Jesus Calling

Some of you know that I love love love a little devotional titled, "Jesus Calling," which was given to me by my mentor, Leah. The more I share my heart for it, the more I discover people have already nabbed a copy for themself. I'm convinced, this book is transforming people's understanding of how much God loves them-- myself included.

This morning's passage was right on, which, let's be honest, comes as no surprise: Jesus knows what's up.

"This is a time of abundance in your life. Your cup runneth over with blessings. After plodding uphill for many weeks, you are now traipsing through lush meadows drenched in warm sunshine. I want you to enjoy to the full this time of ease and refreshment. I delight in providing it for you.

Sometimes my children hesitate to receive my good gifts with open hands. Feelings of false guilt creep in, telling them they don't deserve to be so richly blessed. This is nonsense-thinking, because no one deserves anything from me. My kingdom is not about earning and deserving, it's about believing and receiving.

When a child of mine balks at accepting my gifts, I am deeply grieved. When you receive my abundant blessings with a grateful heart, I rejoice. My pleasure in giving and your pleasure in receiving flow together in joyous harmony, (Psalm 23:5; John 3:16; Luke 11:9-11; Romans 8:32)."

This served as a simple reminder of how the Lord recognizes and relishes in my joy and excitement as a bride-to-be. Jesus is participating in this process with me -- like my father or like my bridesmaid -- which means He supports me, He'll listen to me and He won't leave my side. But the greater truth is this: it's all from Him... and will remain all His. He has orchestrated this good gift in and between Adam and I, and I'll be forever grateful.

BTB

Big Rock Candy Mountain

Ohmygosh, I'm engaged to Adam Brimer!

Overcome with joy and encouragement, we are both (tired and) thrilled!

While hiking yesterday through Big South Fork in northern Tennessee, Adam proposed atop Angel Falls overlook. Amidst the "oh my gosh-es," there was a cheerful YES!

We are lucky enough to have captured the proposal on video which allowed for this screen shot of the bended knee and freak-out hands:

Despite several months, and I mean seh-heeev-er-uuhl months, of (borderline bitter) anticipation, I can say this:

It wasn't a minute too late-- or too soon. It was absolutely perfect. The Lord is so good and faithful!

"And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord," Luke 1:45.

The last 24-hours have passed as a peaceful whirlwind.

Hike --> Freak-out Phone Calls --> Celebratory French Fries --> Video chat with Kimberly and Sam in Roma!! --> Welcome Ben and Audrey from Nashville --> Church --> Freak-out Hands --> Engagement Party -> Freak-out Hands while eating pizza

My head and my heart cannot process quickly enough; it would be most convenient if my sentences were fill-in-the-blank.

But that wouldn't make much for a blog.

Peace & love!

BTB

(bride/brimer-to-be)