Hello Dearies!
What a delightful Christmas we have had! I sure missed you guys, but this week was a week that we were making history in our home–our family history. Let me include a pic that just might tell you about the newest event in our home:
Yes! That is a gorgeous engagement ring! AND…yes that is Matthew with his NEW fiance’ Jill!
I know that many of you have followed Matthew’s life through the years. You have seen his commitments and his heart to “wait” for God’s very best in his life. Well, there you see his precious treasure just moments after he proposed to her. Sweet! Sweet! Sweet! See what preoccupied me on our “normal” ezine day? ha! I was just soaking it all in. But, I HAD to let you know! You guys are a part of our life that is sooo integral. So many of you have personally poured your very lives into Matthew’s life. So many of you have been such an encouragement to him. We feel as though so many of you are “family” and would want to watch the beautiful love story as it is written.
You will love the story!
Matthew and Jill met while Matthew was acting as “the beast” (there were two so they could manage all of the scenes) in our local Gingerbread Theatre’s Beauty and the Beast. The very first time that Jill saw Matthew, he was in “beast” makeup and his shorts–YEP! She was helping to coordinate the staging and lighting. She says that the next time she saw him “all cleaned up” and it was as if a light were shining all around him. Elisabeth said that it was probably stage lights! ha! Jill said that she immediately KNEW he was her “Prince Charming.” To describe all that Matthew has to say about Jill would take a book…later! (Wink!)
They have spent the past few months getting to know each other….sharing their dreams and life plans…talking out their beliefs about children, money, and of course, God…and getting to know each other’s family. It has been wonderful!
Just the other day, Matthew came to us and told us that he felt that God was leading him to make things official and begin plans for the big day. We have had a blast walking with him down this path.
Last week, we had a very special day with him. Harold and I were blessed to get to go shopping with him for the ring. It is SO sweet to see his excitement as he chose the treasure that would forever mark his commitment to her. I get teary thinking of his elation as he looked at the ring the whole way home that first day. Just precious, very precious!
They were officially engaged on Christmas Eve. It was just sweet. Now, they are beginning to make the plans for the special day that will all too soon be here. Exciting! Just exciting!
This has been a holiday season that has just reminded me over and over and over that things are changing. This season is coming to an end. This was the very last Thanksgiving and Christmas that we will be just us with the kids at home. Don’t get me wrong, I look forward to the future that is ahead of us, but it is always tough to let go of “what you know.”
Everything is changing. Elisabeth is a Senior in High School. Matthew is now engaged to get married. Plus, Matthew leaves out next week for Basic Training and steps out into his tomorrows. Talk about a big change around here. I can barely breathe when I think of it. Tears just flood.
I have loved, dearly loved, being a mom. These years of homeschooling have been priceless. We had time to be a family. Time to make sweet memories. Time to impart my heartbeat to my children. I praise God for that time. Without it, I have no idea how moms walk through these changes. I have a whole heart FULL to overflowing from the years that homeschooling gave me with my son. I can let him go forth KNOWING that it is time to see him fly. And, baby will he soar!
Thanks dear friends for the years that you have been there praying and encouraging and loving our family. You have become OUR family. We treasure the relationships that we have had with you over the years. It is so fun to walk through this journey with you. Things will be changing so much for all of us, not just our family, as we move into the new year.
My prayer is that you and your family will have a delightful week this week. Make TONS of memories. Take time to just love each other and enjoy one another. Let the stuff go…it will be there tomorrow. Instead, take time. Time goes too fast otherwise! Let’s make the most of every single day.
Well, we have a great night planned tonight. I have gotta get everything wrapped up for the day. Thanks for letting me change the format of today’s ezine and just pour out my heart.
I will be praying for you and your family. Let’s get ready for a super new year. It is going to be a GREAT 2008. Ready? Let’s have a blast!
Love ya tons!
Cindy
PS! I got a few emails asking if the Half Off Sale could be extended. What a super idea! I COMPLETELY understand how busy the past few weeks have been. So, the sale will be going on until after New Years Day! Want some “mommy” goodies? Here is the link: