Beloved

“Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders."

December 2008 I got this tattoo on my left wrist.  Beloved. Its in Hebrew from the above verse in Deuteronomy 33:12. I had gone through a period of emotional and spiritual distress and depression the year before.  Earlier in 2008 God had begun to reveal himself to me in a new way.  A lover. His Beloved.  After over a year of being heartbroken and searching for answers to so many questions, I found peace and love right where I left it. Jesus.  I got this tattoo to always remember that I am God's beloved, I can rest in him and be secure in him alone.  No other can love me like my God.  God does however allow us to experience the greatest love we can here on earth.  Marriage.  He has allowed me to find this kind of love.  The love of a husband.  November 5, 2010 I became engaged to the most wonderful God-fearing man.  I truly believe that God has chosen us for one another before we were even born.  He plans these things.  He know because He created it all.  Though God's love cannot be matched, he allows us to experience as close a love as we can here on earth through marriage.  We have been together for about 10 months and are planning an April 2011 wedding.  I cannot wait to see how God shows his enormous love to us both (and hopefully those around us) though the gift of marriage.  

 I guess I haven't really told you much about Ryan.  We had been friends for a while before we got together.  We just seem to fit.  I have always been so comfortable with him and we've always been able to be completely honest with each other. Which for me is so important!  He is finishing his PhD in neuroscience at the Medical College of Georgia.  Smarty.  He loves college football and most importantly he loves the Lord and continues to seek him.  He doesn't just take things a face value.  Ryan is the kind of person who challenges you to know why you believe and think certain things.  I guess its the scientist in him.  But it has really challenged me to dig deeper in my life, especially in my faith to know why I believe and what it is I believe.
The Proposal....Ryan's dad is a pilot. So he took us up for a sunset flight around Augusta.  It was beautiful! Unfortunately, I get motion sickness really easily (even after two Dramamine).  I wasn't feeling that great after the plane ride, but thought dinner and some fresh air would help.  We went to dinner at a little restaurant downtown  and then went for a walk on the riverwalk.  I had no idea the whole night! Not until we walked up on some candles that spelled.....

 Ryan got down on his knee and asked if I would marry him. I said yes!! Well, I actually said, "OF COURSE I WILL!" We then went to his house to celebrate with our friends and family!

"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." ~ Psalm 27:14