And this is our Love story

What happened Friday night is nothing like I had ever pictured, but the way that Matt asked me to marry him was everything I never knew I wanted. It was perfect. I have wanted to marry him and we'd talked about it, but I was SO surprised because I thought it wasn't for a while.
I wrote this after it had happened:

"Today has been such a crazy day, and I totally over booked myself with just 5 hours of sleep. I turned in a 15 page paper, attended a recital, took a test, worked and performed in a concert. That was all just from 9-5. I was running from one event to the other praying that God would help me to make the night happen. Thank you for helping me keep sane while getting everything done today. I had an event tonight: A photo shoot where my friend Leah, a professional photographer, was coming to capture the beautiful women of cottages 20 and 21. I didn't think anyone was going to show up, but 14 out of 17 came! This is one praise of many Lord. I enjoyed using make-up to accent the beautiful features each woman had. I didn't want any of them to feel flawed. We all had so much fun taking pictures with different poses. If there are any single Godly men out there in need of a hot date, shoot, I got plenty! Leah is so gifted with working with high maintenance people. It was loud with music and laughter, but she patiently made art with each pose. It was funny because I kept thinking why are Kendra and Chris hanging around. So Matt shows up looking really hot, and I thought: Wow he even flat ironed his hair. That's a first. And he even has a suit jacket on. Hm, he looks good and he thinks he's going to get into the pictures.
Well, little did I know that Rob, Leah and Matt had it all planned out. We started taking pictures and Leah suggested different poses. It was fun and I was clueless. Matt then says, Oh, I can I try one? Oblivious me says yes and he drops to one knee. In my head I am thinking, wow-this is embarrassing in front of all these people, and say out loud-"What am I doing?" Ha. I am silly. Leah says well, I think Matt can tell you. Matt proceeds to try to convince me to look at him. I was SO surprised. He told me he loved me and then said something like this: I love you means just as much as that awkward time I first said it one my drive way. I am amazed by the way you've challenged me to love, encouraged me to love and how you have caused me to love so much deeper, not just you but everyone, and love others the way we have wanted to. One of the things that we have learned together is that life is about making choices, and Brittany, I choose you. With this ring that my grandparents started a lifelong relationship 55 years ago, I wanted to know if we would start one together? Will you marry me?
I proceeded to say yes and give him a bear hug. Thank you Lord this dating thing is done. We get to love each other, you and your people together for the rest of our lives."

Life is about community. I had always said that getting proposed to in front of other people would be so embarrassing. The more I have thought about it these last few days though, I know it was perfect. I pray that the girls in my cottages would see how God has changed us and know that God knows their desires and if it's His will for them to be married or not, it will all work out if they do it His way. Biggest thanks to Leah and Rob, Kendra and Chris.

I'm getting hungry just writing this one

In just 7 short days, we'll be feasting. I am preparing now by eating smaller meals so that I can have all the more room for food-goodness. My favorite food at Thanksgiving would have to be homemade mashed potatoes,gravy and corn mixed together. Emphasis on the homemade part. My favorite dessert is apple pie and vanilla ice cream. What's yours?

Remember

T.S. Elliot says "We must never cease from exploring. At the end of all of our exploring will be to arrive at where we begin and know the place for the first time."

This wonderful quote is from a beautiful author. Every time I have a huge term paper, I always stumble along a quote from Elliot and enjoy the statement because it is good, so good, to learn. If my life had a theme this week, as simple as it is, it would be "remember." Inspite of the things in life that have brought sadness, God has had so much grace in restoring the life of my own and my family. It was so encourageing to think and focus on these things and may I challenge you to do the same!

One Gift. Anther a heist.

When I was a Jr. in high school, my parents were obedient to help plant a church in Elk Grove, California. This was really hard for me because I was serving the high school group in leading worship and I had a lot of fun with the friends I had made. I felt torn between being with my parents and all of the friendships I had made. My parents were gracious and allowed my sister and me to continue at our church while the rest of the family was at the new church. So, my parents made the 30 hour treck acrost town to serve in starting this church, Tree of Life Community Church (TLC for short). We would try to help out and be as supportive as possible but my parents are amazing at serving this new body. The people that went to the church were so wonderful and loving. Yes, there were those funny ones, but my parents have been a blessing and been blessed by this church. To the amazing part: They have been meeting in a school cafeteria since the begining and God brought about an amazing opportunity to start creating a place of their own. Land is highly expensive in Elk Grove and a landowner of 5 acres decided that he did not want to sell his land to coorperate vultures but to a church for 1/5 of the value. He is selling 5 acres of land for 500,000. The parent church committed to give TLC 200,000 and TLC had to raise 300,000. Believe it or not, 41 out of the 42 families that attend committed to give 339,000, beyong their tithing. This is so amazing and an obvious working of our God. The people of this church are in no way rich, but generous with what they have. Isn't it beautiful when the body provides sacrifices for the bride of Christ?
Ironically the church I attend in Riverside, Sandals, is doing a series on the heist (many so called Christians think they are getting away with stealing from God). Sadly this is true. However, I can only speak truth, seek truth and actively live it out in my communtiy. Wouldn't it be different to see the followers of Christ, or those that call themselves that, make His bride beautiful through sacraficial obedience all the time?