30*

30*

What can I say? June is practically here and I feel as if I should still be standing in front of the tree where Casey proposed. Everyone told me that time would fly but I never thought it’d be like this. Here we are; celebrating three and a half years this Saturday with a wedding less than a month away.

There are so many ups and downs in life. It’s amazing to sit still for a moment and think about all the emotions and experiences one person goes through over six months. If there were one thought that has never altered over our engagement it’d have to be that we’re ready. After three and a half years I truly believe Casey and I are the healthiest and happiest we’ve ever been and are more than prepared to take on our first year of marriage. We certainly haven’t had the easiest three years nor have we always handled things properly but through all of our hard times we have come and learned together how to make it better as a couple. I’m sure I will continue to learn a lot over the next year and I look forward to it. What better than to take the man that holds my heart and walk through life together from this moment on hand in hand. Many think we’re too young or that we’re too simple but I think we’re a perfect match. We hold what is dear close to our hearts and we stand for what we believe.

I never thought I would find a love so genuine. I am thankful everyday for the man that I get to take as my husband and I smile every time I think about the moments we will share in the future. God has really shown me over the past six months all the treasures in my life and I am so blessed. To all the friends, family, co-workers and mentors that have surrounded Casey and I with love and support over the past six months and three years: I thank you and love you with my whole heart. I promise to make you proud and work every day to create the marriage you have prepared us for.

Thank you and we love you!

GOD * 47

This morning at Ridge Church during the sermon Andy Stanley spoke about circumstantial faith. He talked about the way many of us put God in a spot where if we need him we’ll go to him but when we don’t we’ll pretend that he isn’t there. As if we were to shrink God small enough where we could control when and how he comes into our daily lives. This lesson really hit home with me because recently I have felt so far from God. I know that it is natural for our walks with him to go through different phases. Sometimes we spend time reading scripture, praying, giving and listening to him while other times we will find any excuse not to do those things.

After hearing Andy talk about this issue I tried to think of a simple way I could remind myself daily that God is in control of everything going on in my life and I cannot control him in anyway. So tonight I took a pen and wrote GOD on my hand. Ever since we got engaged I look down at my left hand several times a day. I thought this would be a great place to write GOD so that every time I look at the promise my fiance’ gave me I will be reminded that God is in control. He is why I am here today, He has given me every blessing I have and He will always be here with me through the times I need Him and the times that I forget.

I thought I would keep re-writing GOD on my hand for the next week and see what kind of impact it has on my daily life and my spiritual one.

54*

Welcome to the Smith's House

This past weekend Casey and I began and finished our Guest room. It was a day's work but we are extremely happy with the finished product. Reservations can be made by telephone!

Now on to our room*

55*

I can’t believe I just typed that number. It seems like last week we were newly engaged and now we’re less than two months away from the big day. Our two month mark was this past Sunday and I must admit it hit me pretty hard. I hadn’t had any nervous feelings or worries about our time left until that moment. When I realized we were approaching the deadline for checks to be mailed and invitations to be sent I became a little overwhelmed. It finally hit me that not only was I getting married in two months but moving into a new home and starting my morning with a man from that day forward. I “knew” this was coming but it didn’t register until now.

Another test was this past Saturday when Casey and I decorated our guest room. We’d been looking forward to this day for a little while because it’d be the first “change” in “our” home. After a few squabbles about paint color and how to organize the furniture it hit me again that this was “our” guest room. I’ve been use to my house, his house and their house. Now it was going to become our home and our decisions were going to be compromises. After the room was finished and we both sat admiring our work it became more sweet than scary. I was proud of our accomplishment and now had a beautiful room to showcase how well we could work together.

I’m sure there will be several moments like these over the coming weeks. Thing is I feel that God has prepared Casey and I better than we could have ever planned. We’ve been blessed in so many ways but certainly have had our rough spots. We’ve been through thick and thin with one another and stand stronger today than ever before. It’s amazing to me that some of the hardest times you’ll ever experience will not only make you stronger as an individual but sturdier as a couple. I feel that our foundation for marriage has been laid, paved and cemented into place by our past experiences, mentors, friends and family to where no matter what comes our way we will be able to handle it. I’ve seen so much growth in Casey, in myself and in our relationship over the past year that I don’t see how I could ever have “cold feet”. I may experience some jitters about moving into a new home and new town or about finalizing an outdoor wedding at the end of June but concerning Casey and I’s marriage and our ability to last; I have no concerns.

I consider myself blessed to have the opportunity to marry a man that I love being around not just on fancy date nights but in the Wendy’s drive through, not just because he’s a wonderful and caring man but because he allows me to be 100% me, and not just because he listens to every ramble but because there is not another man that could ever make me feel the way he does every day.