Tuesday, June 30, 2009

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Where It All Began: Our History

When thinking back through the history of Seth and me, from dating until now, I realized how completely unprepared I was for married life. Since taking the first step in our relationship it has been an amazing journey, but not the easiest thing we have ever done. Everyday, there are new sacrifices that we make for one another, and these lessons have helped us along the way.

Seth and I started dating on April 23rd, 2005. It was a fun and exciting adventure, almost hilarious actually. Seth had been trying to date me for months, and I had been turning him down for months. I honestly didn't think he was "marriage material," at least not for me. I loved being around him, we laughed at each others jokes, we were always around each other, but I couldn't bring myself to take Seth seriously. He was, after all, always the loudest person in a room, and he clowned around all the time! I needed someone who was more focused, less obnoxious, and any other excuse I could think of. We were great friends, and that was it for me.

What it took for me to change my mind about Seth was jealousy. I had no idea that this is what would flip my switch. Sure enough that is all it took for me to realize, "Hey! You are moving on? I think I care about you. I decided that I like your attention." Seth didn't know that he had to make me jealous, but he did. After months of trying to win my love, Seth had given up on me. He was going to date another girl, and I was not so happy about that. It turns out that God ended the pursuit of the other girl before Seth could even begin it (That's a funny story that you can ask Seth in person). So, Seth was back to square one and I soon started to turn the heat up a notch. He was OK with that.

It is funny how God brought Seth and I together, Divine Intervention, and there is no other reason for it. Seth and I went on a mission trip to Mexico with the college students at our old church,BLBC. This was a few months before Seth started trying to date me, and we really didn't know each other at all. God really began our story on this trip, because soon after is when Seth started really "spitting game."

When we were in Mexico there were two projects that our group was working on; one was refinishing the pews in the church, and the other was building and painting a sign for the church. The sign painting was a two person job, and ironically Seth and I were the two people who were assigned to this task. We had seven days of one-on-one conversation along the side of this Mexican street. We worked great together, we made something together, we laughed a lot, talked a lot, and became great friends. I am so thankful for those moments in Mexico, if I had only known then what God was planning for us in that moment.

For those of you who care about time lines, Mexico was in January and our first date was in April. That means Seth tried for four months before he was successful at landing a date with me. It was totally worth the wait in my opinion.

Jeremiah 29:11-For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

The truth is, I had been praying for months for God to bring me the man who I would marry. He caught me off guard when He decided it was going to be Seth.

To be continued...

Friday, June 26, 2009

Hello There Blog

It seems as if I have had lots of extra time on my hands lately. I have spent many of those hours viewing the blogs of others, and finally got up enough nerve to start my own. Initially I was very intimidated about blogging, mainly because my life is not very entertaining at this point. I soon realized, that my purpose is not for entertainment, but being honest and real about what is "my life." That, surely, is interesting enough.

My name is Kasie, I am about to turn 25, and I have been married to Seth for a year and a half now. We live in Lexington, and love it here. There is always something exciting going on in this town; living in the hometown of the Wildcats is a bonus too. We love to just drive around some days, out in the country, looking at the gorgeous farmland, horses, and houses. In the summer, we go to the farmer's market downtown, picking up some fresh veggies to cook for dinner the next week.

One of the things we spend the most of our extra time on is Center Point Church. Seth and I have been actively involved in this church since it began 3 years ago. We have loved watching this church grow and evolve into what it is today, God has done an amazing work within this body of believers. The church started as nothing, and three years later we have a thriving congregation of about 250-300 people. We work with the High School Student Ministry together, Seth plays drums, I help with the 4-5 year old Sunday School Class, we are involved in Connect groups...it truly is an investment of our time for something we are passionate about.

We also have another thing that keeps us busy, and that is "Maybelle." She is our dog, and boy does she keep us busy. Maybelle is not yet 2 years old, and she has unlimited energy and a big attitude. She is a mix-breed; Her mother was a pure-bred Weimer Reiner, and the rest of her mix is a Catahoula Leopard Dog. "A what?" That is what we thought too, what is a Catahoula? Well, they are a breed originating in the swamps of Louisiana; a Cajun, Wild Boar Hunting, crazy looking, too much energy for an apartment, kind of dog. She has her good days, but most are bad days. Seth is in love with this dog, and I love her sometimes. I remind Maybelle quite often, the she is an animal, not a human!

I guess, this is a good enough introduction into the lives of Seth and Kasie Ralston. We have a great marriage, a home, a dog, jobs, friends, a great church that we believe in...and we trust in the Lord for all these things. It is God who has given us a blessed and joyful life, through faith in His son Jesus Christ. We have so much to be thankful for in our simple life. I am even thankful for Maybelle...sometimes.