pulse check

Well praise the Lord, hallelujah -- we have broken the 60 degree barrier for the first time in over 5 months. Minnesota might have just made it to springtime - although saying that makes me fear a snow storm coming out of nowhere again in the next 5 minutes. I'll be the first to admit that the months of winter aren't my best and lets be honest, I've got no poker face.

We can't blame the weather for everything so I will be at least one to admit that I've let my soul get consumed with stress and planning and general do-it-yourself- overwhelming-ness lately. Is that a word? It should be. And it's no wonder I feel like that because we are not supposed to do this life that way -- on our own, day after day, in constant catch up mode.

Finally, it feels like theres an awakening coming on. And it's time to participate. I found myself reminding someone the other day that there is so much good yet to come. And there is. But there is also so much good happening now even if it feels like pure chaos.

Let me give you a little preview:

Next week I'll be headed off to Honduras again to see some of my dear friends who I left there almost a year ago. Trying to mentally prepare for that. And also plan this trip for 15 other people who are coming with me (never done that one before).

We are getting married. Like soon. (!) And that is so exciting to think about -- getting to spend this life with the man I love the most. It is certainly an adventure but there is a lot of planning that goes into making that one day happen -- the day that is the beginning of all the rest of the days yet to come. Our wedding will be an awesome celebration but it is only the first day of many days of marriage and we are more excited for that. And besides...picking out shades of bridesmaids dresses has proven to be no small feat.

JT's seminary program comes with a lot of major life changes for us, which is both awesome and overwhelming at the same time. More on that later I suppose.

So I think the trick here is to recognize and celebrate all the good that's happening. To stabilize ourselves on the rock that is our God and come back to Him for rejuvenation, refreshment and inspiration. It comes from no one and nothing else. This world, our lives, are never going to stop spinning so we've got to focus on what really matters and move towards it with all our heart.

Here's to the second day of real spring. To real awakening. To dusting off the cold dark winter of our hearts and celebrating all the good that is already here and yet to come.

making it official

So because no news is actually official till you blog about it, here's the engagement post. JT and I decided it was a good idea to keep each other around for a bit longer. Like the rest of our lives kind of longer. eeeeeeek!

He took me to one of our favorite spots in the city and made us get out of the car (which in any other circumstance would not have happened because it was freezing cold and windy enough to knock a moose over.) We sat on the same bench we did two years ago when I was leaving for Honduras and he had plenty of his own adventures ahead of him. There was so much uncertainty and so much giving over to our Lord and prayer and sweet words back then.

So this week we found ourselves there again, with so much gratitude in our hearts for the blessing of each other and the strength that comes out of trust and surrender. He pulled out one of his journals that he had written in a month after we had met and read some words that of course made all of my emotions come pouring out of my eyes. And then, like any man should, he got down on one knee, used my whole name, and asked me to be his wife. (!)

I know I said yes because I've got this gorgeous piece of jewelry on my finger now from a man that I love very much. We felt obligated to take pictures because that's just what you do but it was so cold, this is, in fact, the only one we snapped that night.

J, you are a good man. You are my man. My life is better with you in it and I thank God every day that he has blessed me like he has. I am so excited for all of the adventures to come -- for the crazy stuff and the really normal stuff -- because you're going to be there. I can't wait to be a pastor's wife. To be a mama for our kids. To be supported by you as I pursue my own passions. To be on your team. You're going to be such a good husband and a good dad because of the kind of man you already are. I trust you and will follow you to the ends of the earth. Love, E.

away from the daily

Well it sure is amazing what a few days away from the daily can do for ya. Happy flippin' long Easter weekend! 

JT and I had such a great time visiting family and some new and old friends -- one of those times where you feel like all these people from different seasons of your life end up in the same place over the same weekend. Just awesome. 

Also, having a road trip buddy that will sing along to your entire CD collection with you makes the ride exponentially more enjoyable.

Now that I'm back at 'em, I thought I'd share with you all my somewhat new adventures in blog design.  Since this is still a bit of an organic process for me, I am offering FREE designs right now for anyone who wants one. Take me up on it, seriously. I'm kinda loving this. 

Elsha was kind enough to let me work with her blog, below is the finished product of her header, nav bar and bio. Check out this lady's blog here.