts needed. We spent almost every day together, just enjoying being carefree and having fun. It seems unreal that we might have forgotten how to have fun in only a few months, but I think in a way, we had. My last post revealed a good bit of complaining, and I apologize for that. I do like to be real in my writing and tell what I'm going through personally and what we're going through as a couple, but I don't want it to be composed of complaints.

Anyway, our break was rejuvinating and relaxing. We laughed a lot, we walked and talked a lot, and we were reminded of how perfectly we fit. (Prepare for the cheese..I can't help it) Jacob is the man of my dreams (silly, but true) and I tell him that a lot. He is the funniest person I know, loves me as I've never experienced, is selfless, kind, and has sacrified so much of his energy and strength on completing Physical Therapy school so that we will be able to provide for our family. God called him to become a PT and to use his knowledge and practice to serve the world, and God is making it happen. One day at a time, but only one year and a half left before Jacob moves past the phase of school, studying, and frustration into serving others, and eventually us serving together as he provides PT to the less fortunate, and to those in need elsewhere.

It's funny how our interests can work as one. Jacob will be a Physical Therapist, and I (still no certain career path yet) have a background and passion for the nonprofit sector in general. That being said, if he really does open his own PT practice as he hopes to do, I would plan to create a Foundation aspect as a part of his company. The Foundation would exist so that the employees may serve in areas of poverty in the U.S. and travel to other countries to serve those who do not have access to physical therapy.

"The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." Proverbs 16:9

We'll see what we actually end up doing in the long haul, but it's exciting to think about the possibilities. I'm just glad we're together and like-minded.

Time for the thankfuls and joys that we slacked on writing this past week:

Jacob passing his competency yesterday
Thankful for the week of thanksgiving. Being with friends, family and one another.

Visiting Jenna, and her being accepted into the Art Program at Kennesaw!
Driving with my little sister. She received her license last Tuesday.
Seriously contemplating adopting a kitten, and then Jacob letting me know that he's not kidding about being allergic.
Finally receiving my diagnosis for my foot, and being able to start running again with Jake.
Drive-in movies

Jake getting to camp with his brother and nephews

Decorating the Christmas tree and apartment together for our first Christmas. Thank you Target dollar aisle.
Being able to buy our tickets for Jacob's cousin's wedding in California in December.
More Wonder Years..
Conversations with friends.
Being challenged by Jake to step outside my comfort zone.

Red velvet whoopie pies (recipe here)

Jacob loving his iPhone Siri more than me and tweeting that she's "robothot" #weird....#notthankful
Chick-fil-A dates
I am real joyful because we keep seeing really cute babies. Jacob is not.
Eating Menchies froyo and feeling sick from the red velvet flavor.
Finally finishing thank you notes from the wedding!

Using our crockpot for the first time, and never going back. (recipe here)
Falling asleep on Jake's lap for an hour right after arriving home from work.
Getting excited that he has an entire month off from school in one week!

Will write again next week.

love, the stagnaros

day one

2011-11-17T17:53:00.000-08:00

This post is a bit different from our usual, but it's something we feel compelled to try. I'm praying that through this we will truly gain perspective and gracious hearts for the plan God has created for mine and Jake's lives. Jake can agree that I've been complaining about the smallest things lately, but why? I'm often wishing for life to be more detailed, more interesting during this stage of school and interning, but isn't it already? Sure, school might leave Jacob exhausted and frustrated every week, and I find myself discouraged from job searching. Yes, we literally have to plan when we can manage to have quality time together, but I cannot thank God enough that we are together at all. We each have a desire to serve one another, our love has been challenged and grown, we have been encouraged by our new community in Roswell, and we are trusting God with what's next. Why wouldn't I wake every morning thankful for the Lord, his grace, mercy, and the life he has provided for my husband and I.

1 Chronicles 16:34, “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”

To get to the point of this post - I (and Jake here and there) will be writing a few things we are thankful for and find joy in for a total of thirty days. This will be my first post with day one (combination of joys from the week), but I will most likely combine each week into one post to make reading a little easier. I'm praying that this will contribute to us finding peace with our current circumstances and remind us of how full our lives are because Christ sustains both Jacob and I individually and our marriage. I'm also very much memory-driven, so this is fun for me to look back on:)

day one - joys and thankfuls

Jake writing a note and giving it to me when I woke up Tuesday morning.
Late night conversations
Making burnt waffles and using left over waffles to make "waffle sticks"...clever.
Going on a walk together tonight (freezing) and enjoying conversation without school/work mentioned
Talking with my younger sister on the phone. She is super intellectual and kind, and will be taking her Driver's test on Tuesday. I don't know how the time has gone by so quickly, but I'm thankful for the love of sisters and the bond that we've had despite my being somewhat far away the past five years.
Jacob receiving a phone call from his good friend, Chris Pope (who recently purchased a Moped, which in return left Jake wanting one..) He also, more importantly, recently proposed to a really great girl - Alli. We are incredibly happy for them and thankful for their friendship!
Small group Monday night - feeling like we're becoming closer friends with our church community and beginning to feel less like the only married couple without children in Roswell.
My coworker buying me the pear ornament I told her I loved! We now have 4 ornaments. Thankful that I'm in such an encouraging environment and that these girls have become some of my closest friends.
One of my great friends and practically family has his new single "Snow" on iTunes. Really excited for him! You can download it here: http://itunes.apple.com/artist/jason-gridley/id480195110?v0=9988&ign-mpt=uo%3D1
Spending time with family and friends this weekend, so for that I am thankful. and joyful.

We'll be back soon! Love, The Stagnaros

1 Peter 1:3-9

2011-11-16T05:28:00.000-08:00

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in its last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith - more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire - may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." [ESV]

depth

2011-11-09T18:53:00.000-08:00

For a night of much need quality time, Jacob and I decided to watch a few episodes of The Wonder Years, compliments of Amazon Prime. In fact, we are already on the second season. First The Cosby Show, now The Wonder Years. What has marriage done to us?..Old souls.

We have been talking lately about how quickly a relationship can lose depth among a busy and routine life. Relationships with friends, one another, and God. And how easily we fail to be intentional with our time. This is something I'm beginning to pray for as Jake and I are only experiencing the mild version of busy, but can you imagine adding children to that mix? (We won't actually imagine that now..) I want God to be so real to me and to Jacob individually and in our marriage among the routines and schedules. It's hard to imagine not ever having the depth in our relationship with one another or with God, but becoming consumed in the world can do just that. Thankfully, nothing can truly separate us from God's love and his depth, and in that, we find hope and rest apart from this world.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. (Romans 8:38)

love, the stagnaros

Marriage > School

2011-10-15T09:21:00.000-07:00

The past few weeks have been ultra busy for me in school (this is Jacob by the way) which has admittedly caused me to spend significantly more time with my computer and school work than with Kel. I hate that. It's weird though, I've been a student for seemingly an eternity yet it still isn't automatic. You see, we learn a lot of useful and useless things in PT school. One thing, which falls somewhere in the middle, is that when you're learning a new skill (in the correct context a motor skill), you eventually get to the point where you can perform the skill autonomously and you only focus your attention on the details to take full advantage of your ability, i.e. using the environment to your benefit. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear this is true of school. No matter how long I am in school, it continues to require much more attention than it's worth, I cannot perform adequately on auto-pilot.

The hard part isn't school though, I have done school for a long time now and by itself I can handle it. Don't get me wrong, the hard part definitely isn't marriage either, whoever said the beginning of marriage would be extremely difficult hadn't met Kelley. The hard part is that I got used to school, then we got married and I had a break from school, during which time I got used to marriage (as much as you can in two months), but now I'm married and in school and I'm not used to this. In fact as I type this I should definitely be studying neuro, but it's been a great adventure to learn how to do life after college, school after college, marriage after college and thankfully church after college...and Kelley's taking it like a champ, sorry school ruins me Kel.

civil wars

2011-10-08T19:42:00.000-07:00

A quick post from our weekend in Birmingham!

We traveled Friday evening to see The Civil Wars perform at the Alabama Theatre. It was by far the best performance Jake and I had ever seen. The group, Milo Greene, opened for The Civil Wars, and we really enjoyed them as well. So, just a few bands to look into if you already haven't.

Here's a few photos from our brief adventure ---

Driving into Birmingham, AL.

After a super delicious dinner at John's City Diner, we arrived at the Alabama Theatre for the concert.

Also captured a few videos from the concert to share! The Videos aren't the best, but the you'll like the sound :) Poison & Wine and Barton Hollow. Enjoy!

And a video from youtube of Milo Greene, the opening act.

Breakfast the following morning.

And a quick hike at Oak Mountain State Park to end our adventure.

I'm thinking we'll need more weekends like this! So nice to take a break.

In other news, Jacob now has a Twitter - @jacobstagnaro. He may or may not blow up your Twitter feed, so you can't say one of us didn't warn you.

Until next time!

Love, The Stagnaros

Unknown

2011-09-10T08:10:00.000-07:00

This Monday is Jacob’s 24^th birthday, and the first of birthdays we’ve spent as a married couple. Last year I ended up with food poisoning on his day, so let’s hope for a better turn out this year.

We went to his PT picnic last night, the Avett Brothers’ concert, and today is the big surprise birthday gift! I may or may not be building this up to be way more thrilling than it is, but I’m excited. Just told him this morning what it is, so I can finally write it here. We are going zip-lining and rappelling in North Ga for 3 hours! I'll be sure to post photos.

The week has been exhausting. One day off work is great, but making up for what you’ve missed is not.

Jake and I have been talking about what I should do - What career God wants me to pursue. I have always been someone with a plan. Someone who writes every little detail on a post-it note, planner, and even journal. And it’s not because I’m forgetful. It’s a means of security.

That being said, my being unsure of where God will take me next doesn’t always sit well. I’m praying for peace and guidance and for him to be my confidence and security. The world tells me “How can you not know what you want to do? You were in college for four years!” But I have to see this time as an opportunity for God to move in great ways and for me to impact in any way. Jake reminded me that I have to give God room to work rather than formatting him into my plans.

Jacob, on the other hand, loves the unknown. Being secure usually means life isn’t very adventurous to him. Sometimes I get frustrated with his ability to handle life’s ups and downs so seamlessly, but now I’m finding myself thankful. Thankful that he can encourage me, prays for me, and empathizes with me. You know before being married that you are a great match and that God is the reason you are together, that he holds all things together. And once you experience marriage, you are continuously reminded of how each individual has been uniquely crafted not only for the other person, but for marriage -- for the challenges and joy that come with sharing life and doing life as one. God is so good. And he is growing us in ways we cannot understand at this moment.

"Faith is living in advance what we will only understand in reverse." - Wayne Corderio

Love,

The Stagnaros

A Time to Rebuild

2011-09-02T08:40:00.000-07:00

Aaaand we’re back. The past few weeks have been busy ones. Jacob is getting used to the grueling schedule that comes with PT school, and I am searching for new hobbies to fill my evenings. It’s one of the strangest feelings to no longer have school work. Jacob is not a fan.

One of my long lost hobbies is reading. I’ve recently begun the Redemption Series by Karen Kingsbury which has spurred on more than a few emotional breakdowns, including my sobbing and saying, “He died!” to Jacob over the phone. He wasn’t too happy to find out it was all over a character in my book.

It’s just something about the way she writes and connects faith to truly devastating circumstances. Her books are always great reminders that as Christians, life is not meant to be easy or comfortable, but we will have a hope.

The second book takes place during Sept 11, 2001 which is emotional enough, but I hadn’t realized the timing of my reading this particular story. The 10 year anniversary is next Saturday. Jake and I watched a few episodes of a new Discovery Channel series ‘Rising: Rebuilding Ground Zero.’ Of course, I cried, but it is truly inspirational what they are doing with the area that once represented devastation, these families who were left with nothing, but held on to hope despite anger, fear, and loss. It’s amazing.

Thank you God for restoration, redemption, for providing security, and being our hope.

I trust that God is able to show us how to focus not on ourselves, but on those who are hurting and are in desperate need of healing, encouragement, and love. I trust that he’s preparing our hearts and minds to do great things through him and for him even among devastation.

Ecclesiastes 3:1, 3, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven…a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build….” (NIV)

love, the stagnaros

Trips!

2011-08-29T19:38:00.001-07:00

Our trip to Cashiers, NC last weekend. The lake this weekend and a surprise birthday trip for Jake the next! ...the fact that we are going on a birthday trip isn't the surprise, don't worry.

More photos to come!

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