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!