Blessed

I have now entered a completely new season of life. A season that is far more vibrant and exhilarating than the last. On May 17, 2008, I got to marry the love of my life and my best friend, Patrick. Preparing for a wedding is one of the most stressful things I have ever done. But as it got closer and closer to the Big Day, God just cloaked me with layers and layers of supernatural peace. I was no longer stressed or worried that something wouldn't come together. I wasn't worried that the photographer wouldn't catch the right moments. I wasn't worried about my shoes or my hair or my dress. I was just so content and wrapped up in the love and peace of God.

I didn't realize how overwhelmingly loved and blessed I would feel on that day. Looking around seeing everyone that has meant something to you is truly remarkable. All the people that you would rush over to see if you saw them out. All the people that you have spent long hours working through life's problems with, cramming for tests with, traveling with, or staying up late to make cinnamon/sugar/butterscotch pancakes with. I thought the love in the air and in all the rooms was going to knock me over.

Patrick and I had such a great time dancing and laughing the night away. Even through the honeymoon we were talking about each detail that was perfect. Or that one person that came from really far away just to be with us on our wedding day. There are so many details that we just enjoy remembering. We love to remember how the faces looked, what the dance floor was like, who spent all night beside us wanting to enjoy everything with us, who went above and beyond to make the day incredible... we were beyond blessed. Our lives have been perfectly grafted together by a loving God. The transition into this new life together has been effortless and flawless. Beautiful and loving, fun and exciting.

If you would have asked me if God was going to bring good out of all the mess that Patrick and I have been through together, I would probably tell you there is no way. And there are still some things that painfully linger in my memories. But if our wedding and the weeks after is any indication of how much He wants to lavish us with "good," then I would have been wrong. God works ALL things out for OUR GOOD. Even terrible things, He finds ways to knit Himself in so that as we look back, we see victories. We see huge mountains conquered. We see that love wins. Love conquers all. Because of Jesus, love is what's left after everything else falls away. Right now we feel like we are drowning in love. It is all around us and it is breathtaking. God has filled our lives and our spirits with more love than I ever thought possible. And we are set up now for an incredible journey as man and wife. To walk from glory to greater glory. From strength to greater strength. From blessing to multiplied blessing.

God is so good and so full of love. And I'm blessed to be called His child.