'It is a wonder what God can do with a broken heart,if he gets all the pieces'

Well most of you probably know already thanks to FB and I really should of posted this sooner but things have been so crazy since then.
But I wanted to let you all know that...

I AM ENGAGED!

It is so hard to believe and yet I have had like 3 weeks for it to sink in but I still catch myself wanting to pinch myself and make sure it is all real.I do have a gorgeous ring as a reminder that I am actually engaged.


I really thought I would know when he was going to pop the question because I was so sure he would act nervous or something but Saturday,July 18th,2009 started of like any other Saturday .Chris and I rode in a different car and my family sent us back home because they 'forgot' something which wasn't really strange or unusual so I thought nothing of it.So then they got everything ready at market so when we pulled in the first thing I noticed was Amanda with the camera and I was wondering what was up then I looked up and read the sign 'Bethany will you marry me?' hanging over our booth.I was so excited and surprised I could hardly believe it.And while he was trying to find somewhere to park I kept thinking 'Is this really happening to me?'.So we finally parked the car and then Chris got down on one knee and gave asked me to be his wife,which I of course said 'Yes' and he gave me a beautiful antique ring.I was totally surprised and what he did was very creative.
The ring itself is so amazing.He and I looked at rings and I showed him what I liked but he totally picked this one out on his own and did a amazing job.It is so cute because he likes that I love it and is so proud to see it on my hand.:)
Chris left the sign up all day at market so everyone asked about it and all of our regulars and people we know were so excited.It was so much fun and I got to show my ring off.:) It was really neat having people ask about it all day and I had a blast.:)
Then we went out to eat at Lidia's that evening and a mystery couple paid for our dinner so that was a blessing and made our day even more amazing.
So my engagement day was amazing and ever day since then has been more amazing still.:)

We are looking at March 2010 but have not settled on a date for sure although March 14th is looking probable.So now the wedding plans begin and how much their really is to be done!I am amazed with how much goes into planning the big day.But I am so glad that I have my Mum and so many other wonderful people to help me.:)

*So now advice from all of my wonderful friends.:) I know Amanda asked about good wedding songs and I have looked at Eric and Leslie Ludy's music and really like it.I am looking for two songs,one a sweet one about our love and the 2nd one about dedicating our lives and love to God or something along those lines.Can anyone think of any good ones?

*Invitations are another big thing.We are looking at making our own but what websites are good or have any good ideas?

*We have a lady to do our flowers but do you all know of any good floral websites to at least get prices and ideas?

* Engagement picture ideas? My Mum and Amanda are going to be taking our engagement pictures but I would like some ideas for good poses,etc.And I know some of you are quite the photographers so ideas would be great.:)

It has been forever since I have been on here much less posted,things have been so crazy that it is hard to find time to do anything and I am afraid the rest of the summer will be this bad if not worse.

Chris and I are doing great,we have grown so much these past few months.We have had some rough spots where we were both super stressed out and it was hard at times not just getting upset about silly little things but God helped us and we were able to work through a bunch and learn how to handle the stress better and not take it out on each other.
It is also amazing how much better we do in our interactions with others when we makes sure to have personal devotions and then read and pray together.

Right now my Aunt and cousins are here from California and they will be here for 7 weeks so it will be crazy.Chris and I were a little nervous about how it all would go as my cousin Bryce likes me a lot and I thought he might have a hard time sharing me,but we prayed about it A LOT and God has really blessed us in that Bryce has done quite well with Chris around and is even getting excited about us getting married at some point,in fact he and Lili are convinced that Chris and I should get married this 4th of July so we can have fireworks at our wedding.Kids are so cute and things are so much simpler to them.:)

I am really enjoying going to thrift stores and a few garage sales here and there.Yesterday Chris and I went to several thrift stores and got a bunch of Church books,a Samsonite suitcase (a really nice one that is usually over $100),a hand held zinger thing (I use it to make jelly)and a bamboo cutting board.It is fun collecting things for our future home,especially when I find things for a fraction of the cost!
Are their any other cheap ways to furnish a home? Does anyone use craigs list much? I have not gotten much off of there but it is fun to look.:)

We went on a double date with Chris parents last night.Chris and I took them out to eat to Oliver Garden and we had a lot of fun.I like doing stuff with his family they are really nice and I already feel like a part of the family.Chris Mum already got me a birthday present,a tackle box with all the gear.I am really excited as I am starting to get into fishing and got a really cool Pflueger pink fishing pole last week.So now I am all set.:)
Does anyone else like fishing? What pole is the best you think?

*Happy Earth Day everybody! I am not totally obessed the whole save the earth thing,not to the point where I am fanatical about it and I probably do not care about it as much as I should but I am happy to say that this year I have managed to cut down on my use of plastic,especially plastic bottles by using my Klean Kanteen which aside from being much better for the environment is also very cute and hip looking.
I do want to try harder this year to be more aware of the environment and the impact of what I do on it.Cutting back on things that are not essential and reducing the amount of waste.

*Speaking of being better for the environment,Chris and I got to go down to market last weekend in a adorable Green Toyota Prius that our friend Alisha has.She decided to ride with the family and asked Chris if he wanted to drive it down so he did and it was very fun.I felt so yuppy-ish and cool.So the whole way down I was messing with the radio and everything.
Not sure if a Prius is something I would ever want but they are pretty darn cute especially in the Grasshopper green (as my brother calls it,although it looks more like a minty green to me).

*Chris had to do a fairly big project in Sociology on designing a school and what its main thrust would be,etc.I am so proud of him as he decided to do a Green School which was a dome shape with solar panels on the top,lots of energy efficient windows,buying local food to help the local economy and reduce the carbon footprint,etc.I had fun helping him look up stuff and I think he got a good grade on it which made me happy.

*I must be in love because guess what I did yesterday? Spend several hours on a Zero Turn mowing.But even more shocking is that I actually enjoyed it and am eager to do it again.Of course it does not help that the Zero Turn is totally amazing and you can zoom around in that bad boy.
If you had told me a year ago that I would have been outside mowing,well I would of laughed at you and yet here I am and it is really quite nice.I like stepping outside of the norm and doing things I never thought I would like and actually finding out that they are fun.
Plus just doing something that Chris enjoys with him is fun.He does so much for me,things that most guys would never do,like going shopping,going to art museums,concerts,ballets,buying me expensive chocolates,etc that I can do things he likes too.It is totally worth it to do things with him to see him so happy and having so much fun.:)

*I am trying to come up with some new things that Chris and I can do together.Any ideas? I am thinking about doing tennis as I always thought it sounded like fun and he does too,plus his family has a ton of tennis rackets and that is a nice inexpensive thing to learn together.
I would love to take ballroom dancing lessons but Chris' Mum is not found of dancing so we would probably have to do that after we are married.
But if anyone has any ideas of good inexpensive thing for couples to do or learn together I would love ideas.Chris is very much a nature,animal and outdoors person whereas I am more of a bookish,indoors,museum type of person but we both enjoy everything.

*And because it is Earth Day I will close out with a few interesting quotes about the Earth and such.

"For 200 years we've been conquering Nature. Now we're beating it to death." ~Tom McMillan, quoted in Francesca Lyman, The Greenhouse Trap, 1990

"Man must feel the earth to know himself and recognize his values.... God made life simple. It is man who complicates it." ~Charles A. Lindbergh, Reader's Digest, July 1972

"Only when the last tree has died and the last river been poisoned and the last fish been caught will we realize we cannot eat money." ~Cree Indian Proverb

"And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything." ~William Shakespeare

So much has been going on here,it seems like life has been full of the good,the bad and the ugly.Chris and I are doing great,so that is good and then this whole mess with my dear friend Hannah is the bad and the ugly.
Sometimes I struggle with why some people are so blessed in life,they seem to have it all while other people are constantly having challenges and having life throw them a curve ball.And my dear friend Hannah would most certainly fall into the latter category.Just when life was beginning to shape up for her,she was finally getting life on track she now found out that she has MRSA which is such a blow to her.The medication she was on for her Chrohn's or ulcerative colitis has seriously weakened her immune system so she might be fighting it for awhile so prayers would be appreciated.

In happier news,Chris was on Spring break for about a week and we had a lovely time together.It was great spending most of my waking moments with him even though most of the week was spent working in the bakery and getting ready and going to markets,etc.
Yesterday we had a amazing time.We went up to a Amish community with his Mother,my Mum and my two littlest brothers and I had fun showing him around,especially the discount food stores we like to go to where we get great deals on food,you never know what they will have and we find a ton of Organic stuff for a fraction of the price.It will certainly be handy after we are married as we will save a boat load on food.:)
We also went to a place that makes gorgeous furniture,they had the most amazing and well made bedroom sets and table and chairs ever.I feel in love with a table set that would last forever but we could not afford,it is fun to dream though and hope that someday we can save enough pennies.:)
Now Chris is back at school and we are both very much looking forward to the summer,it will be wonderful and then we can work together and save (hopefully) quite a bit of money.

In closing I wanted to post a hymn that has been on my heart a lot here lately.The words really speak to me and I truly hope and pray I will be able to have such a faith and will not shrink.

O, for a faith that will not shrink,
Though pressed by every foe,
That will not tremble on the brink
Of any earthly woe!

That will not murmur nor complain
Beneath the chastening rod,
But, in the hour of grief or pain,
Will lean upon its God.

A faith that shines more bright and clear
When tempests rage without;
That when in danger knows no fear,
In darkness feels no doubt.

That bears, unmoved, the world’s dread frown
Nor heeds its scornful smile;
That seas of trouble cannot drown,
Nor Satan’s arts beguile.

A faith that keeps the narrow way
Till life’s last hour is fled,
And with a pure and heavenly ray
Lights up a dying bed.

Lord, give me such a faith as this,
And then, whate’er may come,
I’ll taste, e’en here, the hallowed bliss
Of an eternal home.

*This past week has been a bit stressful as Chris has been working like mad on a research paper for school.So most evenings I would go to his house and help him look up stuff or sit by his side and read.It was fascinating and kind of fun helping him as I have never done a research paper,much less one on Chronic Wasting Disease so now I have words like prion and Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy running through my head which I had never heard of but now have a slight knowledge of them thanks to helping with the paper.
I really am going to learn a lot more about Science and such with being with a Science minded person as that is what really interest him.:)

*I thought it was really interesting what songofjoy02 posted about men and work.I know that I for one love knowing about Chris school and what all he studied and I love it when I am able to go to school functions so he can point out people he talks about and I can catch a glimpse of his world.
I hope I always make a effort to listen to him and ask about his work and his day even after we are married and have children.Because I truly believe that men do identify with their work and it is such a big part of their life that it would be a shame not to know and care about it.
I know my Dad has always loved coming home and telling Mum about his day at work and he did not like it at all if he wasn't able to.

*I am really going to have to learn how to budget and such better as I really have never done it before.I am not a huge spender but I am use to having enough money and if I ever want something then I can get it because I always have money in my savings.But then again I really do not have any expenses so being married will change all of that.:) So any practical ideas would be much appreciated.
I have read some books by Dave Ramsey which are really good and have been looking at Cheapskate books to get a idea on ways to save money so that has been good.

*I was so excited to find a bunch of relationship books at a discount Christian bookstore for $5 a piece.I was so thrilled to get several that will be good to have.Some of them are more about marriage so I will save them for the future.
Here are three of the books I got.
'Finding Ever After' by Dr. Robert S. Paul
'The First Five Years' by Bill and Pam Farrel
'Every Woman's Marriage' by Shannon Ethridge

They all look really good and I am reminded of how much I have to work on and how much we will learn together.Marriage certainly does not look easy but with God's help I know it can be done and it is worth it.

So I decided to do the Johari thing on here so I can see what everyone else thinks of me and if it matches up at all to how I think of myself.
Sometimes it is really interesting finding out how people view you pretty different from what you view yourself,of course they cannot always see your insecurities or know what you struggle with.
So here is the link and I would love it if you did it for me.:)
http://kevan.org/johari?name=prima_donna87

In other news I am loving this weather! I planted some lettuce and arugula to sell at markets a few days ago and if the rain holds off today then I am going to be planting more greens and stuff.I had never really been interested in gardening much before but it would be a nice way to make extra money this summer.:)
Is anyone else gardening much this summer? What all are you planting? I will be planting plenty of lettuce and greens because they sell well,squash (and hope that we do not have a problem with squash bugs),corn,tomatoes,etc.
I have a feeling I am going to be VERY busy this summer.:)

I love hearing ideas for invitations and other wedding related stuff,you girls are amazing sharing with me either things you did or what you want to do.Not that I am very close to getting married but at least I do have someone now and it is going in that direction.:)
So a few more questions.
*Is it a good idea to have a wedding coordinator and what exactly should they do?
*How necessary are RSVP cards?
*What are some good websites with helpful things?
*What books did you use and find helpful?
*How did you create a budget?

Prayers would be appreciated for Chris as he is having a Trig test today in school and is a bit nervous about it.I hope and pray he does well.:)

So this whole matchmaker thing is going to my head as the 2nd couple that Amanda and I got together is now engaged.Mo messaged us on facebook last night and it totally made my day when I read it this morning.
So I have been dancing around all day so very excited about my dear friends and their wonderful news.
It really is the season for people getting engaged and I think it makes Chris afraid that I am getting ansy which is not true.It makes me think of it all more and think of when I will be engaged but I do not want to rush anything and I know God's timing is perfect in everything.:)

I do have to fess up to looking at wedding stuff though.I guess I want to make up for lost time in some ways as I was never into planning my wedding before all of this,I had so many friends who had all of the details planned out even before they met a guy but I wanted to meet the guy before I allowed myself to dream so now it would be nice to get somewhat of a idea of what I want.:)

It is amazingly disgusting what the average person spends on a wedding.When you start looking how much everything cost it is not wonder $10,000 is the lower end of average and all for ONE day.
I figure their has to be a way for one to have a cheap but elegant wedding and not get stuck paying ridiculous prices as the wedding industry is all about the money.

So for those who are married,how did you get by with not paying as much especially in the invitation area? And those who are not married what kind of wedding would you like to have?

So Chris and I are finally officially 'Official' not that it has changed much and a lot of people on Facebook thought we were engaged or something because they assumed we were already official.Chris brother-in-law actually had a mutual friend call him to see if we were engaged.So apparently it caused quite a stir among my church friends. Chris is getting use to having more people care now because he is a quieter guy who does not have a ton of friends and does not get out much whereas I am the opposite and know a ton of people.:)

Chris birthday went fabulously! I made him dinner which was Shrimp,Steak,Twice Baked Potatoes and Lemon Cheesecake and it all turned out really well.The Shrimp needed something else but I loved the Lemon Cheesecake,it was the first time I made it and it was delicious! I need to make it again sometime even though with 4 packages of cream cheese and 2 cups of sour cream on top it is certainly not good for you.:)
After we ate the very filling dinner I gave Chris his presents which were a Klean Kanteen bottle that was orange and is better for the earth and very hip too.:) I also got him a HUGE bag of Wintergreen Lifesaver mints because he loves them and then a Scripture Concordance set which is really handy to look up various scriptures with.I think he was pretty pleased with all of them.:)

It seems like in many families as soon as one kid gets a special someone the rest follow suit very quickly well that might be happening here too.Amanda has a very promising young man interested in her and Luke seems to be on the look out for a wife even though he is not very successful yet but it seems like that period has come in our family and sometimes it is challenging accepting that in a few year our family will change a lot.Probably the hardest is thinking of my brothers leaving and living lives of their own because Amanda and I will probably not be going very far but who knows with the boys.But that is yet another area I need to trust God with and not worry about,only pray.

I am trying to think of ways to save up extra money this year so yesterday I made Bluegoose jam which has blueberries and gooseberries in it and it is so yummy as it is sweet and tangy.I will be making several more kind to sell and then I will be having a garden this year and try to do anything else I can to make money.:)
Chris and Luke will probably be mowing a bunch this summer at commercial places so Chris can make extra money so hopefully everything will work out and we will be able to save a bunch.:)

I better get going as 4 of Chris younger siblings are coming over and we are going to make donuts from a Laura Ingalls Wilder cookbook,I remember making them when I was little and loving it so hopefully they will enjoy it.:)

I am afraid that it is happening.I am getting to the point that all of my friends with 'special someones' hit where even though they are talking to you and with you in person their thoughts and mind are else where.It is a interesting phase to be in as it is not that your friends have changed,it is that you are changing and are absorbed in someone else.
I feel terrible in many ways because I vowed never to do this sort of things,but it is so hard when someone has really captured your heart and you want to be with them more than anyone else in the world.Yes,I am pretty pathetic.:)

It is weird to think that in all actuality my single years are behind me,that I am getting ready to enter onto a new phase in my life and am already learning that it too will have its challenges.
It is not something I really thought of too much when I was single but am coming to realize now that I have someone serious,it is not just myself I have to think about anymore,I have someone Else's feelings and thoughts to consider now.I can't just waltz off to Australia now or go around and do whatever I want.
Probably the biggest issue with me is that I am a major social butterfly,when I get in big groups I flutter from one group to another and do not carry on really deep conversations with anyone as I am too busy talking to everyone,well Chris is not like that and it hurts him when I leave him at social gatherings,especially when he does not know anyone. So I am really learning to work on that because I do not want to hurt his feelings but this is a very bad habit of mine and I will not totally curb it overnight so this is a growing experience for me.

I have been thinking here recently how my ideas of how a relationship was going to be and what my ideal guy should be like were so naive.I really did not realistically think of how much work it would be and how we are all sinners and all have faults so to expect someone who is perfect was preposterous!
I am really glad that the Lord started working on my heard these past few years and helped me realize that what I was dreaming of was not what He had planned for me and that instead of having a list of things that I thought I had to have in a guy to pray for whoever it was I was to marry and that God would give him the qualities that I most needed in a husband.I am so glad I did that because even though Chris is not what I would of thought I would want he balances me out wonderfully.He is quiet but opens up to me which is what I need,he is calm,cool and collect whereas I tend to fly off the handle easily and probably the biggest blessing to me is that he has faith whereas I really struggle with that and often times let fears and doubts fill me mind.So Chris has really been a strength to me with his faith and I am so blessed to have him.:)

So this year has already thrown quite a few surprises at me which are not by any means bad but they certainly give me a lot to think about.
With Luke going to college and all my family has realized that if you take just 12 credit hours at the local junior college that the Pell Grant would pay for everything and you would probably have money left over for books to,so it is looking like Amanda and I might be taking some college classes this fall.I am kind of excited but kind of nervous at the same time as it has been awhile since I have been out of school and Science and Math were never my strong points anyways.*Sigh* but it will be kind of fun too,I am not sure I will get a degree or anything but it would be good to take some classes.:)
Of course it does not help that my sweetie is so darn smart.Chris is so modest and does not think he is really smart but he is which is why he is taking Trig,Algebra,Chemistry and Biology and is a straight A Honors student.I am really proud of him and am glad he is good in all of the subject I am not.:)

People are so funny,not only is Chris Mum all ready for us to get married but his little brother Johnny told his Grandparents at Amy's wedding that Chris would be the next one to get married so his siblings are spreading rumors too.Not that their are not already rumors going around about us being engaged as Dad saw a guy from church choir we were in at a grocery store in the city and he said he heard that one of Dad's daughters was engaged.Do people have nothing better to do then go around spreading rumors about me?
Not that I do not think we will be getting married,but he is not even 18 yet so I am not in a hurry and it is decent to wait until he is a bit older.

So things will Bob and Bee (Chris brother and his girlfriend) are going pretty well.Bee has not done anything to get to me lately which is good as it we do end up as sisters-in-laws I would prefer our relations to be good.
It is rather amusing because Bob was going on and on about how Chris was wearing a purple shirt and tie that I helping him pick out (which btw looks very good on him)and saying how Chris was a pansy when Bee was like 'Shut up,I happen to like purple' and then later that week they went shopping and she picked him out a purple shirt and tie,apparently we are making that fashionable,at least with them.:)

Chris and I did a belated Christmas exchange last weekend at a cute restaurant set up in a gorgeous Victorian brick home.We know the chef there so when we made reservations Mum asked if they could put us in a more secluded area so we could do our gift exchange so they put us upstairs which was wonderful and we had fun exchanging gifts.Chris bought me a gorgeous gold cross necklace with a Claddagh in rose gold on it.I have always liked the meaning of the Claddagh which is love,loyalty and friendship and Chris had noticed that I liked it and was looking at Claddagh rings and necklaces at the Irish Festival back in September and got a gorgeous delicate necklace and with the cross behind it I think it gives it a Christian twist,putting Christ at the center which I really like.:)

The only thing Chris and I do not seem to agree on as much is medicine,vaccinations and food.He has been raised very much steeped in modern medicine but his Dad is a Doctor so that is understandable whereas my parents use to be more into modern medicine but have turned to more homeopathic and herbal stuff.
Does anyone know of any good books about the pros and cons of vaccinations or even traditional medicine? I am going to have to research it all more thoroughly so I can have more valid points on both issues.

So madness has been my life this past month but in a good way and I had a simply amazing month and am sad it is over and yet happy that 2009 has began and am eagerly looking forward to what it has to bring.:)

So here are a few things that I have been up to here lately.:)

*Going to The Nutcracker right after Christmas,not only did Chris go with me and pay for my ticket but also took me out to eat at my favorite Italian restaurant Lidia's and then bought me chocolates at Christopher Elbows which I love.I am getting utterly spoiled.:)
I have very found memories of The Nutcracker and it was just as amazing as I remember it to be.:) We went when I was a little girl and I remembered how much I loved it and wanted to go see it again so I was so happy that Chris went with me.:)

*Getting so see Chris every day was amazing,we spent a lot of time together which I loved,we did a bunch of things together which was good and just had a amazing time.Last week was his sister's wedding so we helped get ready for that which was fun as I got to see what all was involved in planning a wedding,which is a lot.:) h

* I caught my third bouquet at Chris sister's wedding.It did not help that his Mum pushed me to the front and wanted me to catch it so I did it to please her.:)

Well because elljaycee tagged me for this and since I have so much to be thankful for and all I thought I would do it.:)

*For working in a nice warm bakery on this VERY chilly day.During the winter I simply adore the bakery so much.:)

*A amazing weekend with Chris,we had some misunderstandings but were able to work through them.It is amazing how easy it is to have misunderstanding and how communicating and talking about things clears things up so well.We need to always make sure that we communicate at it saves all sort of headaches.:)

*The Secret Gift Exchange that windandtherain is doing,it is going to be so much fun and I am having fun getting something for the person I got.:)It was such a good idea and I am glad she did it.:)

*My family,but especially my Mum,she has really been a blessing to me all of my life but especially at this point in my life as I have so many questions,emotions and feeling going on right now and she helps me make sense of everything,act rationally and not get overwhelmed.I do not know what I would do without her,be more of a wreck I suppose.

*Very thankful for Chris,he is amazing in every way.I am amazed with how much he has put up with from me,even when I am grouchy or just plain emotional.He is so strong and balances me out so well.Not to mention he makes me so indescribably happy.:)

Most of the day was spent in sewing bags for a friend of a friend's business.But since I was making $8 a hour and improving my sewing skills it was really a good thing.:) Not to mention I was needing more of a winter income since the bakery is not as busy and the cash flow is not as great so this little job was a answer to prayers.:)

Does anyone know of any good books for couples to read together?Right now Chris and I are reading through 'The Five Love Languages' by Gary Chapman and 'Mere Christianity' by C.S. Lewis.Both are really good to read together but I am wondering what to read next as it is kind of hard to find books that talk about relationships but not too much and yet are really good.So any suggestions would be amazing.:)

Chris and I are trying to be productive in our time together as we see each other like everyday (the blessings of living so close and having him be Luke's best friend) so we are trying to do stuff together.In the summer we are going to be working on a garden so we can sell stuff at the organic market as they really need more growers and the cash would be nice.I am pretty excited about doing a garden which is amusing since it has not interested me before but I guess I am taking advantage of really enjoying being around someone as he make the most grievous tasks like pulling weeds much more enjoyable by his mere presences.:)

And since I am on the subject on Chris and I will put up some pictures of us which you can view if you wish.:)
( The Happy Couple )

Why is it that I have so many different things I want to write on here but as soon as I start typing nothing seems to come out right and I am at a loss as what to say? Regardless I am going to try and pen some of the things whirling in my head.

I suppose it is time I updated everyone a bit on my relationship status and what has been going on.So much has happened that I hardly know where to start.Chris and I have been talking and interested in each other for awhile now.Chris has always been a part of my family since his family started going to our church 5 years ago as he is my brother Luke's best friend.Chris is amazing,he is godly,smart,funny,driven,interesting,compassionate,loving,kind,cute,witty and he is 17.Yes,that is right and that is where my hesitation to talk about it comes from,where my bemoaning things not happening like I wanted or every planned.A lot of my frustration and questioning has come from that,not that I think of Chris as 17,he really is mature,he looks older and the idea of someone younger never bothered me,but why did he have to express interest in me when he was 17 instead of waiting until he was at least 20? I guess I shall never understand God's timing or why things happen the way they do.

So that there is part of my hesitation to mention anything,I guess I did not know what everyone would think and wanted to wait until things were a little farther along to say anything.As things progress I have more confidence that this is indeed what the Lord has for me,but that does not mean at times I do not struggle with things,so prayers would be appreciated.

Poll #1308197 Relationships
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 19

Which method of meeting your spouse do you plan on using or did you use?

What forms of touch do you think are appropriate when dating/courting?

What things do you not think are appropriate when dating/courting

How did you meet your special someone or how would you like to meet them?

Do you believe of love at first sight? Why or why not?

How would you describe love? What makes love great?

Their is so much going on in my life which is partly why I have not written on here much.So much going on that I am not sure if I want to write about right now or not.
Life is kind of in one of those in between stages where you are not quite sure where it is heading and it certainly is going in a direction you really did not expect it to.

Before I always thought their was a formula or a 'right' way to go about getting to know someone with marriage in mind but now I am not sure. Now I am really questioning it all as it would be hard to say that one way is 'right' when it all happens differently for each of us.
So that is a lesson I am learning right now,that and a bunch of others.It has all been a real learning curve for me but it has been good.

I am sure everyone is more then tired of hearing about the elections but being that it was such a momentous thing in our history and such it feels wrong to not comment on it.:)
Needless to say I am not really pleased with the results,but I am not surprised either and it will be interesting to see what Obama will indeed be able to accomplish.
I know our country has it off a lot better than most places but I really was am not thrilled with any of the politicians who ran this year as none of them really had the good values I support.I guess it goes to show just how far we have come as a nation.:(

I do wonder what 'change' will come with Obama being President,he has promised so much you wonder what he will be able to accomplish...I guess only time will tell.

It seems like the Patriarchal movement has been discussed here on LJ here recently and I am not sure exactly what it is or who headed it.
Do you all consider Vision Forum to be part of that movement? Is the Patriarchal movement about serving your Dad first and foremost? I was just wondering because in the movie 'The Return of the Daughters' I found it interesting that the young man in the courtship was going on and on about how what really impressed him about the girl was how she served her Father,honored her Father,etc.I thought that it was interesting that he mentioned that instead of her walk with God which is what I think is more important,not that honoring her Father is a bad thing and she should do that but God should be our focus not our earthly Father.
So I would like to understand more about the Patriarchal movement and what it is about.

Well despite how uninterested you are in politics one does have to admit that this is a pretty interesting election and it will be interesting to see how it turns out.
I did my part and went out and voted today,this being my first Presidential election to vote in and all I was pretty excited about it although it wasn't as momentous as I was hoping it would be probably because I am not totally thrilled over either candidates.:(

Yesterday Luke got Amanda,Chris and I roped into helping out making phone calls and going door to door for McCain which I wasn't crazy over as I hated bothering people and am not crazy about rejection but I survived and it wasn't bad for me to do.:)
Has anyone else helped out with making phone calls or anything for this election? Actually I preferred going door to door as the people were all really nice.

Has anyone watched the movie 'The Return of the Daughters' by Vision Forum? I watched part of it,the courtship story that was on there and that is about it.I really wasn't into it as it was one of those fairy tale like stories and I have a hard time dealing with some of the things they said because what happens if things don't just fall together perfectly like they had,does it make it wrong or just different?

Has it really been 8 weeks since I have updated on here? That really is pathetic and I do not like that handy little reminder that reminds me how terrible I have been at updating this.:(

This past weekend I was able to go to a small HSA get together which was fun.I am hardly active on HSA but a girl from there contacted Amanda about a get together very close to us so of course we could not resist going and I am so glad we went.:)
They had a old fashioned dance which was so much fun.I really liked the Virginia Reel which I actually got the hang of it...kind of.:)
They started out with a Regency type,just like what you see on all of the Jane Austen movies so it was pretty cool to get a chance to do it.:)

Does anyone know of any good books on World War 1 or on Godly Womenhood? I am trying to find good books in both those areas so recommendations are appreciated.:)

A lot has been going on in my life right now which I really am not at liberty to talk about at this time but I could really use prayers as I am trying to sort through a lot of emotions and things are happening not as I planned or anything but that does not make it all bad.But prayers would be appreciated.:)

In my life it seems like I have so many hopes and dreams for the future,so many things that I want to do and hope to do but when it boils down to it I wonder what I really want to live for.What do I really want to dedicate my life to? I admire people like Amy Carmichael,Mother Theresa and the like because they really dedicated their lives to a cause,they had a passion and lived it out.That is truly commendable and I am having a hard time finding what I want to live for.Especially coming from America where everything is easy and quick and most people spend their lives living for pleasure,well it is very easy to get caught in that trap and when I realize I am slipping into that mode I am disgusted with myself,but only in my better moments.:(
I guess right now I am just trying to figure out what His will for me is.Just because he has called other people to live overseas and devote their life to others doesn't mean that is exactly what He has called me to do and I struggle with that as sometimes I feel like I might be called to a lesser work because I am not as faithful or strong.

*My darling brother Luke started college classes this week from a local community college,I am so excited for him! He was a bit nervous starting classes as he really did not know what to expect but he is a smart boy and college classes really are not that hard,and he is quickly finding that out.:) Mum has been bemoaning that she did not have the money to send us girls to college but at this point in my life I am fine with not going to college,at one point I thought that is what God wanted for me but then He brought the bakery into our life and I cannot complain as it has been wonderful.It is funny how God so often takes your dreams,things you wanted so dearly and gives you something better.

*Where do you want to be in 10 years? What passions has the Lord given you? What gift and talents are you able to use for the Lord?

*I really do have somewhat of a excuse this time for not getting on for a very long time as things have been insanely crazy with my Aunt and cousins here from California.

*I now have overly healthy self esteem as my cousin Bryce (7) is totally in love with me and made me feel wonderful about myself his whole visit as he preferred me over everyone else.He finds it incredibly cruel that one cannot marry ones cousin and is trying to figure out how to get around it,so he has reckoned that when he turns 18 he will take me to England to live,but my Aunt had to sadly inform him that the laws there are still the same.:)

*Helped out at the food pantry today and going there and seeing many young families struggling got me to thinking about what I would do if I was married and had a young family and not much money,for me to save on the food bill I would have a garden (if I could) and can as much as possible,it would be awfully hard to take assistance from the Government unless I had to.

*My Aunt bought the soundtrack to musical 'Wicked' while she was here and I fell in love with it! Has anyone actually seen the musical? Is it pretty good?

*Is anyone keeping up with the Olympics? I haven't watched any of it but have been keeping tabs on how many medals We have,etc.It seems to be pretty exciting and good.:)