ONE Year Ago...

...I apologize in advance for how sappy I might get in this post...I don't like to be an open book, but I can't contain myself right now...so, here goes nothing. 

I don't even know where to begin. I am filled with such joy and astonishment when I think back to this time exactly one year ago. Did I type that right? ONE YEAR AGO!?! U.n.b.e.l.i.e.v.a.b.l.e. This time LAST YEAR was our wedding week. I can still feel every emotion and every thought as I reflect on that week. To this day, Torrey and I still talk about how that week marks one of the greatest weeks/weekends of our lives. To be honest, I don't think we will ever stop reminiscing.

I am completely blown away by the fact that exactly ONE YEAR ago, I was preparing to marry the greatest man God ever created. I remember that feeling. I remember realizing what an amazingly rare gift Torrey was and being in complete awe of the fact that he would be MY husband. No one else's.....just mine. I remember dreaming about what an amazing Christian leader my Torrey was going to be and how excited I was to establish our new home together with God in the center. I remember having butterflies the entire week (and of course on our BIG DAY) from thinking about the holy union that I would be entering into with God and my Torrey. I remember thinking about how strange it was going to be to now be known as "Alexandra Clark" instead of "Alexandra Wadley" (even though I couldn't be more proud to wear the name "Clark"). I remember the many family members and close friends who spent countless hours helping to finish the last minute details for our special day. I remember being so excited to be known as the "woman of the home" and taking on real, domestic responsibilities. I remember soaking up every single moment I had with my parents and siblings, realizing that the dynamics of our family were changing....forever. I remember trying to imagine what my Torrey's expression was going to be when he saw me for the first time walking down the aisle. I could go on and on, but the point is, I remember, and I'm so thankful I do.  As wonderful as our wedding week and of course our wedding day was, what came after we said "I Do" was really where it gets overwhelming. 

As I reflect on the first year of our marriage, I am in total shock. I knew that married life would be a huge blessing and that Torrey would be a remarkable husband, but I had no idea what I was in for. Our first year has been far better than I could have ever imagined. I am glad that certain comments I received such as, "You just wait, the first year is the hardest year filled with ups and downs" did not come true. Obviously, there are going to be adjustments during the first year, but those normal adjustments have made us stronger and closer than ever. 

My love for my Torrey has grown and deepened far more than I thought possible. I love my life with Torrey. I love how he leads our home closer to God every single day. I love how he loves and serves God. I love how he loves teaching others about God. I love how classy, sharp and intelligent he is. I love how his character never changes. I love how hard of a worker he is (you wouldn't believe his work ethic). I love how he takes his life as a Christian more serious than anything. I love how he is incredibly goofy (in the comfort of his home...does that shock some of you? :)) I love how he listens to me and validates my feelings. I love how he is my lifelong best friend. I love how he makes me feel loved, cherished and respected. I L.O.V.E. who my Torrey is. I hope and pray that I have impacted Torrey's life at least half as much as he has impacted my life this past year. I feel honored to be his bride and am inspired every single day to be the best wife and help meet to him that I can be. I have such a long, long way to go, but all I know is that being married to my Torrey Justin Clark is worth the effort! I will forever thank God for bringing my sweet Torrey into my life. I will never forget our incredible first year of marriage. It has truly been a gift from God. BRING ON YEAR #2!!! 

Modesty--Does It Really Matter??

As a Christian, dressing and behaving modestly is such an important part of my life. It is important because it matters-it matters to me, but most of all, it matters to God. I believe there is a Biblical standard of modesty that God wants His children to follow, which is laid out in His word. From the very beginning of inspired scripture, we see God laying out His standard of modesty and what He deems to be considered nakedness. Genesis 3:7 says, “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.” Here, we see that once sin entered the world, Adam and Eve both realized their nakedness and knew that they needed to be covered. However, what exactly did their “fig leaves” cover on their body? Well, whatever it covered really isn’t the issue, because we see later in verse 21 that,  “Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.” Apparently, God was not pleased with their covering and decided to clothe them according to what was pleasing to Him. The term in this verse “tunics of skin” basically means that their covering came from their shoulders to their knees. If this is what God wanted covered in the beginning, then why wouldn’t He want the same thing covered today? Obviously, we don’t have to wear a tunic, but it’s the principle that applies. As Christians, we are to be a representation of Christ. God wants us to be a picture of Christ and not a picture of the world. God’s standard for modesty applies everywhere we go: the beach, the ballpark, worship, summer activities, etc. Now, you are probably thinking to yourself, “But Alexandra, I don’t want to look like an old lady at the beach and during the summer. I want to be fashionable and cute!” Trust me, I totally understand the struggle of finding cute AND modest clothing. It can be hard at times, but let me tell you, it IS possible! Even though it might not be convenient, don’t you think it’s worth the very small sacrifice on our part if it will be pleasing to our loving and sacrificial God? Here are a few guidelines I go by when I am shopping for clothes:

1. Does it come to my knee? When I sit down, is it still to my knee? If not, no thanks.

 2. Are those jeans too tight?

 3.  Is that shirt too low? Is cleavage being shown?

 4.  Does the item of clothing hug every curve of your body so tightly that it looks like it is about to rip?

 5. Is it sheer? Does it leave nothing to the imagination?

 6.    Is it becoming of a Christian woman who is trying to be a picture of Christ and not a picture of the world?

Obviously, there is a lot to look for when trying on clothes (and don’t you just hate those dreadful dressing room mirrors??). A few of my favorite stores to shop at are…. T.J. Maxx, Ross, Loft (on sale), Old Navy, and consignment shops! I love getting good deals and trying to get as much as I can for my money! Clothes matter. What we put on our body matters. By our clothing, we tell a story of who we are and whose we are. Let us glorify God and make a conscious effort to adorn ourselves in clothing AND in behavior that will help us be that godly woman that I know we all want to strive to become! 

New Year, New Blog!

I'm very excited to begin a new year! There are so many wonderful things already planned for this year and I am looking forward to seeing what lies in store! Because it's a new year, I decided to try out something I've never tried before--getting a blog of my own. I have enjoyed reading and keeping up with various blogs and always think to myself, "wow, their blog is so cute and fun to read...I should get  one myself someday." Well, that day is TODAY! We shall see how this goes!

I've wrestled with ideas about what I want to use this blog for....venting sessions...encouragement...biblical topics...good articles...day to day life??? After some careful consideration, I decided why not do a mixture? So, that's the plan. I guess my posts will just be whatever I'm feeling on that particular day. 

Switching gears a little.....since 2012 was pretty much the BEST year ever, here is a recap of all of the amazing blessings that happened in my life:

1. Transferred to Auburn and lived on my own for the first time (definitely hard, but overall, an experience of growth)
2. Planned our WEDDING! (with a TON of help from my best friend who happens to be my lovely mother)
3. Married the love of my life and became "Mrs. Torrey Clark!" (Definitely the best decision I have ever made, aside from becoming a Christian).
4. Found out that I'm going to be an AUNT! (Can't wait to spoil that little one!)
5. Welcomed into our new church family at Northside!
6. Spent the remainder of the summer getting all settled into our new home and loving every minute!
7. Surprised with the cutest, most cuddly little puppy, Tally-Bo! (I never understood the whole "treating your animal like a baby" kind of thing until Tally entered our lives! I now understand this perfectly).
8.  Made all A's at Auburn and was on the Dean's list! (I can't believe I actually put this...but I was too excited!)
9.Shared our FIRST MARRIED Christmas together and started fun and special traditions!
10. Said a bittersweet goodbye to 2012, and hello to 2013 with my all time favorite guy!!!

Needless to say, 2012 was a busy year and filled with one huge/life-changing event right after another, but I wouldn't change a thing. Every bit of it was incredible and I still can't believe it's real. I am so blessed and owe it ALL to God!