Happy, Happy... Joy, Joy

So... I can't really beat around the bush--

ROB AND I ARE ENGAGED!

Last week when I wrote that we were going to New Orleans for the weekend, he was already scheming to make sure that I would never forget it. Before we ever left, my mom told me that she & my dad had a wedding to go to in the French Quarter on Saturday, and she suggested that Rob & I go down there too, and spend the afternoon walking around while they were at the wedding. It sounded like a fun plan to me, and that's just what we did.

We went to Cafe du Monde and had beignets and coffee, strolled through the French Market, browsed through a few shops and galleries, and walked up & down the streets all around the Quarter- it was a georgeous day to be out and about! We decided to go down to the Riverwalk, since I hadn't been there in years. After a little while there, Rob was ready to leave (he'd just scoped out the perfect place and was ready to ask the big question). We walked back towards Spanish Plaza, and I suggested that we get someone to take our picture in front of the big fountain there, which he readily agreed too. After our quick photo-op, Rob took my hand and led me a few steps away, out of earshot of the kids who'd just taken the picture. He turned me towards him and said a few really sweet things (that I'll keep to myself). Honestly, I just thought he was in a good mood- it didn't occur to me that he was about to drop to one knee and ask me to marry him, and that's exactly what happened! I was laughing and crying all at the same time, and I think I asked him "What are you doing?!" and as I bent down to hug him and say YES, a woman standing nearby realized what was happening and she started screaming. As we stood up, still hugging each other, everyone around cheered and clapped for us. It was so much fun!!! (The first picture is right after I said Yes!)

We met back up with my mom and dad shortly after that, and celebrated over dinner (they both knew Saturday morning that we would have cause to celebrate that night!)I don't think my feet have touched the ground since...

Funny side note- Rob had a moment of panic in the Nashville airport when he was stopped at security to have his backpack searched. He'd had enough fore-thought to write "Engagement Ring!" on one of his business cards in his pocket, and he was able to secretly show that to the TSA agent before they started pulling everything out of his bag- including my ring! Even so, he said he was racking his brain for the right words, just in case he had to propose right there on the spot in the security line. It still would have made for a great story, but I'm glad he was able to wait!

I've said before that I think I'm the luckiest girl in the world- now I KNOW that I am!!! I've got the love of an incredible man, a beautiful ring on my hand, and 92 days to wait all my dreams come true! It's going to be an unforgettable summer!!!

Fun Stuff

PAST

I meant to tell you sooner-- one of our last big events at the BCM was a Pie Auction. It wasn't what you expect though... the winner of each auction item had the option to take their pie home to enjoy, OR smash the pie into the face of whoever brought it!! All of our leaders and staff participated, and we raised over $2000! Yes, even I got a face full of coconut cream pie, but I'm pretty proud that I brought in the biggest purse at $270! I got to smash one too- you should try it sometime. It's so much fun!

PRESENT

God has given me a unique ministry opportunity here in Nashville. I was praying about where He wanted me to serve Him, and I heard about Kajal. She's about 4 1/2 years old, from India, and blind; she was brought to Nashville about six weeks ago for surgery to hopefully restore her sight. What an amazing girl! I've started spending one night each week with her and her prospective adoptive family, just offering an extra pair of adult hands to her busy mom. There's so much I want to tell you about Kajal... she loves to sing and swing, and LOVES dancing (spinning around and clapping!), and she's SO much fun to be around! Last night, she did the coolest thing... as soon as I got to their house, "Auntie Jess- color", so I found a coloring book and some markers. Kajal took the marker and carefully ran the tip along the edge of her hand on the paper. "Oh great- what a mess," I thought, "is it really a good idea for a blind girl to be playing with markers?" Then Kajal picked up another marker without a cap, which of course made no mark on the paper. She turned to me and said, "It's dry!" I was amazed- how did she know that?!? Then I realized that she was using her left hand to feel the dampness of the ink on the paper as she colored. Wow- what a smart girl!!! Please pray for Kajal- for her eyes to see again. Jesus used mud and spit to restore a blind man's sight- surely he can use today's medical advances to do it again! Also pray for her adoptive mom- Karthi, dad- Blair, brother- Elijah, and sister- Davey Joy- they're going through some big transitions lately.

Read an article about Kajal from The Tennessean last Sunday

FUTURE

I'm going back to New Orleans this weekend... I can't wait to see my family, meet my friend Shannon's twins Chloe Rose and David Michael (born last week), and eat some crawfish! I can't wait!!!

Go into all nations...

I got to see God do some pretty incredible things this past year at UAB, one of the greatest being the development of a heart for the nations among the students in that ministry. The BCM has sent out summer missionaries in the past, but this summer we're sending students out to six of the seven continents!! (Apparently, the need for workers in Antarctica isn't that great!) This is a really big deal for us- ten percent of our students will be serving God through missions for all or part of their summer!
Their journeys begin today- two of our guys are on their way to India as I write this. I'm excited for these students, to see their passion for the Lord, and I can't wait to hear all their stories as they return and learn how God used them and what He's teaching them.
Pray for Amanda, Andrew, Casey, Daniel, Dusti, Josie, Laura Beth, Lindsay, Sybil, Teresa, Tori, and Will. They will be serving in Australia, China, Germany, India, Peru, Serbia, Swaziland and the US. (all in alphabetical order- can't mention who's going where- God knows though) Declare HIM fearlessly, my friends!

Who needs mastercard??

U-haul trailer: $134
3 tanks of gas: $120
Dinner for the moving crew: $28
Saying goodbye to Rob on Sunday night, and knowing I'll see him again tomorrow: priceless

New Month, New Job, New Home

Happy May Day!!!
It's been a full day for me- I started my new job AND got the keys and began moving into my new apartment!
My last week in Birmingham was incredible. God confirmed for me again that Birmingham was exactly where I was supposed to be this past year, and I'm so grateful for the time I had there. I was blessed to serve a fantastic group of students alongside three wonderful co-laborers. On my last night at the BCM, I was given a scrapbook full of letters... those letters don't represent anything that I did, but the work of Christ in the lives of students at UAB. My heart was touched, though, that they thought to share with me how God changed them over the past 12 months (and I cried like a baby as I read them!) Wow- thank you, Lord, for letting me be a small part of Your work at the University of Alabama- Birmingham.
As for now, I'm liking my new job (at least, I think so after one day!) I'm training to be a project manager with a company that sells & distributes doors to commercial builders. I'm working in the national accounts department, which means that I'll be working with general contractors building new stores for Kroger, Office Depot, Hobby Lobby, and Petco- just to name a few. It's a TON of stuff to learn, and it will definitely be a challenge, but I'm excited about it.
Before I forget- here's my new address... write it in your address books in pencil, though! It's only temporary, for the summer. Hopefully I'll have a more permanent address to share with you in August.
(email me if you want it! I'm not dumb enough to post it here!)
The best part of my new apartment- besides the dishwasher and pool- is its proximity to Rob. We've now gone from living 200 miles apart to just 2 minutes apart!! (I'm just kidding- I'll take him over a dishwasher any day!!)
I also wanted to let you know that you can now "subscribe" to my blog! When you enter your email address, you'll receive automatic email updates whenever I write a new update. The emails aren't instant, but you'll get the text of my blog straight to your inbox without having to check back to my homepage. When you subscribe, you'll have to enter a "code" of random letters, and then you'll get an email from the "Feedburner" service that you must reply to in order to confirm your subscription. Maybe this will help prompt me to update my blog more often!! So sign up!
God is abundantly good...