The Engagement

I remember when I was 16 and really started praying for my future. I prayed about my future husband and children. I started praying then for my children's future spouses, that they would grow up and become Christians and date and marry Christians....it doesn't seem that long ago, yet here I am 25 years later announcing my daughter's engagement.
I always knew I was going to have a blonde-haired daughter named Bethany. In fact, when I was pregnant with her, I knew she was going to be a girl so strongly that I almost went ahead and filled out the birth announcements. I can remember that day like it was yesterday. She was instantly bright-eyed. Her pretty blue eyes were so big and she blinked slowly and looked around as if to make sure she wasn't missing out on something.

I'm not sure how time goes by so quickly, that was over 20 years ago and I still can't help but think of her as my little girl. She has always been so independant and she always has known what she wanted and went for it. She rarely ever lets anyone tell her what to do, (except for her parents of course) and doesn't have a problem standing up for what she believes in, even if she's the only one standing.

So now she's engaged and I'm so very humbled at the way God has answered our prayers in this area. My number one prayer for her husband has always been someone that was a Godly man who loves the Lord more than he loves Bethany and that he will lead her spiritually. I am so proud to say that this is just what she got in Tyler...plus so much more! I could cry at the thought of seeing her get married and move away possibly, and I'm sure I will, but what makes me cry today is the realization of just how much God loves us and hears us and cares about our lives. I'm so humbled to know that He has heard my prayers for so long and has answered them in a way that is just like His word says, "more than we could ask or imagine".

It's so nice to meet someone that you've prayed for for so long. I not only prayed for Tyler, but his parents as well....I asked God to bring Bethany a husband that was raised in a Christian home with a strong Christian dad and mom...WOW! It's not that I am just now realizing that God hears my prayers and its not the first time I've seen Him at work in my life, but its just a humbling, sweet time and I'm thankful!

Congratulations, Tyler and Bethany! We love you!! And this only makes me a little giddy inside knowing that God already has a plan for my boys and their future wives. I can't wait to see what else He will do! To Him be the glory today and evermore!!

thoughts

I have just been sad all morning. As I sat down to put on my makeup I was fighting back tears and trying to figure out what was going on and then it hit me...tomorrow will be the one year anniversary of when Mema passed away. I miss her so much. She was and is such a huge part of me. She's the first person that I've lost that I was really close to and I've been amazed throughout the past year at how many times I've wanted to call her or stop by and see her on my way through Plainview. I've had so many things happen that I've wanted to share with her and so many times, she was the first person I'd call. I loved sharing things about my baking business with her. She always encouraged me to keep on doing more and she always made me feel so special. I know she was proud of me and I was proud of her too. She was more than just my grandmother, she was one of my best friends. I'm so happy for her that she's not suffering anymore, but I still miss her so bad it hurts. I look forward to seeing her again one day. I always thought I'd be ready for this...I'm realistic and knew the day would come....I just didn't know how hard it would be. The emotions that I feel still are at times overwhelming, but I look at her picture that is on my bathroom mirror and feel as though she's still here. I think of her all the time and hope that I can someday be as good of a grandmother to my grandchildren as she was to me and all of us. I learned a lot from her and putting it all into words is hard, but anyone who knew her, knows what I am talking about. One thing for sure, she taught me how to grow older gracefully. Her body was in horrible shape, and she had plenty she could've been bitter and grouchy about, but every time one of us would walk into her room, she would light up and perk up and just be full of joy. She knew how to laugh at herself and she often did so...and to hear her laugh was a treasure all in itself! :) I'm proud to have known her and so thankful to have been able to have her in my life for over 40 years! God is so good!