On Tuesdays we have a short poll called "Tuesday's Twos"; One of the questions was whether you had a romantic proposal.... This was Michelle's story.... Actually, we were living together (and a few weeks pregnant) and already had his ring that we kept in a ringbox in our airmoire. One morning he came into the bedroom (I tended to sleep late before kids! LOL!!) and was just being silly. I got up and went to the restroom and was walking back out to the bedroom. He asked me to get him his ring so he could look at it. ;o) Of course it was early....so I just rolled my eyes and gave him the ring box. He told me to open it and give him the ring. Sheesh, is he weird! So I open it and it's the ring that we've had a picture of for a year!!! He switched it! He said he got out of bed and met the overnight Fed-ex guy in our apartments parking lot at like 6 or 7 in the morning. It wasn't ultra romantic but it was very sweet. :o) (Wendy asked for further clarification on the boxes:) We had a picture of the one I wanted (the manufactuer had cards that they gave the jeweler). So that morning the actual ring arrived and was switched into his box. So when I opened his box MY ring was inside. November, 2002 Dh and I had our first discussion on our marriage book, last night We agreed to meet every Saturday night after the kids go to bed. However, this weekend dh (who's been sick) procrastinated on his homework and ended up doing his on Saturday and came to me very sorry telling me he had learned his lesson and this wouldn't happen again. I was able to tell him that it would be fine for us to do it Sunday this week but more importantly I wanted him to realize that going through this book was important to me. (I rarely ever say something like that to dh) so I think he really understands that this has to be a priority for us. Now what I can say is we both have already read the whole book and we've had tons of "little spontaneous" discussions about different things in the book. We are already closer and communicating better and we're only on chapter 3! PTL! So last night we met for our discussion and I won't lie and say it wasn't awkward...it felt at first like I was leading a bible study. LOL! But we pressed on and had a good talk about our expectations coming into the marriage and how they had or hadn't been met. We were both able to share some unmet expectaions and our "assignment" for the week is for each of us to pick an unmet expectation on the other's list and work on that (it has to be attainable, though.) So I'm working on giving my dh more free time to just do stuff by himself or with friends and he's working on meeting my unmet expectaion that he would be physically fit and healthy. This was a hard one to bring up... I mean imagine how we as women would take it if our dh's said that to us. But I told him that it absolutely had NOTHING to do with appearance (it doesn't) but since he's 13 years older than I am I EXPECT that he will take care of his health so that he is with me as long as possible. He actually took it very well and I think I was able to communicate it in love and humility. What was really cool is that the two unmet expectations that we're going to work on TOTALLY compliment each other. How good is God?! Now when dh leaves to go to the gym with friends I will be getting what I want AND he'll be getting what he wants! Amazing! Anyhow, it was a great first step towards really being able to communicate HONESTLY and to learn more about my dh. I am so thankful. Last week I was telling my bible study group how dh read the book and I've already seen amazing changes. Anyway, we all held hands and started praying for each other at the end of the group and when it was my turn to pray I couldn't even finish because I started crying because at that moment I was overwhelmed with how blessed I am and how unworthy I am to receive such blessings. My God is too good to me and I am amazed at His love for me. Anyway, I'm just praising God for answered prayers and a heart change in my dh! How did Michelle choose her screename?... "Old nickname from dh's friend. Name of our boat." December, 2002 I read a few of the Year In Review posts and they really got me thinking about my last year. It's been quite a year. Last year some of you might recall that I was asked to serve in the Partnership (Membership) department at church and how excited and nervous I was since it was my first real ministry outside the nursery. Well, we had our first Parnership class in November and it was great! During that time I also got involved in our phone team, assistant leading a women's bible study, welcome center (info desk/greeter before & after services). It's been so fulfilling! Here's some background...Our church is about 1500 people. There is a core group of people (about 250) who do 85% of the work and they are called the Master Staff. We have meetings monthly where the Pastor shares his vision with the Master Staff. It's an open meeting and the only pre-req to being part of MS is serving in any ministry, large and small. We are like this board, the more the merrier!! Anyhow, every December there is a Master Staff Banquet/Dessert. Last night was my and dh's first time being invited to the Dessert. It is a semi-formal affair at a very nice Resort Hotel in Couer D' Alene, Idaho. Anyhow, they do awards at the banquet for every ministry department. There are awards from both the dept leaders and also a people's choice in each dept. It was awesome! There is no way to describe the amazing servant-leaders in our church. I've gone to church my whole life and this church is different. We are always striving for excellence and the people in that banquet room last night just overwhelm me with their love for Jesus and their servant's hearts! Anyhow, after they did all the awards they did some honorable mentions for the people who didn't really fit into "the box" for an award in a certain ministry group. And guess what? They called me up in front of 250 people along with the 4 other people on my Partnership team and the Pastor and Pastor's wife honored us! I was so humbled and truthfully a little embarrassed to be up there in the ranks of some of the others who had been honored. But it's just got me smiling and feeling good today. :o) So I've been mulling over my Year in Review just laughing at how one year ago I wanted to find a way to serve in the church but didn't really know what to do or who to ask...and how God pulled me in and placed me in some awesome places and how one year later He is encouraging me with kind words and recognition. So now I wait and see what next year will bring!! Oh, the other cool thing. Last night I had a beautiful shirt and skirt, red shoes, red nails, red lips, hot rollered big hair, a nice dinner and dessert at a resort and applause and recognition. And this morning God gave me the opportunity to go to my neighbors house (he is in his 70's and has had bypass surgeries) and I was able to pick up a shovel, haul tons of gravel and be a servant to him. Honestly, I am more proud of the mud on my pants this morning than the award my pastors gave me last night. Praise the Lord, Jesus modeled servanthood and I'm finally understanding what it is to be a Christian in HIS image! That's all the news I have for now...although we could use some prayers. It looks like we are headed into bankruptcy. My dh is waiting for a call from our tax advisor today. Please pray how you feel led. ((((((everyone))))) BTW, I feel this situataion is actually a blessing from the Lord in many ways. So please don't be sad or have pity for us only pray that the Lord's will be done in this situation and that we would learn what He's wants us to learn through all of this. You know financial stability has always been the one thing that could cause me worry and great fear. Somehow, God's letting my worst fear happen and helping me understand that money is temporal but my God is eternal and He is where my dependance should lie. What a blessing! Read Michelle's in law's inspiring testimony