Oh hi.

I've been so busy I forgot I had a blog. Woops!

Engagement Pictures!!

My sweet friend Ashlee (Ashlee Nicole Photography) took Matt and I's Engagement Pictures Saturday. She's such a talented photographer and we are so blessed to have her as our photographer. 

Here are a few of my favorites I've seen so far: 

Thanks again Ashlee! :)

I'm blessed to be marrying this man in 146 days!

Well, I haven't blogged in quite some time. I'm not sure why not. I guess because I don't have time. And when I do have time it's because, well, frankly I don't feel like it. So for those of you who actually try to keep up with my life, I'm sorry- I'm trying to keep up with it myself.

I could sit here and write about what's happening in my life, but I'd bore you all to tears and in all reality, there's really too much stuff to include. So instead I'll tell you a brief story...

You know those moments in your life where in one instant something happens and you immediately go back to a prior time and place. Somewhat like deja-vu. Tonight I was sitting in my car with Matt, pouring my heart out to him, which basically resulted in tears (Shocker, I know). Now, this may sound like I'm flaunting what I have, but hear me out. I'm just being honest. My fiance is truly the best. His love for me blows my mind on a daily basis. As I'm sitting there blubbering about the things on my heart, he gently reached over and wiped my tears. In that instant I was back in Garca, Brazil in the year 2005.

Strange, right? Let me explain...

The last day of our trip to the Alpha & Omega orphanage in Brazil, I went into sweet Isabella's room to give her a new pair of sheets and a pillow. She was the sweetest little three year old girl I've ever met. She took me to her bed and as I sat down I realized what I was sitting on. Her bed had one "sheet" on it. It was one of those really scratchy blankets full of little holes. She had me lay down next to her and I sang her a sweet song. She didn't even have a pillow. I began to cry, I couldn't contain it. Everything in me wanted to stay in Brazil with sweet Isabella, and my heart was torn. She realized I was crying and reached over and wiped my tear off my face. In that moment, Isabella was Jesus to me.

See the connection?

Well that's the trip my mind went on when Matt so sweetly wiped my tears from my face, it reminded me of that sweet love that I experienced almost 6 years ago.

I am blessed to have someone who will wipe my tears and comfort me in the midst of restlessness in my heart. Matthew Johnson, thank you for being Jesus to me to tonight.

The Lord Provides.

Oh how I've seen this to be true. 

Time and time again the Lord provides for me and I feel His love more than ever. 

The concerns of my heart are important to Him. 

He knows the things that break me, and the things that fill me with joy. 

He provides comfort to my restless heart. 

He blesses me with a joy that is endless. 

Oh how I've seen this to be true. 

Time and time again. 

Wedding, Wedding, Wedding.

The wedding planning has begun. :)

We've officially found our venue and I'm obsessed with it! It's gonna be fun and classy but beautiful too! I'ts so perfect. Pricing is amazing and I feel SO blessed to have found this place.

And today, is going to be incredible! WEDDING DRESS SHOPPING!

This is not real life :)

It is Day One.

Of my Tuesday/Thursday classes.

I'm already stressed.

CAN NOT HANDLE THIS!

That Girl.

I've never been the girl who looks in the mirror and wants to cry. 

I've never been the girl who counts her calories.

I've never been the girl who cares what/how much she eats. 

I've never been the girl who has to work out and burn calories. 

But there are days where all i hear 24/7 is...

"I'm gonna eat this because it's healthy" 

"I have to work out soon. I have to." 

"Can I eat this? Is it gonna make me fat?" 

"There's too many calories in that." 

And with all these voices in my head it's really hard to be the girl I've always been.

The Story

On December 31st, 2010 he asked, I said "yes!" 

We were spending New Years Eve with our families. After dinner we came back to my house to play games and enjoy the night together. We played a hilarious game of Apples to Apples and then it was time to open presents. (We didn't get to exchange presents on Christmas so we waited for both of our families to be together to do it.) We started with gifts from family members and to family members. It was lovely. Then when we got to our presents for each other Matt said he wanted it to be just the two of us, so everyone else went into the other room. He asked my mom to stay and take pictures of us opening our Christmas presents. He went first and we took turns. It was so sweet to share this memory together. Finally, we got to my last present. I opened it up and almost began crying instantly. He had created a photo book of our past year together, which is basically our love story in photographs. (Sidenote: I love photography. So to have our love story in a photo book is the most precious thing to me.) He came over and kneeled down next to me as we were looking through the pictures together and reminiscing on the past year. We were laughing and could not stop smiling as we looked back on an amazing year together. When I was on what I thought was the last page of the book I almost shut it, but for some reason I left it open as I looked at him and smiled. Then, I noticed that there was another page. As I turned the page my heart began racing and I realized what was coming. The last page was a picture of an open ring box with no ring in it. Underneath it reads "There's one thing left to do to make this year really complete...". In that moment I looked over at him and he pulled out the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. I'm not entirely sure what he actually asked me because I was screaming "Shut up!!!" over and over again. (Woops.) He placed the ring on my insanely shaky hand and we leaned in for our very first kiss ever. It was beautiful. Both of our moms were there to photograph the moment, which makes this moment even more precious to me. Within just a few seconds of it being “official” some of our best friends ran in the front door surprising us. After a few hugs, tears, and laughs, we all headed into the kitchen where the “engagement party” began. My mom had an engagement cake made in the shape of Haiti and it was decorated like Mission of Hope, Haiti where Matt and I fell in “like” (We met by leading a missions trip to Haiti together). The rest of the night was full of smiles and excitements. And, well…. The rest is history in the making. 

Looking through the book (Didn't notice his hand in his pocket).

:) 

Our first kiss.

Our parents :)

Our amazing Mission of Hope cake!

Grandma :)

it's perfect.

One Last Highlight

Last thing that happened in 2010....

He asked.

I said, "Yes!"

:)

We're engaged!

Highlights of 2010

I was going to make a list of the things in 2010 that stood out to me. But I'm feeling quite uninspired to make a list (which is very strange for me).

So we're gonna make it brief...


Traveled to Haiti in March with the sweetest group of people from my school. Oh, and fell in like with my co-leader that week :)

Let Matt pursue me and we developed a beautiful relationship, striving to keep God at the center. So lovely. I am beyond blessed.

Spent the most wonderful summer in Haiti. I got to teach beautiful women (And an amazing man) English. I built the sweetest relationships with the most lovely girls. I grew in the Lord and saw that He has an incredible plan for my life. I just have to be still and know that He is God and wait on His timing.

Had a very challenging semester. It pushed me and pulled me in every direction. It stretched me physically, emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. And I finished with all A's! (Yes, I'm bragging. If any of you saw me on a regular basis this past semester you would understand why I'm so ecstatic about this. hard work finally paid off!)

Most of all I'm beyond blessed by the people in my life who supported me and loved me through one of the most challenging, incredible, beautiful years of my life.


2010 has been lovely. One of the best years yet. But I know the best is yet to come :)