Marital year in review

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Marital year in review

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suslyn Registered: May 2010 Posts: 1,462	A caveat: I am fully aware that this is my side of the story only. So give a little grace to the DH. I've no doubt that I'd look none too rosy myself if he were telling the story. It takes two... Dec 2009: For me, the story goes back to the death of Buckaroux last Xmas. It seems he went unmourned by DH and that in so doing, DH experienced the ‘straw that broke the camel’s back’. . . January: I signed up for the AJC - that was a God-thing for sure! My word for the year is truth per “You desire truth in the inward parts.” So the stage was set for helping me maneuver through the shock and hurt of Stephane’s pronouncement, “I don’t love you anymore.” February: Steph joined me in the States for a marriage intensive. We learned a lot, but the biggest news was that he came to believe he’d never loved me. Sadly, this made a lot of sense. Ain’t that the pits? March: I returned home. My computer etc. were moved out of our office and into the library. I felt kicked out. I made a collage for the wall above my desk (a plastic garden table) of my scrapping layouts reminding me how to proceed in a godly fashion in the midst of these difficulties. All were under and arround a banner with the text, His banner over me is love. April: I paid special attn to my apperance, even taking pics to document my efforts. May: Steph asked me for a divorce. One week later he said, 'You’re miserable. I’m miserable. Can we try again?' June: We went to a family wedding. Learned his family a) has no problem with divorce, b) couldn’t figure out why I’d stay if he doesn’t love me. He asked me to dance. I found a couples counselor & Steph went. July: I began the counseling too, with couples sessions every other week. Steph told me that he would not be making any pronouncments about divorce. Any decisions we make will be made together. We vacationed in Scotland and had some good talks amidst the rain and freezing weather. [* Not on the scrap: Steph bought a companion desk to his (they form an 's') and moved his office to the library with mine.] August: This was the month when Steph told me he didn’t want to lose me. What that means about his feelings for me he didn’t know, but he did know he doesn’t want to lose me. That bit of info helps a lot. September: Steph announced he was taking me away as a surprise for my bday. Not a fan of surprises, it took some talking to myself to be okay with the idea. Then when I was ready & the cat-sitter was on the premises he told her, not me, that the trip was off. October/November: My continuing assignment is to study ‘patience from a Christian point of view,’ and to find ways to be patient with Stephane while he works through his stuff. My self-assigned job is to find ways to stay, to physically be present and also to be emotionally available. Steph has noticed that I am more present & thanked me for staying here so we can work to build a marriage together that we will both be happy to be part of. This year has been tumultuous, a rollercoaster-like series of emotional ups and downs. After all this, while I’m not expecting it, what I’d like to see happen this Christmas is that my husband’s heart comes home ... All papers and elements from the Home for Christmas collab at Plain Digital Wrapper (glitter styles too). Fonts: Myriad Pro and Pea Susela @ Fonts for Peas. Altered 2009 Year in Review template freebie from CatScraps.
	· Date: Sun December 5, 2010 · Views: 355 · Tags: 1 · Dimensions: 600 x 600 ·
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Kimeric

Registered: June 2010
Posts: 1,011

Mon December 6, 2010 1:18am

Oh Susan. Beautiful beautiful presentation - - and so very heartfelt.

MamaB

Registered: October 2008
Posts: 3,263

Mon December 6, 2010 1:21am

I don't have words to explain how touching this page is but you both have my prayers for God's leading and wisdom. (((hugs)))

ArmyGrl

Registered: May 2010
Posts: 611

Mon December 6, 2010 4:23am

Your design is awesome...I'm wanting to do a "year" layout like this too...but different theme.

This is an awesome, heart-felt journal page. It is definitely something you'll be able to look upon months for now for self reflection.

LDHoriginals

Registered: January 2010
Posts: 4,396

Mon December 6, 2010 4:31am

Oh Susan. I really love this year in review collaboration. I am so sorry for the pain you have experienced. I wish you all the best in the new year.

GSO [ link ]

GlitterQueen

Registered: December 2009
Posts: 3,819

Mon December 6, 2010 9:29am

Wonderful page and journaling Susan! I'm so sorry you're having to go through all this and wishing and hoping for you that it all works out well for you.

imsoto2

Registered: October 2010
Posts: 109

Mon December 6, 2010 9:45am

Susan, I love this layout. It is fantastic. So sorry about how tough this year has been for you, but you know you always have the support of your (online)-family. We love you Smile

PS: Thanks for the update email this morning Smile

------------------------------
Hugs, Inger

Sami Brown

Registered: May 2009
Posts: 1,739

Mon December 6, 2010 5:25pm

This is a wonderful page. Thank you for scraping something hard. I am sorry you are going through this. I hope everything works out for you.

CircleOfLifeScraps

Registered: October 2010
Posts: 24

Tue December 7, 2010 2:36am

Courage. You have great courage. When you don't see His hand, and you can't trace His plan, trust His heart. Smile

suslyn

Registered: May 2010
Posts: 1,462

Tue December 7, 2010 3:30am

Funny you should say courage, Amanda. That's one thing I've been in short supply of -- believe me. I did a LO on it (http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/photopost/art-journal-caravan/p81222-itinerary-07-courage-battle-plan-08.html) and posted it on my wall. One of the most repeated commands in the Bible is to be strong and courageous. My courage and strength fail, but His doesn't. Boy am I glad!

crazsquaw
crazsquaw

Registered: October 2008
Posts: 4,228

Tue December 7, 2010 5:41am

What an absolutely fabulous idea!!

I love the design, actually everything about this...I am so glad you have joined PDW and feel comfortable enough here to share you life and your heart!!

♥

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