Engaging Times

How exciting! A few more of my friends have gotten engaged in the past few weeks, and I'm so excited for them! I love being around happy couples (not the sickeningly oozy ones, just the genuinely happy). You get to witness something really rare in our world today: deep love. It just seems to emanate from them and they can't help it (even if they wanted to). It leaves me feeling inspired, like there's hope for the world after all. Lots of people seem to get caught up in the 'wedding pressure' of engagements, but for me the elation of watching my friends enter into these exciting times is joy enough for me!

A shout out to you guys, and I can't wait to see you looking even more beautiful than usual in your gorgeous dresses! (I hope I'm invited :P)

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A simple message, but so true.

In all things give thanks

I had the noblest of plans last year, plans which I was excited about, plans which were the best of plans, plans which would break the mould of my recent life. I thought they were plans God wanted for me (and in part they were). As it turned out, those plans were taken away by other unforeseen happenings.

I often think wistfully about those lost plans. In the strain of everyday life, I find myself wanting to be living out that alternate plan instead of being where I am. It's particularly hard when I watch my friends living those dreams while I am denied them.

In reality, these blessings were not thrown away, but simply exchanged for greater ones. God's plans are always bigger than our plans (Isaiah 55:8-9). These plans are harder to live out, but they are good. I am truly thankful, and I need to remember to be (1 Thess 5:18).