I said 'Yes' to the dress . . . Again.

On Tuesday evening, my mom and I went to get my dress altered.  After ninety minutes of tugging, pinning, pulling, and poking, the alterations lady surrendered to an impossible dress.  Unfortunately, my waist is too small and my hips are too low to keep the wedding gown I purchased in December from overexposing my goods.  My dress clearly did not say 'Yes' to me.  True Life: my dress dumped me six weeks before the wedding.  I became tearfully upset which led Bridezilla's first public appearance --  snatching gowns from racks and demanding a new fitting room and consultant ten minutes before closing.  Before we called it a night, I was able to find one [new] dress that I liked, thankfully!

My mom and my wonderful Maid of Honor, Lindsay, joined me tonight in search of a new wedding dress.  After 2 hours of trying on dresses and playing with accessories, I finally decided on my gown with a smile on my face.  It fits like a glove and will not require any alterations.  I could not be happier.  In fact, I like this dress more than the first.  It's sassy and fun, while being classy and chic.  It's perfect.

I really did like my first dress, but I absolutely love my new one!  I think it's funny how sometimes I get so worked up about things that are out of my control.  Then, in the midst of frustration and tears, God reveals something even better than what'd been originally planned.  Let's face it, there are only two details about the wedding that haven't changed throughout the engagement: 

     1. Byron and I are getting married.

     2. The date.

But all of the altered details are better now than they were in the beginning.  When am I going to learn to stop stressing and begin to accept that God changes things because He has better plans for me?

Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

God Speaks

Life has been crazy lately.  With wedding plans, after-the-wedding plans, pre-marital counseling, work, and everything else, my schedule and to-do lists have been jam-packed full.  Don't get me wrong, I like to be busy, but whoa!  It's nice to be able to breathe once in a while . . . which is exactly why I chose to wake up early just to enjoy the morning.  I sat sipping on a cup of coffee with the back door open, allowing the crisp air and chirps of early birds to help me welcome this new day.  I love a slow, peaceful start to the day with some Scripture and prayer.  Isn't it wonderful that God is able to speak using the exact Scriptures you need?  I absolutely love it when God talks to me in such an undeniable way, saying, "Anna, this is for you today.  I know what's in your heart and trust me."
What did He tell me today?

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart . . . 

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.

Psalm 37 : 4 & 7

O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.

Psalm 84 : 12

I also love that God isn't limited to speaking through Scriptures.  Last week, White Flag (the Passion 2012 album) was finally released.  After much anticipation, I was more than satisfied!  The Lord definitely uses music to His advantage and through this album I have become incredibly aware of just how much He loves me.  In response, I have made a conscious effort to sing His praises, thank Him, and glorify Him with my actions.

Check out these lyrics [portion of 10,000 Reasons] by Matt Redman:

Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

So powerful.  God is so good.

Sweet Things of March

We are 10 days into the month of March and it has been a great, crazy, and fast-moving month so far!  The flowers have begun to bloom, the temperature's warmed up, and the sun's finally making days longer.  It also means Byron's and my wedding is quickly approaching, Spring is around the corner, school has kicked into high-gear for the CRCT.  Oh, March!

I have an amazing family.  I spent the day shopping [NOT buying] with my mom, and have been able to enjoy relaxing evenings at home after work.  Stephen was able to come home last week, but now he's gone to Arizona for Spring training.  It was great to have him home, though!  Lindsey, his sweet girlfriend, also made her way down for a few days, as well.  I love seeing my brother in love ... and he chose a great girl.  She's awesome.  Stephen flew out on Friday, but we look forward to another visit in April. 

Yummy Saint Patty's cookies I baked while Stephen & Lindsey were home.

Ten weeks from today Byron and I say "I do!"  I'm excited for the wedding to get here -- and I'm looking forward to being finished with planning and making decisions.  I have recently changed the colors of flowers [again] and chosen the most perfect outfit to wear at the end of March for my kitchen shower, thrown by my beautiful bridesmaid, Jenny.  God has given me great, great friends (and led me to some good sales, too)!  Thankfully, I have been able to cross some things off my 'Wedding To-Do' list, but more tasks are added to it at a rapid rate.  One item on the list I am looking forward to is the cake tasting, which is Wednesday; I'm hopeful that the experience will be as sweet as the cake.  Planning has been delightful stressful; I'm ready to marry Byron and wave good-bye to wedding details.

A huge blessing Byron and I have had during our engagement: premarital counseling.  It has been such a great experience and helped us to understand each other, and ourselves, better.   It's a 10 week class (we're still in-the-midst) and we meet with a mentor couple, as well.  We love the couple we were assigned and constantly put into practice the things we learn in our class.  And . . . we get a discount on our marriage license!  

I can't believe it's already March 10.  Time is passing at an unnaturally fast rate and I'm trying to remind myself to slow down, breathe, and enjoy the moment during the moment.