Waiting

Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD."

Over the last few months I have held on to this scripture. To hold on and wait for what the Lord has in store for me. Whatever that may be. I guess you can say that I have been struggling with patience over the last several months. Wanting answers to questions NOW and wanting them to be my answers. I wanted to know what was next for me. I was reminded often....very often by many people to just be patient. honestly, I was so tired of hearing the word patience. But I knew in my heart that God had a plan for me and that He would reveal it on His time, not mine.

If you would have asked me a year ago what I would be doing 8 months after I finished my college degree, I probably would have given you the answer you wanted to hear. Let's just say, I'm not where I thought I would be at this point in my life, and I am absolutely, perfectly ok with that. In the last 8 months i have had the opportunity to serve in South Africa, to find what Shawna really is, to grown in my relationship with Christ, and now, gladly able to say I'm officially a fiancée. I in no way can complain about my life. I am blessed.

Now....let me tell you a little story. Thursday, July 28, 2011 changed my life.
This particular day started out as an ordinary day in Shreveport, LA, where Ben has been working all summer. He was at work on this day, so I had plenty of time to do whatever I wanted....so of course, I laid by the pool, read a book, watched tv, took a nap, and did laundry. typical. Later that evening my sweet Ben invited me on a coffee date followed by a nice, fancy dinner. If you know me, you know I like coffee, food, and wearing a pretty dress--so I jumped at this offer. As we arrived at starbucks, we ordered our drinks and sat in what I called the "lovers" corner back in the back...Ben then proceeded to grab our drinks from the bar and walk over to the table and we began to chat. (Now,keep in mind, I have been very patient with Mr. Benjamin and his timing of things cough engagement cough so he always likes to tease me with it) He sits down and asks me if I would marry him if all he could afford was an "engagement" iced coffee instead of a ring. I of course said no! He then said what about to iced coffee's and a ring later? I was beginning to get aggravated because I knew he was just messing with me...I said Maybe....the he began to move his cup over towards me and said, What about 2 iced coffee's and a little extra something...as he removed his hand from the top of his cup where a beautiful ring was placed on the straw. My first reaction I said hastily, SHUT UP!!! at this point, I thought he was joking and playing a cruel joke on me...this was not the case. He then got down on one knee, in Starbucks, and asked me if i would spend the rest of my life with him. of course....i said YES!!!! and the tears started....We spent the majority of the night calling and texting people to share our news and spending time together already discussing wedding ideas. I feel like since that night, I haven't stopped smiling.

I say all of this to say....waiting, it sure did suck, but man am I so glad I did....I am honestly the luckiest girl in this world and could not have asked for a better future husband. Everything in life has led up to this point and I am just in awe. God is so good. I could not ask for better friends, for a better family, for a better group of "in-laws", for a better God, and for a better life. Although I know how blessed I am, this past week I was reminded at how God really does work in His timing.

Patience and waiting....two very important things in this life....
"Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD."

So very thankful. for everything. and all of you.

blessings,
Future Mrs. A :)