"Love is Patient"

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

Ephesians 4:2 NIV

 

Yesterday I took away from my book that love is built on two things: patience and kindness. Love should inspire me to be a more patient person, and to be slow to anger. Patience should stop our problems in their tracks rather than getting angry and causing more problems.
My book posed a couple questions that did make me stop and think. "If your spouse offends you, do you quickly retaliate, or do you stay under control? Do you find that anger is your emotional default when treated unfairly? If so, you are spreading poison rather than medicine."
"Patience helps you give your spouse permission to be human. It understands that everyone fails. When a mistake is made, it chooses to give them more time than they deserve to correct it. It gives you the ability to hold on during the tough times in your relationship rather than bailing out under the pressure."

"See that no one repays another with evil for evil,

but always seek after that which is good for one another."

1 Thessalonians 5:15

That, my friends, brings me to yesterday's dare. "The first part of this dare is fairly simple. Although love is communicated in a number of ways, our words often reflect the condition of our heart. For the next day, resolve to demonstrate patience and say nothing negative to your spouse at all. If the temptation arises, chose to say nothing. It's better to hold your tounge than to say something you will regret."

"Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger."

James 1:19



Needless to say this dare wasn't easy. If Andrew was doing the dare too and had to keep his mouth shut when he wanted to be mean this would be simpler. However, since I am the only one taking this exact endeavour, it's going to be tough. It was hard for me not to retaliate at him when he would say things. I do feel like I've done better with it than I thought. Toughest time for me was when I asked him to help clean up the house for our pre move inspection and he said he would while I was at work, I came home to him having not touched anything but played his video game all night. I was upset with him for that, he told me he would, he didn't have a hard day yesterday he could've ran the vacuum or the dishwasher. But rather than spout off about it, I said well we have until the fourth, I'd love it if you could please help.

Anyway, I'm still trying to decide when the best time to post these is. Either early the next morning or at like 11 p.m. my time...either way keep checking back.

"The Love Dare"

"LOVE BEARS ALL THINGS,
BELIEVES ALL THINGS,
HOPES ALL THINGS,
ENDURES ALL THINGS,
LOVE NEVER FAILS."
1 CORINTHIANS13:7-8
 

After watching "Fireproof'" I decided I wanted to do the love dare as well. So I headed out to the nearest book store and picked up a copy. The inside cover startled me and I'm going to post it here:

RECIEVE THIS AS A WARNING.

THIS FORTY DAY JOURNEY CANNOT

BE TAKEN LIGHTLY.

IT IS A CHALLENGING AND OFTEN

DIFFICULT PROCESS, BUT AN INCREDIBLY

FULFILLING ONE. TO TAKE THIS DARE

REQUIRES A RESOLUTE MIND AND A  

STEADFAST DETERMINATION.

IT IS NOT MEANT TO BE SAMPLED OR BRIEFLY

TESTED, AND THOSE WHO QUIT EARLY WILL

FORFEIT THE GREATEST BENEFITS. IF YOU

WILL COMMIT TO A DAY AT A TIME FOR FORTY

DAYS, THE RESULTS COULD CHANGE

YOUR LIFE AND YOUR MARRIAGE.

CONSIDER IT A DARE, FROM OTHERS

WHO HAV DONE IT BEFORE YOU.

 

That made me take a step back, then I was like, challenge accepted. So I invite you to follow me for the next forty days as I take this chance.

 

Mourning

"Dear God, please watch over my dog."

Rest in peace, Snicks, our Zoom Zoom.

 God,
You see this beautiful girl? I want her pampered, I want her to have everything we gave her for eternity. When I see her again, I want to see her hunting small animals in the snow again. I want her to be enjoying her chicken, and tearing up her toys. I want her to remember me, hear me and see me. Until I can see her again I want her to know that I love her and always will. That I'm mad at myself for not being there in her last hours. Please Lord, I know all dogs go to heaven, I just don't want her being treated less than she was, I want more for her. A part of my world went into a tailspin at 6 am on Dec. 23 when she passed. From the moment I got the call I haven't stopped crying, I ran out of tears. I guess that makes me a blubbering idiot, because she's "just a dog," but she was more than that. She was my best friend, my confidant... she loved me unconditionally for 14 years and I feel like hell.  She was buried in her flannel blanket that my mom got her because she tore apart beds and with her "dolly" a blue lamb she had had for ages. Her my people are home dolly that got her treats I want the hurting to stop so I can remember without losing my mind. I don't know why but I hear her tags, I hear her click of nails and I feel her here...I don't want it to stop, but I don't want it to be so hurtful....its sad, I know she doesn't have the same lifespan, but I'm mad at her too, I made her promise to never leave me. I guess really she didn't, but I just don't know. God, I have one more request, let her share her eternity with Harry Thomas, our grandfather, I'm sure he'd love her, his son did.
Please watch over her, and help me be strong,
Love,

Katie.

Mind is reeling

Okay, so ya'll are gonna have to bear with me today, I have a couple things to talk about. I haven't been able to post lately because my sleeping schedule has been so messed up (thank you Marine Corps), and everytime I think I'll have the chance to get on here and post I usually end up passed out on the couch. Just ask Copper, I woke up on the couch the other night using him as a pillow, obviously he didn't care but, whatever.

First, I've really just been trying to accept my past or whatever. Obviously there is one part of my past which I'd rather not track down and try to resolve, but the consequences of this part can be faced with time. However, I did message my ex-fiance on facebook the other day to give us both closure about our break-up and the rumors of cheating. Turns out that closure was good for both of us. I'm not resentful towards him anymore, and that got rid of some of my anger and bad juju. To just talk to him without slinging hateful words was a blessing. It doesn't do good to hold grudges. We found out the reasons of our break-up, on both sides, and I was able to tell him the truth. When we broke up I told him I had been cheating on him, as a way to get him to just let me go, well I never had done that and I really wanted him to know that. So, I get to talk to him if I feel like it and it not be so horrible.

Next, why is it that I'm the bad guy for wanting to not be picked on, to be treated like I'm loved, to not be told to shut up all the time, to be listened to? What's so hard about doing any of those things? Is it too much to ask? I guess so because I never get a break. The nicest thing I've gotten was he washed out my hair for me after I colored it because my back kills me if I bend over the sink. I mean I get that we have some money problems right now, but holy hell why take it out on me? Nothing else makes me want to just up and start walking my way home, I know the way, it's so annoying knowing that I can do anything and everything for him, but it's like I'm asking him to go to the moon with some simple things I ask of him. Which leads me to my next thing.

I'm guessing it's a bad thing to feel like I get more love and affection out of my pets, that I would rather surround myself with the company of my pets than that of humans. This is why I've decided that I shouldn't be a veterinarian or a vet tech. Because I apparently have a problem and am a borderline animal hoarder per someone's opinion. One more thing I am required to change about myself while nothing is reciporicated, go figure. At least with my pets I don't get told to shut up, I get kisses, I get cuddled up to, they depend on me and they love me, they give back all that I give to them, if not more.

“I strongly believe that love is the answer and that it can mend even the deepest unseen wounds. Love can heal, love can console, love can strengthen, and yes, love can make change.”
― Somaly Mam, The Road of Lost Innocence: The True Story of a Cambodian Heroine
 

"As Long as You Love Me"

Justin Bieber feat. Big Sean

As long as you love me [x3]

We're under pressure,
Seven billion people in the world trying to fit in
Keep it together,
Smile on your face even though your heart is frowning
But hey now, you know, girl,
We both know it's a cruel world
But I will take my chances

As long as you love me
We could be starving, we could be homeless, we could be broke
As long as you love me
I'll be your platinum, I'll be your silver, I'll be your gold
As long as you love, love, love, love me (love me)
As long as you love, love, love, love me (love me)

I'll be your soldier,
Fighting every second of the day for your dreams, girl
I'll be your Hova
You can be my Destiny's Child on the scene girl
So don't stress, don't cry, we don't need no wings to fly
Just take my hand

As long as you love me
We could be starving, we could be homeless, we could be broke
As long as you love me
I'll be your platinum, I'll be your silver, I'll be your gold
As long as you love, love, love, love me (love me)
As long as you love, love, love, love me (love me)

[Big Sean]
Yo, B-I-G
I don't know if this makes sense, but you're my hallelujah
Give me a time and place, and I'll rendezvous, and I'll fly you to it,
I'll beat you there
Girl you know I got you
Us, trust...
A couple of things I can't spell without 'U'
Now we are on top of the world, 'cause that's just how we do
Used to tell me, "Sky's the limit", now the sky's our point of view (view)
Man now we stepping out like, "Whoa" (Oh God)
Cameras point and shoot (shoot)
Ask me what's my best side, I stand back and point at you
You, you the one that I argue with, I feel like I need a new girl to be bothered with,
But the grass ain't always greener on the other side,
It's green where you water it
So I know we got issues baby true, true, true,
But I'd rather work on this with you
Than to go ahead and start with someone new
As long as you love me

As long as you love me (Love me yeah yeah yeah)
We could be starving, we could be homeless, we could be broke
As long as you love me
I'll be your platinum, I'll be your silver, I'll be your gold
As long as you love, love, love, love me
As long as you love, love, love, love me
As long as you love, love, love, love me (I'll be your silver, I'll be your gold)
As long as you love, love, love, love me
As long as you love, love, love, love me
As long as you love me

So you had a sh*t day

   

"When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others."

 This was most definitely not me today. Today I wanted to scream and punch my way through a wall.

See what the text says here? Think again...

 

 

So that picture that I so convinently placed there says that one person is always right and the other is the husband? Well apparently my oh so loving husband believes it should say the other is the wife. At least that's what I gathered today right before I felt like driving my fist through a wall since Andrew was safe and sound behind his phone texting me twenty miles away. It didn't help that he didn't feel the need to give me a kiss goodbye today. "Oh you wouldn't wake up!" Well um hello, I wake you up for a millisecond to give you a kiss before I go to school, you attempted to wake me up ONCE immediately when you woke up. I'm sorry that I had a rough night sleeping.

Here's where I am apparently the bad guy. I was talking to Andrew about what phone I could get for the upgrade he promised me. Out of the blue he starts talking about not letting me use the upgrade and switching to pay as you go phones to save us money. Apparently I was badgering him to keep this "oh so expensive" contract. I'm sorry but I do my research, these pay as you go phones don't have coverage where we are going to live, and we won't be able to keep our current phones and would have to pay the FULL RETAIL of the phones. But here I am "shooting down" his ideas, when I had presented these ideas to him about 9 months earlier when we were even more financially strained. Guess what? He argued with me the same points I'm arguing him with. Hmm...something's not right there.

Then, I thought about it, since my line will be renewed, and we have a total of 3 lines, long story, why not as soon as his current line runs out, he jumps on the 3rd line that ends in 2014 and just change the number (he didn't want to use that line because it was a San Diego area code). He rebutted with having my mom start a whole new family plan basically as soon as we get back, and we pay the money to cancel our thrid line. Finally I got him to agree to my previous idea, but the whole time I was thinking of what I would do if I was a vengeful person.

While I was home in PA Andrew used some of my final pay to buy a subwoofer behind my back ($200), and said he didn't ask me because he knew I would say no. Well I was thinking, I could just go ahead and buy the phone I wanted ($100, then I get a $50 rebate) and not tell him, when he asked about it say I knew you would say no, so I just went ahead and got it anyway.

So instead of doing that I finally got him to see the point, and instead of punching through a wall, I went to my friend's house and we bitched it out over an extra thick milkshake from Sonic.

I guess there really was no point to this post other than to see some of the anger management I may or may not have accomplished.

"Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with it."

 



Here goes nothing

"If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow."–Chinese Proverb.
 

Oh how I wish I would have known that quote about oh...maybe a month and a half ago. My turning point, what made me really realize that I do have problems with this was when my parents were here visiting.
Andrew and I got into a fight about something trivial, and he stormed off to bed. I got angry and I went in after him. I smacked him on the head and screamed "that's for being a dick head to me" at him. He wanted to leave, to cool down so he wouldn't hit me. Well I wasn't letting him because in my past I had relationships where the guy would leave just to go see another girl if he got angry at me. Andrew pushed me off of him and I slid down the foot post of the bed. I screamed at him, and my dad heard, and needless to say he got involved. It turned into a stand off, and eventually Andrew and I calmed down enough to go for a ride and talk. I apologized to him for my behavior, and he told me if I ever hit him again that was it, we were getting a divorce. 
That gave me a shock to the system. I realized that I needed to find a way to help myself so I wouldn't lose this amazing man who, for whatever reason, loves me to death. Mind you, he picks and picks at me, but that is no reason for me to not take a step back and breathe.
I want to change for me, because I'm so sick of holding all this anger, and for him because I want him to know I do care.

"Anger is a killing thing: it kills the man who angers, for each rage leaves him less than he had been before - it takes something from him." – Louis L'Armour.

Andrew has told me that I need to stop letting the past rule me and accept that he loves me, and isn't like the others. I've found that it gets harder to let go, the more I try to sort through it and find what exactly my problem is. I know some of it, mostly the anxiety part, has to do with the Marine Corps, but I was going to therapy to help me fix all of it. What light was shed during my short time there, really did help. Apparently on top of all this angry anxious turmoil in my head, I have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from what the VA calls "military sexual trauma," but that's something I'm not ready to "accept" on my blog.
I guess it boils down to my help now has to be self help. I long for the day when I can let Ico and Copper play fight and not lose my mind because they are annoying me. Or when I'm cleaning and I don't get pissed because I'm getting hot, or get frustrated with Andrew because he is poking at me just the right way.
I can experience peace whenever I choose, and this too shall pass, I've heard those alot. My grandmother would probably kick my ass if she knew how bad this was getting me. My grandmother is a strong woman and I wish I took after her more. I wish I wasn't so weak.
I don't want this to rule me, but it does. I see all these inspiring things and I wonder why that can't be me, why can't I make progress? Is the key to progress what all those doctors say, to pump myself full of medication? I sure as hell hope not, because then I'll never get better.
I've been avoiding angry music, which sucks, because I love Rammstein and SlipKnot, but no one really knows if that is connected to anger problems, so I'll take the precaution.
Sad thing, pounding the pavement (or treadmill) seems to help, I run until I can taste metal in my mouth. But I can only do that once a week because my hips will kill me.
You know, I hate it when people bitch and moan about their lives, I hate seeing those facebook status that say "oh I hate my life" and what not, and right now I feel like that's exactly how I'm acting.
Of course, it would all be easier if I wasn't talking to myself. Andrew barely listens to me, and he has flat out told me this. That's part of my problem, I know he doesn't listen and so I keep everything inside, and it just bottles itself tight until maybe he forgets to take out the trash and I completely explode with the rage of a thousand suns because of everything from before that incident.

“My past is nothing more than the trail that I have left behind. What drives my life today is the energy that I generate in my present moments.” - Unknown

Here are the "simple steps" to help me cope with my anger...

No. 1: Take a timeout

Counting to 10 isn't just for kids. Before reacting to a tense situation, take a few moments to breathe deeply and count to 10. Slowing down can help defuse your temper. If necessary, take a break from the person or situation until your frustration subsides a bit.

No. 2: Once you're calm, express your anger

As soon as you're thinking clearly, express your frustration in an assertive but nonconfrontational way. State your concerns and needs clearly and directly, without hurting others or trying to control them.

No. 3: Get some exercise

Physical activity can provide an outlet for your emotions, especially if you're about to erupt. If you feel your anger escalating, go for a brisk walk or run, or spend some time doing other favorite physical activities. Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that can leave you feeling happier and more relaxed than you were before you worked out.

No. 4: Think before you speak

In the heat of the moment, it's easy to say something you'll later regret. Take a few moments to collect your thoughts before saying anything — and allow others involved in the situation to do the same.

No. 5: Identify possible solutions

Instead of focusing on what made you mad, work on resolving the issue at hand. Does your child's messy room drive you crazy? Close the door. Is your partner late for dinner every night? Schedule meals later in the evening — or agree to eat on your own a few times a week. Remind yourself that anger won't fix anything, and might only make it worse.

No. 6: Stick with 'I' statements

To avoid criticizing or placing blame — which might only increase tension — use "I" statements to describe the problem. Be respectful and specific. For example, say, "I'm upset that you left the table without offering to help with the dishes," instead of, "You never do any housework."

No. 7: Don't hold a grudge

Forgiveness is a powerful tool. If you allow anger and other negative feelings to crowd out positive feelings, you might find yourself swallowed up by your own bitterness or sense of injustice. But if you can forgive someone who angered you, you might both learn from the situation. It's unrealistic to expect everyone to behave exactly as you want at all times.

No. 8: Use humor to release tension

Lightening up can help diffuse tension. Don't use sarcasm, though — it can hurt feelings and make things worse.

No. 9: Practice relaxation skills

When your temper flares, put relaxation skills to work. Practice deep-breathing exercises, imagine a relaxing scene, or repeat a calming word or phrase, such as, "Take it easy." You might also listen to music, write in a journal or do a few yoga poses — whatever it takes to encourage relaxation.

No. 10: Know when to seek help

Learning to control anger is a challenge for everyone at times. Consider seeking help for anger issues if your anger seems out of control, causes you to do things you regret or hurts those around you. You might explore local anger management classes or anger management counseling.
(http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/anger-management/MH00102/NSECTIONGROUP=2)
I'm going to leave these lyrics here because it tells exactly how I feel with Andrew:

Hanging by a Moment

Lifehouse

 

Desperate for changing, starving for truth
I'm closer to where I started, I'm chasing after you

I'm falling even more in love with you
Letting go of all I've held on to
I'm standing here until you make me move
I'm hanging by a moment here with you

Forgetting all I'm lacking, completely incomplete
I'll take your invitation, you take all of me now

I'm falling even more in love with you
Letting go of all I've held on to
I'm standing here until you make me move
I'm hanging by a moment here with you
I'm living for the only thing I know
I'm running and not quite sure where to go
And I don't know what I'm diving into
Just hanging by a moment here with you

There's nothing else to lose, there's nothing else to find
There's nothing in the world that can change my mind
There is nothing else
There is nothing else
There is nothing else

Desperate for changing, starving for truth
I'm closer to where I started, I'm chasing after you

I'm falling even more in love with you
Letting go of all I've held on to
I'm standing here until you make me move
I'm hanging by a moment here with you
I'm living for the only thing I know
I'm running and not quite sure where to go
And I don't know what I'm diving into
Just hanging by a moment here with you
Just hanging by a moment
Just hanging by a moment
I'm hanging by a moment
Just hanging by a moment here with you

 

 

 

 

 

0.o

I found this unfinished post and thought I'd post it, and put my edits at the bottom.
Wow, it’s been awhile since I’ve written anything on here. Since my life has reached a “calm” point, let me catch ya’ll up on what has been going down.

This is a picture of a torn labrum, no not my case specifically, but just for you to see.

I’m still mad at the Marine Corps world. I’ve found out what is wrong with my hip specifically. I have this situation in both hips: a torn labrum, which means I have a gigantic tear in the cartilage that helps hold my ball joint into its socket. I’m going in for a surgery consultation on August 2 to begin the process of getting that piece of cartilage ground down. Fun, right? Yeah, absolutely not.

I’m getting married in 17 days to the amazing man I mentioned in previous posts. We are getting married at the depot chapel here in San Diego. Then, that same day we are moving into our apartment, exciting! We already have a queen size bed, sectional sofa, and recliner on lay-away! I’m so ready to start this new life with him, it’s kinda crazy.

We are going to have a nice ceremony for our family and friends to attend a little later in Illinois. He mentioned something about in the snow in a field…he doesn’t know my mom very well, hahaha. She hates the cold and will refuse to help with that.

We also have discussed something simple, and pretty much country. To admit it, we are also planning on staying in Illinois after we get out of the Marine Corps. Which, by the way, I’ve set myself pretty stern on: I ain’t re-enlisting even if you paid me.

So I’d like to take the time to seem like a schoolgirl in love and act like I’m scribbling on the back of my biology notebook:

Mrs. Andrew Rodgers

Katalynn Marie Rodgers

Hahaha, that felt weird, I was turning red like I would be embarrassed if he read this…well, maybe…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, since I've written this, Andrew and I did get married, I did have my surgery, and surprise surprise I ended up having to have the same surgery on my right hip for exactly the same BS.
I'm no longer a Marine and I'm going to school to get my prerequisites to get into a veterinary technician school, yay.