Back again...

It's crazy how much my life has changed in the last 89 days. {when the amazing Man started dating me} Exciting, {at times} scary and thrillingly hopeful changes. It's been so good. I'm humbly blessed at the incredible Man that God has given me. Sometimes I have moments where I giggle in sheer delight. Pinch myself out of awe-struck wonderment. Marvel at the goodness of God. He shows me over and over and over how beautiful His plan is.

God has used Adam to show me what unmerited favor and grace looks like. I wish each of you could know my amazing Man like I do. I wish you could see the moments where he quietly serves. Watch his strong arms hug an orphan close. Know all the sacrificial times he has spent ministering to countless people with his listening ear and tender heart. If you knew Adam the I know him...

Then again, I am beginning to believe that is part of the mystery of dating and {someday} marriage. The opportunity to know one person like no one else knows them. The opportunity to love someone for who they really are... even for their flaws and quirky ways. What a beautiful thing.

"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." -Dr Suess

* * *

God has been laying a lot on my heart lately. Things that pertain to my personal walk with Him. Things that relate to my relationships with family. Friends. My amazing Man. A lot of times I have a hard time getting those things from my heart, to my brain and then practically into my life. One way to attempt to make that transition is to begin blogging here again. It will also be my own way to document what God continues to do in this crazy, exciting adventure of being my amazing Man's girl! {because my journaling skills are pitiful}

Part of my inspiration for picking up writing here again, was a blog that a friend showed me over a month ago. It's one lady's online journal of her family's life. But instead of just writing about daily events or posting her beautiful photography, it's a journal of sorts. Scripture verses, quotes and thoughts from her personal walk with Jesus. Her humility and vivacity for life is a challenge for me.

We can all learn from each other, from the things God is teaching us. This will be my attempt at simply being a link in that chain.... for anyone willing to weed through my long monologues, funky stories and attempts at good photography.

* * *

On the topic of funky stories:

I have a very strange fetish for old dressers. Don't ask me why. Or how it started.

My first dresser I bought was a white, paint chipped wardrobe with spindle legs and two little drawers on top. It was love at first sight at that antique shop. It wasn't 'til I got home that I realized it wreaked of cigarette smoke. Talk about a crushing moment. After baking soda, flower scented drawer liners and lots of time to air out, it's finally normal. Not long after, I found a brown, rather crummy piece on sale for $35. On principle I couldn't leave it behind. If I could only get around to giving it a new coat of paint, it would look light years better.

But Saturday was my dresser-fetish high light of all times. Tiff and I were in a second hand store and as I was walking through the rows of furniture, my eyes happened on this beauty. A tall, five-drawer dresser. Funky handles and awesome wood details. What could make this picture even better?? The price tag which read '$19.99' coupled up with the storewide 25% discount. {Boosh}

Before anyone else came to tackle me down in an attempt to steal my find, I grabbed the price tag, paid for the goods and Tiff and I loaded the hunk of beautiful wood into the back of the van. Definitely the second biggest highlight of my year...

* * *

Speaking of highlights. My {of course} number one is my amazing Man. We have a funny dating relationship. Our daily dates consist of phone calls every night, spanning the 1825 miles between us, sometimes lasting as long as four and a half hours. We actually seen each other a grand total of 21 days out of the 89 we've been dating.

Like my adorable Man said last night, "this long distance thing is way overrated!" Not that the ratings were that high to begin with. :( In a desperate attempt to be positive, we have learned so much about communication. A skill which will benefit us long after the cell phones have been put away for good.

One of my favorite dates while I was out in California the first two weeks of April was this day...

Dating a pilot is such fun. One afternoon Adam took me on a date high above the city and ocean. We flew over Catalina Island, the painfully, gorgeous blue ocean and even Disneyland.

It's a very good thing planes can fly themselves in the air... no hand-holding minutes can be wasted.

Back on the ground again, we hit up the coffee shop and then took a long {romantic} walk on the beach.

From the skies to the sandy beach, it was the perfect date. Then again anytime, anywhere I can be with my amazing Man is a perfect date!

* * *

We also spent 5 days down in Mexico helping at a summer camp for orphans with a wonderful organization, Genesis Diez. It's also funny that around 90% of the time Adam and I have spent together since we first met in the summer of 2007, has been on the mission field. I am thankful that God has given this man an incredible heart of service and love for the hurting all over the world.

We did find a few minutes to slip away during free time to enjoy the incredibly beautiful view...

* * *

Now that I'm back to the {lonely} land of Iowa, I'm desperately attempting to keep myself busy until the next time I can be with my amazing Man.

While sitting in the hanger that Adam works at, a girl I know there gave me a 20 minute crash course in crochet. I immediately went out and bought yarn and a crochet hook to make... something. I have finally decided I will make a small purse for old Thresher's. Who knows. At this point it looks more like a little Jewish kippot.

* * *

Lastly, but definitely not leastly. The past 12 months have felt like God has given me one crash course after another in healthy conflict resolution. I must not be getting it.

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger" Proverbs 15:1

"He that handles a matter wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he" Proverbs 16:20

"Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies" 1Cor 8:1