Well, hello, blogging world

So, I thought I would post another post. After almost exactly one year since my last post. Wow. :) I used to blog quite a bit. It's an excellent place to write feelings and happenings. I don't know if anyone will even see that I posted a new post since nobody has probably checked this in about a year. Oh well.


I guess not too much has happened since my last post... other than I got married to my bestest friend. :) Let's see... what else? I have two beautiful new nephews, Trace and Carson. Two new brothers in law, Tim and Logan. Other than that... not a lot I guess. I graduate from ISU in five months! :) And just learning to trust my Saviour more each day.

I guess for now, that's it. It feels good to be back in the blogging world. It's been a while. :)

in love

A man has entered my life since my last post on my blog. A man who has been in my life for about six plus years but has become very, very special to me over the last five or six months.

This is me and Tommy. My best friend.

The Lord definitely knew what He was doing when He brought Tommy into my life to be my husband. Tommy is exactly the right person for me. He loves me unconditionally, is so patient with me, and thinks I'm beautiful (I know, right?!).

Never did I think I would be so blessed to have such an amazing man to share life's journey with. Tommy has blessed me in ways that are so indescribable. He points me toward God and his passion for the Lord makes me more passionate for God. His consistent kindness, patience, and listening ear have been exactly what this emotional, sensitive, soft-hearted mess needs. :)

I never liked the term soul mate. I always thought of Plato's myth of two people wandering the earth looking for their 'other half' and the thought that only one person can ever fill you. However, we read a beautiful Christian book on marriage and the last chapter asked, "Are you and your mate soul mates?" It covered how we are to become "soul mates" with our spouse. Our souls are to be joined as one in Christ. So, Tommy and I are soul mates. We are soul mates in Christ. I've never been as close to someone as I am to Tommy. Nobody knows me as well emotionally, mentally, or spiritually.

Engagement hasn't been a walk in the park, just ask Tommy. :) I sure haven't made parts of it entirely easy on him. But his patience and love for me have made this journey so much more beautiful. And the tears we've cried together have brought us so much closer.

Every day I find more and more reasons to love, respect, and appreciate him. I hope and pray that he feels the love from me that I feel from him. There is no one else I would want to spend the rest of my life growing old with, laughing and loving our way through the years.

On January 13th, we will become one in marriage and complete what God started years ago. Although marriage is a little intimidating at times... I know it will be beautiful because God planned it. Yes, there will be good times and hard times, but I am embarking on this journey with the two men I trust and love most in the world, my God and my soul mate.

Looking Heavenward

This morning I woke up and looked out my window. Snow covered the cars. Shucks. Scraping and cold.

So I bundled up in my layers, threw on my stocking cap, grabbed my backpack and stepped outside. Much to my amazement, it wasn't near as cold as I thought it would be. And the snowflakes falling were so big you could see each individual one. Their beauty astounded me. As I walked to my car, I thanked God for each snowflake. And how He made each one so unique and individual.

Then I thanked Him for making me individual. And even though I feel like I get lost in this big ol' world among the many names and faces of those around me, He still remembers me. He thinks of me each moment. He hurts when I cry and laughs when I laugh.

I am unique in the eyes of my Lord. And just like His snowflakes, I am an amazing creation.

My God is so good.

God Bless you all! Thank you for being unique and special in my life. You are all beautiful creations.

Standing in Awe

So... today I got to experience a miracle.

I saw a baby be born. A beautiful little girl named Alexandra was born to one of my good friends and I was blessed enough to be able to watch and talk to my friend throughout the process.

I really thought I wouldn't be able to handle it. But instead of getting nervous or sick, I found myself filling up with tears. I found myself falling in love with the miracle of birth, falling in love with my awesome God all over again. I fell in love with His attention to detail. She had a beautiful head of black hair. Ten perfect little toes and ten perfect little fingers.

I felt so wrapped in the arms of Jesus today. It was like He was whispering, "Natalie, I'm here and I'm so very real. Look at what I've created, look what I've given the world."

Praise the Lord. My God is so Good.

about that blogging thing...

Been a while.

Lots of stuff has been happening lately. God's definitely been working, I can feel it. Do you ever feel like God is trying to teach you something, but you're just not sure what it is? All you know is that it's something big because you wouldn't be feeling the way you're feeling if it wasn't God. Hm... does that make sense?

I was in Schaumburg this weekend with my sisters, my mom, and my nephew. We went shopping. Good times with the girls. (And Landon) I've definitely been learning the importance of family lately. No matter how hard I fall or what kind of questions I have, they're there. Waiting for me to come home and spill my guts about a hard class or a friend who's let me down. I thank God for a family who loves the Lord!

Know what song I've recently come to love? "Great is Thy Faithfulness". Powerful words that speak straight to your heart til the message goes to your head that He really, really is faithful. Regardless of how I feel, my God is faithful. When I don't feel His presence, God is faithful. When all I see in the world around me is sin and darkness, my God is faithful. When I'm crawling through the valley or jumping along the mountaintops, my God is faithful.

Do you ever feel like you expect someone to meet you halfway in a relationship? You expect to give and take from a relationship, right? You don't want to be giving the whole time and you know you shouldn't be taking the whole time either. Well, my God loves me. And I feel like I'm just at the brink of the beginning of falling in love with Him. He's loved me before I even knew what love was (not that I really know much now). He's gone the entire way the whole time. He knows I'll never be able to love Him or serve Him in return to the amount He really deserves. But He sincerely and patiently asks me to try. At least to the very best of my ability and with my whole heart. He's been teaching me about what it really means to fall in love with Him and serve Him without reservation. No fear; just simple trust.

Praise God for all He has done, is doing, and will continue to do in the future! How matchless are His ways!

What an Honor it is to Serve my King

My Prayer

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

...

I thought I needed a new post... but I got nothin'. I guess I've been learning a lot lately. I think I've summed it up.

God is good.
God is love.
God is grace.

Not much more to say.

God Bless

Because He lives
-me-