A Peaceful Kingdom

It has been awhile since we've blogged. I apologize. It's hard not to get sucked back into the cyclone of life and not stop to reflect.

So here we have a fun, relaxing, somewhat-awkward (two people in a hammock) picture from our weekend get-a-way in Alden, Illinois.

Alden is where my grandparents live and Jeremy and I had the privilege of spending the fourth of July weekend with them. It was a much needed 12 hour car ride for Jeremy and I, not to mention a relaxing and thought-provoking weekend with my grandparents--Gaba & Grandpa. They had yet to meet Jeremy, and future execution of wedding plans were pending on their approval :-) Of course, he passed with flying colors and fit in perfectly.

My grandparents are truly amazing people. They have been a huge part of my life and I love the presence and influence they have established on my heart. They have always loved me so well. They challenge me to pursue life, to give often, to find truth, and to love well. We had some great conversations about God, spirituality, faith, theology, and humanity....with the perfect mix of more mellow talk over things such as how to pick summer corn and how Gaba and grandpa fell in love. All of this amidst great wine and even greater food. My Gaba is an amazing cook--and I hope to snatch a few recipes upon my induction to married life (as does Jeremy!).

Some highlights of the trip were: naps (always good), fall-off-the-bone ribs, beating my Grandpa in Chinese Checkers, hanging out with Amos--their boxer, playing Taboo!, visiting my Grandpa's church in Woodstock, getting our AMAZING wedding gifts early, sleeping-in, conversations on the back porch, and freshly-squeezed orange juice (both making and drinking).

We also visited my Uncle Dave and his family on the fifth and had a picaresque holiday experience complete with white picket fences, street parade, and bratwursts. It really was a great weekend and I am amazed at how blessed I am.

Jeremy is off to Florida these days, loving on junior high guys (such a gift)--one of which being my brother, Michael. It is fun watching that relationship grow. Jeremy is so great for me in ways that go beyond my own selfish heart. He returns Saturday, and we begin an intense two weeks of last-minute wedding planning before he's off again one final time before the wedding.

It is a month from today. I'm beyond excited.

Back In The USA!

Hello everyone! I arrived back in the United States yesterday. My time abroad was very refreshing and truly wonderful. Thank you for praying while I was away. It was very sweet to come home. I saw Lindsay yesterday evening and was reminded just how wonderful it is to be in her presence! We are very excited about the fast-approaching wedding and we look forward to seeing, in person, all of those who we love and cherish so deeply. We've been encouraged by your comments and are constantly reminded of God's grace and His love through you all. Thank you so much!

Jeremy

Reflections on Being Loved

Isn't Jeremy so great? It was so refreshing to read his post and quite a good update for myself too. I'm so proud of him and excited to hear many more stories when he returns!

So I've been meaning to post for awhile now, because I experienced the most amazing thing this past Sunday--a Wedding Shower!! I understand why they call it a "shower" now. Because I got absolutely drenched in people loving me. It was incredible. Imagine every person who you adore and admire, across all stages of your life, in one room. All parts of my heart and the last 23 years became interwoven together in this beautiful symphony of conversations and laughter. One of the neatest things was getting to watch people that I love meeting each other! I also had the awesome privilege of introducing each person as I opened their gift (thanks for the great idea Bri). My 90 second blurb wasn't nearly enough time to portray how much I cherished each person, but I was so proud and excited to get to honor everyone. Because I am loved so well by so many people. And I want those people to be recognized. So I had a wonderful time at my very first Wedding Shower. And I started a fun beginning of stuff for our new home! I guess I'm going to have to learn how to cook!

My explanation of the duration of Jeremy's trip may have been confusing. I've kind of prepared myself for his absence until shortly before the wedding. When in reality, he will be coming home for the fourth of July weekend. But I am not sharing him. Actually, we are heading up to Chicago to visit my grandparents, whom Jeremy will be meeting for the first time! I am very excited. I anticipate good food and conversation with family that I love deeply. I will likely blog when we get home to reflect on our weekend together. So I didn't want anyone who's keeping track of Jeremy's geographical status to be confused. Jeremy does leave again on July 6th. Oceans won't be separating us this time though.

If you ever want to get a lot of letters in the mail, get married! I love getting the mail everyday and seeing the RSVP cards!! Thanks to everyone who has been so prompt! I can't wait to celebrate with everyone...I'm imagining one big co-ed wedding shower!!

Greetings From Across The Seas

Hello from Bulgaria! As you've probably already learned from Lindsay, I have been spending the last several days on a missions trip here in Bulgaria. The majority of my work has involved building relationships with Bulgarian teens through football. The team that I am a part of (from Kirk of the Hills) is fairly small, but we joined with another large team from Charlotte, North Carolina. Together, along with some American and Bulgarian missionary kids, we put together a football team consisting of 14 players, myself included...as the 25 year old veteran, haha. I had no idea what was in store for us. We actually had official matches scheduled - 6 of them over a 5 day period - in the central city of Pazardjeek (which is where we were staying) and two villages - Malo Kanarae and Ogyanavov. We played actual teams from those villages in actual football stadiums with real spectators! It was a good thing that the team from Charlotte brought complete uniforms for us to where which gave us a sense of unity and professionalism. I can't go into the details of each match. But I can tell you that we had a BLAST. It was so amazing to be playing with some very good footballers in front of a crowd. They enjoyed playing against the Americans. We played each team twice - so there were good opportunities to meet players and form relationships. We spent time in conversation after each match over Cokes and some tasty Bulgarian snacks.

Unfortunately, protestant evangelical Christians are classified as sects/cults by the Bulgarian government - who's national religion is eastern-orthodox Christianity. Protestant Christians are grouped with Jehovas Witnesses and Mormons, who also have missionaries in Bulgaria, seen passing out tracts and going door to door. Overall, they are not welcome as the majority of the population identifies themselves with the Orthodox Church. Though we never directly shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with most of the Bulgarian teens we played football with, many of them changed their perception of the Evangelical Church in Bulgaria. Because we spent time playing football with them and talking over Cokes, they concluded that we were not there only to convert them, but we were there to have a relationship with them. Many teens walked into the Evangelical Church of Pazardjeek for the first time in their lives. It was truly remarkable. I could go on and on - but I look forward to sharing some personal stories with you when I come back to the States.

I leave for London in a few hours. Tomorrow morning I will take the train to Wales where I will visit with some local friends there, as well as visit one or two schools that I am interested in for doctoral studies. After spending three days in Wales, I will travel back to London where I will spend five days with some MTW missionaries in their outreach to Muslims in London. I return to the United States on 1 July. Please pray for safe travels and good health. I am truly enjoying this day of rest off of my feet - which are still quite tired from all of the football.

I cannot believe that I will be marrying the love of my life in 6 weeks! Though I am very pre-occupied while here in Bulgaria, not a day goes by where I do not think about the wedding and all of the excitement that accompanies it. I miss Lindsay more than anything. I cannot wait to see her. And I cannot wait to marry her. Thank you to everyone who has supported us and is praying for us. We love you all and look forward to sharing our special day with you! Thank you!

Jeremy

Putting Together A Bride

I feel a bit like Mrs. Potato-Head.

Well, not Mrs. yet..... But there are so many different little things to get ready for a wedding! Today I had my eyebrows waxed and a wonderful pedicure (my 2nd ever) from the best beautician I know--my sister. It's quite humbling having your sister at your feet. She loved me very well and took very good care of me--I became a bit teary-eyed focusing on her service at my feet. LeeAnn, my oldest sister, is in cosmetology school. And I received her services today for the very first time, as she is still in training. She will be so great at her job someday.

I also have my dress!! Ahhh. It's crazy that it's just hanging a few feet away, in the other room. I love it. I was reflecting the other day that everyone adores a bride. It's like no matter who you are or what you look like, once you put on that wedding gown, people's brows soften and a smile runs across their face. A bride is wonderfully admired. I've realized that women especially get a tangible understanding of what it means to be called the bride of Christ. Being a bride really is a beautiful thing.

I also went tanning today for the first time, against my will, but sadly necessary due to some very very distinct lines I have already acquired from summer ultimate frisbee. I literally have an X on my back, which is not the most flattering in my strapless dress. So I have subjected my body to become similar to a piece of meat....flipping half-way between cooking. Though I am told that I'm in a bed receiving the most "filtered, healthy UV rays". Whatever.

I picked out a veil.

I still need shoes.

I have some ideas for jewelry.

And I have no idea what to do with my crazy curly hair. That will also be LeeAnn's department for the wedding.

So the soon-to-be Mrs. Potato-Head is coming together. Girls can be so high maintenance. Jeremy will come back from overseas, get a hair cut, clip his toenails, and be ready for the wedding. I am beginning my primping 6 weeks early!! Oh well. It's fun.

That's the scoop for now. Thanks to everyone for the amazing comments and reflections re: this website and the invitations. I'm glad they were received so well and that the website is being used! Your encouragement means a lot. Know that Jeremy and I strive to do things well because we love you guys. You all are worth great things.

Where is Jeremy?

This is Lindsay. Lindsay is new to the blog world, and slowly learning. Never did she think she'd succumb to the blog hole. But alas, it is a great way to keep many people abreast a single event. Like a wedding!!

Enough of the third person. Initially I thought I would have to discriminate who was blogging between Jeremy and myself. However, Jeremy is in Bulgaria right now, and he will continue to travel the world until shortly before the wedding. He left almost 2 weeks ago. So it will be mostly me narrating. Sorry.

Don't judge him silently for being away during this engagement time. I am so proud of him. And things in St. Louis are just fine. Granted, I miss him terribly, but he did SO much wedding work before he left. Currently, he is in Bulgaria reaching out to a community of adolescents through soccer playing. I know this is a perfect fit for him. And he will do great things. Last I heard though, his luggage was left in Chicago. I have yet to hear an update of secured belongings. After Bulgaria, he travels throughout Wales and London, visiting a few schools for doctorate studies. I'd like to clarify that London is in the mix of schools just as much as any school in the states. Additionally, it will be another 2 years before Jeremy has completed his Masters at Covenant Seminary. We aren't necessarily moving overseas. So much can happen in two years. Just ask me if I thought I'd be doing THIS two years ago....

I uploaded a slide show of some of our engagement pictures, though I've despised pictures of myself from a small age. I believe there is record of me wincing in the ultrasound. But there are certain sacrifices that come with being married.....or so I hear. We shall mark this down as one of my firsts.

I'm excited to see all of you at this massive party we're throwing together with the complete dependence of our parents, who have loved us so well throughout it all. Please feel free to comment on anything and everything. And I'd love any suggestions on how to make this a friendly, helpful, and fun blog about a fast-approaching wedding!

Welcome!

Hello friends and welcome to our blog! We are so blessed to know so many of you and to consider you all our friends. This page will be a work in progress as we attempt to keep you all informed of events leading up to our big day. We are astonished at the way God has worked in our own individual lives in order to bring us together, and we give him glory and praise for his loving kindness and sovereign goodness. Please check back as often as you like. We are so excited and are looking forward to the day we are united together in marriage! We look forward to your sharing in this celebration with us. Love to all,

Jeremy and Lindsay