it is amazing how little it takes for me to become completely focused on myself.

bleh. there are a ton of things i would just love to complain about right now....but what's the point...how would that honor God and where would it get me? fighting temptation is hard; but i know it's way better to grow through things than always fall flat on my face and wonder how i got there.

the Lord is good no matter what; there is no end to His greatness.

engagement pictures!!!

  so darn happy

so here's the beautiful ring...kind of blurry....but you get the idea....

cute pictures cuz we're so happy!

kisses!

I have so much to say. I just got back today from the last year of AWANA camp ever and it was so amazing!!!

But before I left for camp last week I got engaged on June 28. Ace came early to see me and he wasn't even at my house 20 minutes and he was so excited that he couldn't wait to ask me. So, he handed me this letter (which is totally normal) but this letter was one he had written five years ago to his future wife; so as I was reading it he got down on one knee and popped the question. It was wonderful and I love him so much!

Our wedding date is August 10, 2007.....a year, a month and two days!!! So exciting.

So camp...it was pretty much the best blasted time of my life. God is so awesome. Lots of kids had the oppurtunity to get some things right with the Lord and made some great decisions to better their relationship with God. The kids were so great......I got so attached to my Red team kiddies.

I can't really explain how great the week was unless you were there. The games were fun and the kids were hilarious, it was great seeing friends and family and the fellowship was soooo needed!!! But more than anything else, God just really worked in people's hearts; including my own and I am so thankful for it. I had the blessed oppurtunity of talking to a couple different kids throughout the week  about their relationships with God and it was so awesome to watch God work in their hearts. Isn't it amazing that He is willing to use humans to carry out His plan?? He is so faithful and so loving. I am so undeserving of such a powerful and holy God. But, I'm thrilled that He loves me and I definately going to keep moving ahead in my relationship with Him.

I leave for the Dominican Republic on Wednesday. I am so thankful for what that oppurtunity will hold. I can hardly wait to see what the Lord will teach and in what ways He'll refine me. All summer I have just worked...I wasn't doing any ministry but this past week was SOOOO refreshing to just do ministry literally 24/7. God convicted me that I have been selfishly living my life just going to work and coming home and not doing anything to further the kingdom of God...not doing anything for eternity. I can't even wait unitl Wednesday when I get to go to the D.R. and have another oppurtunity to serve. And I pray that when I get back, I will be obedient and seek out other ways to serve God.

All in all, I am just thankful. I'm thankful for the amazing family God has put me in and for the man I will be marrying. I'm thankful for how God is growing me and teaching me. I'm thankful that God is faithful and patient and willing to work with me as I learn and grow. I am thankful for my life and thankful for the tools God has given Christians to fight against sin and temptation.

"Your will above all else/ My purpose remains/ The art of losing myself/ In bringing You praise/ Everlasting/ Your light will shine when all else fades/ Never-ending/ Your glory goes beyond all fame."

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand im engaged!

details coming soon!!!!

Currently Listening Lovers Rock By Sade Flow see related

So things have been moving along quickly this summer...I can hardly believe June is almost over.

This coming Saturday I'll be going to Awana camp to be a counselor for a week. My whole family will be there and some old friends from Jersey....so I can't wait for that! I will be the only counselor in my cabin this year, so I'm excited for the oppurtunities that will bring to be able to lead the girls and prepare devotionals. Please pray for all the kids who will be at the camp that week!! It will be so awesome to see how the Lord works in all of our hearts.

Then four days later I leave for my long awaited missions trip to the Dominican Republic. I haven't been to a Spanish speaking country in years and I am really really excited!!! I'm not really sure what to expect though, I don't know much about the people or the country other than what I have read. So, I'm REALLY looking forward to meeting the people and talking with them.

I haven't seen Asa since May 8th.....it has been way too long. But, FINALLY I will see him this week. He's coming to see me a day or two early before the camp starts that we're working in. I can hardly wait.....being away from your best friend is the hardest thing in the world. Phone calls just dont compare to spending time with people and actually doing things with them.

But, I have a long 8 months of phone calls to look forward to over the next school year while he's in Chicago. I think we've both learned alot though....trying to grow and work through normal relationship stuff without getting to be together. The Lord has surprised me with the grace and patience He's given me in waiting until Asa and I can be together again. It has been another reason to fall on God's strength.

Aaand lastly....I can't wait to see Nacho Libre.