And The Plans Are Rolling

I put this on my wedding blog and figured I might as well spread it out around my silly little blogging world. I need to make a note that I am going to switch blogs whenever Joshua and I get married in order to make that fun transition, plus I've been wanting to change my email address (I'm getting too much spam 'cause it's an old one) and it's a good time to do that as well. I'll spread the info sufficiently around whenever it happens.

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Let me preface this paragraph with a minor disclaimer: I am absolutely thrilled to be getting married! I never realized what a difficult season engagement was going to be. Of course it is not due to the engagement itself but all that comes with it. Essentially, we are starting life over together and all of our expectations our coming up, being verbalized, having plans put to them, and making compromises here and there. The hand of God is so obvious when we have these vision-based conversations about our life, our family, our hopes and our hearts resound together and just as much so when there are variances in opinion but we work through with grace and communication.

Everything from apartment hunting to phone plans to car insurance has been a decision factor lately and I've been on the job hunt here all the while knowing I'll be doing this again in 6 months or so in California. Wedding plans have been reinstated post-holidays and I'm looking at another location this week to find out if I want to seal the deal at the gardens or move on. We are more than ready to get an official date set and hoping against hope to bump it up to May. I'm working on designing a monogram to potentially be used on invitations and definitely on the program (that I've already finished).

We've been updating the Bed, Bath, and Beyond registry, going over our picks, making adjustments where needed. Last night Joshua did his "man registry" at Lowe's and was the most fired up I've seen him about any plans so far. My favorite thing though is our cash registry we're supposed to modify soon at OurWishingWell.com. It is really going to help us considering that we will be moving across the country and will not want to carry more with us than necessary.

In other news, it will be absolute heaven to roll over and say "good night" instead of grabbing my keys and saying "goodbye." One of my friends once described her first year of marriage as "one big slumber party." I laughed (both of us knowing it's more challenging than that) but as much fun as Joshua and I have, I believe it.

Peace and 81 degree January days.

Graduated Cylinder

So school let out-- I still can't believe it, honestly. My mind's reeling that the nine month mark is up and my life is totally different than originally planned. Funny how that works, hm? It looks like I am going to be staying in California until further notice. There's no way it's time to leave this culture; I feel like there is still a lot more to learn and that my roots have dug in to this ground a bit. However, one's hometown is always half home (pun intended) so I will certainly be back in Texas for several weeks. I couldn't miss July 4th with family just yet, so I'll make it just in time.

My roommates and I are moving to a bigger apartment, which will be really nice space-wise, but with some recent financial challenges with my car, it's getting to be a pretty huge thing. As always, agree with supernatural provision in my life. Starbucks is not my provider but it is a means of provision, so my hours should drastically increase sometime soon. It is odd to see my life jumping back into cardboard, even if it's only for a very short migration (we're staying in the same complex). The feeling of completion is greatly appreciated and I even enjoy the "starting over" setup, but it's this in-between bit that makes me feel a little shaky and always sends me on an introspective spiral. This time, though, I am not questioning self, just flipping through the pages of life.

Growth continues as I learn what it is to trust, what it is to make decisions, what it is to be responsible and accountable, what it is to love by staying in love when I can nearly believe that I can run my life. Papa is here for me and takes care of me, offering me the chance to be faithful especially when it's not demanded.

Prayer request: I'm really seeking guidance on the 2nd year or Shasta College decision (which, incidentally, could be made for me pending my acceptance into BSSM).