Unforgettable

Yesterday morning, I woke up to a text: Date day today! Dress all cute and stuff. I'll pick you up at 1:00.

We went on an adventure to the Frist, to Centennial Park, to Fido, to Panera, and to GiGi's. Super fun day :) But throughout the day, I thought about it: What if it happens today?

But I kept telling myself to just put it out of my mind instead.

I thought we were on our way home, but Eric said we had one more place to go. We drove out to Percy Priest Lake, to Smith Springs Picnic Area on the far side of the lake. We've been going there since August of 2008, but we hadn't been in at least a year. What if it happens today?

We walked out to the tree we carved our initials into two years ago:



If it is going to happen today, it's going to happen here!

We walked down to the shore instead, and I finally gave up thinking about it happening today.

Eric set up his camera to take a picture of us with the lake in the background, and, once he set the timer, he came and put his arms around me. After the picture flashed, he whispered, "Look down."

And the most beautiful ring was in the palm of his hand.

He asked if I would marry him, and I said YES, OF COURSE!!!



I love that boy with my whole heart, and I always will :)

reunions

After an impromptu girls night, my eyes are swollen and my heart is full.

A year ago, I remember saying to my girls in the middle of a puddle of tears that I just can't take another step. They said to me something that I'll never forget--something that has really shaped my perspective of who we are TOGETHER.

"We know that you can't take another step. We are here to take that next step for you."

Julie, Kylie, Katie, Mary Catherine...and everyone who was missing bodily but always a part of our hearts...I love you so much, and thank you for taking that step for me last year.
And thanks for the knowledge that we're all here to take the step when the other cannot.

I love you!

A Thousand Questions

A Thousand Questions from Nick Jones on Vimeo.

...wow.

Love?

I really struggle with the

God
Bless
America

idea. Like all the time.

I am grateful for the freedom to love God and love other people in this country. But I can't believe that this is "God's country" or that we are in any way an acceptable representation of the Kingdom.

Yeah.

Also, this:

Missing You....and You. and You.

I must admit that I feel a little bit foolish for missing you so much.


Eric left for Florida today, and he and the band will be gone for over a month. Thank God for cell phones and SKYPE!










Cindy passed away a year ago on Tuesday. I miss you more than I ever thought I would. More than I ever imagined. I see you everywhere, and I love that.






Sean called me today :) :) And, while I loved talking to you, I miss the times when
we could sit and talk for a long time about everything possible.





So, I guess today is a little lonely,

...but I am happy. :)

I'm still so thankful to be where I am and who I am :)

"Fight Sexism.Shut up and get back in the kitchen."

Umm, no.



...but I really do love to cook.

And still...

This is my city.

30 people died in the flood, and countless people lost homes, jobs, and hope.

"Break my heart for what breaks yours..." is coming true for me.

And even though we are safe and dry on Trevecca's hill, we students are sharing food and water and clothes and blankets and shoes and toothbrushes and shampoo and life and HOPE with our city. Their undying smiles even when they've lost everything encourage me beyond anything I've ever seen.

Mrs. Ruth and Mrs. Bea, two women who lost their home in the flood and who are living in the Trevecca Towers for the time being, told me yesterday that they have seen the fingerprints of God on this flood.

And I have, too.

Creator, teach us what it means to be your hands and be your feet.




And BE the God of this city.