Been awhile...

I have not gathered my thoughts and blogged in a very long time. I realize that so much has happened since my last entry. The Lord is funny how He works. He moves BIG mountains, uncovers huge lessons, guides right on through, and continues to be a source of strength and consistency. I am so blessed to report that I am newly engaged. Josh proposed on New Year's Eve and I am still unable to find the right words to communicate the wonderful shock of surprise and blessing. For those of you who do not know the dynamic of our relationship, we were the epitome of a surprise engagement.

Josh is a traditional country gentleman from Southern Louisiana who has fallen in love with me, a contemporary, city-girl currently employed as a graphic designer. Weird how that always works. Getting married was something we obviously wanted, but rarely discussed... if ever. On New Year's Eve of this year, while preparing for our annual bonfire, Josh asked if I'd go 'take a look at something with him.' (Little did I know or expect that he'd be taking me to see the wonderful image of him on a knee holding an engagement ring.) We loaded up onto a 4-wheeler and took off into the sunset, only to pull up into the middle of nowhere – a field behind his dad's house that Josh has always expressed wanting to have a house on one day. When we pulled up, I was definitely confused, but, of course, this wouldn't be anything unusual. The shock began when he started talking – I mean, the reality is that you never know WHAT you're about to hear when they start with, "There's just some things I wanted to talk to you about..." He started out discussing his New Year's Resolutions and moved into asking me to take a walk with him. As we started meandering further into this empty field, my heart began pounding quicker and if I had to guess, I'd say I was probably short of breath. Then, he starts with, "One day, I want to have a house here that I want you to make a home..." I was a little overwhelmed at such great sentiments, but still unsure of where he was going with it all. He took me a few yards from where we were parked, still I remained so cold and so curious. Then, out of nowhere, he led me to a beautiful dozen roses with wine on ice and a camera. Immediately I knew something wasn't normal; that this may be the moment I had always heard of. When I turned around wondering what was going on, he was on a knee – with tears in his eyes, he asked if "I'd spend the rest of my life with him!?" I, obviously, said yes and we stood there in the sunset and embraced. It was beautiful and unexpected and a great start to new journey.

We are currently in the process of planning our wedding. Many fun opportunities come along with this and even though some decisions can be stressful, I am so excited to be planning OUR WEDDING. It still has not seeped in all the way and I gradually grab hold of this beautiful reality one day at a time. Some days it seems too good to be true; other days I feel like its a dream. I am so lucky to have this man in my life. I am so thankful for the ways he loves me. Our relationship has drawn so much closer as we are now able to explore all sorts of conversations that we had never had before. Its been very exciting and I am so excited to see where we are led from here....

The wedding is on October 2, 2009. I ask that all prayers be extended our way. He is the man I always prayed and hoped for. I am so thankful to God who has provided in SO many ways....