this morning, while i was on the elliptical, i decided to listen to a podcast from MSU's RUF.

i didn't look at the date or topic, just picked one.

it happened to be brian sorgenfrei's talk on genesis 29.

it also happened to be the night he announced that Dane and I were engaged. 

wow. i started laughing in the gym. i looked kinda weird. but i was so taken a-back!

i spent the next 40 minutes listening to his sermon, and praising God for the time i have had with Dane since then. i thought back on how we were back then, things we struggled with, how we loved each other, etc. we have changed so much, and it is only by the grace of God that we are where we are. i was tickled to think about our growth and the things we have experienced and been through since then. i think it's so good that i can look back on the hard moments or the down days and laugh at them.

i have to praise God for not only giving me Dane, but for opening up the doors for me at RUF. God used it to changed my life. on wayyy too many levels to discuss here.

PS-- what made me laugh so hard? Brian said "if you wondered why Dane was at the Halloween party in a tux cowered in the corner and nervous, it's because he was about to propose". i laughed so hard! i remember that so vividly. everyone was like "what's up with Dane?". cracks.me.up. love you Dane!

one year

A year ago, Dane officially started his job as fertilizer supervisor at Jimmy Sanders. A year ago, we moved to a 600 square foot house without cell phone service, cable, or internet in Benton, MS. A year ago, we knew one thing: Dane had a job and we were grateful! We didn’t have much but each other.

But in a year, the Lord’s provision for us has come hurling through our door and has blessed us incredibly. We have created a life here. We have friends. We have community. We have a church. We have lived in 3 different places. I have had random jobs. We have been loved on by our church. We have become a part of a church that began as our only source of social interaction and is now a family, job, and blessing.  We have made so many friends.  Rolling into Yazoo City for the first time scared the you-know-what out of me.  “Um, there’s no way we’re going to have friends here. It’s gonna be pretty lonely here”.  But we have friends! We have wonderful, incredible, fun friends that have graciously welcomed us to this town and have loved on us. They have opened their arms to us. They have gotten us a rent-free home. They have invited us over for dinner. They have given us guidance and prayer.  They have given me a job! (I am the youth intern at the church now J).

I can go on and on and on and on about this year in Yazoo City. I mean seriously, I could write a book! But I won’t do that here. You all just need to come see for yourself the life we have built here. I never, ever, ever, ever thought God would have used this town to strengthen our faith, our marriage, and us as individuals. But He has! Thank you God for this—for all of this!  

 

house #1

 

(messy/undecorated) house #2

 

Dane enjoying himself with the land around house #3!

 

our wonderful church!

the place that brought us here