It's easy to misunderstand someone. I get that. I understand that words can be mixed, misspoken, or misinterpreted. I understand that it's hard to judge a person's reasonings. And their heart. And their intentions. I "get" that I even misrepresent myself sometimes. This journey that Josh and I are on is such a beautiful, but broken one. We're starting to see things differently. And it's been good.

I feel like I could hold in one hand the number of people who either "get" us, or at least venture to try. And Lord am I thankful for those people. It's them I can cry to. And yell at to take it out. And ramble. And explain my viewpoint. And try and hash out where Josh and I took some horrible misstep. I just can't comprehend how we decide to change our life a little, and take a step to where we feel God has called us, and 90% of the people we know suddenly think we're criminals. That we're throwing our lives away. That we've landed in this pool of sin and are drowning or something.

I'm just really hurt. I expected it from some, but not from many. I remember crying so many times a few months ago when we radically changed our lives. I told myself I was allowed to cry about it for one week. I thought things would die down then. They haven't. Now it just makes me angry. And sad. And feel like we're on an island. I'm just really broken. It's hard to watch your husband go through something like this, too. He doesn't deserve this. We don't deserve to be called in to question. I mean, I don't know, maybe we do. But call us in to question to our face. We'd love to have a conversation with you. And chances are, we may believe or perceive things toally different. But, let's talk about it. Let's see each other's viewpoints. Let's not exchange blows.

I can really see how people get disillusioned from church. I love the church. Lord knows it's one of my main passions. I get excited to hear about cool things going on. I love to hear Eric talk about house church. I get excited when I see an old friend and they tell me about a new gathering they go to and how it's enriching their life. I live for the beauty of community. I love to hear Steve talk about the mission he and his wife are on. There are so many movements around us that I can't wait to be a small part of.

I just don't see God in the way we've been treated a lot. I do see God, however, in how our parents love us and at least try to understand us. How our friends stick up for us. How being with friends (most who don't believe exactly like we do) reminds me of heaven. How watching Kristen and Craig unite their lives was such a more sacred worship service than I've been to in a while. I see God in a picture of a new baby (thanks, Tammy, for sharing. We can't wait to see Sam). I see him in so many places. But I search for him in the church so many times. He's not always readily available. I see God in my husband. Sure, our pursuit gets clouded sometimes by bad decisions and mixed words, but I see the man God created for me, striving to something holy, searching for what it looks like for our family, and not comprimising on our integrity at all. I'm pretty sure I'm going to see God tonight at the bowling alley with friends. And that's awesome (and I mean that in the true sense of the word – awe-inspiring – not the 90's word for "cool").

So, thank you to those who stand beside us all the time. You are our encouragement. Thanks to those who try to understand us most of the time. And, to those who think we're crazy, we may be, but our life has never been better. Our faith has never been stronger. And our commitment to faith and integrity has never been greater.

In a related topic, our beautiful friend Sharon posted something that was so beautiful a few days ago. I haven't been able to get it off my mind. It was such an awe-inspiring tribute. Thanks for letting us hear your heart, Sharon. Click here to read.