Back to Carthage

Well, I'm back. I got into Buffalo from Seattle at 130am! AHH...what a mess that trip was. First the airline shifted me back and fortha couple of times between lines. Then they had me weigh my bags because they couldn't be over a certain weight, then I had to shift items from one bag to another because of this said weight, THEN they changed my flight, THEN I GET STUCK IN CHICAGO for a couple of extra hours-AHHHH! BUT the important thing is that I am back in NY.

All I know is that it's been a LONG time since I have been out and about at THAT time. I don't know that I have anything else that I have been pondering or wanting to share....what I will say though is that if you haven't seen: The Chronicles of Narnia, RUN don't walk to the theatre! It was an awesome reminder of what it is all about!

Oh! We also ordered our wedding invitations....they are sooo pretty!! Between that, getting the real engagement ring and my dress it is really starting to feel very real. It still seems hard to believe ; like I am in dream or planning something for someone else. I don't know that I can wait 4 MORE MONTHS!!

My in-law family is GREAT!! Such a heritage! Practiclly everyone is saved and the majority are in ministry and many in vocational mininstry! I am so excited and honored to become part of a great family like this. (the pic above is THE ring).

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

The Proposal (revised)

Paul flew in to the Buffalo airport to spend Thanksgiving in N.Y. with me. We had already gone ring shopping in Reno in October and selected a ring. Paul had already spoken to my parents to request permission to propose and knew that he had to do it that night or someone would probably slip up and tell me.
After dinner at the Anchor Bar (A restaurant whose fame came from being the birth place of Buffalo wings), Paul said he would drive and went to Riverside Park in the city. Upon arriving, Paul realized that the web site that showcased the park as a vast and lush expanse had lied. It was more of a kids' park with soccer fields, swimming pool, basketball courts and such. There was a gazebo across the highway overlooking two other highways and another highway and the river lol. Since it was only about 5 degrees or less outside, Paul's plan to play a song on his guitar did not work, as it was also too cold. After a few minutes, we started to head back to the car because it was REALLY cold. On the way, Paul stooped down by a tree in the middle of the park. I warned him not to throw a snowball and then got ready to run, take cover and fire back if necessary. I no more than said that and Paul was down on one knee, proposing . All I could say was, "I think I would cry, but I think my tear ducts are frozen."

One more glitch....

The ring that we'd selected would not be ready for a few weeks due to the extensive work required to complete the detail in it to upsize it. In the mean time, Paul had purchased a solitaire as a " faux ring," so he would have something to propose with and something for me to wear.

The Proposal

It has been almost a month since Paul proposed and many people have asked about the proposal and I realized that I had forgotten to imortalize it here so......

Paul flew in to the Buffalo airport to spend Thanksgiving in N.Y. with Heidi. He had already spoken to her parents to request permission to propose to her and knew he had to do it the night he got in so that no one slipped and let the surprise out. After dinner at the Anchor Bar (A restaurant whose fame came from being the birth place of Buffalo wings), Paul said he would drive and went to Riverside Park in the city. Upon arriving, Paul realized that the web site that showcased the park as a vast and lush expanse had lied. It was more of a kids' park with soccer fields, swimming pool, basketball courts and such. There was a gazebo across the highway overlooking two other highways and another highway and the river lol. Since it was only about 5 degrees or less outside, Paul's plan to play a song on his guitar did not work, as it was also too cold. After a few minutes, we started to head back to the car because it was REALLY cold. On the way, Paul stooped down by a tree in the middle of the park. Heidi warned him not to throw a snowball. Just as she completed her last warning, Paul was down on one knee, proposing ring in hand. Heidi replied by saying, "I think I would cry, but I think my tear ducts are frozen."

One more glitch....

The ring that we'd selected would not be ready for a few weeks due to the extensive work required to complete the detail in it to upsize it. In the mean time, Paul had purchased a solitaire as a " faux ring," so as to have something to propose with and something for Heidi to wear.

Glitches and all, it was a very wonderful and memorable night!

Blessings

Funny thing about the timing of blessings.....I had just finished writing an email to encourage someone and rejoice with them about God blessing them in big ways and not 15 minutes later I get blessed! What an awesome surprise it was! I got a Christmas bonus and it was enough with change to pay for the wedding dress that I had placed on hold. Then the next day I went dress shopping with my mom and my friend who is a costume designer and got THE DRESS!! (WOOOO HOOOOOOOO!!!) I am so excited to wear it! I would put a link on here but I know that Paul comes on here so I won't tempt him =0)

Could I get a little help here?

Ok, so let me start off by apologizing for the rant I am about to go on lol. Alright, with that said, here goes.

Why is it that people do not keep in touch? They always say they are too busy, not enough time in the day, they've spent most of their day on the computer or the phone already... it goes on and on. Did Jesus EVER put people off???? Not ever that I recall!!

My thought: there will always be dishes, house chores, errands, etc...people should come first because they won't always be there (I am not saying ignore resposibilites-just prioritize)!! Kids grow up, friends move away and people move on before you know it because you were too busy mopping the floor or doing dishes or whatever. Some of this comes from a book I was reading in lieu of preparing for the curriculum I have been writing for my small group called "Making your house a home." The book is called "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Finding Intimacy With God in the Busyness of Life." The interesting thing about this book is that it has only deepened my feeling about putting people before projects and things.

The frustrating and painful part is that I have made a point of keeping in touch with many of the people who have dropped the ball so-to-speak and now that I have so many super exciting things going on in my life, those friends are nowhere to be found. I have been in their weddings, shared birthdays, been a shoulder to cry on...etc. It just hurts.

No one is THAT busy that they can't say "Hey I can't talk right now but can we set up some time to talk, im, visit WHATEVER! And with email...PLEASE! It is always open! You can do it 24hours a day 7 days a week! I work 1 FT and 1 PT job (one part time ministry but often more like fulltime), in a serious relationship, mentor a little girl here in the city, maintain friendships with people from all over and am planning my wedding. I am not saying I am busier than anyone else, but I am not struggling with boredom!!!

I guess it's just a reminder from God that people will let you down but He never will. I just wish people would realize what putting someone off does and how it hurts! Saying you have no time is like saying that I hold no significant place in your life- I don't matter. I realize this sounds dramatic, but it is the way I value others.