Friday, December 30, 2011

My true love gave to me...

In an attempt to spread holiday cheer, or at least make myself feel more like Christmas was approaching, I suggested to Trey that we celebrate 12 days of Christmas. We agreed that it would be something fun for the two of us to do and depending upon how it turned out, maybe it would become a tradition. So the first four days were pretty fun, giving and receiving little gifts proved to be a good idea. Come the fifth day, Trey had a brilliant idea.
*cue oohs and ahhs* 

After we met at church to set up chairs, the two of us grabbed some coffee, bought a Christmas tree, and headed back to Trey's apartment to make some pancakes. 
When we arrived, Trey asked if I would like my gift; please note, I am NOT a morning person and it was still only 8:45am. So, I obliged and waited outside of his bedroom doorway sipping on my coffee and playing with my phone. Trey came out with a jewelry box containing a ring pop. I smiled, thought he was cute, thanked him and went back to being distracted and tired. He told me to wait, there was more, to which I responded, "don't give me more than one present today. Save it for a different day." He ignored me. Trey came back out with another ring pop in another jewelry box (this time unwrapped). Once again I smiled and thought he was super clever for putting them in ring boxes. 

*side note* Earlier in the week Trey told me I needed to be fitted for a ring pop. I told him I was unaware that they made fitted ring pops now-a-days, but he assured me that they indeed do. 

Once again, I was told to wait, there was more. I set the two ring pops on the counter behind me and waited for Trey to come out with the third present. He came back with yet another jewelry box containing yet another unwrapped ring pop to which I questioned why he had unwrapped two of them, because I wouldn't be able to save them for weeks like I do with my Halloween candy. Trey gave me a much deserved eye-roll, and returned to his room to fetch a fourth ring pop (unwrapped and in a jewelry box).
As I stood there smiling at him thinking I was lucky to have such a sweet man, he asked, "How many is that?"
"Uh... four. How many are there?" 
Trey once again retreated to his room. I went over to the counter to put down the fourth ring pop and began thinking that he, being the thrifty person he is, must have gotten some sort of sweet deal on multiple ring pops while he was getting one of my other presents. But he hadn't. 

I know as an outsider to the story, it is completely obvious what is coming next. But trust me, if you were there, you really wouldn't have seen it coming (also, please recall the "NOT a morning person" statement earlier). Especially not with Trey, because he is always goofy and creative like this. I thought it was just him being funny by putting them all in jewelry boxes because of our earlier conversation of ring pop sizing. 

So, out he came, a fifth and final time, dropped to one knee and...

"Will you marry me, Hannah?"

"Mmhmm."

Every inch of me wanted to shout "YES!! YES, I'LL MARRY YOU!!!!" But I didn't. I just said, "mmhmm." Then, I awkwardly tried to hug him while he was still on one knee, expecting him to stand up and he remained on one knee holding the ring wondering if I even wanted the ring or if I hated it. 

It was perfect.


   

     
So, on the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, four ring pops and a gorgeous diamond ring. 
*cue trumpets*

Yes, we took a cheesy engagement day picture, hand on chest and all. ;) 

I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas time with family and friends! 

So excited to begin blogging again! Check back soon for fun holiday crafts to put on your to-do list for next year! 

Monday, November 21, 2011

love

Prompt: Thank the Lord for His love.

As I prepared to write this blog entry, I sat and pondered which Bible verse on love I should use. There are so many. His love is the only reason we are here. The verse I think sets such a perfect example, not only of His love for us but also the love we should have for one another, is 1 John 4:10-12.

"In this love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us."

Thank You, Lord, for Your perfect, unconditional, everlasting love. Thank You for teaching us to love one another without fear. I am thankful that because of the love that I feel from my Father in Heaven, I am able to love some who others do not see as deserving of love. I am thankful that I am surrounded by so many who love me back.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

(un)expectations

Prompt: Thank Him for the unexpected.

We all have plans, ideal living conditions, ideal jobs, ideal families, ect. And our God does often put these plans and thoughts in our minds and on our hearts and if it is His, He will make it happen for us. There are also many things in our lives that are not quite according to our personal plans.
I had expectations for myself that I thought were simply going to come to be. I had plans for my life that I didn't see changing or going any other way. Man, was I off. I am not going to lie and say that I was content with things while they were going awry, but looking at my life the way it is right now, in this moment, I am very happy with where He has me.
Thank you, God, for the things that have happened and the surprises that are yet to come. I am thankful that the Lord is a much better, much more committed planner than I am and that no matter what happens, He is in control. I am thankful that He has blessed me with all of my wonderful people; all of those who help me to grow and to love deeper. Thank You so much, Father, for exceeding my expectations with things I would have never come up with myself. Thank you for seeing the big picture and knowing what is best all along. Thank you, for the unexpected.

Forgiven

Prompt: Thank Him for forgiveness.

I am thankful for the forgiveness that we have recieved through the Son of God. Without it, we would all be punished to death for our sins. Luke 6:36-37 tells us to learn from our God, "be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and you will not be judged;condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven..." I am thankful that not only are we forgiven by fellow humans, but that the Creator of the Universe is even willing to forgive us when we have wronged Him.

Thank you, God, for your unending, unconditional forgiveness. Thank You for loving us so much that You are willing to take us back time after time, no matter what the circumstances are, and continue to love us as Yours.

"Then Peter came us and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin againsly me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven."
-Matthew 18:21-22