The typical routine on a Sunday night after church is to hang out with the band guys, Molly and anyone else that happens to join us that night. We usually hit up the same places, either Plaze del Sol, Logan's, Steak n Shake, or Cracker Barrel. The conversation usually goes the same way, either we talk about band stuff, church stuff, friend stuff, or have a theological/big religious issue discussion. As you can tell, we're pretty wild...
This past week we went to Steak n Shake. Somehow Seth and Molly's conversation ended up involving the whole table, in which Steve just shook his head because he is not a fan of theological/big religious issue discussions. The conversation involved politics and the War on Terrorism or whatever it's being called these days. We talked about presidents, their decisions--some good, some bad, what should have been done and what we should be doing now. I'm not a huge politics person and I don't keep up with any of that stuff, nor do I remember anything historical, but I like hearing what other people have to say, especially when it's something I don't know. Long story short, one opinion was that Bush did what he thought was best for the protection of the American people after September 11th and people don't give him enough credit. One was that America doesn't need to be pushing democracy in every country's face when something goes wrong.
Interestingly, I started reading a book a few weeks ago called The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne. The chapter I got into yesterday was about the war, September 11th and a response that would be much more Biblical for Christians than supporting the war. For example, Shane (the author) went to Iraq with a group of Christian peacemakers and he spent time with children, families and homeless of Iraq, showing them love, discussing the gospel. Many of the Iraqi people he met were Christains and were confused. Why is America bombing their country when they proclaim Christianity? Many of them didn't see a difference in the Muslim extremist terrorists blowing up buildings in the name of Allah, or America bombing Iraq in the name of the safety of their country. I'm really glad that's where I was at in the book after the conversation Sunday night.
Sunday night I was pretty confused about how I should feel about the war. I also before this chapter wasn't too excited about finishing the book because it seemed like it was just huge advertisements for all the ministries and communities Shane is involved in and a way of showing off how great of a person he was because he really talks a lot about what he's done in his life. Perhaps within that feeling was really conviction to take the Gospel more seriously.
All of that to say, I'm praying that the church becomes alive. Shane points out how stagnant Christians are, just attending church, going through the motions, saying the right things, pretending as if they have their life together. I've heard that for years, "Don't let God and church just be motions you go through, or something you check of your to-do list." But it's so much more than that. Instead of being a church that points out only the parts of the Bible that make us feel good (blessings and love and forgiveness--which are important, don't get me wrong), let's challenge ourselves, our country, our world, to think beyond ourselves! What about "Take up your cross and follow me" or "You must hate your mother, your father, your brothers and sisters to follow me" or "Sell everything you have and give it to the poor, then follow me" and really break down what they say. I pray that the church is challenged and persecuted, so that real disciples will be made! So that we will finally be in a place where we desperately need God. Shane works with the homeless and points out how little they have and how strong their faith is because they literally depend on God for the next meal. I don't know anyone like that.
Shane points out the verse where Jesus says, "The poor will always be among you" and kinda slaps the church on the back of the hand for misinterpreting that. A lot of people say that as an excuse not to do anything with the poor and destitute other than throw money to charities and again check off something on their to-do list, but Shane points out that if the poor are always among you it means you must be among the poor, or be around the poor. It seems so obvious but his points in the book are really difficult things when you've been fed nothing but morals at church.
Alex and I are going to be challenged with being married, and adjusting to that. But I pray that we are challenged with the Gospel, and that we can challenge the middle school at our church, and our friends and together put it into action.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
I love being married.
The wedding and honeymoon are over...holidays (Thank the LORD) are over! Alex and I are slowly getting into a routine that unfortunately will have to include school next week. I still haven't completely moved all my things into the apartment due to hectic holiday get togethers but that will hopefully happen this week. Good thing is my family lives in Chattanooga so it's not a huge deal about me moving my stuff immediately.
Here are some recaps of what's happened. It's long and drawn out but I just want to document it while it's still fresh on my mind.
Wedding:
Everything went perfectly, although the days leading up to it did not lead me to believe it was going to go very smoothly. The Sunday, Monday and Tuesday before the wedding I was sick with what a Nurse Practitioner thought was a milder version of the flu (thanks so much flu shot!) because my brother's flu test was positive. Not only was the bride sick, so was a groomsmen. Did that stress me out? I'll let you guess...my blood pressure was 135/76...it's normally 115/70. I didn't feel stressed but my body for sure was. So I missed work, did horrible on the last test I had to take for school, and laid around the house because I was too weak to work on last minute wedding stuff. What last minute wedding stuff did I have left? Oh, only DIY stuff that I spent money on and was too stubborn not to do. I made wreaths by tying bows around a wreath form that hung on the doors to the reception and the door to the church. I also made paper illuminaries by cutting paper doillies and glueing them inside white paper bags. We had to fold the programs, finish the slideshow, finish the playlist, and catch up on thank you notes before the motherload of presents came in. With the help of my wonderful groom and parents, we got everything done Tuesday night and Wednesday.
Well, lucky me when Wednesday rolled around (the bachelorette party was scheduled for Wed night btw) the weatherman started predicting some nasty, icy weather to roll in around evening time and leave some ice on the roads until morning. So while I was supposed to be relaxing while I got a manicure and pedicure Wednesday afternoon, everyone in the world starts texting me about this nasty weather. Not something the bride wants to hear let alone could do anything about. I also couldn't text back because my hands were all gooey and wrapped up. My phone was buzzing the whole time and there were threats of not having a flower girl! She had had pneumonia and her baby sister was fighting ear infections and her dad (also a groomsmen) was sick. I tried my best to just let everything roll of my back and not get in a tizzy before the party. The bachelorette party was a blast, and even while rain was falling and freezing on the roads my friends and bridesmaids toughed it to Apison to celebrate! The rest of the details of the night are not to be mentioned... ;). Don't worry...we didn't go wild, believe me. It's hard to do anything crazy when cars are sliding off the road and the interstate is shut down. It was the perfect bachelorette party for me...good, fun times with my best girlfriends.
Thursday came and went quickly! I woke up and drove home since the roads were fine the next morning (Thank the Lord!). I still had to pack some things for the honeymoon and straighten up my room and get all the wedding stuff in the car and take a shower and get ready for that night because I was not coming back home! Whew! Somehow I got it all done and we were only 20 minutes later than we had planned getting to the church. With the help of his mom, my mom, Jon, Lizzy and Abbie, we got the room ready for the rehearsal dinner and as many decorations up as we could for the reception. There was a surprise when we went into the sanctuary and the stage wasn't cleared off and we couldn't find the altar table therefore couldn't decorate it for the next day. But the wedding coordinator, Kelly Stack and the rest of my bridesmaids and friends and groom told me over and over that it would get done and not to worry about it. I then went to the mall with Kaylyn to exchange some things and then rushed back to the church for the rehearsal. She was amazing and went to pick up the cake for the rehearsal dinner which was a Coca-Cola cake from Cracker Barrel...one of Alex's favorites.
The rehearsal was surreal and it really hit me then that "Oh my goodness, this is really happening...tomorrow." It was fun and weird and nerve-wracking! The rehearsal dinner was a blast. We borrowed something from our friends', Jon and Lizzy, rehearsal dinner where friends and family attending were invited to say something about the bride and groom. Several of our friends and our parents got up to speak and it was really, really amazing to hear how much each person had to say. Once the rehearsal was over we got the room ready for the reception and headed home! I said my final goodbye to my studly fiance as he headed out for his bachelor party and I went home, took a bubble bath and watched Friends until I knew I was going to fall asleep and stay asleep.
The next day I woke up nervous. The second I opened my eyes I felt butterflies in my stomach. My mom and I again loaded up the car with my luggage and things for the wedding I needed that day. We headed to Walgreen's for more last minute things and then headed to the Bridesmaids Luncheon at a tea room in Collegedale. My grandmothers, aunts, cousin, both mother-in-laws, sister-in-law, neice and bridesmaids were there and we had such a fun time! It was both relaxing and made me more nervous as it got later and later in the day. After that it was time for me to get my hair done! Unfortunately, she was behind schedule and took me 30 minutes after my scheduled appointment. That threw off my schedule a little bit but I was not worried. The photographer was there which made me more nervous and excited than ever! Before I knew it, my hair was done and we were heading to the church. All the girls were ready by the time I got there so we all headed to the bathroom, I mean we all went, and they watched my attempt to do my own make up. I say attempt because before I did anything I would say, "Like this?" or "Does this look ok?" or "What do I do?" With the help of 6 of my favorite girls in the whole world, I got my face put on. Then it was time to put my dress on and start taking pictures. Gah! You cannot imagine until you are in that place how nervous a person can be. I have never and don't think I ever will be that nervous again. Pictures went by and then it was chill time before the ceremony. Right before the ceremony I asked if Alex and I could do an around the door picture. Alex and I weren't planning on seeing each other until I walked down the aisle but this way we could get a picture of us holding hands, with me on one side of the door and him on the other. As soon as I heard him say hi, I broke down. My eyes watered up and I could not believe I was getting married in less than an hour! I'm so glad we did that. :)
The ceremony was perfect. Unlike some people that say they don't remember anything from their wedding, I obviously remember everything. I remember how I felt when we said our vows and put the rings on each other's fingers. I remember his face when I was walking down the aisle and his face when we had our first dance. It was the most fun I've ever had. Everything went perfectly. Just as I wanted it to. All of a sudden it was about 11:15 pm and we were ready to leave. We left to sparklers and a few inside jokes yelled to us as Alex helped me into the car! Drew chaffeured us to the Sheraton downtown. :)
Honeymoon:
We woke up and went to Alex's college graduation. Ha! Everyone said we were crazy and while we did not want to wake up and do that on the morning after our wedding I'm so glad we did. After lunch with his family we finally were on the road to Charlotte, NC for the first leg of the honeymoon! Why Charlotte? That was the only place he could find a direct flight to Cancun, Mexico without a layover! We saw "It's a Wonderful Life" as a radio show (way cooler than anything we'd ever seen before) and "The Nutcracker" ballet in Charlotte, ate at some amazing restaurants, got room service like nobody's business, and relaxed, relaxed, relaxed. The weather was perfect and we got bonus hotel upgrades, so our room in Cancun had an ocean view and balcony along with 24 room service at no extra cost! Except for our car not starting as we were ready to leave for the airport to fly to Cancun, and the taxi lady in Cancun forgetting to give our credit card back, everything was perfect. The Hilton sent someone out to jump our car off, and we still got to the airport with an hour and a half to spare before the flight. The taxi person drove us back to the airport so we could get our credit card back, then drove us to the hotel. :) No problemo! Perfect after a stressful wedding week! Alex did a AMAZING job planning and surprising me with that!
So after everything has come and gone, I am more happy than ever. I love being able to go home to my husband after a long day at work. I love having a home that we get to put together. I am looking forward to what this new year holds and thanks be to God that Alex and I have each other through the good and bad of it all!
Here are some recaps of what's happened. It's long and drawn out but I just want to document it while it's still fresh on my mind.
Wedding:
Everything went perfectly, although the days leading up to it did not lead me to believe it was going to go very smoothly. The Sunday, Monday and Tuesday before the wedding I was sick with what a Nurse Practitioner thought was a milder version of the flu (thanks so much flu shot!) because my brother's flu test was positive. Not only was the bride sick, so was a groomsmen. Did that stress me out? I'll let you guess...my blood pressure was 135/76...it's normally 115/70. I didn't feel stressed but my body for sure was. So I missed work, did horrible on the last test I had to take for school, and laid around the house because I was too weak to work on last minute wedding stuff. What last minute wedding stuff did I have left? Oh, only DIY stuff that I spent money on and was too stubborn not to do. I made wreaths by tying bows around a wreath form that hung on the doors to the reception and the door to the church. I also made paper illuminaries by cutting paper doillies and glueing them inside white paper bags. We had to fold the programs, finish the slideshow, finish the playlist, and catch up on thank you notes before the motherload of presents came in. With the help of my wonderful groom and parents, we got everything done Tuesday night and Wednesday.
Well, lucky me when Wednesday rolled around (the bachelorette party was scheduled for Wed night btw) the weatherman started predicting some nasty, icy weather to roll in around evening time and leave some ice on the roads until morning. So while I was supposed to be relaxing while I got a manicure and pedicure Wednesday afternoon, everyone in the world starts texting me about this nasty weather. Not something the bride wants to hear let alone could do anything about. I also couldn't text back because my hands were all gooey and wrapped up. My phone was buzzing the whole time and there were threats of not having a flower girl! She had had pneumonia and her baby sister was fighting ear infections and her dad (also a groomsmen) was sick. I tried my best to just let everything roll of my back and not get in a tizzy before the party. The bachelorette party was a blast, and even while rain was falling and freezing on the roads my friends and bridesmaids toughed it to Apison to celebrate! The rest of the details of the night are not to be mentioned... ;). Don't worry...we didn't go wild, believe me. It's hard to do anything crazy when cars are sliding off the road and the interstate is shut down. It was the perfect bachelorette party for me...good, fun times with my best girlfriends.
Thursday came and went quickly! I woke up and drove home since the roads were fine the next morning (Thank the Lord!). I still had to pack some things for the honeymoon and straighten up my room and get all the wedding stuff in the car and take a shower and get ready for that night because I was not coming back home! Whew! Somehow I got it all done and we were only 20 minutes later than we had planned getting to the church. With the help of his mom, my mom, Jon, Lizzy and Abbie, we got the room ready for the rehearsal dinner and as many decorations up as we could for the reception. There was a surprise when we went into the sanctuary and the stage wasn't cleared off and we couldn't find the altar table therefore couldn't decorate it for the next day. But the wedding coordinator, Kelly Stack and the rest of my bridesmaids and friends and groom told me over and over that it would get done and not to worry about it. I then went to the mall with Kaylyn to exchange some things and then rushed back to the church for the rehearsal. She was amazing and went to pick up the cake for the rehearsal dinner which was a Coca-Cola cake from Cracker Barrel...one of Alex's favorites.
The rehearsal was surreal and it really hit me then that "Oh my goodness, this is really happening...tomorrow." It was fun and weird and nerve-wracking! The rehearsal dinner was a blast. We borrowed something from our friends', Jon and Lizzy, rehearsal dinner where friends and family attending were invited to say something about the bride and groom. Several of our friends and our parents got up to speak and it was really, really amazing to hear how much each person had to say. Once the rehearsal was over we got the room ready for the reception and headed home! I said my final goodbye to my studly fiance as he headed out for his bachelor party and I went home, took a bubble bath and watched Friends until I knew I was going to fall asleep and stay asleep.
The next day I woke up nervous. The second I opened my eyes I felt butterflies in my stomach. My mom and I again loaded up the car with my luggage and things for the wedding I needed that day. We headed to Walgreen's for more last minute things and then headed to the Bridesmaids Luncheon at a tea room in Collegedale. My grandmothers, aunts, cousin, both mother-in-laws, sister-in-law, neice and bridesmaids were there and we had such a fun time! It was both relaxing and made me more nervous as it got later and later in the day. After that it was time for me to get my hair done! Unfortunately, she was behind schedule and took me 30 minutes after my scheduled appointment. That threw off my schedule a little bit but I was not worried. The photographer was there which made me more nervous and excited than ever! Before I knew it, my hair was done and we were heading to the church. All the girls were ready by the time I got there so we all headed to the bathroom, I mean we all went, and they watched my attempt to do my own make up. I say attempt because before I did anything I would say, "Like this?" or "Does this look ok?" or "What do I do?" With the help of 6 of my favorite girls in the whole world, I got my face put on. Then it was time to put my dress on and start taking pictures. Gah! You cannot imagine until you are in that place how nervous a person can be. I have never and don't think I ever will be that nervous again. Pictures went by and then it was chill time before the ceremony. Right before the ceremony I asked if Alex and I could do an around the door picture. Alex and I weren't planning on seeing each other until I walked down the aisle but this way we could get a picture of us holding hands, with me on one side of the door and him on the other. As soon as I heard him say hi, I broke down. My eyes watered up and I could not believe I was getting married in less than an hour! I'm so glad we did that. :)
The ceremony was perfect. Unlike some people that say they don't remember anything from their wedding, I obviously remember everything. I remember how I felt when we said our vows and put the rings on each other's fingers. I remember his face when I was walking down the aisle and his face when we had our first dance. It was the most fun I've ever had. Everything went perfectly. Just as I wanted it to. All of a sudden it was about 11:15 pm and we were ready to leave. We left to sparklers and a few inside jokes yelled to us as Alex helped me into the car! Drew chaffeured us to the Sheraton downtown. :)
Honeymoon:
We woke up and went to Alex's college graduation. Ha! Everyone said we were crazy and while we did not want to wake up and do that on the morning after our wedding I'm so glad we did. After lunch with his family we finally were on the road to Charlotte, NC for the first leg of the honeymoon! Why Charlotte? That was the only place he could find a direct flight to Cancun, Mexico without a layover! We saw "It's a Wonderful Life" as a radio show (way cooler than anything we'd ever seen before) and "The Nutcracker" ballet in Charlotte, ate at some amazing restaurants, got room service like nobody's business, and relaxed, relaxed, relaxed. The weather was perfect and we got bonus hotel upgrades, so our room in Cancun had an ocean view and balcony along with 24 room service at no extra cost! Except for our car not starting as we were ready to leave for the airport to fly to Cancun, and the taxi lady in Cancun forgetting to give our credit card back, everything was perfect. The Hilton sent someone out to jump our car off, and we still got to the airport with an hour and a half to spare before the flight. The taxi person drove us back to the airport so we could get our credit card back, then drove us to the hotel. :) No problemo! Perfect after a stressful wedding week! Alex did a AMAZING job planning and surprising me with that!
So after everything has come and gone, I am more happy than ever. I love being able to go home to my husband after a long day at work. I love having a home that we get to put together. I am looking forward to what this new year holds and thanks be to God that Alex and I have each other through the good and bad of it all!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Why has it been forever since I've blogged? School. That has been the top of my to-do list since August and blogging fell off the to-do list. Oops. Not to mention I've had a wedding to plan. Speaking of...
I bought 3 oz containers for toiletries that I can take in my carry on. Alex and I will be flying on our honeymoon, but we're just going to carry on our bags for convenience sake. However, it's not so convenient when you have to go buy more stuff to put your stuff in because TSA has so many regulations. Their catchy phrase is "3-1-1," which means 3.4 oz or less, in one 1-qt size ziploc bag, in one carry on. However, as you probably know, shampoo and conditioner does not come that small. Lucky for me, I love to pack, especially when it's for my HONEYMOON, so having to do a few more things isn't shaking me.
If you're wondering about the honeymoon...I am too! Ha! It is a surprise. Alex has planned everything, thank the Lord for my fiance! :) Here's what I know:
1) Staying in Chatt-town for the wedding night, then waking up to go to his graduation (don't call me crazy, I know I am) at 10 am, lunch with his family then we're peacing out!
2) We're driving somewhere with similar weather as Chatt to stay a couple of nights.
3) We're driving to the airport, then flying to a beach out of the country!
I'm pumped. I am so excited to get away. Wedding planning this week pushed me over the edge. There's just so little time and things I thought I wanted like cutesy D.I.Y. stuff are just being cut. It's not important, and no one will remember it if it is there-not even me, so I hear! I'm trying my hardest to enjoy everything. When my finals are over Friday I'll be able to relax and little bit more. It's very stressful knowing how much I have to do, plus school is still hanging around.
I just pray and hope that I can truly remember everything and enjoy everything. I don't want to be hung up on stupid things and get irritated on my wedding day because something doesn't go my way. I see lots of bubble baths in my plans for next week to relax me. As for now, even though I have an exam at 8 I'm going to pack a little for the honeymoon and watch an episode or two of 'Friends'!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
A Home
Alex and I are in search for an apartment. Finding one within our price range and with everything we need is tough. We started looking in May, then Alex went to camp, so we've started looking again. We found a couple of places but we're not sure if they'll be available when Alex wants to move in.
The one we're really liking right now is pretty cool. It's a gated apartment complex which I believe is a one and only in Chattanooga. There's a washer and dryer in every unit. That would save us money for a laundry mat and let us wait until we have a more permanent residence to buy a w/d. It's close to the interstate which can get us downtown in about 15 minutes, to East Brainerd in about 15 minutes, the mall in about 7 minutes...It's a newer building with new carpet and nice cabinets and appliances. It's so clean and quiet. We love it.
I just want Alex to move in now so we can set it all up!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
I always cry at weddings.
I'm not sure if it's seeing the bride all dressed up and ready to marry her man, or all the beautiful wedding party, or all the beautiful flowers just there for the wedding, or seeing the parents cry and sniffle, or watching everyone walk down the aisle. But I have been to three weddings this summer and have cried or atleast teared up at every one of them.
The first was my future-brother-in-law's and I cried when I saw his mom and stepmom crying. It was bittersweet for them to let the baby go. The bride was beautiful and Alex looked so handsome.
The second was one of my best friends from high school, and I was a bridesmaid. I cried, like tears-rolling-down-my-face-and-having-to-have-a-tissue-for-my-nose cried, at the rehearsal, the rehearsal dinner, before the ceremony, as I was walking down the aisle, during the ceremony and at the reception. This wedding I know that seeing her dad walk her down the aisle was the kicker. She and her dad are very close and they joked the whole weekend about how he couldn't cry otherwise she'd turn into a bawling mess. Of course, he cried, but she held it together some how. :) It was also seeing her in her wedding dress, looking absolutely radiant and so happy to see her husband. I've known both of them so long and Molly has been there for me so many times. I was just so happy to see them finally get married and to be there through everything.
The third was this past weekend. Alex's best friend since forever married a wonderful woman whom I've known for almost a year. The groom is a friend of mine as well (since high school) and has been with Alex and me through SO much, and I've gotten to know the bride really well over the time we've had together and she is so dear to me now. I just knew that I was going to cry. But this time it was because of more than just the outward things that go with the wedding (dress, flowers, etc). The day was beautiful. No clouds in the sky, barely humid during the late morning and early afternoon, the sun was warm but not blazing. When I heard Jon the night before at the rehearsal, I just knew I was going to cry. He was so serious and honest and genuine by his tone of voice and the way he looked at Lizzy. There was a wave of beauty over the whole thing. Lizzy was so beautiful and each one of the bridesmaids looked beautiful and happy and natural. Jon was handsome and so were each of the groomsmen. I think most of it was the smiles that everyone had on their faces the whole day. I cried because Jon had the biggest smile on his face when he saw her walking down the aisle to him. Again, the smiles!
Of course, I couldn't help this whole summer but get more and more excited about my wedding after each wedding that I went to. I tried my best to completely focus on the people who were getting married and to make it about their day. But what's a wedding if it doesn't remind you of your own vows you've said or will say? Since Alex didn't have to rush back to camp after this last wedding, we had a lot of time to discuss our's. He was so taken back by how beautiful the ceremony was at Jon and Lizzy's. I don't think he expected to feel that way, and it made me so happy because it made me realize he's ready and he's excited about wedding planning now! We talked the whole way home about our's and what we want to do and what we don't want to do. I've never been this excited to get married!
The first was my future-brother-in-law's and I cried when I saw his mom and stepmom crying. It was bittersweet for them to let the baby go. The bride was beautiful and Alex looked so handsome.
The second was one of my best friends from high school, and I was a bridesmaid. I cried, like tears-rolling-down-my-face-and-having-to-have-a-tissue-for-my-nose cried, at the rehearsal, the rehearsal dinner, before the ceremony, as I was walking down the aisle, during the ceremony and at the reception. This wedding I know that seeing her dad walk her down the aisle was the kicker. She and her dad are very close and they joked the whole weekend about how he couldn't cry otherwise she'd turn into a bawling mess. Of course, he cried, but she held it together some how. :) It was also seeing her in her wedding dress, looking absolutely radiant and so happy to see her husband. I've known both of them so long and Molly has been there for me so many times. I was just so happy to see them finally get married and to be there through everything.
The third was this past weekend. Alex's best friend since forever married a wonderful woman whom I've known for almost a year. The groom is a friend of mine as well (since high school) and has been with Alex and me through SO much, and I've gotten to know the bride really well over the time we've had together and she is so dear to me now. I just knew that I was going to cry. But this time it was because of more than just the outward things that go with the wedding (dress, flowers, etc). The day was beautiful. No clouds in the sky, barely humid during the late morning and early afternoon, the sun was warm but not blazing. When I heard Jon the night before at the rehearsal, I just knew I was going to cry. He was so serious and honest and genuine by his tone of voice and the way he looked at Lizzy. There was a wave of beauty over the whole thing. Lizzy was so beautiful and each one of the bridesmaids looked beautiful and happy and natural. Jon was handsome and so were each of the groomsmen. I think most of it was the smiles that everyone had on their faces the whole day. I cried because Jon had the biggest smile on his face when he saw her walking down the aisle to him. Again, the smiles!
Of course, I couldn't help this whole summer but get more and more excited about my wedding after each wedding that I went to. I tried my best to completely focus on the people who were getting married and to make it about their day. But what's a wedding if it doesn't remind you of your own vows you've said or will say? Since Alex didn't have to rush back to camp after this last wedding, we had a lot of time to discuss our's. He was so taken back by how beautiful the ceremony was at Jon and Lizzy's. I don't think he expected to feel that way, and it made me so happy because it made me realize he's ready and he's excited about wedding planning now! We talked the whole way home about our's and what we want to do and what we don't want to do. I've never been this excited to get married!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
God Provides
This summer I have been reminded over and over that God provides! When my dinosaur-of-a-digital-camera is about to croak, Alex brings home a nice digital camera that was in lost and found all summer (btw, no memory card and camera is dead). When I have just payed off my credit card and have almost no money in my checking account and I go to my roommate's birthday party---someone offers to buy my dinner, and won't take no for an answer! When I asked God for quality time with my girlfriends, I had three girl nights in one week, and that happened more than once! When I begged God for a way out of spending so much money on the wedding, he gave us a contact for a cake baker who can give us a deal that is 50% less than any other bakery! When I asked God to provide Alex with support and comfort for all the change in his life, he meets 15 new friends at camp who jump right into his life and encourage him everyday! When I asked God to give me a love for his word, he did.
I could keep going...I am so overwhelmed with joy and thankfulness and unbelief that my life would be so blessed by my heavenly father! Not to say this summer has been perfect. Ask Alex-he'll tell you I struggled, and he struggled as well. But God gave us resources to get through and we've made it through!
I'm not scared for what marriage is going to bring. I'm not nervous about financial issues or the "what ifs" anymore. I am confident that even through difficult times, God will show his glory and we just have to give it right back!
I could keep going...I am so overwhelmed with joy and thankfulness and unbelief that my life would be so blessed by my heavenly father! Not to say this summer has been perfect. Ask Alex-he'll tell you I struggled, and he struggled as well. But God gave us resources to get through and we've made it through!
I'm not scared for what marriage is going to bring. I'm not nervous about financial issues or the "what ifs" anymore. I am confident that even through difficult times, God will show his glory and we just have to give it right back!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Crazy Love
I just finished reading the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan this week. It's really making me challenge myself and make me remember my love for living simply! He describes in the book his church and that their budget is 50/50. They work with 50% and the other 50% goes to a donation. His thought is that they should sacrifice so that they are allowing others to have just as much as they have. I love that idea. I hope that Alex and I can live that way. Chan challenges the readers of his book to live radically-even when that means being called crazy.
Alex has also been convicted of this simple living idea while he's been at camp. He thinks differently about buying clothes and things that he "needs." He wants to buy less stuff and give more away.
Could I have met a more perfect match for my life? I was so encouraged by Alex telling my what's been on his heart because it's been on my heart too. Just think of what God can do through us, through our small offering! I'm praying for something great to happen as we start preparing our life together!
Alex has also been convicted of this simple living idea while he's been at camp. He thinks differently about buying clothes and things that he "needs." He wants to buy less stuff and give more away.
Could I have met a more perfect match for my life? I was so encouraged by Alex telling my what's been on his heart because it's been on my heart too. Just think of what God can do through us, through our small offering! I'm praying for something great to happen as we start preparing our life together!
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