Sadly, the forecasted snow turned out to be a blanket of ice instead. I can’t believe they got inches and inches of snow and we got…nothing. Ok, so actually, we got a lot of ice but it’s invisible. You don’t go sledding on ice and frosty wasn’t made out of icicles.

It did get me a day off school, though- so, for that I should be thankful. I really have enjoyed getting to stay in my PJs all day. (Seriously, I’m still wearing my bunny slippers.) It’s been fun to lounge around all day with Jenny. Ruth stopped in for a bit to lounge too. So, I guess that even though Joshua hogged all the snow I can still be thankful for the ice and the forced relaxation it brought!

Happy Ice Day!

Starting the new year off right, I loved getting to ring in the new year with my sweetheart! I also loved getting to be a part of my dear friend, Julie’s wedding! She got married on New Year’s Day! 01-01-11 at 11:11 The year has already started off with BIG change.

Life is always changing and God is constantly leading us either into, through, or out of challenges. This year my life will change big time. Julie’s wedding and subsequent moving marks the beginning of the end of an era. My ‘single girl adventures’ are coming to an end. I am looking forward to getting married and starting my new life with Joshua. But for some time now I’ve been repeatedly reminded to take everything in and enjoy the time right now.  I’m excited for change but it doesn’t come without a heavy heart to some degree. I miss Julie already and her absence only reminds me of  the imminent move out of 727. I’ve had so many wonderful memories here. In February I’ll temporarily live with one of my most beloved friends, Beverly, and her sweet family. I’m thankful for the time I still have here in North Carolina and definitely want to be a good steward of it.

Here’s to  another year of seeing God’s faithful hand both in North and sweet South Carolina!

Last week I went with my sweet friends Jenn, Julie, and Ruth to try on wedding dresses! With the wedding only 6 months away I knew I needed to start looking right away. I had a few ideas but there was one specific dress I loved! I called ahead to make sure they had the dress and was so excited to see it! When we got there I had a ball trying on all kinds of dresses- poofy dresses, sparkly dresses, lace dresses, fancy, plain, fashion forward– there were so many. I had such a great time trying them on and walking around like a princess. Finally, the consultant pulled the dress I saw in a magazine. When I put it on I couldn’t believe it. I loved it! It was perfect. It’s definitely my fairy tale dress. When Kelly, the sweet girl who helped me, set me up with my veil, headpiece, and shoes I couldn’t have been happier. I loved standing there looking in the mirror thinking this is what I’ll wear the day I say, “I do.”

In wedding planning this has definitely been the best part so far!  I loved imagining walking down the aisle to my sweetheart in the most beautiful gown.

I went back and bought the dress today. I said, “YES! to the dress!”  I am more than thrilled with what I picked out. It’s a dream dress! I love it and I can’t wait for June 18 so I can wear it all day! In the mean time I can’t promise I won’t try it on at least once a week- you know, just to practice…

I’ve spent the evening curled up on the couch with a bowl of homemade popcorn and a warm cup of coffee looking through zillions of wedding blogs. My sweet friend Julie is a wedding vision genius. She got me going with a few ideas and before I knew it I was dreaming up all sorts of sage and khaki wonders. I don’t know why I do this but every time I read a bride write about her day I teared up. I can not believe it’s finally happening. I can not believe I am marrying the most incredible man. My fairy tale is coming true.

While I’m making progress in creating vision for our dream day I can’t believe how undecided I am. Some of it maybe accredited to the fact that I’m still in awe of God’s goodness in giving Joshua to me. I am absolutely in love and while I never thought I’d be one of “those” people- I think I might be. You know, those people who think nothing matters about that day except saying “I do.” I want our day to be so special and beautiful.  I think with time maybe I’ll be able to put a vision together but for now I’ll just overwhelm myself with ideas from magazines and blogs.

So far I know we want a clean, classy, and unconventional wedding. We love the colors sage green and linen. …and that’s about it.

Oh, and I envision hydrangeas- lots of them!

I know I’ll want to remember every detail and maybe someone would care to know?…. so I chronicle it here.

First of all, please let me state for the record that God has truly given me the man of my dreams. I love Joshua Stephen Snipes with my whole heart. He set up the most perfect, surprise engagement!

A little background knowledge is also necessary. (warning this is sappy) For our birthdays we decided instead of actual physical gifts we would plan fun day trips to spend time together. So, for my birthday in October we went to Brevard to go apple picking and picnic and sight-see. Joshua’s birthday was the week before Thanksgiving so we decided that the Friday after the holiday we would go to Charleston for the day to celebrate.

That being said, here’s how it all went down…

Leading up to Thanksgiving I had been “planning” a fun birthday trip for Joshua in Charleston. We were going to go to the market, visit the battery, go out to lunch, walk on the beach, and of course stop for cupcakes. It was going to be amazing! On Thanksgiving evening we looked at the weather for Friday and saw that storms were predicted for the later part of the day. Joshua decided that we could probably get up early and head out to Charleston and spend the nice part of the day there and then head home when the weather turned. So, that was the plan.

On Friday morning I was up and dressed, all set for the day by 7:00am. I came downstairs to meet my sweetheart and he gave me the sad news that our trip had to be post-poned. Over the night the storms worsened and by the morning people were being advised not to travel because of strong 40-50mph winds. I felt bad that his birthday trip was delayed but he seemed to be in surprisingly good spirits. He had already made coffee and offered for us to just go for a walk since were already up. Of course, I agreed. We set out with coffee in hand for a nice morning walk. He stopped to grab a box from his car. He quickly explained that he had a thanksgiving present for me. I looked at him inquisitively and he simply replied it was something small and something I’d laugh about. He also said I’d probably figure out what it was- which completely threw me off. I know it was Joshua’s heart’s desire to surprise me so this couldn’t be it. We walked around for a while and we stopped in a place he said was his favorite. He told me it was his favorite spot on the land  and that one day if we could he’d like to build a house right where we were. We sat down in a nice spot and just talked.  I finally figured out that his present to me was a scrapbook. After containing my giggles (the scrapbook is funny to the both of us for a few reasons) he opened the box and pulled out the most precious iphoto scrapbook. He told me to hold it carefully because things could fall out. I didn’t think one thought about it because on the first page he glued tickets to the fairs we went to and concert tickets, and a few other things. I just assumed that he had other things glued through out the book too. He told me to read each page so I took my time looking at the pictures and reading. He had pictures from Sarah’s wedding (where we met) and from my first weekend down to SC. He had so many through the summer and meeting my family. It was just a precious book. He did an amazing job. Joshua really is very thoughtful and so the fact that he had made and given me this book wasn’t out of the ordinary so even as I was reading it was not thinking engagement- at all! After it was all said and done he did mention that he felt like I took f-o-r-e-v-e-r to read through the book. I was just enjoying his gift. At the end of the book he wrote our “Love Story.” He told me he loved me and how he was thankful for me. He told me that our story was more a story of God’s faithfulness and blessing. He told me that he looks forward to spending the rest of his life with me if I would…. and on the next page he simply wrote, “marry me?” my ring was tied with a pink ribbon to the opposite page.

I absolutely could not believe what was happening. I couldn’t believe it. The man of my dreams was asking me to marry him. I think I must have said, “I can’t believe it!” approximately ten thousand times. He untied my ring and prompted me to stand up. He got down on his knee and asked me to marry him. Of course, I said yes! I hugged him so tight. I love him so much! After tears of pure joy and hugging him for as long as I could he mentioned that maybe I should put on my ring. I had completely forgotten. I was just so caught up in the fact that he had completely shocked me! He put the most beautiful ring on my hand. It sparkles so much and I love it! More than anything I love that God has blessed me with such a treasure. I am tremendously thankful for Joshua and am absolutely thrilled that all my dreams with come true together with him!

Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

…. Sang happy birthday to my sweet friend Ruth before she left Memorial Day weekend for her internship in sunny Florida.

had a fantastic end of the year party with my second grade sweethearts

Roadtripped that same day down to SC to see a ballet recital with a boy I’d been talking to

Literally spent the weekend watching his precious sister perform

Said goodbye to the sweetest class I’ll probably ever have

Participated in a little retail therapy

Roadtripped to VA to be a bridesmaid for my dear friend Jenni Michelle

Bought a new digital camera

Walked down the aisle at Jenni’s wedding to “Some Day my Prince Will Come”

Roadtripped back home with my best friend guiding the way as a GPS over the phone

Went with Ju to pick out her wedding dress

Had a ball hosting Bible Study and Tuesday night dinner parties

Roadtripped to SC to visit the boy I’d become increasingly fond of

Became the girlfriend of the boy in sunny SC

Got a new, old ipod

Roadtripped to VA for a day in an amusement park with my family

Discovered I’m getting old- roller coasters are fun but the subsequent headaches are not

Roadtripped to MD to visit family and basically r-e-l-a-x from my crazy, busy life

Went with Ju to look at the place where she will marry her sweetheart and best friend, Lee

Drove up and down Hillsborough for entirely wayyyy too long looking for the training place for my summer job

Enjoyed the sweetest fourth of July with my sweetheart as we watched fireworks on Beverly’s front porch

Got ‘sunburn’ once and felt horrible for my sweetheart who got nearly sun poisoned

Decided to sign up for a mud run in September

Decided to start running again in preparation for the mud run in September

Started teaching ESL to my 6 ELL students

Took a spontaneous roadtrip to SC for a long weekend

Went to the most precious cupcake shop with Deda

Learned how very important it is in the south to address others with ma’am and sir

Saw Toy Story with sweet Kate and fam

Babysat for Shepard and Mercy with my sweetheart

Nearly had a heart attack when Shepard rocked his little head on the counter

Roadtripped to Lake Gaston

Met and befriended new members of my sweetheart’s family

Learned how to play bipity bipity bop (made me so nervous)

Decided to get an iphone

Roadtripped back to Lake Gaston with a secret birthday cake

Rode the pontoon boat to a birthday dinner with my sweetheart’s whole adorable family

Learned to shag with grammy

Sipped coffee in the early morning sunshine at the lake

Went on a date with my sweetheart in Raleigh

Went to the cupcake shop with my sweetheart in Raleigh

Went to Brit’s going away party

Went on a roadtrip to DC with the girls of 727

Ate a peanut butter fudge cupcake at Georgetown Cupcake of “DC Cupcakes”

Nearly walked myself to death in DC…ahhhh my poor feet

Dreamed about my class next year at Green Hope

Visited SC for a happy wedding weekend

Started back at GHE

….wow, what a sweet summer. Thank you, Jesus, for the best one yet! I can’t wait to see what He has in store ahead.

I exercise my right and ability to sing at the top of my lungs in my car almost everyday. It’s usually in the morning bright and early to get the vocal cords going. Fortunately, most of those mornings I ride by myself so no one is subjected to my deafening tones. Some people are singing shy but definitely not this girl. Very early in our relationship my obliging boyfriend come to discover this quirk.  The poor guy- he’s so patient but we’re going on a road trip in September and I really don’t think he knows what he’s gotten himself into!

Discovery: Not only do I love to sing in the car but I also love to sing the guitar part in songs.

I just got back from a road trip with three of my dear friends and made this discovery. There we were driving along on 95 and my beloved, John Mayer, comes on. I couldn’t help myself. The bridge in “daughters” comes and I am happily singing along to the guitar. (not the words, mind you, only the notes on the guitar)

I felt like a freak for a quarter second before Elyse consoled me by confessing that, she, too, likes to sing the guitar part. Maybe I’m not such a weirdo. um, yeah, actually I probably am.

Today our adventure was to the Post Office.

(At this point you maybe questioning my definition of the word “adventure”)

Adventure: any time I venture out of my living space with a friend or family member.

That may or may not explain a lot about me.

Continuing on,

Today our adventure was to the Post Office. As we walk in I make an almost brilliant assertation. The Post Office may qualify to many as one of the most depressing places in the continental United States. Think about the Post Office for a minute- gray walls, linoleum floors with sporadic scuff marks, brown boxes and envelopes, a few sparse advertisements in the walls, bluish florescent lighting. Rarely will you go in and not find a line. Rarely will the people in that line be cheerful and rarely is the person weighing your package or envelope friendly.  After I make my assertation and defend it to Julie, the woman in front of us turns and very matter-of-factly asks, “well, “where do you think the phrase ‘going postal’ came from?” I shrug my shoulders and concede, “you know, you’re probably right.” Julie and I laugh to our selves. As we approach the counter the grim faced postal service employee confirms our hypothesis. As we leave we smile politely and offer well wishes for her day. I loudly whisper to Julie, “ I just want to bring them balloons to cheer them up.” We walk out the door and what to our wondering eyes should appear but a clown. I’m not kidding. A real, live clown in his full get-up the only thing missing was his foam nose. He walks right into the Post Office. I wish I could have been there when he walked in. In a small way I feel like the Post Office did get my metaphorical balloons with the visit from the clown. If it was only for the few minutes while he checked his P.O. box I hope the Post Office was a cheerful place. I like to imagine maybe he created a little balloon animal (maybe a poodle) to brighten up the place. Maybe that’s a little wishful…

I love my second grade minnows and can’t wait to see them!

I’m sitting here on my last free night before track in and my heart is so full looking forward to going back to see my sweethearts. These three weeks have practically flown by! It seems like just yesterday I was coming down with the plague and babysitting Andie. (haha) It’s been quite the track out. It started out right from the beginning rather rough. I found out too late the my sweet grandmother wasn’t doing well and didn’t have time to say good bye before she passed away.  I miss her so much. I  know I will see her again someday but for now some days are harder than others.  It was good to see family on a short visit  for the funeral but I was miserably sick and longed so much to be back at my home. Fortunately, with some good meds I was up and running by the second week of my track out. I got to enjoy the lovely Spring weather with dear friends. I spent many hours down on the adirondack chairs by the pond.  Just last week my dear, dear friend Stephanie came for a visit which was positively fantastic. Oh, I am so thankful for her. We had an absolute ball! We didn’t do anything extravagant. We basically just followed my normal routine but with friends like Steph the everyday becomes exciting by virtue of her presence. All in all, it was a good break and tomorrow I rejoin my sweethearts for our final quarter together. Thank you dear Lord for a precious class. I love them.

As I grow in my faith and knowledge of God’s word I am continually reminded of just how sinful I am. I understand Paul’s sentiments as he states that he is the foremost of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15) because I feel exactly the same way. I’ve been reading some material by Doug Bookman and in one section on obedience and fallenness my heart was pricked about the “profound implications in the mandate to deliberately and publically reflect the God whom we serve.” I quickly recognized my inclinations to glorify myself and to think of myself as the center of the universe. However, if I am to be reflecting the glory of God it is imperative that I recognize who I am in Christ and therefore radiate his goodness, justice, and holiness. As I read the section on losing life and finding it in Christ I was encouraged to see truth in terms I had not thought about before. I am particularly weak in the area of my motivations. I constantly have to think introspectively about my reasoning behind what I say and do. I am guilty of thinking along the lines of the misconceived argument that, “there is egocentrism latent in the ethic that giving one’s life away with the motive of getting it back is only selfishness once removed.”  My heart was reassured to read that God truly does delight in seeing his children rejoice in him and the great things he has done in their lives. We do not have to live self-debilitating lives to please our God. I appreciated how Dr. Bookman put it; “God takes immeasurable delight in those who determine to obey him and by means of that obedience to know the peace that transcends human comprehension.” As I begin to meet with college age girls this semester in a discipleship group it is my earnest desire to point them to focus on God.  As I meet with them this week I plan to read Psalm 57 and share with them my prayer that our hearts and minds would cry out, “Be thou exalted, O God.”  Particularly in our stage of life it is very easy to become self-absorbed and neglect our priority to God. I want to be a faithful encourager to my group.