Friday, June 27, 2008

How to Be ALMOST Married

FH keeps saying he's going to post, but as of late he has not, so I will share a few brief words.

Engagement highlights of our 40 days:

1) Romantic dinner at our favorite downtown restaurant. We had prepared to spend about $30 (total) and ended up forking over, well, a lot more. The specials sounded too good!

2) Un-level house, level-heads. Our big old house has shown us more of its, um, personality. Just about everything isn't level--the floor, the ceiling, the walls, the windows, etc. It made picture-hanging pretty interesting...

3) My first family camping trip with FH's family and friends. I know you might think camping in June in East Texas might not sound like the best of plans, but it was lots of fun.

4) Lots of unnecessary gifts. We know lots of people love us, but we are continually surprised by the lavish-ness of everyone's gifts of time and presents. Our upstairs neighbor the other day said, "you have ANOTHER box." Mailed gifts are the best, b/c you can organize them before the wedding and enjoy them as you open them.

5) Being crazy in love. We are just euphoric at the thought of being together forever. We get overwhelmed by all the many emotions and just stop to be thankful.

Sure, engagement comes with its share of frustrations, but for us it's been wonderful. C.S. Lewis said some of our greatest joy is in the longing, and I know what he means... How tremendous to look forward and long to be fully one! We are very, very blessed.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

How to Count Down 40 Days


We're moving into the last 40 days of our engagement. FH noted that this is much like a Lenten season. Lent is observed in the 40 days leading to Easter, a time of reflection and reverence. You give something up and look forward to the celebration of Christ's resurrection.

So we're creating our own Lenten season to make it to our wedding. It feels like a holy time. We're only 40 days away from becoming one, from starting a life together in a brand new way. We won't be giving anything up (as we're abstaining from something pretty big already!), but we're going to focus on certain things. We'll make sure we have significant time of rest each day and time together. Basically we'll focus on taking care of ourselves and each other, and on the miracle God has created through Love.

As you journey with us in the last weeks of our engagement, you can join us in praying this beautiful prayer (from a Catholic parish in the UK):

LORD Jesus Christ, we give you thanks for the love we share, and for bringing us together.

TEACH us to prepare for our wedding by an increase of love towards each other, by an increase of generosity to others and by the prayers we make for a long and happy life together.

BLESS all those who are helping us to prepare for our wedding. Keep us good-humoured and joyful as the day draws near.

TEACH us to live as you did and to love Christ with great devotion all the days of our life together. Amen.