Double Digits!

99 days remaining till wedded,
99 days remaining
As days go by, it will be July
99 days remaining till wedded.

The Century Mark!

Take a quick peak at the countdown on the right - 100 DAYS REMAINING UNTIL OUR WEDDING!!!!!!!

101 Dalmatians!...I mean...

101 DAYS!
In the movie, having 101 dalmatians equated to having a lot of dogs. In this instance, however, I prefer to think of having 101 days as equating to NOT having a lot of days remaining until Thomas and I enter into ever after through a holy union. While Thomas and I are honestly both anxious to be married, we also know that God says:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

So, in the meantime, we are practicing the fruit of patience. After all, what does being anxious or worrying do? Jesus says:

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34

 This verse reminds me that God has a plan, and everything will work out according to His will.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

There is nothing we can do by worrying to change that and to make the days go faster or slower. Henceforth, I intend on taking it one day at a time, and living that day to the fullest and serving my master - Jesus.

We'll be a married couple in 101 days...!!!
...you decide who is who in this photo.

*Pictures were found using www.google.com

Helping through Heifer

Many of you may remember that Thomas and I registered through Heifer International. At one of the showers, Thomas and I were blessed to receive a flock of chicks and a flock of ducks. Actually, these items were purchased in our honor, and they were given to less fortunate people in a third world country to help combat hunger. Recipients of the chicks and ducks are required to give some of their livestock offspring to another person in the community. That person in the community is instructed to do the same thing. Eventually, the entire village has eggs, meat, and feathers to live off of and share with other villages.

Please keep those in need in your prayers, and please give whatever you are able (time, money, talents, etc.) to aid those who are less fortunate. The Heifer Project is an excellent outlet for a self-sustaining way to feed the world.

Photo: China
Ducks provide poor families protein from eggs, money
from the sale of eggs and ducks, and better crops in the
fields, as they remove weeds and bugs and add fertilizer.

Also - I would like to quack shout out to some peeps, my Uncle and sister-in-law, who celebrate their respective births on this day.

When it rains, it pours!

Every time Thomas/I travel to/from MI, our route takes us past quite a few unique bulletin boards and advertisements. On my way back to MN, the scenario was no different. I was traveling by myself, so I couldn't take a picture of what I saw, but here is a similar photo on I-90/I-94 in downtown Chicago.

Thomas and I would like to thank all those who showered us with gifts by contributing to the Bradley and/or Dean Bridal Shower. This past weekend, Thomas helped me stow the gifts away in my apartment until we get them out after our honeymoon. We would especially like to thank those who aided me in the transportation/packing of the gifts, like my older brother and my father.

In closing, check out the water tower visible as one enters Chicago on I-90.

We were Showered-rite!

Bumps and bruises...

As many of you know, especially the women who frequent bridal showers, there is a long held tradition/superstition stating that for every ribbon the bride breaks, the showered couple will have another child. With this in my mind, I decided to prove to people that this superstition is false (as are all other superstitions). I did so by breaking every ribbon (not bows) I came across at any expense. Let me tell you, some of the presents had some serious ribbons. My determination to break every ribbon cause me to endure an injury. Yup...when breaking a ribbon on a box that had too much give, the ribbon rubbed my engagement ring against my skin, and it gave me ring burn (not to be confused with ringworm). The worst part of this injury (and I'm still noticing the effect seeing as it is only now beginning to scab over) is that wearing the ring makes it worse. The ring continues to rub the surface, preventing it from healing. This was compounded by wearing gloves in lab, which made my ring dig into my finger even more. Since my finger was more important than having a sparkling object on my finger, I opted to remove the ring for a day to initiate the healing process and to preserve my digit. If it was a wedding band, I think it would take a more serious injury to warrant removing my band.
Here's some proof of the mishap:

Yikes...day one and my finger was sore.

After four days, the wound was getting deeper, so I took my ring off (and Thomas didn't mind).

Fortunately, after a day of not wearing my engagement ring, my finger has started to heal enough to the point where I can wear it again. WOW...who knew that opening presents could be so dangerous as to damage a delicate young lady's hand...!?!?
I guess I'll have another battle scar to add to my collection...

Road trip!

After the Bradley Bridal Shower, there were many doubts about whether I would be able to haul the wonderful gifts back to MN.

I too began wondering about whether or not they would fit in the Buick, but once I saw all of the presents neatly stowed away in my parents' basement, I was once again confident in Thomas and my decision to use the more fuel efficient (and older) vehicle for my return to MI.
Check out my success!

...leaving for Chicago and eventually MN from the Dean Bridal Shower.

Although one can't tell from this picture, all of my blindspots were made visible. In other words, I could still see out every window when I was driving; ask my sister (who I visited in Holland on the way back to MN).