I've got a Thankful Heart

Thursday, Andre and I went to the city to choose our wedding rings. We went to the same jeweler that he bought the engagement ring from. Obviously I wasn't there with him when he did that, so I was trying to picture how this place looked. He warned me- "It's a wholesale jeweler not a jewelry store" but nonetheless I pictured a Street front window, bright store with millions of rings on display.... What I got was a huge surprise. A teeny tiny little room on the 15th floor of a high rise, 2 doorbells to be buzzed in, a dark room with a HUGE safe. Not how I pictured it, however the guy was amazing. He was patient with me since I had NO clue what kind of ring I wanted, and I wanted to try them ALL on with the e-ring. I fell absolutely in love with a platinum eternity band with diamonds and sapphires alternating all the way around. Turns out the ring was already EXACTLY in my size. All he had to to was shine it up for us and I got to take it home that day! Andre picked out an 18K white gold comfort fit band. He can pick up his on Monday. The jeweler also gave us an amazing price since we paid wholesale for it and not retail. What a blessing. Thank you God for John the jeweler.

After we got the rings we met with the Best man, and 2 groomsmen for some drinks and snacks. We chatted about the wedding and I started getting so excited and that feeling that it's real sank in. When we got home I told Andre that I am so thankful for his friends. They are so kind and loving and supportive. Thank you God for Izzy, John and Brian.

Also on my heart right now, is to be thankful for my coworkers. I left a job back in November and was hesitant about starting a new job with new people and everything. But my current job has SO MANY christians! I didn't work with a single Christian in my previous job and it has been AMAZING to just be able to talk to my coworkers candidly about the work the Lord is doing in us. I am so thankful for them.

Psalm 107:1 (NIV) "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."

Feeling sad...

I worked the 3pm-11pm shift tonight. All I can think about is Andre's grandpa. I need clarity. I can't cry out to God anymore. I need help! I tried to focus on my work while I was there, but for some reason my mind just keeps coming back to this beloved sweet man. I don't have much to say tonight. I just need you Lord. Please be with Andre and I while we decide how we can make sure to include Grandpa in our wedding. Please tell us what your will is, and it be done.

I pray for you "dad".

God's will:

Ephesians 6:5-8

"Be Obedient"

Slaves, be obedient to those who are your earthly masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as to Christ; not in the way of eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that whatever good any one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

Father's Day

We got up early this morning to have nice breakfast at the nearby diner. It was fabulous- as one would expect. We had to split the holiday so we headed into Manhattan to spend the morning/early afternoon with Andre's Grandfather.

He is a very difficult man to shop for so our gift to him was a "#1 Grandpa" picture frame with a picture of the two of us. It was very simple and cost hardly anything- and yet we seemed to make his day/week/month with this simple gift. It got me thinking how sometimes little gestures like that really are more important than big fancy gifts.

Unfortunately though, the trip wasn't all fun and laughter. His grandfather is a father to him (and just like my own grandpa since I never got to meet mine). But age is getting the worst of him and the poor sweet man is coming very frail and sickly. I fear the absolute worst- that he may not make it to see his one and only grandchild get married. We still have 3.5 months before the big day. And even if God doesn't take him home before then, he may be in no shape to make the trip to long island and attend the wedding.

I spoke to Andre about holding the actual marriage ceremony at his parent's home. His grandparents can be in their pjs if they want! We'll bring my parents and sister over there so they can witness it and we can do a really small ceremony so that everyone who matters is with us. Andre hates the idea (but I think he really just hates the idea of his grandfather ailing). It's such a horrible situation. I need clarity on how to make this situation work- and how we can make SURE that his grandfather is included in the wedding one way or another. Even if we have to marry before the wedding, in his parents apartment.

ugh.

On another note- after that emotional visit we spend the afternoon/evening with my family and gave Daddy his father's day gift. We had lots of laughs over there which helped our moods cheer up a little bit.

Off to bed now. I'm working the evening shift tomorrow (3pm-11pm) so I get to sleep in a little big (praise Jesus).

Thinking of fathers today. OUR LORD my father, my Daddy, and Andre's Grandfather who is the same to me as he is to Andre:
Proverbs 23:24
The father of a righteous man has great joy;
he who has a wise son delights in him. (NIV)

Keeping busy

I got my first pedicure for the summer season this morning (yay summer has FINALLY arrived in NY!!). I got all primped up and Andre and I went to NJ for our friends C and N's engagement party. I am so glad these two are finally deciding to get married! They dated for 11 years and are just the cutest couple! Andre and I are the first couple of all our friends to get married- but it seems that we have started a trend. Since we got engaged, two couples followed suit, and two more guys are starting their ring shopping. It's so exciting to see all of our friends growing at the same pace we are. After our wedding, we're going to need to go to many other weddings, and it's just so much fun. Wedding conversations constantly-what more can a girl ask for!?

Tomorrow is going to be a busy day. We'll be heading up to early morning service at church. Going straight into Manhattan to visit with Andre's grandfather and give him his father's day gift- then traveling an hour into long island to spend dinner and the evening with Daddy and do the same for him.

We are so blessed to both have such loving families. I'm still getting used to splitting/sharing all the holidays, but we've been doing it since we got engaged. We hosted Easter which was really exciting, and I am really looking forward to hosting more holidays in the future so both families can be together (which is good for so many reasons, and everyone gets along so well!)

Tonight's reminder is about staying too busy. Between working, exercise, cooking, visiting families, attending celebrations, church, fellowship etc. We can get too busy or tired. My reminder is to take time to give my burdens (of every kind) to God.

Matthew 11:28 ESVCome to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

My first post!

Greetings!! This is my first post ever, blogging. I got the idea from one of my fellow "Knotties" and I love hers so I figured I would try to get into it. I think this will be a really great way to save some of my thoughts during our whole wedding planning process, and into our marriage.

Today Andre and I went to go pick up my gift for him for his 29th birthday/Graduation for his Masters degree. He got his iPad2 and is LOVING it already. Afterwards we picked up a gift for his grandfather for Father's day and got dinner at BoulderCreek.

We're down to 113 days left (almost 112 at this point, it's kinda late) until the big day. I get more and more excited every day to become one with my best friend. Our big checks that are left:

-Pick out wedding rings (going on thursday)
-Mail out invitations (July 8th ish)
-Go for first dress fitting
-Pick out groomsmens' gifts

Bible verse for the day. I know I still have 3.5 months to wait. I know there is a lot to do in planning and it would be very easy to go crazy. Today we study Patience.

Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. (NKJV)