Waking up in Kansas

I've been lying here awake for the last half hour, remembering why I like waking up in Kansas and simply enjoying...

• the light and sound flooding in the upstairs windows
  
• the feel of the great-grandmother's quilt tucked in around me
  
• the cool breeze coming through the open window
  
• the constant hum of the hallway box fan
• the cock-a-doodle-doo of the distant neighbor's roosters
• the melody of birds in the trees
  
• the lack of sound of cars driving by on Hebron
• watching Ginger the cat bird-watching on the window sill (This one wouldn't have been on my list before. There was no indoor cat.)

I've got to get a move on now. Susan and I head to KC today to spend some time with her bridesmaids. Her wedding on the 6th of June is coming up quickly! So, good morning to you! And may your morning be blessed!

(I love you, Greg!)

Guess what Facebook told me...

It made me smile to see this in my yahoo inbox this morning!



Okay, enough gush. Back to work on login tickets, new volunteers, and a DSL modem replacement.

Decisions -- Answers (in Diamonds!)

Such joy! I walked in to prayer meeting this evening and found a young man eagerly watching for me. With a broad smile on his face, he ran to greet me with a hug and then stood beside me as we worshiped the Lord. It was only moments until his eyes moved to rest on the diamond adorning my left ring finger. He looked into my eyes and smiled once again.

Yep, 7 year old Kyle definitely enjoys getting a hug from me on Tuesday nights. :) And he likes to play with my diamond ring too, but obviously, that's not from him. That's from another someone special in my life...

It was the first weekend of January when I posted a couple blog posts about knowing the Lord's desires and having some unexpected decisions to make.

As I wrote those two blog posts, I had no clue the major decisions that were awaiting me -- I was thinking about roommates and housing. But unbeknownst to me, my inbox already contained an email from a young man, letting me know he was interested in me as more than just a friend and inviting me to join him in a deeper relationship.

Yes, you're reading it right here. I've found a wonderful, Godly man -- or rather, the wonderful, Godly man has found me! After a whirlwind 3 month courtship, Mr. Greg Beeley asked me to marry him and I wholeheartedly agreed!

My heart is soaring, the corners are my mouth are permanently curved upwards, and the light reflected from the diamond ring on my finger seems like just a reflection of my joy inside! I can hardly believe this is happening to me, but it is! I am so blessed and so excited! And right alongside the exciting events of the last few months is complete peace from the Lord and a delightful "rightness" that can only come from Him.

There's more story to come soon... Greg's tenacious pursuit of me, the blessing and joy of our leaders and our parents, the amazing details that God has worked out from the beginning... And yes, you're all invited to the wedding (venue permitting)! When? We're thinking November-ish, but definitely still working on details...

But for now? I'm so excited! And I'm so thankful to share this with you so you can rejoice with us! God is so amazing!

I will lift my voice and sing
'Cause Your love does amazing things.
Lord, I know my life is in Your hands.

Morning Reflections

It's been a busy (and really good) week in more ways than one. With several IT projects and staff moves hanging over my head, I came into the office early to get a jump on them. I'm working on staff training at the moment - poking away at features in Word, Publisher, and PowerPoint to see what kind of cool tricks I can make them do. One of the staff is here early, warming up his voice and guitar for morning worship time. A storm is busy brewing to the north of us - turning the sky a dark blue and causing wind currents that make the turtle doves almost fly into the windows. (Never mind, maybe they are flying into the windows on purpose...)

*Dorinda gets up to scare away the turtle dove so it doesn't knock itself out.*

The Lord has been doing so many (really good) things in my life recently and I'm starting to compose my next newsletter with some of those details for prayer and praise! I'm so thankful for God's faithfulness and protection and covering and blessing and guidance in my life!

And all my soul needs
Is all your love to cover me
So all the world will see
That I have nothing, I have nothing
Without You

Happy Birthday, Lucinda!

My sister Lucinda turned 15 today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Lucinda, it has been fun to watch you grow into a young lady and I'm so thankful for the times we've gotten to spend with each other over the last couple years -- camping, biking, traveling, laughing, visiting! I hope you enjoy your tea set and I think you're going to do an amazing job of helping Dad this summer! May you continue to know the Lord more and learn His Word more and experience God's love for you!

Quote on Prayer

Found on the SEND! Editor's desk...

Prayer is not asking for what you think you want, but asking to be changed in ways you can't imagine. -Kathleen Norris