Journaling the Journey

"Are you journaling?" Linda asked me. "You'll want to journal so you can tell your kids about it some day."

So, taking a few minutes, to jot down memories from the past few days, so I can remember. Remembering is a godly discipline, because I'm keeping a chronicle of His gifts.

Thursday, May 29, 2014

I enjoyed a lovely last day of school with my kiddos. I remember sitting under the big atrium with my kids and their parents at those long tables, thinking, "Wow, I'm really going to miss these kids." No one was yelling. No one was running around. They were eating and chatting. It was so lovely.

And then, we were in traffic, running late, I was worried about their books...and I walk in the classroom as they shout "Surprise!" Decorations, burlap, lace, cake, food, balloons, and lots of children and parents. What a happy ending to a happy day. And their loving support to Lucas and me! Wow, so blessed!! I enjoyed those flowers for days. *Sigh. Such a happy memory.

Friday, May 30, 2014

Inservice Day at LBA. Lovely breakfast with the team. Savoring these friendly people who have been my coworkers for the last 2 1/2 years. Working in my classroom. Sometimes in the dark and quiet. Sometimes with the lights on and music/podcasts.

Left early and headed downtown to the Courthouse. Loved walking among those great iron walls. Stopped for a $4 coffee drink at CE. It was a hot day, and the cold coffee tasted great. Dropped off many, many books at the library. Nice lady wasn't stressed at the number of books. Found Findley Market and also figured out how to get up to PNC near UC. I love being lost and discovering new roads. Drove over to Eden Park and made a list and listened to conversations and people watched. It was a beautiful afternoon. Drove over to GBS and waited till that familiar black car pulled up behind me. :)

Lucas and I had such a wonderful counseling session with Mr. Miles. Lucas said it really hit him, that we're getting married! :) I remember sitting in that leather chair with those tall bookcases full of books, with the love of my life sitting next to me, and Mr. Miles investing in our lives in his friendly, casual manner, thinking, "I can hardly believe that I have the privilege of marrying Lucas!" This man, who's committed to loving me for life...who loves me as Jesus would...who loves learning with me...who's already leading me to become more like Jesus...who enjoys spending time with me, laughing with me...who seeks to meet my needs... Wow, this girl is abundantly blessed with this man. It is my prayer, that God will make me into the woman, the helper, the lover he needs.

"Love is always moving closer to the other person. When you find yourself moving away, you are not loving them." I still see Mr. Miles' large hands moving together until they touched. Two completely different people agreeing to meet in the middle...they become stronger together. Wow, so blessed to be a part of the 3 stranded cord.

After our nearly 2 hour counseling session that certainly didn't feel that long, we waded through the Western Choir people, and headed over to Eden Park. I was still clueless until we got out at the park and then I realized that the cooler in the back seat was a picnic Luke had planned for us! :-) He had thought of everything! Sandwiches, cheese puffs, sugar-snap peas (my favorite!) and ranch, cherries (also a favorite!), and german chocolate cake (or was it turtle?), and pop in glass bottles (with straws!). AND a red and white checkered table cloth! It was so lovely! I remember thinking, that no, we couldn't have picnics every day, but I do get to spend the rest of my life with him!!

Then we sat on the park bench and discussed our book amidst the loud music and laughter and conversation that was happening all around us. We were together. And it was wonderful! :)

As we drove home, I thought that we don't have too many more drives in separate cars. I'm ready for that to end. :)

We stayed up late and played Rook with Chelle and Andrew and saw raccoons and talked about all kinds of lovely topics. ;)

Saturday, May 31, 2014

We ate breakfast with the fam the next morning, played tennis (again thinking, "Wow! This is forever! So blessed to have this forever friend!), had another "goodbye" in the driveway (those are numbered!) and went our separate ways, he back home as I headed to LBA. Loved those looks and smiles, but slightly jealous that he was eating peas and I was not! ;)

The LBA shower was just lovely (seems to be my word of choice!). They outdid themselves with decorations, food, and gifts. Such wonderful ladies. I'll treasure the Jenga game with advice and well wishes. And wow, that food was good.

Sunday, June 1, 2014

I'm savoring singing in the Praise Team with my family and friends. It's been some wonderful years.

It's wedding month!! WOW!!!

Monday, June 2, 2014

Worked a LONG day in the classroom, but Mel came over after work and helped. What a blessing! She worked circles around me! We went to a new pizza place for supper, and I just enjoy being in her friendly presence. God is using her in great ways!

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Made quite a bit of head way in the classroom. It was a perfect day to clean manipulatives: sunny and windy. So nice. Didn't realize how much stuff I had accumulated from teaching 2 1/2 years. Loaded everything on the cart, and it blew over and broke Dad's book stand, but it could have been a lot worse.

Met up with Linda for supper. What a special time! So very grateful that God brought us together in 2011. Her prayer for Lucas and me was beautiful and our conversation was so special. We are truly kindred spirits! It was exciting to hear the new changes happening in her life. It's so refreshing to see real people loving our real God and exercising real faith and real trust in Him. Wow.

And then Laura called me out of the blue when I got home. Another incredible woman who I call friend. You can just hear the joy in her voice even over the phone. Can't wait to see these lovely ladies at our wedding.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

I began packing up my personal belongings today. Brenda was an absolute God-send! And I never realized how much stuff I have! And now that it's all in Florida, I think that I certainly don't need it all! Less is more. Less is more. Less is more. Lucas will have to help me with this! :)

It was cool seeing the pile of boxes grow in the corner thinking that this is really happening! I'm moving! I'm getting married! Wow!!

Went to church tonight and had a special time of prayer with a small group. It's easy to be self-absorbed with wedding plans and moving, but it was good to remember that other people are carrying heavy burdens. I was touched to see Steve so broken about his lost son. God, help me to always keep your perspective and see the world through your eyes.

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Finished packing up all my stuff. I enjoyed going through stacks and stacks of cards, remembering all the people who've invested in my life. It was fun finding a few notes/cards from Lucas that I had forgotten about. That man has certainly been loving me for a long time. So blessed!

Drove on some favorite country roads over to Braelynn's birthday party. It was fun seeing the whole fam again and seeing Braelynn destroy that ladybug cake!

Luke and Dad Ryder made it in with the big moving truck and dolly (sp?!) for Reginald. Seeing that big truck in the driveway was so cool! We're really moving to Florida! Enjoyed chatting for a few minutes in the kitchen before heading to bed.

Friday, June 6, 2014

Moving Day! The early morning was absolutely beautiful as we began carrying box after box to the truck. Luke was so great about getting all of my junk to fit! Then they loaded up Reginald and off we went. I do confess that I snapped several pictures of Regi and the truck as they drove in front of me.

We stopped for gas and a hug across the pump. :) He noted that my hands were cold. I think God is giving us cooler weather as a little gift before we cross into the sunny, hot land of Florida. ;)

Luke and I drove to Batavia and got our official documents saying that we are really going to do this thing called marriage! :) But, so blessed to know that our covenant is so much more than a piece of paper. This is before God, and will only be lasting because of His help, His grace, His strength. I'm so thankful to be marrying a man who is rooted and secure in who he is in God and who is living out his purpose of loving God and loving others. Again, I remember feeling overwhelmed by gratefulness for Lucas.

We drove back to Meijer, said our goodbye's (which included him running to give me a quick kiss :D) and they were on their way to Florida. I couldn't help thinking that in a few short weeks, I too will be with him as we drive to Florida for good!

Friday night was my personal shower at Rachelle's. So thankful for the wonderful women God has brought into my life. The whole evening was just lovely. Lots of laughter, good food, great gifts;), and that deep peace that comes with fellowship with believers. So blessed.

Saturday, June 7, 2014

A beautiful day filled with wedding preparations with my family. Lots of good memories made today! Dad and Andrew made a bonfire and lit the tiki torches tonight. It was beautiful.

Luke sent pictures of our home filled with all the boxes. He and his dad worked so very hard after an extra long trip. Lucas is such a loyal man...a hard-worker who does his job well. I'm so very blessed to have him be my protector and provider. I can't wait to set up house and live with him!

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Today, we had a very special service marked with God's presence.

I took an extra long nap and then enjoyed reading out of the Psalms when I woke up. Luke prayed that we would not get too busy in these last few weeks for our time with God. There are so many things pulling for us, it will take deliberate choices, but time with God must come first!

It was lovely hearing Luke's voice again and catching up about our weekends. He also prayed that God would help us to have His perspective about our wedding. So much planning is going into this one day, that it's easy to forget all the days following! I'm thankful for a fiance who keeps me grounded and helps me see things globally when it's so easy to focus on all of these details.

He is just so wonderful, that Lucas! :)

And it's late! And tomorrow's another full day of life!

These are the best days of my life! And my future days will be even better!

Thankful for this journey!

Good night!