Cloud 49

Joseph and I have decided that cloud 9 is not high enough for the place that I have been for the past five days. Why, you ask? Because I'M GOING TO MARRY THE MAN OF MY DREAMS!!!

I know that sounds cliche, but I really don't care, because it's true. Well, it might be a little false in that I didn't dream that the man I would marry would be this great, but it's an almost true statement.

Thank you to everyone who is so supportive. It's great to know that people are excited with us, especially our parents and close friends. You are all such a blessing.

Anyway, here's the story:

Starting on Monday, I would wake up every day to find a letter and a gift on the kitchen table for me. (awwww!) Except on Friday, there was only a letter, no gift. But I knew that we were going on a date that day, so I figured that was the gift. No problem.

At about 2:30 on Friday, November 21, we hopped in the car with my camera. Joe had told me to bring it along, and then informed me that we were going to drive North and take pictures along the way of anything I wanted. We could stop, turn around, anything. It was great fun.

So we drove North to Minnesota and we went to Blue Mounds State Park (I had never even heard of it, but it was pretty. It's like a prairie with hills and rocks that look blue. Hence the name).

We were taking some pictures, and then we saw a deer far, far off. I took some pictures with the telephoto lens, but we were too far away for a clear picture, so Joe suggested that we get in the car and try to drive a little closer to where the deer was headed.

We drove closer and ended up in a dead-end by a pond. And the deer by then was gone. Bye Bye Bambie. So we're sitting in the car, and Joseph says, "Do you want to dance?" and of course, I say yes. We hop out of the car, and walk a little ways off by some trees and the pond. It was beautiful. We started dancing, and he asked me, "what are you thinking?"

Okay, this needs an explanation. That is a question that he asks me all the time, and I never have a good answer for it. So I always just respond, "I like you."

*Spoiler Alert*
Up to this point, Joseph and I had made and kept the commitment to not kiss or say we loved each other until engagement. Short version of the reason why: We wanted to make sure we really meant we loved each other, that it came with a commitment, not just emotion. And him being my first boyfriend, I had never kissed anyone (crazy, eh?), so I figured I might as well save it. Yes, it was difficult, but it was really worth it. I'm very glad we waited. In a nutshell, those are the reasons...And very vital pieces of information to really understand the beauty of this story.

Anyway, Joseph asks me, "What are you thinking?" and I respond with my typical, "I like you." Then he whispers in my ear, "I love you." I froze. A million thoughts went through my head, "Did he just say that? Did I hear it wrong? Did he mean to say that? Am I dreaming??"

And then he got down on one knee, and said...

Beautiful things that I can't remember and it had to do with me and him and Christ and a journey or something wonderful like that...I really was listening...and even told myself "Remember this!" I failed.

*later on, he wrote down what he actually said (it was off the cuff, he's amazing). Here's the real version:

"For the past three years I've been able to see every side of you,
and I know that you follow Christ in all that you do.
I would be honored if you would join me in my walk to serve Christ.
Becky Lancaster, will you marry me?"

And I nodded and said, "Yeah" in a way that sounded a little like I was about to cry, but I was so happy!

Then he stood up and gave me a hug. And then said, "I have something for you" and pulled a box out of his jacket with the most gorgeous ring you've ever seen (seriously, you should see it). He put the ring on my finger, and then we kissed. Our first kiss after over 3 years. It was magic.

Then we got in the car, decided to go to dinner before calling anyone, and basked in the beauty of love until after dinner, and then called many, many people.

That's our story. We have been blessed with more than either of us deserves, by a God who loves us more than we can imagine. Our relationship truly is a gift from God.

I am so excited to join Joseph in his walk to serve Christ.

Peace and love to you all.



Pictures: here is the deer. Joseph says "thank you" to you, dear friend.



This is the pond next to where we were when he popped the question. Beautiful, eh?




..And here's the ring!! I love it. This picture really doesn't do it justice, but it gives the general idea. I get really distracted by it, especially in the auditorium when it's under a ton of lights. Very very sparkly.

Chili, Cheese, and Pumpkins

The Chili Bash at Casey's Bakery was tonight's dinner of choice. Becky Love and I laughed, ate chili and cinnamon rolls, and tried not to spit the chili in fits of laughter...and I also spilled some on my thumb. It was a good girl date. To be followed up tomorrow night with a wonderful date with Joe Joe, which I have been looking forward to since the run of Urinetown. He is a patient man.

After the Bash of Chili, we went to Diane and Rachel Feucht's apartment for a celebration of pumpkins, complete with pumpkin pie, which Becky and I barely squeezed into the remaining pocket of our stomachs. It was delicious. Also, Diane made pumpkin chip dip, which she was VERY proud of, so i of course tried a bit of that. It was very unique and very good. I went back for a second bite (only partly because I got a big chunk of onion in the first and I really needed something to cut the taste).

And then Becky and I fought the SNOW! YES, I SAID SNOW!!! to go back to the car and drive home. It has been a good night. And it is still not over! Magic, I say.

We started an impressionist-style painting today. It is very fun. Like being strategically sloppy, only it's called Art! Fantastic.

P.S. I talked to Kelsey yesterday. It was fantastic. Too bad she doesn't read my blog or she would feel priveleged.

I apologize for the lack of inspiration contained in this post. Someday i will have more worthwhile words to say. For now, just remember, I need you like Dove Chocolates needs a new quote-writer. (that is to say, I need you VERY BADLY).

Adios

Nothing to say.

I have no inspired words floating in my head. Therefore, this post will be basically pointless aside from the part it plays in assuring it's audience that I am, in fact, still alive.

Today, I played Chess and Checkers with Joseph. I lost all of the games we played. Partly because I was sleepy by the time we played Checkers, but mostly because Chess does not compute well. The calculator that the Good Lord blessed me with did not come with a "Strategy" button. But I enjoy it anyway.

I guess I have not mentioned that Urinetown was held for ACTF. When I found out I was struck with a horrible mix of terror and excitement. Excitement because it is a great honor and to be considered is fantastic. At least from an acting point of view. however, the technical side of me was screaming in agony at the idea of storing and then rebuilding the gigantic (though amazing) set that is Urinetown. The show is in the grave, but it is not yet buried; we are anxiously awaiting the final decision.

And the days have been sunny and warm, with beautiful colors on the trees and the campus looking more and more finished as they complete landscaping around the new parking lot. It is beautiful. God is good, all the time.

Peace