Wednesday, March 23, 2011

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

Monday, March 14, 2011

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

Tuesday, March 1, 2011