Adventures of the Unemployed: Staying Busy

It's been a while, right? Well, I've started diligently writing at weddingobsessions.wordpress.com. But I think some personal updates are in order!

I'm on this job hunt, and it is so hard in Clarksville. Just try this list. I'm not an RN or an engineer, and I haven't resorted to working at Sprint yet... But, I did just apply for a job at Austin Peay State that would be really great. I also submitted my resume/application to Kelly Services for a substitute position. This is just not fun, y'all. Praying that the Lord brings me to the right place.

Here are some projects I've been doing since I've had so much free time:

bought these vases at the thrift store - $3

the end result :)

(I love pumpkin candles)

same spray paint, but on a $4 lamp

$9 lamp shade from Target

because we needed a larger piece for the guest room

hammered spray paint - clearance for $6

vase $0.49

spray painted the blue frame and the birdcage candle holder from the wedding

made that headboard for $30

two 24x30 canvases hung horizontally, wrapped in fabric

made this cork wall cross using a cutout from a shoe box and hot glue.
repainted that nightstand ($15 on craigslist)

sanded the edges

2 cans of spraypaint ($12)

recovered the lamp shade ($4)

using spray adhesive ($7)

and a glue gun ($4 for a package of the sticks)

You could say that I stay busy. Now we need a desk for the guest room. I wouldn't mind re-covering the boring black office chair we have with some more of that fabric that's on the lamp! I think once I get a sewing machine from my mom and make a pillow, that will be my second move (the pillow will be my trial run/practice/can I do this? project). Look for pictures/info on that after Christmas. Austin's suggestion so far has been that I should start making and selling crafts like the ones pictured above, but I'm too shy about actually selling those things. I mean, they may not do very well and then what? I've already started working on remaking a lamp I got at Goodwill. Next I'm going to find a good deal on a lamp shade and sell it all for around $20, and maybe look to post a listing on Craigslist... along with our old TV once I clean it up :)

Anyway, Austin and I have been so, so happy now that we are in Clarksville and in a townhouse. We are going to Grace Community Church, and started attending a Small Group there too that's made of other newlywed couples such as ourselves. Now I'm going to get off this blog and start looking for more jobs on the county and city websites. Who knew it would be so rough? It is a small town, though; I guess I should've figured!

Love,
E

In Tennessee!

Aside from the bleak job outlook here, we're happy to be in Tennessee. We're glad that we've found a townhouse that suits our needs very well, but I'm pretty sad we can't get a puppy. They're not allowed in the townhouse, which is fine, since they wouldn't do well in one anyway. We do have a small front porch (just enough room for some chairs) that's absolutely adorable, and we have a large back patio that we're going to buy furniture for shortly. Perfect timing too, since a lot of places (like Target) are having big sales on outdoor furniture. A lot of Target's stuff is only online, but they still have cute stuff in the store. We have KMart here, too, and when we went in Mentor, Ohio, they had some cute sets we liked. We're waiting until after the move to look at those things.

Just to feed your imagination, here are some pictures of our townhouse:

We have one of the ones with the porch. This section actually isn't like ours, because the ones that come further out have a bay window on the bottom floor. I was a little partial to that because they have more square footage on each floor, but they didn't have one available. Ours has character anyway!

Living room

which leads to the kitchen

It's not the most updated and it doesn't open to the rest of the townhouse, but at least it's not a gallery kitchen. I hated that in our apartment in Mentor. The hotel we're in has a kitchen about half that size and no oven, but I'm thankful that we can cook and save some money!!

I've spent the day job hunting and blogging. Job hunting was not fun, because there isn't much of a market for event planners in Clarksville. I want to stay in the game though, so I started this new blog as per the recommendation of my mother (after I wrote Matt's bio for their wedding site. She loved it, I thought it was funny.. "he was touted as a chubby baby.." it gets better, too). Setting up the WordPress blog was confusing, but I chose it because you don't have to login to comment, and I hate that this website has over 1,000 views and no comments. So, maybe this will change that, but really, I hope it grows a lot. I went ahead and made two posts today, and I'm going to try to do five posts per week, at least. In case you're curious (I know you are) here's the site:

http://weddingobsessions.wordpress.com/

A lot of it so far is going to be based off of my own wedding, weddings I've been to, and my brother and Gennie's wedding, which I'm helping plan.

Aside from that, I bought foam piping, felt, ribbon and pins today so I can make a wreath. I guess I'll post later on the finished outcome. I've already cooked dinner, so when Austin comes home I'm going to reheat (improv-ed version of a southwestern black bean soup... with cream) and serve deliciousness. Until then, you can find me on the other side of the room, cutting little circles from felt. FUN!

Love you all,

Elizabeth Marie

guest room inspiration

I made this in Paint. Don't judge me.

Still working on it. I want to add a couple more patterns. Maybe a covered bench at the end of the bed? I also have a brown duvet for the guest room, I may want to exchange that for a white one. Oh the things I can think! I think I might make the headboard square (I don't have a jigsaw to change the shape) and use a print fabric for that too, like this:

It would tie in the blue and tan and bring in this green color that I love!

Anyway... what do you think? I think this little project will keep me busy for a while. Not to mention that these paintings are going in this room, too.

Anyway.. we move in 3 days! (We think we're leaving Thursday afternoon, and we might tow my car behind the rented HHR to save the car the wear & tear. We'll see. We're going to a coffee shop to figure out all the lovely details and make phone calls!)

Love,

Elizabeth Marie

friendships

So, my heart has really been reevaluating my "friendships" lately. I mean, there are just some things that people post on Facebook, specifically, that I don't want to see. I changed my Twitter and deleted some people from Facebook already, but I don't know if this is silly or not. There are some people I keep on my Facebook friends (or kept) because I felt that maybe I was the only "light" they have. I fall short a lot (see the last two blogs for starters) so I don't know that they see it. And, I think in some cases, they post things I don't want to condone or have any part of - including seeing pictures of it. Thus lies the issue. To keep or not to keep? It's been on my heart, but am I being a prude or do we just not have anything in common? Would I talk to them if I saw them in a supermarket? "What would Jesus do?"

Paul drew a distinct line, and told us not to be apart of the world. Don't dabble in it, don't mess with it. It's a line we blur a lot as Americans (or maybe humans), and I admit I am guilty of that one. What does it mean in this instance?

For starters, the Gospel is a game-changer. It makes people mad, it makes people uncomfortable, and it makes people want to push back against it. Why? Because the heart of the Gospel surrounds the realness of Jesus Christ, and a lot of people - especially in Paul's day - didn't like that. To have Jesus proclaimed as their Messiah but not come wielding a sword to save them from the Romans and create a dominant Jewish nation was nothing short of disappointing to the Jews, so many didn't believe. Put into the perspective of all of creation, however, and it makes total sense. God sent His Son to reconcile a broken humanity to Himself, because nothing else could make the atonement for the real heartbreaking, heavy reality of our sin. And He acted as a servant - as a role model for Christians (ouch!) and He gave his life for both His glory and to reconcile His children to Himself.

He then conquered death! What caused death in the garden? Sin! So sin is conquered through the resurrection of Christ (why we celebrate Easter- NOT a bunny that drops eggs of candy). The battle is won for those who believe. And reading some of this, some people don't want to commit fully to this Gospel. Why? Because it means we can't dabble in this world. It means there's something greater than partying it up and "living the life," and other things that separate us from God's love. The reality is that we were created in the image of God, meant to worship Him alone, and that all other things we worship (or try to) will not satisfy us. Yeah, we were created for the purpose of worshiping, so in every moment of our lives, we are worshiping something!

That's just the start. I could keep going. My question, after all these things, is whether God would have me to continue to be friends with some people I met a long time ago that aren't good influences, even virtually. Am I flirting with the world by maintaining these friendships?

That's what's on my heart, and that's what I'm hoping God and I will be figuring out this week. Feel free to pray with me!

Striving to surrender each and every day,

Elizabeth Marie

receiving the good and the bad

First of all, I can't say that Cleveland is all bad. There are some cool things that have happened, which I feel I should write down in case I get really sad... which happens occasionally, but I think that's part of moving away.

1. Seeing my parents/Sam. That may have been a highlight, when Mom, Dad, and Sam were all in Cleveland for about three days. We went to the Rock & Roll hall of fame, baseball games (we even got club seats once!) and got to spend quality time with some of the people I missed the most right after we moved. Awesome!
   
   
2. Going to Finger Lakes, NY. That was amazing! It was beautiful, I got to try a ton of different wines, and take a tour of the beautiful Lake Canandaigua. We had an "experience" with hotels and bedbugs, but we finally found a good place to stay and went to Niagara Falls, Canada the following day. Austin also got to try the original Buffalo wings in Buffalo, NY!
   
   
3. Cleveland Wine Festival! We learned that they have really sweet wines here (I'm assuming by the temperatures here, that its Region 1, which explains all the ice wine) and we like robust reds, so that didn't quite hit the spot but it was still a very fun day.
   
   
4. We got to go home for free! We spent quite a bit while we were there, but the flights were of no cost to us, which is a miracle in and of itself! We're looking forward to being back three times this winter, too. Houston will feel so warm coming from Tennessee!
   
   
5. I painted quite a few canvases! Don't be surprised, family, when you get one. Iamnotkidding.
   
   
6. We got to see The Avengers set! That was the highlight of my rainy Sunday (sorry Texan friends, I really would send you rain if I could and I AM praying that you get some).
   
   
7. We're going to CHICAGO! We're going to see The Second City, with Mark Amshey (only after eating at Gino's, of course) which is where famous people like John Belushi, Tina Fey, and so many others started out. We can't wait! There's also a free jazz festival and fireworks on the pier the next day, and Sunday after a brunch or something we'll head back to Mentor.

Obviously it isn't terrible, but considering that that's 7 things over the span of about 50 days (yes, it's been that long, which amazes me) in Ohio.. that's kind of a small ratio to me.

So, in the midst of all of this, I am struggling. Struggling because I just want to have a place that feels like home, and because I am not used to being so far away. Struggling, because I know that God has a real purpose for us in Ohio, but it didn't make sense to me for so long. I have some suspicions now, but it isn't clear and I'm sure it won't be until we've left, and maybe even later than that. But, God is funny. And Good. I wanted a new book [of the Bible] to read this morning, and I felt like I should read Job. I've read Job, and I had a feeling that God wanted me to read it, and that there was a really specific reason.

I read the first five chapters, and took little notes on some of the parts that I underlined me: the things that struck me about this passage. I'm just going to jot some of them down here, so you can see what God is doing (and then a podcast from a sermon at our church that slapped me in the face) and the things He is teaching me - whether I like it or not!

• Job 1: 1 "... and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil."
  I know this is the Bible and all, but this is the description of Job in the first verse. It's the first thing the writer says about him. Would this be the first thing someone said about me? Youch.
  
  {Job loses everything - livestock, posessions, children!}
• Job 1:20 "Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshipped."
  Uh, excuse me... His first response is to grieve and worship even while he is grieving! No, I am definitely not going through the things Job did, but I can't say I responded this well when I was upset, missing something about/in Texas, or just feeling lonely here. It was more of a "why me, God? What is this all about?" (selfish!)
  
  
• Job 1:21 "And he said, 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."
  Satan asked permission to do this to Job so that Job would curse the Name of the Lord, but instead, Job is blessing it. Satan definitely does things in our lives, attempting to turn our hearts from the one true God, but Job still worships - how would I respond?
  
  {Satan wasn't pleased with his response, so he asked permission again to go after Job's flesh}
• Job 2:7 "Satan...struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head."
  His wife later suggests he just "Curse God and die" - basically, "get it over with because this sucks so much." But Job persists:
  
  
• Job 2:9 "'... Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?' In all this, Job did not sin with his lips."

In the next chapters, Job starts to kind of wonder why this is happening to him, and his friends come by, which I see both as encouragement to him, but I remember that they also ask/hint that maybe it happened because he sinned (he didn't, but that was the common belief then - bad things happened to you because you had sinned).

Job isn't an unfamiliar book to me. In fact, I remember reading it about a year and a half ago when I was going through a totally different time in my life. But the theme is the same: do we only "deserve" (funny word, we don't "deserve" anything good as sinners, but God is gracious to us beyond belief) the good stuff? And why, when the "bad" comes, do we not like to take it? We get mad at God and blame him because life isn't how we want it (selfish) and we aren't happy with it. Ouch! That's me. Life isn't what I want, and I'm not really happy with it.

It's just my periodic reminder I guess. Thank you, friends, for letting my share my struggles in this life with you, for letting me share about our marriage (which is amazing, and I love this man so, so much) and "Our New Life."

Here's the link to the podcast I was talking about before. It's from Acts, because they're working through it. I highly encourage you to listen to it, too. If you like it enough, you can start from the start ;) It was a good challenge for me, and I keep remembering how it was an unlikely place for Paul. What struck me was when the pastor, Alex, started talking about people in that Gateway congregation not wanting to live in Cleveland. What? Me? Not wanting to live here? What are you doing God?? Yeah, that just happened. Anyway.. check it out and see what we've been getting into each week up here in Cleveland, Ohio (or Mentor).

Please pray with us for friends who are going through big changes in their lives, for transitions here in the north to Tennessee and people who are literally a road block for us (loving them despite that), for our families whom we miss dearly, and for making new friends and building relationships and community in Tennessee.... and that fall would come soon because I'm dying to wear my boots!!

Love,

Elizabeth Marie

September is a lie, and I don't want to be stuck here

I feel like a lot of things are a lie about our time here in Cleveland, which is making me quite bitter toward being here, if I'm honest. I don't know what God is doing here, except maybe expecting me to trust Him and making our life more austere. The thing is, simple is boring sometimes, and our life is still really complicated. I know I can look at this and watch how God is providing for us and how God is giving us more than we could ever need and using that in other people's lives - it's pretty sweet. But, I am not happy in Cleveland. And every time I tell our story to someone new, I get a wide-eyed, "what? really?" ... yeah, really.

While I am grateful for our 200 + gifts from the wedding, we don't have any of them. I know - it's just "stuff" and I need to be satisfied in Christ; the truth is, most days it's fine because we live in a furnished apartment. The trick is when I need a certain pan or dish and I could go buy it, but we have one, or that I need ___ color acrylic (I have 80,000 acrylic paints at home in storage), but that's all 1,000+ miles away, so I get to go buy more. It's wasteful. We had laundry detergent at home, but had to go buy some here because, what? We're here for more than the two weeks we packed for? Whew - glad I over-packed!

I am so incredibly grateful that we get to go home in August for free. Austin's work is paying for his ticket and mine is pretty much covered, too. We're working out ways to get home again for Christmas (driving) and Matt & Gennie's wedding (flight with points) and hopefully a way for me to get home for mom's surgery, but we're not sure whether or not that's possible. Thanksgiving? Nope. Ryan & Tiff's wedding? Probably not. Just another reason moving away sucks.

I guess what I need are prayers for my heart, because I'm just bitter about being in Cleveland and I'm very bored with it. I just want to wallow in that some days. The unsure future of our move just makes it worse, so it's not fun to talk about. We probably aren't leaving in early September, which means I need more clothes from our crazy-packed storage unit... and we're just going to be here even longer.

To make things even better, Austin spends his days at work doing diddly squat for about seven (if I'm lucky) or eight hours - occasionally he builds a cabinet - without so much as an internet connection, and I try to be productive without going shopping and wasting money... which is why I started buying/making Christmas presents. Logical, right? Productive, proactive... lazy. That's me!

I have no purpose here except to be with Austin, and I really don't like this situation. There are positives: we live thirty minutes from like 8 wineries (WHOO!) but that can be expensive. We did get to travel, but we are still in stinkin' Mentor, Ohio; a tiny city with little going on and a deteriorating mall across the street. Random fact: they pump oil from the courtyard of our apartment complex. Whaa..?

I start thinking and typing like this, and I remember this verse (see below), but I still struggle in my heart. My heart isn't in this, because I just want a home - I want to return to ____ where we live and feel at home. Maybe God is just trying to impress on me that this world is not my home, or maybe just to show me that there are a ton of people who need Him here (not that there aren't in Houston, but Churches are closing here because no one goes to them, and rumor has it, Ohio is "over" the whole "God" thing). I really don't know.. but I wanted to be honest about where my heart is here, and say that I need you to pray with me because I know my heart is not the right place.

Philippians 2:14-16

Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

My family would tell you I'm no saint when it comes to complaints, but I've found myself complaining more than usual here about a lot of little things because of my general disdain for this place, and I know it's wearing on Austin. That's just another thing to pray against. Pray that this "disdain" for all things Cleveland stops growing and that the love of Christ would start growing in all ways in me and my heart. I know my struggle isn't a physical one, but maybe I should just take a page from Paul's book. Oh Lord, help me.

I don't know. I have mixed emotions because I wish I were just settling in somewhere in my newlywed life. That's how it's supposed to work, right? (God's just laughing...)

Working it out in the flesh until the day of completion, struggling against myself and my silliness, and wishing Jesus would just come back,

Elizabeth Marie

Cleveland Rocks?

I should first let you know we're not actually in Cleveland. We're in an apartment in Mentor, Ohio, which we chose because we though it'd be close to Austin's work, and because it's furnished. It's not as close as we thought it would be since the highways here make no sense. Actually - the highways here make me appreciate Houston's a LOT more.

And, moving to Ohio, I thought we'd be in cooler weather. Well, not so much this week. You'd think we were still in Texas with heat indexes of 112 this week! I have to admit, though, prior to this week, there was nothing to complain about weather-wise, minus an unexpected (by us) storm that knocked out our power, shook the apartments, and flooded parts of the Cleveland area - it was terrifying!

The good news is, I have time to do whatever I want. I've painted two canvases the last few days, and Austin painted one too. I've never taken an art class so I'm literally just goofing around, but don't be surprised when the canvases I've painted come as Christmas presents!

This week we started looking at homes. Take this one, for example. At 1084 square feet, it isn't huge, but it has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, a charming exterior, a decent kitchen both in size and decor, and it's only $89,999. Thank you, Clarksville. With some easy fixes (putting in tile, updating appliances as need be, changing the hardware) we think we could make some money off this house in a few short years. The thing is, we know if we go headfirst into this without prayer (please pray over this with us) and without some serious research, we could have the opposite situation. We want to be good stewards of the money God has let us use, and we don't want to waste it. Now at $77,000, we're convinced something is wrong with this one - maybe it has a bad roof or a bad neighborhood. Who knows - we have a lot of options, and we're waiting to see what God has for us. We may even end up renting, but finding a place to rent when all the troops are coming home to our army-base town, or when the college kids are coming in makes it really hard to find an available place!

HOUSTON in less than three weeks! I am so grateful that Austin's best friend (and best man) is getting married on August 13th - not just because we're happy for Adam & Kathleen, but because I miss Houston so much. In Cleveland I've met some people through Gateway Church, at a women's bible study that meets every Tuesday. So far I've met some women through it, and it's been pretty encouraging so far.

Austin is struggling with his purpose at work, too. He's not doing much of anything, he says, and he doesn't have internet so he can't be productive and research things like stocks as he says he would like to do, since he seems to have extra time. This just seems to be a strange season for us - we don't understand the purpose of it exactly, but maybe God just wants us to simplify our lives.

This weekend we're heading to Canandaigua, New York, in the Finger Lakes area. It's about a five hour drive, and we're getting up at the crack of dawn to get there. We're going to tour some wineries (my favorite thing to do, ever) and stay in Rochester, New York that night. Sunday were going to sleep in, for once, and then cross the border and go to Niagra Falls! Last week we went to Amish country in Millersburg, so it's turned out to be a lot of mini vacations for us, which is one blessing about being in Ohio.

In all, it's a struggle. What are we doing here? What are we doing after we leave here? We don't have the answers, but we take it one day at a time and trust that God has a plan for all of this.

Love,

Elizabeth

Life on the Road

Wow, what an exhausting week. Despite not having a job, I've kept myself pretty well occupied!

We left Houston last Wednesday, finally hitting the road out of town at about 8:30 or 9 am. We stopped several times - usually because I had to - and made it to the outskirts of Nashville around 9 pm. On the way there, Austin decided to give his boss for this project a call. He just wanted to let him know that we were driving up, and to ask where to go for his first day of work. Well, much to our surprise, his boss immediately started talking about us going to Cleveland. Now, the Wednesday and Thursday before we left, there was talk on going to Cleveland, which really freaked me out. I did not want to live in Cleveland, and I did not want to be there for two months without my stuff (funny, here I am). Friday things were "resolved" (read: confused) and we were told to get movers and head to Clarksville. Alright!

Well, Tuesday night at 10 pm when the movers had failed to send us a quote online, we decided to tell them the deal was off. So, we went to Clarksville with no movers and our stuff still in storage, which worked out pretty well when we found out we needed to go to Cleveland - my mom quickly pointed out how well that had worked out for us, and that God knew what He was doing when the movers fell through.

When we were driving to Tennessee, I cried. I cried the minute we left Texas, and periodically until we got to Tennessee. When Austin made that phone call, and everything changed, we were both shocked. Austin was so shocked he took his hands off the wheel and I had to make him pay attention and drive. We were both upset, and a million different questions and angry thoughts went through our minds. By the time he got off the phone, I had to change my demeanor. I knew that if I was mad, it wouldn't help the situation, so I tried to be positive and help him rather than bring him down.

We ate dinner with my family in Nashville Thursday night after exploring the town a bit, and we really had a great time. It was comforting to know that they would only be about an hour away when we would move to Clarksville, and that we got along with them so well!

We drove to Clarksville that night and stayed in a hotel, preparing ourselves to apartment hunt like mad on Friday. At the end, we found two we liked, one we wanted but wasn't large enough, and we just have to wait now - none of them know their September availability until August!

Saturday we went to a little market in downtown Clarksville before making the 10-hour trek to Cleveland. Finally, no matter how much I prayed and tried to stay positive, I cried about going to Cleveland (I'm such a baby..). I knew in my mind that the Lord had a plan for this trip, but I didn't feel it in my heart. All I felt was confusion and hurt that we couldn't just settle. I felt that this was God's way of preparing us to be ready and able to go where He wants, when He wants, despite our "stuff" - something that we need to be able to do no matter what, especially if we think we're called to go to Africa one day.

I'm still jobless, and occupying my time with couponing, Christmas shopping (I know..) and running random errands, but I know that the Lord has a plan here. We've already attended Gateway Church, which we like, and are eager to get involved here and meet some people. One of the hardest things was the 4th of July - if we were still in Houston, we would have had more than enough people to celebrate with, but here in Cleveland, we know no one. We went to a local fair that was a creepy carnival (flop!) and ended up with a coke slurpee watching Gnomeo & Juliet in bed.

Anyway, we're just hanging on somewhere between A & B, and waiting for the right thing to happen. It's been an adventure, and I know the dust isn't going to settle anytime soon! I'm so thankful for the love and support of our family, and glad that we aren't totally alone even when it seems like we are.

Love,

Elizabeth

married life

God is so good to us, and in so many ways.

He got Austin and I together, and grew and changed each of us in huge ways in our relationship.

He provided for our dates, and later, a great date - a picnic in Hermann Park on November 19, 2010 and for the ring Austin put on my finger.

He also allowed us to plan this wedding and enjoy it with 190 of our family and friends.

He even made it rain on our wedding day, June 10th, even though Houston, Texas is in extreme drought!

He provided a completely free honeymoon, courtesy of our family and friends (Matt was a big part of it).

And now He's providing for us to move to Clarksville, and somehow - it seems - pay for everything we need.

Anyway, I just think it's amazing. Your whole life (at least mine) you wonder who you'll marry and then you find him and it all just makes sense - God's been planning this for... since.... uh, infiniti? Yes. Unimaginable.

What's funny is when I was little (not kidding) I used to dream I was marrying a blonde guy. I didn't know any blonde guys (I was probably 5) like that so I thought it was just a dream. Funny how things work out :)

I'm just grateful for Jesus. I'm thankful for Who He Is and what He has done, in the most simple terms. I'm thankful that He sees fit to mesh me with Austin - he is patient and understanding, and he is a fantastic leader, navigator, love, and provider. He jokes with me constantly, but knows when to snuggle and be sweet, and he certainly is good at taking care of me. God provided all of those things in a man for me to help keep me under control (I can be a mess).

I love this little thing called marriage, and I know it's only ten days in, but I am grateful and celebrating what we have. We're already learning and excited to see where God takes us!

I love you Austin Michael!

Love,

Elizabeth Haynes

Proverbs 31

An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She dresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.
_________________

I love so many things about this Proverb. The first, is that it reminds me of my mom. She provides (alongside my father), she works hard for our family - even in the midst of cancer treatments - she loves us, and she is strong.
The second, is that it is a great vision of what my future as a wife should be. A Biblical wife doesn't just sit around - she doesn't "eat the bread of idleness," - but she participates in the life of the home and works hard to provide as a partner in the marriage. A Biblical wife is one who trusts in the Lord, and leads a life of integrity. I want to honor my future husband as a godly wife who lives a life of integrity and works to provide for the family. I don't know about getting up before the sun... haha :) I'm actually pretty sure that motherhood will make me do that, in maybe 5 years!

In 30 days I will marry Austin Haynes, and I ask that you all pray for us as we prepare to be husband and wife, that we would be willing to die to ourselves, to give of ourselves, and that we would not forget the covenant we are going to make!

I love this man, and I am thankful that God is working in my heart to prepare me to be his wife!

Love,
Elizabeth

The End is Near!

No, I'm not one of those crazies who think the world is ending in less than 20 days. Matthew 24:36 proves otherwise: "But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only." BUT - the end of my time at the University of Houston is very, very near. It feels so weird to think all I have to do is take one more test and I'll be graduated! I actually only have to go back to the Hilton one more time. So strange. And today, as my professors asked what I'm going to do when I graduate (after I took my make-up exams from my appendecomy-week) I didn't really have an answer. I got to explain how Austin's job is strange and hasn't told us where we will be.

Every time I tell someone new that story, they look at me all bug-eyed. I know--unbelievable. God knows what He is doing, though, and my heart is finally in a place where I'll accept it wherever it is. Some of those "wherever" places may be really hard, and I know that. Wherever he goes I go, though. Last week, Austin told me that he was discussing how he didn't know where he would live with one of the higher-ups in his region and they said that's because the company doesn't know yet. That's astonishing to me, but I guess that's just how it is. And then, this higher-up mentioned that there was an opening in the Washington (state) area. When Austin told me this, I knew my heart was okay with "wherever" because I told him that would be fine. Mind you, it is probably 71 degrees in here and I have goosebumps, so saying that about a state that's so far north is quite a stretch for me and is definitely God working on me, because I sure am stubborn!

Last weekend, my cousin Sarah, her mom Barbara and my other Aunt, Linda, threw a bridal shower for me! It was so fun, and I loved getting to see family and friends - some of which I hadn't seen in years. My mom also made me this quilt-thing (she said it isn't a quilt). Which is a Double Wedding Ring pattern, but isn't finished because my parents had to halt their lives for my appendectomy last week. It is supposed to have an H in the middle ring and an A and an E on either side. I am so excited for it! She wrote this letter about it and how much she's enjoyed spending time with me in the last year and I cried and so did half the room!

the quilt.. thing :)

Sarah & I - my maid of honor


Aunt Barbara, Sarah, me, mom

Aunt Barbara, Sarah, me, Aunt Linda!

Love,

Elizabeth

i love, love, LOVE my mama.

Today has been one of those long tiring days... that actually felt more like two days (The Jerk reference for my daddy). I've been up and at it since 7:00 am; went to the dentist to get teeth whitening trays, went to my classes, worked on projects (three different projects today!) and had an all-area RA staff meeting, and I'm on call tonight. It just feels like a lot. It reminds me of being eight, and my mom and dad shuttling all three of us to baseball, softball, basketball, football, swimming, volleyball, theatre, choir... you name it, they did it. Another good reason to wait a while for babies!

Tomorrow, I'm going home to see my mom. She's having surgery Friday at 7:30 am, and I can't begin to understand what she is thinking, feeling, or going through. My prayer for my mom has been a quick miraculous recovery, and that God would be her shelter and her strength. Now, I'm praying that the chemo is done forever, and that she is no longer in danger of something so threatening. I'm excited to see my parents this weekend because I know I only have a good couple of months left here in Houston with them, and I value my time with them so much! I rarely went home as a freshman in college, but I go home almost every weekend now... Partially because my life changed and so did my attitude, and partially because my mom is sick, and I like to see my parents! They're also a haven from the storm-of-a-dorm I live in... but that isn't one of the main driving factors here.

My mom is amazing. She is on chemotherapy, she is teaching a new curriculum, she and my dad are putting me through school, they are paying for our wedding, and they are supporting Austin and I 100% in our relationship. I don't think that a person can be more blessed than I am to have a woman like her as my mom. Although she is going through some really emotionally, monetarily, and physically challenging times, my mother is still my godly role model, pushing me to get over myself and remember that God has a purpose for me, no matter how hard things are. I love you mom, through thick and thin. You are amazing, and I know that God is doing something great in all of this, even if we never fully understand it.

On a slightly happier note, here is my countdown breakdown (yes, I just sat and counted the days on my calendar. It's exciting though.. and that's just my personality!):

2 days until Mom's surgery

3-4 days until she is released

8 days until I see Austin again

16 days until I go to Las Vegas!

14 school days left (not including tomorrow, taking a personal day)

-- somewhere in here, Mom starts radiation--

32 days until my last assignment is due and all tests are done!

36 days until Dad's birthday

37 days until I graduate & Austin comes home again!

39 days until I move home

41 days until I turn 22

51 days until Austin is home for Memorial Day weekend

59 days until the bachelorette party!

64 days until Sam is 24 and the rehearsal dinner

65 days until I AM MARRIED! Whoo!

66 days until we leave for Paris (even better!!)

Just thinking of where I was 66 days ago is really exciting. I can't believe things have gone by this quickly, but at the same time, it seems as if every second is slower than the one before it.

I trust that my God is in control, and that He is taking care of it all. I'm not going to sweat the small stuff, because it's all small stuff... for Him.

Love,

Elizabeth

what is love?

I don't think I'll ever stop learning about love.. especially since God IS Love, and I'll never stop learning about Him! Anyway, I've had a very trying week at the dorms. My mom had to remind me that I'm there for a reason, and that Jesus promises us persecution. And, there were all these clear signs of spiritual warfare - something else my mom pointed out. (I have a wonderful mom, btw).

So, I have different verses from all over the Bible all over my dorm room, cut out like cartoony speech bubbles (think comic strips). To be honest, most of the time, I hardly notice them. But, there are times that one catches my eye and I read Acts 2:42 right when I need to, when God is speaking to my heart about community. Or, I'll read Luke 6:32-34 right when I need to remember to love those who seem to hate me; when I'm covered in self-pity (selfish self-pity!); when I'm sulking and thinking only of myself.

What else is going on? Well, the love of my life leaves in two days to go to Ohio for two weeks, then to po-dunk something-or-other in Arizona for four weeks, and then back to Ohio until the wedding. Luckily, he'll be back between all those destination changes, and for Memorial Day. I am NOT excited for him to be gone for ten weeks! That's twice as long as I was in Uganda, but with better communication and visits. I seriously can't comprehend how much my life is going to change without him here all the time. It's going to stink! ... but then we get married!

Anyway, here's some Good News for all of you this morning. I've loved this passage since God showed it to me in Uganda to show me how much of a stupid sheep I can be, and what Love is all about.


Luke 6
27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.





Love,

Elizabeth

the end is near!

I keep having to remind myself that these next few weeks will fly by.. especially in the face of exams, projects, and papers... It feels crazy! I go to class for only 23 more days (if you include my possible make-up class from the "snow day" we had..) and then I take one final, and then I walk. There were so many times in these last four years that I thought I wouldn't make it! My second-choice career path would have been a hair stylist - no lie. But here I am, at the end of March in my senior year. Finally.

And... everything is planned for the wedding! That feels good. We finally figured everything out, and it all just gets to wait 79 days until it all comes to fruition. The downside is that Austin will be gone the majority of the time.

He'll spend two weeks in Ohio starting on April 3, and come back for a visit the weekend of April 16th, and then he goes to po-dunk Paulden, Arizona for four weeks of on-the-job training,. After that, he goes off to Ohio again.. for a long time. He's home for Memorial Day and then the wedding is here, and then we go to Paris! When we get back, he has to go back to Ohio for a week, while I sit in Houston and sort out my/our life... and then we'll be relocated. C-r-a-z-y.

While all this madness happens, God is constantly reminding me that there is a time for everything, that He makes everything beautiful it it's time, and His timing is perfect. Patience is a lesson He always seems to be teaching/reminding me of!

Mom's surgery is in about two weeks - please keep her in your prayers. We're hoping she can recover quickly and start radiation three weeks afterward so she will be done with radiation before the wedding. Keep that in your prayers!

Love you all,
Elizabeth

I feel like I should be on Paris overload by now

I am so sick today, it's ridiculous. Although I worked 6 hours, something about the rain and my sick stomach has kept me from much of anything. That said, I have been sitting on my tush researching Paris attractions, shopping and food like mad!

One of my wonderful brothers, Matt, bought Austin and I airfare and 6 room nights in a cutesy boutique hotel in the heart of Paris, France for our honeymoon! We'll be there for six full days. There is so much to do in Paris. I keep reading through webpage after webpage of maps, blogs, tips, tricks, background information.. the list goes on. You want to know the crazy part? I'm such a "planner" that I won't stop looking at this stuff until I feel like I've got it all figured out! Good thing we have 3 months (89 days until we depart!) so we'll have time to revise it...

God is funny. He made me this crazy-organized type-A person who loves to plan things. It's a blessing in a lot of ways: I rarely miss assignments, I never procrastinate, and I can prepare my week well because I know what's ahead. I think this is one of the first things my mother-in-law-to-be learned about me-- that, and how crazy Austin makes me when he isn't the same way! But he knew I needed a guy that would smooth off the edginess, and remind me that things will be okay even when they don't go as planned. Poor Austin is still learning how to deal with how grumpy I get when we miss a turn or get lost. I have to admit, that is probably when my fuse is the shortest - all because I feel like I'm losing control - and I'm usually even not the one driving!

More importantly, Austin points to my heart when I am doing these stupid things. When my flesh goes nuts, at the end of the conversation he tells me the words that convict me so much - that I should pray about where my heart is - and in a very loving way. God made me that way, but He wants me to trust that He has the best in mind for me. (Another good example is how we have no idea where we will live in 3 months when Austin finishes his training. Talk about trusting in God's will with this one! Please pray with us!)

One of the lessons I think I will perpetually be learning and re-learning and reminded of by God is that these things aren't meant to be in my control. When I start taking things into my own hands, often I'm ignoring what God wants for me. I start planning out my life, and I stop asking God what He wants for me and where He wants me to go. He says He provides even for the flowers of the field, so why I am so worried about my tomorrows? I think it's healthy and Godly to be prepared for tomorrow; otherwise, how would we go on job interviews or know when bills are due and etc, but I think it's easy for me to try to make my tomorrows without seeking Him, and following His will, rather than asking Him to join on mine. How silly am I?! That is so worthless.

So I am going to go back to my Paris researching, because I know my time won't be as free in a few weeks as it will be now, on Spring Break. It's my last one, after all! But amongst all this planning, I'll be seeking God's will. I'm glad He reminded me that He has plans for me... even when I am on vacation!

Love,

Elizabeth

love songs I'm lovin' right now!

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Love,

Elizabeth

the engagement party!

I can't express how amazing Saturday was. Mike & Laura's house is amazing to begin with, but when it is filled with fabulous food, family, and close friends, it just hits another level. Everyone in our families and groups of friends got to meet each other, mingle, and even see who is what role in the wedding. And Laura really did make one exceptional party!

When it came time for the toasts, I immediately began to cry. My dad gets this look in his eyes - which I know very well, because I've seen it so few times - and I know he's going to be very sentimental and probably cry. I lost it! I just lost it. He said that Austin was a great guy (so did everyone else, because he truly is) and that he's enjoyed getting to know him, and at the end wished us lots of tall babies! I'm telling you, when that man walks me down the aisle, I have no idea how I'm going to keep myself composed! I am so blessed. After Austin toasted, we got to hear wonderful, sincere things from all of our friends and family, and it just left me with a warm, blessed feeling.

We went home that night struck by the love that our family and friends have for us. They came from near and far, and came just to show us that they love and support us. It's nights like that that I know that God is blessing what is happening here. And we are just prayerfully seeking where the next step will be, waiting patiently. Please seek that with us, because we don't want to try to blaze any trail that isn't exactly what God wants.

Love,

Elizabeth

PS - Mom's surgery is scheduled for April 8th, so please keep praying with us!

another new year, another new blog.

I seem to make a new blog each year... I have one from 2009 when God revolutionized my life and broke me free from bondage. I have from from 2010 when God sent me to the other side of the world and I wanted to keep you all posted on my Ugandan adventures, and now I'm here in 2011, being prepared by Jesus for one thing I knew He had for me all along: wifehood!

I never understood God's timing. I still don't. It is astounding though. I looked back at my blog from 2009, when I didn't even know Austin existed, and just want to go back and tell me from almost two years ago to wait and be patient because good things are on the horizon. Some things were pruned away in a painful way, but it's all brought me right here, living in this dorm, getting ready to graduate, and get married. This is such a transitional period, too. And to be honest, I don't like it. It's the waiting, but also feeling like nothing is going on sometimes. Like I am seriously just rolling through the days and weeks and wondering when it's going to be June 10th. And that is 1) so, so selfish! 2) completely silly. If there is anything I should have learned by now, it is that God has me where He does for a reason. I think of Esther, when she was just being primped in the palace for a year before Xerxes made his decision to be queen. In the VeggieTales version of the story, she doesn't want to do it. And who would? Every little girl dreams of her gallant knight sweeping her off her feet... not being shoved into a "relationship" because of her beauty. But, God put her there for a reason. Something bigger than her, something bigger than right now, and something that definitely involved waiting. God put Esther there "for such a time as this."

So while I wait, and make silly decisions like plastic or china, and cake flavors and party favors, I know that the places He puts me and the time He gives me are not to be wasted or taken lightly. Every moment is precious.

"We care for one thing: Does the Jesus Christ, the Lord of heaven and earth, approve of what I am saying and doing?"

-John Piper

Just something to think about... and mostly a self-reminder.

Love,

Elizabeth

P.S.- mom's hair is growing back, it's just peach fuzz. She's really cute with such little hair! And it is so so soft!

P.P.S - 110 days until I am a Haynes!