This time next week I will be married to my best friend! I can't believe it's almost here, I feel like a little kid waiting impatiently for Christmas morning. In fact, I don't think I've looked forward to anything more in my entire life!
In school, when I was fourteen, we were asked to write a letter to our future selves - our science teacher said he was going to save them and send them to us in ten or fifteen years. He never sent the letters but I remember exactly what I wrote.
It was at a very difficult period in our family's history - I had just been baptized and my dad, a catholic, was extremely upset. There were fights and debates all the time and I would often go to bed crying. So I wrote in my letter to myself "If you aren't married by this time, make sure you marry a christian who thinks like you."
Years went by and I started dating. When I got to college the influence of my non-believing boyfriends gradually led me away from Christ and into the world. I never took my own advice. When I came back to the Lord my life changed but my struggle to find a companion wasn't over. There were many days I thought I would continue to be alone. But finally, last September my prayers were answered!
I wanted to express today how thankful I am not only to have found a christian, but a true soul buddy. I never really understood before why it was so important, if one is to get married. Now every time we worship together I am strengthened, when we pray and sing together I am renewed in my spirit and when we study the bible I am reminded that I need to put God first in my life. I still have temptations and struggles but I have someone encouraging me, instead of trying to pull me back into the world.
I don't think anyone has to be married to be fulfilled in life or to be the best they can be for God. But, in my experience, the wait to find a soul buddy has been well worth it, and I pray that all my friends who are searching will be patient and wait on HIM.
Your story is an inspiration for anyone wanting to do the right thing and wondering if it's the right thing after all. Love you so much!!!! I was digging through some pictures last night and you'r in so many of them. I don't know when I've had a better friend than you.
My mom and I drove down to Winston-Salem and spent Friday with Kevin - she was able to see where I'll be living and we visited Old Salem (where he proposed to me) we had a lot of fun climbing the big ginkgo tree and taking reenactment photos!
I'm trying to think of how to describe 1000 Voices without getting too wordy or emotional and it's so difficult! My favorite thing besides the actual singing is to sit there and marvel at the huge family that we are in Christ! I saw so many people that I have met during the last year - people I feel closer to than friends I have known forever! The spiritual energy and power of God's people becomes very real to me as 500+ Christians pour their hearts out to God and to each other in song. So, if you haven't yet - be sure to catch it next year- November 2009!
It was so hard not to say, "oh, don't go to North Carolina" over a year ago now. Sure glad I didn't!!!! It's been where you've found so many things! Miss you and glad you're "home" no matter where you are.
It was so wonderful to be there this year without being so sad like last year. I enjoyed 1000 Voices too! It is undescribable, unless you have been there. So many of us are in small congregations that do not have all the parts to sing some of the songs. It is like a big shot in the arm!!
writing from st. louis! i'm playing with the symphony here as a sub this week (pray i still remember how to play in a full orchestra!) it's been a good trip so far, i have a comfortable room (and internet!!!) so i can't complain.
lately i've been bombarded by political emails from christians - some of which were not so christian in their content. it makes me sad that it is not enough to disagree with a candidate's policies, you must vilify that person. i think we should all look for ourselves at all the issues and pray to make the right decision, not try to use our brotherhood in Christ as a political soapbox with tactics of fear and false information.
GOD is not a Republican or a Democrat! as my best friend said this week - it's a good thing that Jesus is our president - the true spiritual guide to our lives - let's be more like HIM and we won't have to worry about politics!!
it was nice seeing you this weekend. sorry it didn't work out that you'll be here this coming weekend, you will be missed. politics often bother me, it would be nice if people could focus more on the one true God, then everything should run more smooth. keep your head up, you're getting married soon :)
Great thoughts. Enjoy playing with the symphony. I'm sure you won't have any problems fitting in. Are you subbing for first or second violin? We're getting very excited for your wedding!
Emily, Cherry Trimble here. I so agree with what you have said. It is a great shame if Christians let worldly politics divide brethren! We need to be very careful about how we voice our preferences. After all, our true citizenship is in heaven!
"We must praise your goodness that you have left nothing undone to draw us to yourself. But one thing we ask of you, our God, not to cease to work in our improvement. Let us tend towards you, no matter by what means, and be fruitful in good works, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord."
I'm so close to NYC right now (in JFK waiting for a flight to Vermont) I'm tempted to just hail a cab and get back home!
A little over a week and I'll hopefully be back in the city!
I was near Asheville, NC for the last 5 weeks living in a campus house out in the mountains with a bunch of crazy musicians. It was fun at times and stressing at other times but having Kevin visit helped me through! I also enjoyed meeting the church there - if you are ever in that area visit them - so many wonderful christians!
Lately it's been so hard to keep in touch with all my friends and family and I feel ashamed that I haven't very well. I hope everyone is having a great summer:) and that I see many of you soon!
