I LOVE BEING MARRIED TO JOSEPH BULLIVANT

Jose and I have been officially married for Five Months and it is absolutely the best five months. Of course, there's tons of learning, navigating finances, routines, jobs, and schedules, but getting to do it all with Jose really is the greatest part. One of the most frequent questions I get asked is: "How's married life?", which I LOVE answering! It gives me an opportunity to talk about Jose, which I LOVE doing and leaning in and stepping into this new season has been such a gift. 

During this time of the year, I get the most nostalgic. Students are going back to school, the fall season is shifting, and we're slowly getting closer to Christmas. Now being married to Jose, I think about where we were this time last year or where I was this time two years ago... three years ago. 

Three years ago, I was with my family in California. Two years ago, I just came back to England to start my Master's Degree in Creative Writing (I did have a HUGE CRUSH on Jose by then). This time last year, I started my job at Waterstones and had to consider the option of going home at the end of December because my student visa was going to expire. BUT GOD. We were gifted the money that covered the amount for a Graduate visa, which meant being able to be in England for the next two year. So next year, I'll have to start my application for a spouse visa. 

In other words, SO much has happened and each instance points towards a loving and kind Father. 

I think very often how grateful I am to have Jose and the testimony he is. When I was single, I would pray and hope for a future spouse and the Lord brought me the absolute best and more than I could have ever asked for. These past few months has brought mega change. Change that I was ready for and was excited to say Yes to and moments that Jose and I had to figure out together. 

Very often, there are moments when I would sit in the reality of knowing that I have a husband like Jose who is safe, thoughtful, kind, strong, fun, and lives his life LOVING the Lord, which in turn is loving me. I get to be married to the ONLY Joseph Bullivant in the entire world and I get to hold his heart so close to mine. The honour and privilege it is to be Jose's wife is the greatest gift. It feels like a wave that no matter how inconsistent or chaotic life can get-- Jose (and Jesus) is the constant and he is my forever. 

Sometimes I think about Jose and how much I love him that I can't help but cry. Knowing that he chose me! And I believe that loving and being loved by Jose reveals more of who Jesus is! As much as I can know how much Jose loves me, it reveals how much deeper Jesus loves me more. 

There was a moment earlier this week where I was asking Jesus a series of questions such as, "Jesus, will you protect us?" "Jesus, will you protect Jose?" and Jesus said yes to all of these things that in my state of worry as I asked the Lord these questions-- the Lord silenced me saying "I love Jose more than you do!" My only response was crying (of course) but not from a place of retribution, but from deeply knowing that as much as I love Jose, Jesus DOES love him more than me and I love Jose A LOT. Of course he will protect him... of course He will protect us. 

Last month, my church had Leader's Conference and after one of the sessions, I was waiting in line for coffee and a biscuit (Cookie for those Americans who read this), but I started a conversation with a lady that was standing in line behind me. She looked very familiar and we both acknowledged that we've seen each other from other conferences. She was incredibly lovely and we talked about church, Bethel, and I, of course, mentioned that I recently got married! 

She shared that she was 31 years married and I'm 30 years old, so I said, "Wow! My WHOLE life!" She shared a few details about learning to lean into marriage with her husband and how so much can happen that no matter what, the devotion, promise, and love for each other would always be the foundation of their marriage. It was such a sweet conversation that by the end of it, she prayed for me. And if you've ever felt Holy Spirit move your heart or you JUST KNOW the weightiness of someone's Yes over someone's life to the Lord-- I instantly felt it with this woman.

I talk loads with the Lord and I think about the moments when I was crushing hard on Jose. (I was very intent on dating towards marriage and not dating to break up.) Getting to chose Jose was easy and I LEGIT made ways that he'd notice me. For instance, I would wear Gym Shark because he wore a lot of Gym Shark. I would hang around Chroma just in case I'd see him. 

With all this to say, I love being Jose's wife and no matter what happens I'm still learning and I'm so convinced that being the best wife I can be is loving the Lord and glorifying Him in all that I do. I love encouraging and honouring Jose and I've said this in my wedding speech, but I still love twirling him around (figuratively). 

Thank you for reading!

Much Love,

MJ Bullivant