Marriage T-Ball

Its softball season (yeah)! This time of year brings fond memories of the first time Alex & I met each other on the softball field. Softball is our favorite activity in which we both equally enjoy playing and exceed well at. We collaborate well and have a lot of fun on the field, but how do we have the same experience in our marriage?

We're 11 months into marriage now (such rookies, right?) and its like we're picking up a ball for the first time. Its foreign and unfamiliar territory. As we're in the t-ball phase, I've noticed a lot of relevancy of how the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is actively coaching us through our marriage fundamentals.

THE COACHES:
God the Father - the Father is the General Manager who sees all, knows all, and wants the best for his team. The Father owns the vision and has Jesus and the Holy Spirit to help execute and communicate the plan. The Hopwoods can try to play according to the guidelines but in order to win in the end we rely in faith, hoping that we succeed according to God's plan. Without the Father's support, love, guidance and direction we're simply a couple amateurs still in t-ball.

Jesus Christ - Jesus is the Head Coach who submits under the General Manager. He can often times be the translator between the Father and us as players, so that we fully comprehend the Father's training, vision and intentions. Jesus is the experienced coach who understands when we make an error, lose our temper and have to patiently wait on the bench. When the Hopwood duo doesn't know what pitch to throw next, its Jesus who makes the decision for the right direction of the game. Alex & I like to celebrate in the end when we get to pour a Gatorade of praises on our Head Coach.

Holy Spirit - the Holy Spirit is the Assistant Coach who encourages and roots for us through the good and the bad. When the Hopwood team is down and behind, it is the Spirit who changes the momentum & motivation - from hot-head frustration to a loving hug of success after the competition.

Although I often forget that I'm on the same team as Alex and also fail to know whether we're playing offense or defense; we are both learning some key fundamentals of success.

THE FUNDAMENTALS (P.A.T.S.):
Patience & Perseverance - whether we win or lose during the season, we both agree to fight the good fight until its over...all the way to old-age retirement. I wanted the happy, vanilla, fresh & pristine marriage out of the box, but with such high expectations and only 11 months new, it requires some hard work and a lot of practice. Fight to the end with patience and perseverance.

Attitudes - the honeymoon was great, but it's game time. Whether we lost our swing or conquered an opponent, we try to learn from our coaches the elements of having the right attitude. Often times in competition or at war with evil, we need an attitude check in understanding the importance of being selfless and practicing humility. This attitude check of humbleness not only makes it easier to have fun but also to serve, lead, and love one another without grumbling.

Teamwork - we'll have our exciting & successful highs where we unconditionally love and support one another. We've also had our share of the brutally challenging lows of nagging and arguments as well. This means that each player need to be flexible, collaborate and trust one another in order to learn and grow TOGETHER as one cohesive team.

Studying strengths/weaknesses - a good pitcher/catcher duo is a pair who knows each others thoughts for the next pitch in any given scenario (i.e. batter, outs, base runners, etc.). The key to understanding teammates involves observation and a lot of communication. Although I don't know all of Alex's best pitches, it has been fun testing them out and talking them through on the mound. From what I see has a lot of potential and I can respect his consistency.

We each bring different skills and talents to the field. As newlyweds, there have been occassions where I have ran in the wrong direction or failed to contribute to the team success; but after each event its been a joy to celebrate with our juice boxes for the love of the game. There is opportunity to refine our skills to be an even stronger team, but for now we're young rookies who have really enjoyed playing t-ball.

Family growth

I love my Kim & Hopwood families for its one-of-a-kind uniqueness, embracing love, Christian example and the generational growth & legacy. However, last Sunday was Easter in which I had the privilege of spending with my church family at MHC-Ballard.

Easter Sunday is a holiday in which Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Where Jesus conquered death by raising up from his own tomb to be with his friends and Father. Unfortunately, this holiday brings back poor memories as a child of wet grass fields with hidden plastic eggs and I was more concentrated on avoiding dog poop more than I was about getting prizes. Now as an adult, I've realized that its more than grass stains and colored boiled eggs, its about Jesus solidifying his majesty & power over all things (he can't be trumped, He's the real deal). This is expressed with SO much joy & excitement as if I was a MLB rookie pitcher who just won the world championships w/ a no-hitter...it's THAT cool!

Easter marked an incredible milestone not only for the church body but also for the many people who took a bold step for Jesus. Pastor Cliff Ellis said that Mars Hill had "close to 20,000 in attendance for Good Friday & Easter, another 19,000 watched online, and 376 were baptized." Alex & I are volunteer leaders who help in coordinating baptisms at the Ballard campus. We needed 12 volunteers for each of the 5 services, and we began with nearly seven committed volunteers total, then somehow our Lord continues to provide and we ended up having an abundance of helping hands for each service. Through this ministry we got to serve 129 attendees who stepped forward and got dunked for Jesus. I'm continually amazed at the work that Jesus is doing around us - drug attics being transformed and changed, prophetic dreams coming true, rape victims being reborn, and others finally giving up their own (sin, desires, control, etc.) saying "yes" to Jesus' invitation.

Nearly six years ago I knew I found a "home church" where I could participate, learn and get involved with. But I never thought this church of drug attics, alcoholics, rape victims, indie rock-worshiping congregation would actually be my family. Similar to my real families, Jesus' family is just as quirky, as unique, and also growing rapidly. I'm honored to serve, learn and experience from the church and be a part of HIS-story.

To preview some of those stories, click here.

"Happy" New Year!?!?!

A new year stems new beginnings (for better or worse). 2010 definitely has a lot of new stuff: new home improvements, new places to see, new friends, and with a new last name is the beginning of a new family. With all these new & exciting elements, I can't help but wonder...is it necessarily going to be a "happy" year? There's more work to be done, more planning, less time, and more/new responsibilities. As we look forward to the year ahead, please be encouraged that "with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26

Tuesday, January 12th, marks the day when a 7.0 earthquake hit Haiti. While the Haitian people are starting the new year in devastation and hopelessness, Alex & I have been praying for over 7 months on where God would have us do missionary work and we see the earthquake as an answered prayer for our us to serve in. Alex begins 2010 at Microsoft and by February, he was gifted with a new job at Expedia. It really is true when they say, "when one door closes, God will open a new one."

May you find joy and happiness in all the things God has in stored for you this year and the many years ahead.

Alex's Testimony

Alex got baptized at Mars Hill Church - Ballard campus on Sunday, December 7, 2009. Proceeding each service, we stood in front of the congregation at all 4 services and Alex gave his testimony while Pastor Bubba Jennings coached him through on-stage Q&A. Alex says that its not enough to be morally good person, who abide by the (christian) rules. God calls us to covant relationship and faithfully believing that He ultimately has better plans for our lives (beyond religious practices, works/deeds, good will and moralism).

On this day, Pastor Mark Driscoll pre-recorded the sermon from the Jordan River while speaking of Jesus being baptized in Luke 3. We were well supported with family and friends in the attendance hooting & hollering their support throughout the day and while Alex got dunked in the tank at the 11:15am service. God continues to change a person's heart with new motives, desires, and perspective. In the end, its really not about us....we have an awesome Father who takes care of us and is worthy of adoration! See Alex's story on video!

Alex's Testimony from Diana Hopwood on Vimeo.

Alex gets Dunked from Diana Hopwood on Vimeo.

From 09.Dec Alex Baptism

Thanks-"giving"

Thanksgiving is one of those holidays where we all say we're thankful for our many blessings and demonstrate how thankful we actually are with plentiful dinner plates, food-coma naps, family drama, and endless bargain shopping. How you say thanks and demonstrate your gratitude reflects a lot about your character/personality, but more importantly...who are you "giving" thanks to?

Personally, I am greatly appreciative of how Jesus always provides for every aspect of my life. When we thought our wedding and honeymoon would put us deep in the financial hole, Jesus somehow gifted us more than we ever expected. When I didn't think I would ever find a husband, Jesus brings my man to the softball field. When I see so many people unemployed and seeking work, I can't believe Jesus would gift me with job security. So whether its financially, with relationships, work, or health - I, in my own (blogging) way, give thanks to Jesus by giving Him all praises. I give much thanks because I'm so unworthy.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

A Newlyweds War

What a generous gift God gives to us in marriage. Not only do we better understand a covenant relationship of unity or oneness between the Son of God and the Father, but the endless opportunities to serve someone with joy. As Pastor Bubba proclaimed at the alter of our wedding day, this isn't just about loving one another with glee or the end of single-hood, but rather marriage is the beginning of war against Satan. Its a challenging & humbling war against pride, revenge, and selfishness in efforts to endure, fighting the good fight as two individual sinners continue to sin against one another. The challenge isn't who can stay silent the longest or admit to their faults first, but instead the battle is breaking the prideful walls down, admitting that I have sinned and stepping forward in a new direction towards change.

The rewards of overcoming the daily war is remarkable! You see the redemptive Jesus in action, better understand your shortcoming flaws that make you imperfect, a new perspective of your spouse, and in the end we get the privilege to worship Christ for getting you through it.

Marriage is far more than compromises, new shiny rings or awesome registry gifts - its a gift from our Father which we get to unwrap each day.