Eat. Pray. Love.

274 days ago I talked about young marriage and what I knew as a month old Mrs.

Now I’m a 10 month Mrs. And this is what I know about marriage and the advice I give to those engaged.

Eat. Pray. Love.

Yes, it was a book and a great movie, but I can’t simplify it any better.  Eat your heart out.  Eat lemon baked salmon, spaghetti squash, and pancakes.  Pray for your spouse and spouse to be.  Pray for your children before they even exist.  Pray for your home and your friends and your job.  Love your home.  Love your life.  Love your spouse.  Love your God.  Love people.  Eat. Pray. Love.

Eat.

Mike and I took a huge step by picking up and moving to Florida in April.  We didn’t know much of what to expect.  I was starting at a new Property Management company for Student Housing and I had no idea what I was jumping head first into.  After moving into our first Florida apartment I began cooking like crazy.  I tried cookbooks and Pinterest recipes and family recipes.  We happily ate until our bellies were full and we were happy.

Eat.

Pray.

In July I found myself having major migraines and nausea.  I had the migraine for two weeks straight and couldn’t eat solid food.  We had no idea what was wrong with me.  Then I fell into this horrible depression.  I didn’t know what to think or how to feel.  All I knew is that I was homesick and I didn’t want to move from the couch when I got home from work.  Getting out of bed in the morning was a horrible chore.  I went to the doctor for prescription migraine medication to find some sort of comfort.  Come to find out, my thyroid was incredibly swollen and I had hypothyroidism.  My thyroid levels were astronomical and still are according to my Endocrinologist who happens to also have hypothyroidism and shares an insane love of shoes with me.  After the past 2 ½ months of medication and tons and tons of prayer, I’m back to being happy Meighan and my normal appetite of coffee, diet coke, and candy (don’t tell my mom about candy being a food group). 

Pray.

Love.

It’s almost the holiday season with Thanksgiving right around the corner and then Christmas right after.  Christmas!  I’ve already bought new Christmas decorations for our Florida home and I’m counting down the days to Thanksgiving when Mike finally gives me the okay to cover our house in Christmas décor.  The Christmas season is so full of love and happiness and joy.  I can’t wait to spend this season with Mike in Florida and share my love of Christmas with our Florida friends and my amazing work friends.  I can’t wait to sing Christmas carols day after day.  This is all love.  The love that Mike and I share is grounded in the love Christ has for us.  What a more perfect way to celebrate love than Christmas.  Here I am showing my excitement for Christmas and It’s October 27^th. 

Love.

Eat. Pray. Love.

Can you believe it’s two month’s until our 1^st wedding anniversary?  I sure do love being Mrs. Michael Cable Jr.

Meg  

Young Marriage

Today, I saw a blog post shared to Facebook about young marriage and how the author is for young marriage.  The author gives three reasons as to why he agrees with young marriage.  While the three points he makes are very poignant, the introduction to the piece is what caught my attention. 

He said, 

"People don’t get married anymore. If they do, then it is much later in life. In fact the age of marriage is continually going up in our culture to where it is pushing thirty. Not only has this been the trend in the culture, but I have seen this trend begin to take place in the church as well. It is my personal belief and conviction that this is absolutely detrimental to human flourishing and a cataclysmic disaster for the church.

Early marriage has become taboo in our culture. Getting married at a young age of 20 or 21 will get you some strange comments from others, including other Christians (Trust me, I’ve experienced them). However, I think we need a revival of early marriage among Christians. I think there are several reasons younger Christians need to begin adopting this counter cultural practice by marrying early."

Wow.  

Mike and I got engaged when we were 21.  We began dating when I was just barely 20.  In high school I knew I was going to marry Mike Cable, I just didn't know what God had in plan for our timing.  When we started dating in 2011,  I knew we were going to get married.  The day we started talking about possibly dating Mike said to me, "Meg, I need you to know that when I date someone, I potentially see myself marrying her."  

We weren't even dating yet.

A year later we were engaged.

A year and a half later we were married.

And now it's a month later.

Numerous people told me that we were "too young".  What exactly is "too young"?  Because we still watch the Disney Channel and eat too much candy and laugh at stupid jokes?  My mom, who got married at 21, watches Pretty Little Liars (PLL).  Last time I checked PLL is directed toward high school/college aged females (no offense momma, I love you!).  So is my mom too young because she enjoys PLL, shopping, and the occasional young, girly conversations that she and I share?

Before Mike and I got engaged my daddy and I had a trip to Louisville and on the way home we talked about marriage.  There is no man on this earth that I respect more than my daddy and his opinion.  He told me that he and mom did get married young BUT my mom was the most mature woman that he knew.  When he talked about her at the age in which they got married I could see how, in his mind, he went back to the time in which they got married.  Mom, 21, and daddy, 24.  They got married the summer she graduated from WKU and they moved to Nashville for mom to go to Law School at Vandy.  Momma was young, yes, but mature far beyond her years.  But not only that, they were so in love.  And still are.  

Growing up, our parents are our first role models, and continue to be our role models our entire lives.  They set the example for us - good or bad.  I must say, I am so so thankful for the example my parents have set for me. They were married young and in love, and here they are, 2014, in love.  (You're still young to me!)  Even with salt and pepper hair!  They showed me growing up that even when something in life goes awry, you work together as a unit, a unit of 3:  

Husband, Wife, and God.  

So, when people would say to me, "but you two are so young to be getting married," how am I to know any different?  My parents and Mike's parents married young.  That is the example that was set before us, and our parents are still so in love.  We have those examples for us, why would we want to be any different?  As Christians we should be celebrating marriage, no matter the age.  We should be praying for the marriages of our friends and family - regardless of the ages that they are.

To those of you who are a part of our lives, pray for our marriage, pray for our friends marriages, pray for our families marriages.  Pray for your friends marriages, pray for your families marriages, pray for your current or future marriage.  Pray for God to be the center.  God created love.  We love because He first loved us.  

I am the happiest I've ever been.  I am young and in love and I hope to be an example to my children one day of "young marriage".  I hope to show them love, just as my parents did.  

I am young.  I am married.  I am young and in love.

Thank you, God, for creating this beautiful love.

meg 

day nine

When God moves, God moves.  It's crazy how I have felt the Holy Spirit moving today.  When you tell God the desires of your heart and you truly believe that He will provide: He provides.

I tell Him how much I need to be involved in a small group of women at Hillvue.  

Lindsay emails Mike and invited me to small group Monday.

I tell Mike how I just need a friend from the church that I can connect with here in Bowling Green.

A girl that I had "friended" on Facebook from Passion Conference last January -- a girl I had actually never met in person at all, only had connected on Facebook -- happened to be standing next to me tonight at Hillvue.  We immediately connected and it was as if I had found a long lost friend and sister in Christ.

I've had issues with a dear friend this week.

The message tonight talked about moments when the Holy Spirit moves in your life and you have "that feeling" that you need to do something.  And by ignoring "that feeling" you're being disobedient to God.  Telling God "I just need some time." Doesn't cut it.  When God tells you to do something, by golly you do it.  

When the Holy Spirit moves, the Holy Spirit moves.

I am so incredibly thankful for Hillvue and how welcome I feel.  I have never felt so at home and so happy.  This week, take a moment to breathe and feel God's presence in your life.  See how He is moving in your daily life -- because when you do, you fall more and more in love with Him.

meg

day eight

So much to say that I'm not even sure where to begin.  Three weeks is quite a bit of time where quite a bit of change can happen. 

 And it did.  

Almost three weeks ago I was offered a job that would require me to take at least a semester off from school.  I had been praying for the ways that God would provide for Mike and I financially and this was the answer for which I knew I had been searching.  I was offered the Leasing Manager position at Campus Pointe where I have been employed for almost 2 years now, a job that I had been hoping for for a while.  After accepting the job, I found out both managers that I had an amazing relationship with would be leaving to move to other properties.  My excitement quickly subsided.  Did I really want to work somewhere where I may no longer have allies as managers?  What if we were assigned a new Property Manager that wasn't someone that I could easily work with?  I prayed for someone with which I knew I could be a team.  Again, God answered.  The assistant manager that was at our property almost a year ago was assigned to be our new Manager; she was someone that I shared an amazing relationship with -- and her relationship with God is one for the books.  So here we are, day one into my new job and I'm happier than ever, and oh so thankful.

I must be honest, after I completed my personal Bible study in James, I've slacked off -- big time.  I haven't been staying in the Word like I promised I would.  This past week I've really been wanting to find a new Bible study so that I can delve back in and feel the Holy Spirit moving.  Last week, Mike met with Keith, the Worship Pastor at Hillvue Heights where we've been attending as guests since the move to Bowling Green.  Mike is hoping to volunteer with the Worship Team during our time here.  Mike came home incredibly happy and thankful for Keith's openness to Mike volunteering.  Then yesterday, the Keith's wife, Lindsay, emails Mike inviting me to the Women's Bible Study.  Okay, God.  I see what you're doing here.  My heart had been yearning for a Bible Study -- but not only that, I prayed weeks ago for a small group that I can identify with at Hillvue.  Here it was, right in front of me.  So, just this morning did I decide to go to Bible study tonight.  And what Bible Study did I choose? Forgotten God, studying the Holy Spirit in us.

Okay.  I see you, God.

I wanted to feel the Holy Spirit moving and low and behold, I'm studying Forgotten God.  I can't even begin to tell you how amazing it feels knowing you are right where God wants you to be.  These last few weeks I've been wondering if Bowling Green really is where Mike and I are supposed to be right now.  I'm taking a semester off from school, why are we even in Bowling Green?  We could have been working in Hardin County or even Lexington.  Why on earth Bowling Green when I'm not even in school here anymore? Here it is, plain as day.  I needed this small group of women at Hillvue Heights.  I needed to feel the Holy Spirit move with other women of God.  

I'm right where I need to be.

We're right where we need to be.

"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish.  And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14

At such a time as this.  Esther came to be Queen at a time where she could save the people of her heritage.  It was the perfect time.  She was right where she needed to be at such a time as that one.  It's stories like Esther's that remind me that we are in certain places in our lives, physically and not, at just the right time.

I am thankful for God's timing and the Holy Spirit that is moving in my life.  Take a moment to feel the Holy Spirit tonight.  Allow His mighty love and peace fill you.

May God bless you and keep you at such a time as this.

meg

day seven

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Mrs. Cable

I almost can't even find more words to say.  I'm officially Meighan Lee Cable (minus the fact that I still haven't been to the social security office or had my drivers license changed).  I'M FINALLY MARRIED TO THE LOVE OF MY LIFE!!! Nothing has topped this Christmas.  

Wedding day was a blur.  I remember waking up and Molly looking at me and whispering, in my face I might add, "You're getting married today!"  And then I went back to sleep.  I don't like mornings.  But I love Mike.  We made it to the church a bit late, as usual, and had pictures done.  I remember Rae taking photos and saying "What do you love most about Mike?" and I just smiled.  I couldn't pick just one thing.  Was it the fact that he is my best friend?  Or how he knows right when I need a new Diet Coke.  Or when I'm cranky he just knows to bring me a Diet Coke no matter what.  "It's everything" I said.  

Before walking down the aisle Jayme stepped next to me and said "You're getting married."  I'm getting married.  This was it.  She gave me a hug and made it to her place in line for the bridesmaids to walk out.  Then the doors shut and Daddy asked me if I was ready.  I smiled and said "yes".  Daniel and Josh opened the doors and I saw Mike's face for the first time on December 21st, 2013.  I watched as his hand covered his mouth and he began to cry.  And I looked at Daddy and we walked.  

Every time our family visits Florida, Daddy and I walk the beach.  From one end to the other, we'll walk and talk about everything.  From Daniel and Momma to school and the future.  But sometimes we don't talk and we just walk and listen to the ocean and look at God's beauty.  Walking with Daddy has always been the most peaceful moments we shared growing up.  This walk was no different.  I held his arm and we walked.  He smiled at me and I held his arm closer.  When we reached the end of the aisle, he took one look at Mike and I and said "you two cut this crying stuff out."  Which made us laugh and cry even more.  He's always had the best sense of humor.

I've never felt more beautiful than on my wedding day standing in front of Mike as we held rings on each others finger listening to his Pap perform the wedding ceremony.  The moments were all so special.  As we lit the unity candle, it was the first moment I got to speak to him all day and we got to stand next to each other as we performed the wedding tradition.  

Since the summer Mike and I began dating, we quickly realized that our love language was touch.  I constantly had to be holding his hand or our arms touch while we stood next to each other.  It was just our way of expressing our love.  During the entire wedding, we were touching.  It was our love language in the moment of celebrating our love.  

Walking out of the church was the most amazing moment.  We got to the narthex and I immediately wrapped my hands around his next and yelled "WOOOO!!!", I might add that the church was pretty quiet after the applause had ended.  Laughter filled and I knew our marriage would be filled with laughter just as these past few years have been.

The reception was a blur.  So many people and so much food.  It was perfect.  I'm so thankful for the people who shared our special day with us.  There were so many people who had touched our lives for so long that shared our day with us.  From Stephanie Howard Bumpus who knew of my huge crush I had on Mike all through high school, to Jessica, Mary Katherine, and Alicia who had seen my life change dramatically during college from ADPi to life without the sisterhood.   I could name so many people who have affected not only my life, but Mike's life as well who I know will be a part of our lives for many many years to come.  

Thank you for celebrating this love that the Lord created for us.  Thank you for sharing in a day that mimicked God's marriage of He and His Church through our marriage union.  We are so happy and so thankful.  

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  May this new year be filled with God's love for you and your families!

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mrs. cable

day six

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oh. my. gosh. oh my gosh. OHMYGOSH!  It's almost a week until wedding day. A WEEK! While I'm thrilled with excitement over the new chapter beginning, my mom is thinking, "A week to get everything done" as her eyes glaze over with thoughts of bows for the pews, bouquets for the bridesmaids, and the alterations still yet to be done on my gown.  The list is never ending.  But I have to say: I am so thankful that she has taken on the majority of this stress for me so that I can enjoy this time, so that I can allow the excitement be happy and enjoyable.  

She took on the stress so I can enjoy.  We hear so often how we need to be like Jesus in our giving, especially this time of year.  In this time of year where giving is so prominent, we often forget the One who gave His all for us.  He took on the pain and suffering FOR us so that we would no longer have to endure such pain.  My mom has always taught me to give; she has been such an amazing example to me.  Thank you for taking on the stress so that I can enjoy this time I have.

When I choose to listen to the actual radio over Pandora radio station in my car, I choose to listen to 88.1 WAY FM in Bowling Green.  I love the encouragement that they give us.  Right now they are raising money to send to local rescue missions to give the homeless meals and Bibles.  While driving this morning, I listened to several stories of children giving this morning.  One little boy gave his $4.00 allowance which sparked the giving of another family to give $4,000.00 in honor of this little boy who gave all that he had.  Another story was of a child who gave $10.00 and his mom was so touched by his giving that she matched it with $100.00.  Before the children gave, the radio station was at 56% of their goal.  After these kids sparked other listeners giving, it moved up to 76% of their goal IN JUST AN HOUR.  

Giving is not always monetary.  In WAY FM's case, it's monetary donations to give meals and Bibles to local homeless shelters.  It can also be giving of your time.  In Radcliff, my dad is in charge of the Shop with a Cop.  Shop with a Cop is a chance for those families in Radcliff who cannot afford to give their children the Christmas they feel they deserve, to spend a morning at Walmart with a Radcliff Police Officer shopping for clothing and toys for Christmas.  I get so touched just writing about it.  I can't tell you how much I look forward to doing this every year.  Not only do the Radcliff Police Officers take time to spend a very very early morning with these families, but so do volunteers.  They spend their Saturday morning to help bless these so deserving kids with a Christmas.  This Saturday is Shop with a Cop at the Radcliff Walmart.  If you're not busy and you want to give of your time to share with these families and the amazing Radcliff Police Department, show up at 7 am and volunteer.  I know your help and caring heart will be more than appreciated.  See the kids face light up when they get to pick out new clothes is just life changing.  "I get to pick it out all by myself?!"  You walk through Walmart holding the hand of a child with men and women of the Radcliff Police Department who truly care about the City of Radcliff.  There is nothing more amazing than seeing people so giving of their time for kids who truly need to see a giving heart.  During Thanksgiving, I heard on WAY FM to give others the chance to be thankful.  This is giving families in Radcliff the chance to be thankful.  I'm so excited for 7am Saturday morning to spend it with my daddy, the Radcliff Police Department, and families in Radcliff.

Give of your heart this Christmas.  

Give of your time.  

Give of your love.  

Whatever you do, 

GIVE. 

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meg

day five

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I just woke up from an AMAZING sleep.  From 9 last night until noon today.  I love my sleep, but it's very rare that I sleep like that.  Who's to blame? Black Friday.  I'm sure all that shopping did you in too!  I bet you found the BEST sales when you were running through the mall and parking lots hysterically to be first in line to get the Thanksgiving day sales.  While you were pushing through the crowds and yelling for sales clerks I was working those sales.

That's right. I went into work at 7pm Thanksgiving Day and worked until 7am Black Friday.  And then again 1pm-7pm Black Friday.  Needless to say, I was pretty delusional by the end and my 15 hour sleep was totally needed. 

So, with all of that being said.  During your Christmas season shopping, be sure to thank those who are working in the store.  My best moments yesterday were spent talking with people, hearing about their Thanksgiving meal, the deals they found, and just how they were spending Christmas.  My worst moment, however, were spent standing with my jaw dropping at the things said to me and the things I saw.  

I've worked plenty of Black Friday's at Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch but yesterday topped those two previous experiences.  I made sure I was overly happy to be there, even at 3 am when I thought I couldn't go on and my feet were just going to fall off.  Amidst the theft and cranky moms who wanted to buy the entire store for their daughters (I worked on the Betty's side) there were amazing people who took time to thank me for taking time away from my family to work on Thanksgiving.

I love to make people happy.  I love talking to people and learning about them.  There was one family who were in the store that I got to talk to and it really just made my day.  She came in singing the music (at that point Ava and I were jumping around singing and dancing from the amount of caffeine consumed) and she was even dancing with us.  Let me mention that this woman was a grandmother and her granddaughter was married.  She wanted to know the best deals and where to be in the store for the best sale.  She continued through the store dancing the whole way and I thought that would be the last I would see her.  

On her way out, she made sure to walk back through my room to talk to me again.  She and her granddaughter made sure to show me their deals and how excited they were.  Then we got to talking about wedding things (I mean, I can't think of anything else right now) and her granddaughter had just gotten married and we were talking about our amazing deals on our rings.  All three of us got to tell our ring stories but the grandmothers was my favorite.  It was her great grandmothers stone set into her band.  The second she began talking about it, her eyes sparkled with tears in the corners, showing me how much family truly means to her.  Their little family had so much love and happiness.  I mean, what 80 year old do you know that dances through a store of ridiculously loud music and isn't happy?  She was the first woman in the 24 hour total hours I worked that truly thanked me and hugged me for taking time to be there for the shoppers.  

Talk about taking time to be thankful.

Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 5:19-20

I've heard a lot on the radio this week about being Thankful, but not only that, but they have said, give, so that others can have the opportunity to be thankful as well.  I was given the opportunity to be thankful, and by working, I gave others the opportunity to be thankful as well.  I'm thankful that God provided me with the strength and stamina to work for so long to provide others with opportunities of thankfulness.  

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meg