just because

I feel like I have more reason to blog than ever before, yet I place it so far on the back burner that I never get around to it.

This has been my favorite season of my entire life. Bold statement? I believe so. The wedding planning, being engaged to my best friend, discovering more and more how I am wired & designed... it's all such a beautiful thing. Right around the new year, I revisited some old blog posts of mine, specifically from the last two New Year's. I am so glad that I blogged during those years. I am able to look back and reflect at the dark season I was in, for many years, and then to see where I am now. This New Year's Eve was such a great one! I spent it with people I love, and was able to look ahead into 2013 with a bright smile. I am so excited about where my life is headed. But, when I find myself in a moment of excitement about where God has me, I stop to remember where he once had me, and I smile about that too. You see, it's not just about the exciting seasons in our lives that make life taste so sweet -- it's about the dark times as well. If I never walked through the rugged path I was on, I would not be the woman I am right now. I wouldn't have the ability to love Jamey the way I love him now. I love him with a sincere, grateful heart. When I hold his hand, I don't hold it loosely, because I know what it's like to not have him in my life. When I am with him, or even when I am not, I try to remind him of the reasons why I love him, instead of just saying "I love you". I do this because I know what it's like to not have a consistent relationship with him. 

Now, we are 5 months away from being married, becoming one. Neither of us thought we would be here, but for some odd reason, God's grace abounds so much more than our own. 

I'm not sure what the purpose of this post was, but I wanted to write. So, take what you may from it. Maybe you're in a dark season, and you're fed up with where you're feet are planted. I encourage you to move. Take steps, whether they be large steps, or maybe even the tiniest of baby steps... move. The only way I got out of my dark season was because I took steps forward to making myself healthier. 

Maybe you're in a bright season; one full of joy when you lay your head down to when you wake each morning. Embrace joy. Don't question why you are in a good season, I did that at first and it's pointless. God just wants to bless us sometimes! Think about why you're in such a good season -- is it someone in your life? Remind them that you are grateful they are there.

Wherever you are, I hope you know you are loved.

XO,

Brenda

creating traditions

Being engaged is the most exciting season I've experience yet. There's always something new to discover, or new to discuss. At times it can be stressful, but God has been using these events to draw Jamey and I even closer than we were before. Wedding planning can be exhausting, even though it is such a beautiful season. One thing we have committed to since we started dating, and we've carried through engagement, is weekly date day/nights. In the midst of planning, working full-time and having outside lives, finding time to get together can be so difficult. But, we find it to be so vital to keeping us strong, so we make it happen!

This last week, it was my turn to plan a date night, so I made it a surprise! We have been wanting to go to a Pumpkin Patch for a few weeks now, so I thought that would be a good idea. I researched some local Pumpkin Patches in Orange County, in hopes to find the best of the best. I read great reviews about the Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch, so that was the winner! We had SO much fun! It was so neat walking around looking at all the little kids and their families, and they had it set up really well. We searched for the perfect little pumpkins to take home with us to carve, and we of course, used it as an opportunity for some awesome photos! 

I just kept thinking how awesome it was to use this time to create traditions for the two of us. We are engaged to be married, and what that means to us is that we are months away from beginning our own little family. That brings so much joy to my life! 

So, here's to continuous seasons of joy, new traditions & the fall season.

Classic fall photo.

He's the cutest!

Feeling very tough with my little bitty pumpkin.

Hers & His pumpkins :)

What kinds of traditions do you have? What are you plans this fall season?

XO,

Brenda

With Every Season of Trial, Comes a Season of Joy

I truly believe that statement to be truth. I've seen it in the lives of those around me, and I most recently have seen it in my own life. If you've been following my blog over the last 5+ months, you would know that I experienced a season of trial, darkness and pain. I knew it was a season I needed to face, and that I needed to not run from. All my life, I have embraced running away rather than facing things head on. But, I am so grateful that I was surrounded by great support who encouraged me to stay put, and wait on God. I was able to survive that time because I knew God would soon bring me out of it, and give me joy. That is the beauty of His promises.

"a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance."

Ecclesiastes 3:4

I experienced healing, and with that healing came freedom, and with that freedom came joy. I've mentioned this joy a few times on my blog, so now I feel it would be appropriate to explain what this season of joy looks like for me. If you're interested, keep reading...

Joy comes in all forms, and I believe my joy ultimately comes from the Lord. In this season specifically, my joy has a name, and his name is James Michael. 

We have an interesting story, Jamey & I. From what started three years ago, and was more recently revisited, we've had quite the journey. We are the epitome of a miracle, and a relationship that has God's fingerprints completely all over it. From our start, the odds have been against us, and that in essence, was the reason we never could fully take off. He has always remained someone I admired and found comfort in. He has the heart of a servant, and the ability to love in spite of my crazy. (& believe me, I've had my share of crazy over the years). He has been the most patient and faithful person I've ever met. Because of all of this, we've revisited one another many times over the last few years. It never made sense to either of us, and it was more often than not, filled with pain and heartache. But now, we are able to look back and see what God was up to. We can see purpose in all of those rough seasons, because it was what led us to this season, our season of joy.

Our story doesn't make sense to most people, and it honestly doesn't make complete sense to either of us, but it's us. We realize that our story is in actuality God's story, and we have been given the privilege to be characters within it. 

Such little babies!
[3 years ago]

                                                            

I've never been happier, and I am so excited to see where God takes us. We are stronger than ever before, because of all the trials we faced both together, and individually. Everyday is still surreal, I can't help but to thank God for this blessing and this season of joy.

J a m e y , 

You are so dear to me. Thank you for being so patient with me over the years. And above everything else, thank you for listening to God throughout these years, even when it didn't make sense and when the world told you not to. I am confident it is because of your obedience that you and I are here, together. You're my favorite, darlin'.

XO

Brenda