An Open Letter to my Fiance

My dear Lucas,

I had intentions of writing this letter and posting it on the 28th, but you can see that that didn't quite happen. ;) But I still want to write some of my thoughts down for years to come (or until the Internet becomes obsolete). ;)

Can you believe it?! We're getting married in less than a month!! I still remember receiving an email from you several years ago that said that you knew that I'd be a part of your life. I still remember feeling incredibly excited, amazed, and awed by that thought.

And now, here we are. Getting ready to embark on this new chapter in the journey, except now we'll be walking together, side by side. For most of our dating and engagement, we've been separated by many miles. I so look forward to being with you day after day after day after day! I'm excited to set up house with you, to develop our routines and habits as a couple, to learn and grow with you.

Thanks for believing in me...for seeing something beautiful in me so many years ago. Thank you for calling and coming and calling and coming...with each mile and each "send," you show me again your great love for me. I'm so grateful for your love; for how you seek my best. Wow, I'm so blessed to have you.

I already sense that these next days will be so busy. We will be pulled in many directions. Our minds will be full. Our emotions will be unruly. But this I know, God has led us to this point. We've followed His guidance. We both desire for our wedding and marriage to glorify God, to point others to Jesus' tranformative love to us. And He will help us in these busy moments, to find His peace and His joy.

I choose you Lucas Ryder! I love you Lucas! I can't wait to be your forever bride!

With all my love,

Alanna

P.S. I can't even begin to express how wonderful "Mr. and Mrs. Lucas Ryder" looks on that envelope!

Out of the Mouths of Children

I've had a stack of papers on my floor since the fourth or fifth week of school. The students had to write a poem or song of praise to God. I loved what they came up with and wanted to document it on the blog. I tried to leave their original spelling and punctuation. :)

I only have three days left with these kids. I've definitely been feeling bittersweet feelings over the whole matter. This has really been a special year with a unique bunch of kids. As Lucas prayed with me last night, more than anything academic or musical that we may have taught our students, I pray these students remember the love I have for them and the love God has for them. I want them to remember that the one true God loves them so much He sent Jesus to be our Savior. He wants a forever relationship with them. God's mercy is real! His grace helps us change.

Pray that these last three days are filled with opportunities for me to reflect my Jesus to these precious children.

Here are their poems/songs:

"God your the best. You give grace to the humble. I love you are the best. in anywey." - Sofia

"God you help me not sin! your the most power God I no becuse your the only God I love! your my God your my sae!" - Nevaeh

"you are All powerflull God We All Love you God." - Ralph

"You are our God you are perfite you are our mystare." - Matthieu

"God your the Best
God your the Best
God your the Best
God your the Best." - Ronith

"God is wonerful! God is loving! God is great!" - Anish

"He is all powerfull in all wase He saved us He Helb." - Shreyank

"Praise for God Praise for the Loord! Praise for scol Praise fo make good. God is ior save God I love! Love! Love! Love! Love! Love! Love! Love! Love! you." - Cinthia

"God you are all Powerful. You are strong when I am afraid You confort me you are most powful aboth all Gods there is no God like you O Lord" - Timothy

"God has all prwoer. God you are speshel. God you are loving! God your the eprier. God you are great." - Daniel

"Your my god your my god you make lie in the green pastures your my God!" - Adam

"God I love you I wish I can go to chrch evereybay and Praise you evereybay and I want to diy and Be with you" - Maddy

Love

Today I saw and experienced many forms of love today.

Love between a groom and his new bride.
Love between a husband and wife as they handled their young children.
Love between old friends and newer acquaintances.
Love between a brother and a sister.
Love between a boyfriend and his girlfriend.
Love between a teacher and her students.
Love between a fiance and his bride-to-be.

Dr. Glick said tonight that we are all students in the school of love and we are all slow learners.

I'm reminded that loving someone isn't something to be checked off a list. There isn't a mysterious, hidden trick that has to be found. Loving someone isn't a stagnant routine or habit. It's alive, fresh. It grows, matures. It is always seeking the others best.

Our example is divine as Dr. Glick said. We can only truly love when God's spirit is enabling-when He is in-dwelling and governing our lives.

Love is an action.

"Love is patient, love is kind, love is not jealous, it does not boast, it does not become conceited, it does not behave dishonorably, it is not selfish, it does not become angry, it does not keep a record of wrongs, it does not rejoice at unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends." (1 Cor. 13:4-8a LEB)

Today marked four months when this sweet man said he loved me and wanted to marry me. Love has and is transforming our lives. What a immense privilege to be in this love relationship with him! May our love continue to deepen and reflect Jesus' love.