Update!

1) I'm engaged. And it's wonderful. Thinking about turning the blog into a wedding planning adventure... at least until 11/12/10... stay tuned...

2) Thinking about love & marriage - I love this: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/02/fashion/02love.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&em

*sigh*

I am so in love with this man... and it's taking up my time... I will blog again soon, I promise...

This Will Make You Cry

because it is so beautifully heartbreaking:

http://www.dayswithmyfather.com/#/0

(hint - scroll down to see everything)

MIA?

I've been a little MIA... time has been consumed with working, moving, loving & this: http://teamintraininglakeplacid.blogspot.com/.

Believe It and Be Satisfied

I've been thinking about this verse a lot lately. It was given to me by an older, wiser, big brother type of friend. That's all I'm going to say - wouldn't want to jinx anything, you know...

Everyone longs to give themselves completely to someone… to have a deep soul relationship with another… to be loved thoroughly and exclusively.
But God, to a Christian says…

“No, not until you are satisfied, fulfilled and content with being loved by ME alone, with having an intensely personal and unique relationship with ME alone, discovering that only in ME is your satisfaction to be found will you be capable of the perfect human relationship that I have planned for you.

You will never be united with another until you are united with me, exclusive of anyone or anything else, exclusive of any other desires or longings. I want you to stop planning… stop wishing, and allow ME to give you the most thrilling plan existing….. one that you cannot imagine. I want you to have the best. Please allow me to bring it to you.

You just keep watching ME… expecting the greatest things. Keep expecting the satisfaction that I am. Keep listening and learning the things I tell you. You just wait. That’s all.

Don’t be anxious… don’t worry… don’t look at all the things you want… you just keep looking off and away and up to me or you’ll miss what I want to show you. And then, when you’re ready, I’ll surprise you with a love far more wonderful than any you would dream of.

You see, until you are ready and until the one I have for you is ready (I am working even at this moment to have both of you ready at the same time) until you both are satisfied exclusively with ME, and the life I prepared for you, you won’t be able to experience the love that exemplifies your relationship with me, and this is the perfect love.

And dear one, I want you to have this most wonderful love… I want you to see in the flesh a picture of your relationship with ME, and to enjoy materially and concretely the everlasting union of beauty, perfection and with love that I offer you with myself. Know that I utterly love you. I am God… Believe it and be satisfied.”

Friehofer's Cookies would go in my care package to an overseas friend

Friehofer's Cookies
Because they are a true taste of Upstate NY! And the brown box has so many preservatives in them that they'll last forever!

Photo Album
Filled with photos of people from home, sometimes it's just nicer to have actual photos rather than sitting at the computer...

Homemade Crafts
Knitted scarf, cross-stitch... something personal that says we are thinking of you!

Toiletries
I'm sure you can't get your favorite American goods while abroad!

Planning Ahead...

Call me pedestrian and old school, but just in case you happen to be there, please sing this hymn at my funeral:

 Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, 
 calling for you and for me; 
 see, on the portals he's waiting and watching, 
 watching for you and for me. 

Refrain:
 Come home, come home; 
 ye who are weary come home; 
 earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, 
 calling, O sinner, come home! 

 Why should we tary when Jesus is pleading, 
 pleading for you and for me? 
 Why should we linger and heed not his mercies, 
 mercies for you and for me? 
 (Refrain) 

 Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing, 
 passing from you and from me; 
 shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming, 
 coming for you and for me. 
 (Refrain) 

 O for the wonderful love he has promised, 
 promised for you and for me! 
 Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon, 
 pardon for you and for me. 
 (Refrain)

Text: Will L. Thompson ; Music: Will L. Thompson ; Tune: THOMPSON; Meter: 11 7.11 7 with Refrain

In 4-parts please - oh - is that asking too much? Oh, and maybe It Is Well With My Soul, too... k, thanks.