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some time with my hubby

So, this week was supposed to be more exciting…I know.
I decided to take a little trip with my hubby 
instead of staying home to write blog posts. 🙂
He had to go to Manhattan (Kansas not New York) 
for a class and I decided to go along.
It was just us…not even Levi this time.
When we got to Manhattan on Tuesday we met my brother 
for lunch at our favorite lunch spot.
We used to eat here all the time.
It was just as good as I remembered.
Owen gave us a tour of his fraternity before heading back to his classes.
I tried to get him to skip class to hang out with me, 
but he is too much like his sister and said he had to go.
Joel tried to remind him that the difference between 
an A and a B in college is a whole lot of fun.
He always tried to tell me that in college too.
I got the A’s. He had a lot of fun. 🙂
How did my baby brother get big enough to be in college?
Joel had to go to his class too.
Which is funny because I’m pretty sure Joel skipped 
more classes in college than he went to.
So, the rest of the day I spent checking out Manhattan and shopping a little.
Manhattan has changed so much since we were in college.
After I got tired of shopping I went to our hotel until Joel was done with his class.
I sat on the comfy bed, watched TV and ate Chipotle all by myself.
It was lovely.
The next morning Joel had to go back for class.
I stayed in the hotel and just relaxed and caught up on my Bible study.
Can you tell that this trip was all about class for Joel…
and all about relaxing and eating for me??
When Joel was done with his class we went to another favorite lunch spot.
They have the yummiest burgers and fries.
I was glad to have some company again too!
Before going home we drove by our first apartment.
It was a one bedroom teeny-tiny apartment.
We both couldn’t even fit in the kitchen at the same time.
But we thought it was great!
This was our little balcony.
So many memories.
We were talking about how much we miss those first two years we were newly married and finishing college. Life was so simple back then. We hadn’t really faced anything difficult. We spend tons of time just hanging out and talking. Our schedules were so flexible. We didn’t have very much money and our apartment was nothing special, but we didn’t care. Some days I would do anything to go back to those days of no worries.
Tonight in our small group we are talking about growth in our life as a Christian. Growth is a process. Our book says becoming a Christian begins a lifelong adventure of knowing God better and loving Him more. I love that. And while those college days seem so easy and carefree, I see now how they were just part of our journey. God was using those days to ground us for what was ahead. I had no idea back then that He would choose to allow heartache and tragedy in my life to mold me and change me. Romans 5:3 says, “we glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” The suffering I have faced doesn’t compare to what Paul was facing when he wrote these words. It doesn’t compare to what many are facing around the world today. And I can’t honestly say that I am at the point where I can say I glory in my suffering. But I do know that God has used and continues to use Cora’s death to produce perseverance and character and hope in my life. He is changing me. And for that I am thankful.    
So, today I am thankful for time away with my hubby.
I am thankful to be home playing blocks with Levi this morning.
I am thankful for the reminder of God’s work in my life.
And I am thankful that Joel and I are not the same people we once were.
He is changing us.
I pray that I would always be open to His changing work in my life.
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  • Rachel - Hello! I’m a long time stalker… I live in VA but went to KSU and So Long is my favorite meal on the planet. I love it so much and your pictures are making me salivate!ReplyCancel

  • A - so glad for your time with joel 🙂 it is really eye-opening to reflect on where God has taken me thoughout my life, the last 3-4 years especially!ReplyCancel

  • ej236 - hello! I’m also a long time stalker haha. I went to KSU but now live in GA. You just had to go ahead and post pictures of the 2 best places to eat in Manhattan didnt’ you 🙂 hehe. I miss that place so much and would do anything to go back for a while! Such a fun, cute little town! (I think we may have lived in the same dorm together! Small world sometimes!)ReplyCancel

  • Beki - TheRustedChain - Jess this is so sweet!

    Back before I was married, I worked for a restaurant as a corporate trainer and they told me I was going to Manhattan to open a new location. I was SOOO excited!! – Until the day before I left and they mentioned that it was Manhattan Kansas. Sadness. I had no idea there even WAS a Manhattan Kansas. *sigh* I had big dreams of going to New York.

    I’m glad you and Joel had a nice time!ReplyCancel

  • the breedens - You really brought back memories for me today. My husband and I went to KSU, probably about the same time as you, got married while we were there and had our first apartment together there. We also love So Long Saloon!ReplyCancel

  • The Moffats - So fun to take a little trip down memory lane. Seems like so long ago and yesterday at the same time. Glad you guys were able to take a little time together. And Owen…Joel is right about getting the B’s…and what’s with the hair, dude??? Love you ALL.ReplyCancel

  • Jessie - Yummmm! Love So Long! We love to reminise everytime we’re back in manhappiness! Life was so much more simple then!ReplyCancel

  • The Farmers - So happy you two had some time away. It’s always nice to go back and remember the good ol days. I loved our little apartment we had in College. I remember when we moved to a bigger place my husband ran to me in excitement that he had to change plugs while vacuuming, that never happened in our first little home.ReplyCancel

  • Amanda - This comment has been removed by the author.ReplyCancel

  • Amanda - HOW DARE YOU post pictures of these 2 eating places – I think you are just TRYING to make me jealous, huh??? Rock-a-Belly was our very first date!!! And So Long – oh my, so many memories and lunches there. I need 2 days in Manhattan to just go from restaurant to restaurant that I love so much. Can you believe I didn’t even like Chipotle back then? HAHA! But now Chipotle in a hotel room by yourself – that sounds heavenly.

    SO glad you got to get away and reflect on where God has brought you. There’s just something about going back to that town that just makes all those memories of the simple days come back. Will you just PLEASE take us next time???ReplyCancel

  • Stef - looks like a fun trip for the two of you! Thanks for taking us down memory lane with you 🙂ReplyCancel

  • anne - Well, that made me a little “home-sick.” 🙂 I grew up in Wichita and my grandparents were in Manhatten. Very fun to see all those familiar places. I’m in CO now and don’t get back to KS much anymore. So glad you had a great weekend!ReplyCancel

  • Gail - Ah…it was soo sad to miss seeing you. I would have loved to have caught up with you at So Long–love that place. I’m glad we didn’t try, though, cause our Levi got worse last night and is pretty miserable–happy to keep those germs away from your sweet family! Miss and love you guys–GailReplyCancel

  • Brandon - My home town is Manhattan! Your pictures are making me miss ‘home’. And my mama!ReplyCancel

  • Carmen - mmmm…you hit two of the best joints in town! i remember your first little apartment! you guys had tony and i over for dinner once (pretty sure we were still just dating) and i thought you had the cutest place with stylish mix and match colored plates. 🙂
    Glad you had a refreshing trip!ReplyCancel

  • Lindsay - Good for you! Truthfully that is my idea of a great getaway. Something lowkey and familiar where I could just relax, read, blog, SLEEP and EAT!!!ReplyCancel

  • Mindy Harris - honey you’re the next beth moore! i just love all your insights. on another note, i am SO JEALOUS of your weekend. being a k-stat alum those were my favorite eating places, too. and i’d love nothing more than to just sleep in a hotel.
    and sleep.
    and sleep.
    zzzzz….ReplyCancel

  • Kristin - So fun! I spent 5 wonderful years in Manhattan while going to KSU, and I sure miss it sometimes. Seeing the burger and fries makes me hungry! So Long Saloon does have the best food. It’s our favorite place to go when we visit. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Paige - It is crazy how small of a world it is. Not only is my family huge K-State people, we are also a huge FH family too. My sister is dating a FH man and my cousin is in FH, and my dad, brother, and uncles were in FH. Oh, and being in a small town, I love that you hit all my favorite places in Manhattan while you were in town.ReplyCancel

  • Julie - Jess, I’m so glad you decided to go. Looks like you thoroughly enjoyed yourself. 🙂 However, I was wondering why you didn’t tour Boyd Hall and take a picture of your favorite dorm room while you were there? You know, the one with the massive storage closet that you shared with the coolest roommate ever? I think it was down the hall from two girls who always ordered pokie sticks (or whatever they were called) and did yoga in private?? hehehehehe. Oh the memories . . . love you.

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts and insights too. You are always encouraging.ReplyCancel

  • Kristy - I got so excited to see your post about Manhattan. We moved to Manhattan in June after living in Wichita for 2 years. We will have to go and try the places you mentioned. Always looking for something new. Glad you had a fun getaway with Joel.ReplyCancel

  • Jessica Johnson - Hi there!

    I’m a fairly new reader and I love your sweet words. I’m thankful for the reminder of God plan for us in suffering. And His desire to see us change. Our suffering is never in vain but draws us closer to Him and makes us more like His Son.

    Also, glad you had some fun time away with your husband. So important, right? 🙂

    God Bless you, Jess!ReplyCancel

  • Ellen Grant - We recently went back to our first (teeny-tiny house) and I remember feeling so cramped there and I couldn’t WAIT to get out! ha! But now, I look back at those memories and I am SO thankful. I was blessed and didn’t even know it. Sometimes it’s scary to think about how uncertain the future is. We don’t have a single hope for anything but in knowing Christ and His redemption! Your blog and story has been such a blessing to me. I am trying so hard not to take anything else for granted!!ReplyCancel

  • Kimberly - It’s so nice to get away, relax & have some alone time with your hubby. Getting away always makes me appreciate home more too! Thanks for sharing!ReplyCancel

  • Jodee - What a fun and relaxing getaway with your hubby! I met my husband in Manhattan at the Country Stampede in 1999!ReplyCancel

  • TheHappyNeills - We heart FH! My dad and twin brother and little brother were all in FH!ReplyCancel

  • Christina - That is a really beautiful and profound post…your time away together looks like just what you needed. Thank you for sharing your reflections with us…they are so very appreciated. You touch more people than you know.ReplyCancel

  • Erica - AWWW so many memories with these pictures. I’m glad you could get away and rest a bit in a place with so many fun memories. We too talk about those great days when we were newly married.

    …..and now I’m completely craving an amazing burger.ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - Aw, I love that your brother has a sweet picture of Cora in his room (at least, I think I am seeing that correctly).ReplyCancel

  • Nancy - So glad you had a good time with your hubby, good food & got to see your brother!ReplyCancel

  • Samantha - I LOVE SO LONG!!!!!ReplyCancel

  • Carpenter's - Oh the relaxation was delicious as well as the food 🙂 Next time treat your husband to 4 Olives a romantic evening for the two of you 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Laura - My wife reads your blog, but I happened to see a KSU themed post and read with interest. We live in Michigan, however I went to KSU (grew up in Wichita). I lived right across the road from Farmhouse Frat. Brings back memories. My buddies and I used to eat at a little hole-in-the wall where the served thin, greasy hamburgers. Wish I could remember the name. Anyway, thanks for the memories.ReplyCancel

  • The Koehns - Rock-a-Belly is one of my favorite places, too! When my husband and I went to K-State, we used to have “Rock-a-Belly Thursdays” with another couple. It was so much fun out on their back patio. They have really yummy hummus, too! Looks like you guys had a great trip! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Amy - Manhattan is my hometown (live in El Dorado KS now) and So Long and Rock a Belly are 2 of my faves as well!! Glad you enjoyed some alone time in Manhappiness!!!ReplyCancel