The latest...

Well, I thought I'd take a moment to fill in any of my curious readers on the latest happenings of the wedding planning process. Its all flying by so quickly already but I'm trying to enjoy it all. We have all the major decisions underway at this point so I feel good about that. The ceremony location is finalized, although we're trying to come up with a better name instead of just 'the Jordan Hollow'. And for those you who don't live around here, you wouldn't know that there is an old flea market down and there and a popular, yet extremely greasy breakfast joint nearby. We thought perhaps 'the Twenty Valley Trail' or 'GlenElgin" would give a better impression of a beautiful wedding location. Either way, its still a great spot. I have some fun ideas on decorating - since the wedding will be in the evening, possibly some cool torches along the trail leading up to the front of the ceremony - just one of the ideas! The reception will be held back up at my church immediatly following the ceremony. We are going for the party feel as opposed to the formal sit-down dinner feel. My friends jazz trio will be playing the background music while appetizers and desserts will be served. I think this style really represents Brad and I well and we are looking forward to just hanging out with all our friends and family in this way. As far as colours for the bridesmaids dresses go, I really had no set ideas on that but we've come to the conclusion of going with a limey, pistachio green. I know thats probably a really bad description, but there are a gazillion shades of green out there so you just gotta use your imagination. Flowers will probably be just really bright fun summer colours - mostly shades of orange and yellow. We met with a photographer the other night so I think we are set on going with her, we just have to confirm that yet. Oh ya, and the big one...the caterer. We've met with one and really love his ideas...just not his price!! We're going to meet with another one this weekend and do some comparing. Because we're going with a bit of a different style, we want someone who will do a great job at creating the atmosphere, not just making the food. Oh, wait, I forgot about the other big one...THE DRESS! Yes, I think I found it already. I don't have it in my hands, but I'm going in for the purchase tomorrow. I would describe it to you, but well, I need to take precautions should my future husband read my blog...which he actually rarely does since his excuse is 'he lives it'. Anyways, I'll just say that I love it and feel great in it. It was a little strange seeing myself in one for the first time, but it got more and more exciting the more I looked at myself. My head is a buzz with all the things that are left to do and l let me tell you, I've got quite a few lists going on right now. Its a good thing I've been praciting that for a while! I wake up every morning with some random thought about the wedding. I guess thats pretty normal. It's crazy how one little question can change so much in your life. I don't think I've ever felt so much excitement and so much uncertainty in my life at the same time. There are so many unknowns coming up in terms of WHERE we will live, if we will buy a house, if we will rent, if I will get a job in June or in September and where that might be or will I just continue supply teaching etc. etc. I know that everything will work itself out in the right time and that God has each and every step under control, its just another way that God is teaching me to trust and rest in his plan for my life.

Let the planning begin!

Well, we're back from Florida and ready to plan our wedding. We had an awesome week in the sun and enjoyed the relaxing time before all the busyness of planning begins. We have a lot of ideas worked out and so now the official booking and calling needs to take place. But most importantly, we did decide on an official date....Friday, August 3rd, 2007 will be the big day and its coming up fast! We are planning to be married outside, close to the spot were Brad proposed actually, on our friends beautiful backyard. The reception will be held up in my churchs' auditorium right after the ceremony. I originally wanted a tent for the reception, but it makes more sense to do it in the gym becuase then it will already be set up and decorated if, and only if, we need it as a backup for the ceremony. I really, really hope we can still get married outside though. Sunshine all the way! So that's two of the main things nailed down. Next, its on to photography, flowers and catering...oh, and THE DRESS!!

See this girl here?
And see this boy here?

The two of them (and their very large noses!) are going to become husband and wife!!!
That's right folks! You heard it right. Christine Martens and Brad Morgan are officially engaged!! On Saturday afternoon, Brad asked me to marry him. He was very wise and caught me totally off guard while we were hiking on our usual path. As we were walking, I was in front of him. This now, I realize, was part of his plan!! So Brad had my video camera out, which wasn't unusual since we often take pictures together and video clips of stuff we do. He was taping while we walked and I kept bugging him to turn it off since it wasn't really exciting movie material. Well, what I didn't know behind me was that when I wasn't looking, Brad was getting the ring out and flashing it in front of the camera and when I turned around, he would hide it. So finally, he was close behind me and as I was bugging him to turn it off, he said No! I want to give you something. And when I turned around, he was down on his knee to propose. Its quite funny cause the video of this moment depicts my surprise quite well as the words that kept coming out of my mouth repeatedly were something to the effect of, what? what's going on? is this happening? etc. etc. You think you can predict what you are going to say in those very precious moments, but when you actually experience it, you realize you have absolutely no control!! After I agreed to marry him, without hesitation I might add, we just kinda stood there for a bit soaking it all in and wondering what to do next!!! We hiked back to my place and surprised my parents and then the furry of activity began!! The night FLEW by as we celebrated over dinner and spent the rest of the night calling all our family and friends. My favourite part was surprising Ted & Julie and Matt & Becky, who have been suspicious for months now and anticipating our announcment at any moment. We totally surprised them and are so happy to have such amazing friends to celebrate our engagment with.

So here we are in our more normal state...the soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Brad Morgan. So many exciting things ahead in the coming months. We are planning for an August wedding so the next few months will be busy busy. I am so thankful for the opportunity that Brad and I have, though, to head to Florida on Friday with my parents for a week of relaxing before the busyness hits. It will be nice to have that week together to start planning our wedding. Keep checking in for updates as we approach the big day. I'm sure there will be lots of post about.

PATIENCE

I've been realizing lately that I'm an impatient person. I never used to think that, especially since I chose to start into a career that demands a great deal of patience. But somehow, God has a way of eventually exposing your weaknesses, especially when your faced with new and different situations; ones that cause your true self to appear no matter how hard you try to hide it. See the thing with patience for me is that for the most part, I try to be a very efficient person and patience doesn't work like that. I like to get things done, even if its not done the best way possible sometimes. If I think of something, I like to mentally scratch it off the "to-do" list and move on. To me, the satisfaction of completion outweighs the process, especially if the process will take a really long time. There are too many things to do and experience that we can't waste time on waiting around here! Does anybody else ever feel this way, or is this just me?
However, despite my own feelings about it, God expects us to be patient. If we desire to display a Christ-like character to those around us, we must display patience. I think it's interesting that the very first characteristic of love, listed in 1 Corinthians, is PATIENCE. Perhaps God knew that would be one of the hardest things for us to do and so He listed it first - just to make sure we didn't look past it! And so, I humbly accept that I need God to give me patience. And as I have started taking steps in the process, I have learned that God has so much to give us as we wait. I mean, I know its hard to see that in the beginning, but as you begin to look back, you realize it was worth the wait. Now don't get me wrong, I have many things ahead of me that require a great deal of patience and the Lord's timing, but I'm starting to realize that just being efficient about them and sratching them off the 'to-do' list doesn't always allow us the opportunity to experience the Lord's best for our lives.