Thank you, Lauren, for inviting me to join your afternoon of exploration and play! It was such a breath of fresh air... quite literally.
One Year Anniversary!
Last week, Taylor and I got to escape and get away to our honeymoon spot! It was the most wonderful way to spend our one-year anniversary! We were so refreshed by the crisp mountain air, a cheery fire in the fireplace, sizzling bacon in the mornings and the endless breath-taking wonders to be seen in ever direction!
We spent every morning sleeping in, multiple afternoons racing about on quads and most evenings cuddled up by the fire with our books in hand.
Ladies, I would like to share something with you. Every day that I wake up beside this man, I am reminded that God is good. Yes, He is faithful and good. He knows me, my needs and my weaknesses better than I ever will—He knows yours too. Though waiting is hard, please, please, please know... it is so very worth the wait to be with the man that God brings in His good time—no matter how long and hard the wait.
A few years ago, I resigned myself to settling. I decided this, despite the fact that I knew with every fiber of my soul that God was asking me to loosen my grip and release my future and my love life into His care and orchestration.
Mmm, no, thank you, God. I'm just fine. I found a path that that will work just for me. Besides, it's not worth the drama and heartbreak that would surely ensue if I gave it into Jesus' care! I'll make do and I'll be happy.
I am stubborn, but God is patient. Over the next six months, the Spirit steadily spoke to me so gently and patiently saying,
I am the architect and caretaker of your heart and soul—Trust me, child. Give the broken pieces into my hand, that I might make them into something beautiful.
I ignored this sweet, clement voice. I was resolute. I was too deep now to turn back without experiencing the agony and chaos resembling that of a collapsing star.
Then, all at once, I was given clarity to see that my soul was lying in a heap in the midst of the road I had stubbornly chosen. I was exhausted from carrying a weight so heavy. I had no idea why God was asking me to give up the one thing I thought was 'in the bag'... but He was.
"These trials are for the testing and strengthening of your faith—they are waves that wash you further upon the rock—they are winds which waft your ship the more swiftly towards the desired haven. I cannot, Lord, Thy purpose see, yet all is well since ruled by Thee." —Charles Spurgeon
I had little faith. In the moment I realized this, I also realized that when much grace is needed, much grace is given. I needed it—badly. So, to make a long story short, I will just tell you that I let it go. My shoulders felt bare with the absence of my weight. I had forgotten what it felt like to breath.
I was a soul that had fallen apart, but that He has pieced back together! I'll be honest and tell you that the process and choices of trusting and faith can be quite tedious and uncomfortable, even excruciating at times. But, oh! The joys of seeing your failures and dead ends being transformed into something beautiful is beyond description! It is JOY.
Jesus is a carpenter who makes beautiful things. He makes masterpieces out of fallen trees.
Like I said earlier, every day that I wake up next to Taylor, I am reminded of the goodness and faithfulness of my Jesus. I am reminded of that grace He gave to trust. I am reminded every day that I don't know the best plan for my life, but God does.
A lesson that I have learned: if God ever tells you to drop anything to follow Him—it is always worth it. Don't hesitate. Do it.
You don’t have to understand God to trust Him. Restoration and peace are His specialty. He will be your refuge and your strength. Right now, quietly turn to Him. He is waiting.
Pacific City + iPhone
I got to spend a lovely, sunny day at Pacific City on the Oregon Coast this past week! Talk about gorgeous! One of my dear friends and I got to traipse about on the cliffs, exploring and marveling at the staggering beauty of it all.
Disclaimer of sorts: These are pictures from my trusty iPhone—nothin special.
oh darling, let's be adventurers.
I am married to a gentle, kind, thoughtful, jovial, playful, strong man.
I take great delight in him.
He makes me want to be more like Jesus.
He made this week the most beautiful week of my life.
I am very happily married to my best friend.
An Explanation Of Absence.
Well, it feels as though it has been ages since I last posted! Apologies! My explanation is as follows: In the last 9 months, I have been very busy. I have become increasingly distracted by my growing relationship with my best friend,
To put it plainly, I have been very busy with the process of becoming engaged to be married!
Currently, I am in the throws of wedding planning and will most likely persist in my blogging absence—at least until my new life season begins. (I have been in this state since saying "yes!" on June 22nd)
I am getting married in 40 days.
"On June 22, his parents' 27th anniversary, Taylor asked Andie to be his wife, and she said "YES!" They were sitting in the back of his truck by a fire in the mountains in Trout Lake, WA, rehearsing again their love story that began in 5th grade. They had just finished reading letters passed back and forth over the past 13 years when Taylor got on his knee and asked Andie to marry him. The tears that ensued were long in coming and full of inexpressible joy."