Prayer Request

Please pray for our friend Lyle- yes, the one we went on vacation with last month. He's only 29, yet he's having a pacemaker put in tomorrow! This is not a planned operation; Lyle passed out a couple of times yesterday and went to the emergency room, and found out this today that he needs to have this surgery in the morning. Please lift Lyle, and his wife Melissa, in prayer!

Need to Brag

In case you didn't know- I have the best husband in the world! He has been working like crazy and is fighting off a nasty cold, and HE cooked ME dinner! I know what some of you are thinking: Shame on you- you should be taking care of him. And I try really hard to be a good wife! In fact, I had taken out the stuff for dinner tonight with every intention for myself to cook a fabulous dinner, but Rob beat me to it, and well, the kitchen in our apartment really isn't big enough for two. He made poached salmon, toasted cous-cous with tomatoes and feta cheese, steamed fresh broccoli, and creme brulee' for dessert. Yes, I said creme brulee'- he got the kit, torch included, for Christmas (I think he really just wanted the torch and it happened to come with tiny dishes and a recipe too!) Needless to say, dinner was DELICIOUS... I'm spoiled, I know it, and I love it.



ADVICE TO THE SINGLE GIRLS: Find a man who loves to cook!!!!!

Quick Post

The bank accepted our offer, which means...

WE GOT THE HOUSE!

Praising God for His faithfulness and provisions...

Links

Two posts in one week... look out!
First- I decided to change the "Wedding Photo" website to a "Jess & Rob's Photos of Everything" Website. I don't know how many different albums I can have there, but if there's a limit I guess I'll just rotate the old ones out as new ones get added. All that to say- there are new pictures up!! (if you're interested in seeing our trip to The Big Apple). Bookmark our page!
I also wanted to send you a link to my friend Angie's blog, Bring the Rain. It was created to share the story of her baby, Audrey, who hasn't entered the world yet, and get people praying for their family. It's a sweet dedication from a family I've grown to love (Angie & her family are in our community group from church.) And while I know their story will stir you to pray, I'll caution you that it will also strike your heart- get a tissue before you read. Please share their journey and please pray for them!

Second Attempt

Well, Rob and I are trying again to become homeowners! We submitted an offer last night, and now we wait. The home is currently owned by a bank, so the offer involves a little more paperwork, and a little more waiting to hear back whether or not it is accepted. This is harder than I thought it would be.
It's a great house! Two stories, three bedrooms, cool kitchen, big yard... I keep wondering why no one else has bought it! It was for sale last summer when we were looking, and I can't believe it hasn't been snatched up before now. My only hope is that God has been saving this one just for us!!
We are now more confident than ever that the "other" house (the one we tried to buy before we got married) was not meant to be ours. We've been reminded over and over that it wasn't God's best for us. In fact, we drove past it a few weeks ago, on the night we first went out exploring and looking for FOR SALE signs... no other houses on the block were finished yet, there were 2 dumpsters and a bulldozer across the street, there were no lights except for the lonely bulb over their garage. It was a little creepy- kind of like a ghost town- and I told Rob, "I'm SO happy that isn't where we live!" We have thanked God often that He kept us from that house.
I have to admit- I'm a little nervous. My home-buying experience is limited, but I don't exactly have any good experience to reference. And it doesn't help that I'm not what you would call a patient person. I want so badly to start thinking about where we'll put the furniture, and what color we'll paint the dining room, but I'm afraid to get too excited too soon. It's going to be a long week, waiting to hear back from the bank. Pray for me, that I wouldn't be anxious and distracted as we wait.

Thinking out loud

First things first- I'm sorry for doubting! I figured no one was listening and I quit rambling... thanks to all who responded to my post last week and let me know you're still out there and interested in what's going on in my corner of the world. It felt good to hear from so many. I knew already that I am loved, but it still felt good to be reminded. Tell someone that you love them today.
If I can get a little introspective and intimate...
I have been reminded over and over this week how wonderfully I am blessed!! All around me, friends are hurting and lives are being shaken. So much has happened this week- and it's only Wednesday... a people that I love are reeling from political turmoil in their country (Kenya)... I spent time praying with a friend who has been grieving the loss of her father... I prayed with another friend who's taking a break from a marriage on the rocks... another friend's marriage ended this weekend, days after she ended the life of a baby inside her... another friend is grieving the loss of an unborn baby she has desperately wanted and prayed for... It has been a heavy week. I've spent a lot of time with God these past few days, much of it crying out for these women that I love. Some are believers, whose faith will be strengthened by their current circumstances; some of their faith has been destroyed, and they need to regain the once solid foundation they once stood on. One has never understood the love of her Creator, and doesn't yet know the salvation and peace He can give her.
I'm not really sure what to think or how to feel. As Rob & I were talking earlier about all these situations, I told him that my heart and emotions are confused- heavy and burdened for my friends, but also light with the realization of so many things we have to be thankful for. I'm guilty of complaining about my job and griping about being cramped in a small apartment. At the same time- I'm grateful to have a good job and good insurance that we haven't had to use because we're healthy. We drove past the house we almost bought last week, and were so happy that it's not ours, because the builder still hasn't finished that street, and it's the lone house in the middle of a desolate construction zone.
The one thing I am sure of: God is good and He is still in control. When nothing else makes sense, we can be still and know that God is God.
I'm not really sure where I intended to go by sharing all this. Maybe I just needed unload a little bit.
Several years ago, a friend shared with me that with the coming of every new year she makes of list of things she's thankful for in the past year, rather than resolutions for the coming one. (Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure I shared about this last January.) I think I'll go make my list- it could take a while. I've got a whole lot to be thankful for!

Good thing?

I had to work today... I wore a long-sleeved brown t-shirt with my bright pink pants... Walking down the hall, one of my co-workers told me I looked like a big scoop of Neopolitan ice cream...

Jay's a pretty artistic guy... I think he meant it as a compliment.

I didn't really know what to say... Thanks?

Loooooooong Overdue

I have to admit- I had pretty much quit posting here because I didn't think anyone was reading it. (It's hard to be motivated when no one's paying attention). But, I was wrong... Amy and Ron are still reading and want an update!!

Life is good! It's pretty cliche', but SO true! I LOVE being married!!! My fabulous husband surprised me with a trip to New York for Christmas. I've always wanted to see NYC at Christmas, and it was every bit as magical as I dreamed it would be! We saw all the classic sights, but my favorite was definitely The Lion King on Broadway. WOW!

My Top 5: 1.Minskoff Theater (Lion King), 2.Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill, 3.Rockefellar Center Christmas Tree, 4.Times Square, 5.Tiffany's on 5th Avenue (of course!)

We had a great time exploring with our good friends Melissa & Lyle... now I just can't wait to go back!

Our first Christmas as husband & wife was just as wonderful! I got a new Bible with my new name on it, and Rob got a remote controlled helicopter- we were both excited! We spent the weekend with my family in New Orleans- the first time we've all been there together since May 2006- and flew back to Nashville on Christmas day and got to see Rob's family that night. I don't think I could have asked for it to be any better.

As much as I'd love to write a book here and tell you all the fun details of the past few months and our dreams for 2008, I can't- Rob's been out of town all weekend and he just got home!

big update

COMING SOON!!!!

I promise!!

Wedding Pictures Online!

http://jessandrobdixon.shutterfly.com/

A Month, A Week, & A Day

Yep- that's how long Rob and I have been married! Time flies when you're having fun! We moved into an apartment this past Monday, and have spent most of our evenings this past week trying to find places for all our boxes. We finally got everything we're not using right now into the extra bedroom in an arrangement where we can close the door and not think about it every day! My goal is to go through all those boxes over the course of the next six months while we're here... neither of us packed very well (since we thought our stuff would only be in boxes for a couple of weeks) and very few boxes are labeled. Eventually it will all get sifted and sorted, but for tonight, we're just relaxing! Fortunately we've been able to keep a positive outlook- as we sat eating pizza Monday night surrounded by boxes on all sides, Rob joked, "This is what it's supposed to be like when you first get married!" He even told his brothers they could come over and "play fort" around all the boxes!! It was a great feeling, though, to be able to finally cook my first meal for my husband in OUR home! It wasn't that spectacular, but we're home, and THAT is wonderful!
It's good to have an address. And even better having a spouse to share the struggles with! In spite of all the obstacles we've faced in these first weeks of marriage, it's so great!!!! I wouldn't trade my life for anything. God is still in control, He's providing for all our needs, and we're grateful.
You have filed my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4: 7-8

On the road again...

Ok- I mostly want to post this here, and hope that I won't have to tell this story a thousand times. As of about 7:30 last night, Rob and I are officially homeless!
Here's the cliff notes version of the story of our house...
We found a house that seemed like it would become our dream home in a neighborhood that we loved back in June (refer back to previous post). The seller's agent assured us that it would be completed by Aug. 17 so that we could move our things in before our wedding on Sept. 1. All paperwork, including the loan, had to processed with my maiden name. A week before our scheduled closing, they called and said the house wouldn't be ready until Aug 31. I freaked out, but we signed the extension and begged them to get it done sooner. Three days before our wedding, the loan officer called and told me we may lose the loan, because my name and marital status were about to change, and we had to be considered as a married couple which would change the structure of our loan. The house still wasn't ready, had to sign another extension. Got married, had a great honeymoon, came back to stay with family for we hoped just a few days. Went back to the mortgage company to revise the paperwork, were asked to lie on the form, we refused; were offered a different loan at a much higher rate, we refused and asked for the disqualification paperwork to be released from the house contract. We filed all the required papers, and the builder denied our request anyway- essentially trying to force us into a loan we didn't like to buy the house we no longer wanted. We had to sign yet ANOTHER extension for the closing date. We consulted a lawyer and decided we didn't want to go to court but would just buy the house and make the best of the situation. After six weeks of waiting and living out of suitcases, every weekend hoping we would move, we finally went to our walk through and inspected the house thoroughly. We gave them our punch list, which the crew worked feverishly on the next day so that we could close at 4:00. Our realtor stopped at the builder's office on the way to the closing and was told "Everything is good to go." Arrived at the closing, where the title company lawyer informed us that based on our punch list, the seller felt like they could never make us happy and they refused to close on the house. I'M NOT KIDDING!!!! After all they drug us and our realtor through, they wanted us to smile and shake hands and walk away friends. It was quite a roller coaster of emotions... not the fun roller coaster that you want to ride over and over, but the old, jerky one that gives you whiplash and makes you nauseous... anger, frustration, hurt, anger. Relief was the feeling that finally settled over us. We can't help but believe that God has protected us from something- either a problem with the house, or a problem with the unethical characters we had to deal with- and we trust that He will provide a better home for us soon. We're anxious to settle in someplace, even if it's just a temporary apartment, and we hope to have that worked out in the next couple of days. We don't fully understand why we had to travel this road, but we're grateful that we reached our destination (even though it's not where we thought we were going!)Praise God from whom all blessings flow, and if you ever hear someone talking about buying a house from Prestige homes, tell them to run far away!!!

A Quick word from Mrs. Dixon...

I know, I know- inquiring minds want to know!! Married life is INCREDIBLE!! I LOVE IT!!!! I'm sure that I have the best husband ever!

We're still living like nomads (ie: homeless!) The house of our dreams that we put a contract on back in June is still not ready, and has really become sort of a nightmare. Maybe one day soon I'll be able to post the whole story here, but not yet. At this point, I'm hoping we can move in before Thanksgiving, but for the record, I'd walk away without looking back if we had the opportunity. Pray for us to have a right mindset as we deal with some pretty shrewd characters.

With that exception, I'm loving my life right now!! I told Rob this morning that 6-6:30am is quickly becoming my favorite time of day... The alarm first goes off at 6, and then we snooze for a little while until I absolutely have to get in the shower. When that buzzer first wakes me, I'm reminded that he's there with me, and I usually snuggle up in the crook of his shoulder. We don't say anything, it's just laying there with him that makes me happy. I'm safe, and comfortable, and loved. God is so good to me!

WOW!

It's 6:30am on September 1, 2007... I can't sleep. I'm getting married in a few hours! The rehearsal was a lot of fun, the rehearsal dinner was even better, and now all I have left to do is wait. Why in the world did we schedule this wedding at 3:00?!
I am going to marry the most incredible man I know. He is compassionate, funny, hard-working, loving, generous, kind, and best of all- he loves me! I cannot wait to be his wife!
If you read this today, please pray for me- patience is not a virtue of mine...

In the words of Dolly Parton, and one of my current favorite songs, "He knows a lot about love & stuff, AND HE'S GONNA MARRY ME!"

Checking In

So, things have gotten a little busy and I'm not updating the blog as much as I intended. Sorry! 27 days left, and almost as many things to do before Sept 1!! Truly, though, the things left really feel like minor details, and Rob & I will get married with or without them.
The house is coming along; we've had to toss our "let's only go by once a week" rule now that the progress is advancing almost daily. It looks like all the "construction" part is about done, and it's just the finishing left. I say that, and then remember that they've still got to pour the driveway, so I guess that's construction. We're getting close anyway!
Please keep us in your prayers, asking God that we won't get stressed or side-tracked during these last three weeks of our engagement. Not that we're at that point now- I just don't want to go there at all! Pray for Rob- he had to move out of his apartment last week, and is now living out of a suitcase until the house is ready, and that's already old. For me- pray that I'll be productive with my time, and patient as I wait. God has gifted us with a deep love for one another that we are extremely thankful to have; pray that our love will continue to grow every day. (Our pastor has teased us that we're going to have to make up a fight before our next counseling session- we're too easy!)
Have I said lately that I'm the luckiest girl in the world?

Engagement pics

Sorry it's taken me a while to get these posted!!! There were so many good ones that I was trying to figure out how to get a whole album on here... I never did! So here are some of our favorites!

Our wedding plans are all being finalized... 36 days to go! I can't wait!!!

This Week...

The days are flying by lately, and taking forever all at the same time! The wedding countdown is on- 56 to go!! This week was a pretty good one- I'm definitely in favor of having every Wednesday off.
Tuesday evening Rob & I went to Centennial Park to have some engagement pictures taken. We were excited to have found an aspiring photographer's ad on Craig's List stating that he was looking for people who were willing to let him use their photos in his portfolio in exchange for free pictures. He did a great job, and I think we'll have some really good pictures to show in a few weeks! And they were free! (If you're not familiar with Craig's List- let me know, I'd be happy to introduce you)
Then on Thursday, Rob called me at work to tell me that he found a lawnmower (again, thanks Craig) that he wanted to go check out. It was the same kind of mower that's used to cut golf courses, and someone was selling a used one. When we went to meet the owner, it came up that he & his family were selling off all their stuff because they're about to move to India as international missionaries! Of course, I told him that Rob & I had met overseas, and his wife came out and we had a really neat visit sharing some of our experiences with them. It's such a small world- I love how God brought that chance meeting together with a used lawnmower!
Funniest moment of the week... Monday evening, my friend Rachel and I were going somewhere when we passed two guys pan-handling on the side of the road. Their sign read: Family killed by ninjas. Need money for kung fu lessons to seek revenge. We didn't give them money, but they get big points for creativity!

Details

Ok, apparently I haven't been giving enough details here, so I'll try to do better!

Rob & I are getting married at 3:00 on Saturday, Sept 1, at Grace Community Church in Nashville (where we're members). Grace is special to us because we were first introduced to the church back in 2002 when they sent their pastor and a team of volunteers to Croatia to minister to the missionaries of Central & Eastern Europe. We both loved the church then, and were excited to participate in this body when Rob relocated back to Nashville last fall. We're each having two attendants- his two brothers and my two sisters, and both of our mentors will take part in officiating the ceremony. My dress is-- yeah right! Like I'd give THAT much detail here!! Oh yeah- colors are black & white, with purple flowers. As much as I love pink, purple has been my favorite as long as I can remember.

As for the house, we're WAY excited! On Saturday, we got to choose most of the details of our new home... bricks & vinyl, flooring, cabinets, countertops, lighting- the works! It was so fun!! And contrary to what everyone told us- it was a fairly painless, fun afternoon! We laid out all the carpet samples- he tossed one out, I tossed one, him, me, until we got it down to three, and then we easily agreed on the middle shade that was left. I'm so happy that we get along so well and have such similar tastes!

We're back to doing the distance thing again this week. Rob left today for the Servpro national convention in Palm Springs. I miss him already, so I guess it's good that we already know how to handle being apart! Friday seems so far away right now!!!

My goal for the week while he's away: respond to all the emails I've been neglecting this past month. Being engaged is so busy and so much fun that I've become an even worse emailer than I already was! I promise, I'll catch up- please don't give up on me!

Come visit soon!

Big Day

What a Thursday! Rob & I booked flights for our honeymoon in Savannah, GA, and chose a hotel. When Rob called to make those reservations, the price the woman gave him was about $30 more per night than what he found on the internet, so she hooked us up with a good deal! We're excited about going to a new city that neither of us has ever been to. Now we've just got to figure out what we're going to do there!
AND, our other big news of the day---- we put a contract on a house!! It's started, but currently is just a "slab and studs". The cool thing about that is we'll get to pick everything- from the bricks to the countertops! It's a very exciting, very overwhelming, time for me (Rob is as laid-back and cool as ever!) We're praying, though, that God will take care of every detail so that we can easily transition into a new home and new life together. I can't believe how smoothly things have worked out to this point... isn't HE good?!

Wedding Stuff

We're making progress! We now have a florist, photographer, dj, dress, tuxes, and a wedding website! Check out Rob & Jess and leave us a message!
Also- we don't know what song we want to dance to yet. We're open to votes or suggestions from friends! Only 76 days to go!!!