The Wedding Belle Project #1

It is hard to believe that I will be Mrs. Miller in just a short 159 days!  When I moved here back in October the thought had crossed my mind that odds were good that I would meet someone.  Being an optimist/planner/closet romantic I couldn't help but wonder if that was one of the reasons God was sending me here.  I never would have thought that just after 2 very short months I would meet my future husband or that he would be so obviously suited to me.  From the passion for ministry and people to the quirky sense of humor that keeps me laughing and on my toes.  On one hand I can say that had I known in advance that he was the man I was going to marry I wouldn't have been surprised.  And on the other hand I can also say that I could have never expected to marry someone that was so right for me.  He challenges me with his passion for God and for ministry. He humbles me with his ability to love unconditionally.  He encourages me with his strong faith in the sovereignty of God. The further I go in this planning process the more I thank God for His wisdom in bringing this man into my life.  

As far as all the planning is going I am very happy to announce that we have a venue!  The Barn at Highpoint Farms!  Check it out!  Here are some pictures that my Matron of Honor took on Thursday when we went to go see it!  

View of the dance floor

The lounge

I had a swing like this growing up

So true.

View going out to the yard

We both love dogs and they love us!

The grove and pasture (there are goats you can feed)

We are both so excited for this place and this wedding!  It will be so much fun!

TTFN

The future Mrs. Miller

T - 159

Promised Pictures

Right after being asked

The ring! Bam!

Calling everyone

Telling your mama the good news can be very emotional

Couldn't stop looking at it!

Reenactment of the deed

Love that face of his!

More shots of the bling

I love how he looks at me!

Confessions of a Chatty Girl: Definitely Not So Single White Female

Part 4

I did not realize that I was going to be posting what I am about to write nearly as soon as this but I must say that I am not complaining about the timing of everything.  

May 19, 2012

Last Night 

I had several girls from church over for a girls night.  We were all talking and having a lot of fun and we had just started a movie.  He had been texting me off and on throughout the evening asking how things were going and what not.  At one point around 10:15 I get a text asking how much longer the girls were going to be there tonight.  I said I didn't know but that it would probably be another hour or two as we had just started watching the movie.  He then asked who all was there.  I told him.  A few minutes later one by one the girls phones started to go off signally a text.  I didn't really pay much attention to this.  I went to the bathroom for a moment and while I was gone I heard excited whispers and a few chuckles.  I come back out into the living room and all noise ceases.  Everyone is watching the movie VERY intently and trying to hide smiles on their faces.  I automatically and curious about what I missed and still why I had not received a text at the same time as the other girls.  

I sit back down on the couch and no sooner had my backside hit the cushion than I heard a knock on the door.  Instantly I think what in the world.  I answer the door and it is him standing there with a big grin on his face dressed in a nice shirt and jeans and looking very handsome I might add.  I also noted that looked like he was about ready to jump out of his skin.  I said "What are you doing here?"  He said "I have to steal you."  In a tone that made it clear he was not asking but telling.  That got my attention for sure. It is very attractive when he takes charge like that.  I am a little taken aback and I look to the other girls trying to think how to explain what is happening and they have already begun packing up their stuff and practically had one foot out the door already.  In a bustle of activity I grabbed my keys and shoes (forgetting my phone) and was whisked off into the night by the guy of my dreams (cheesy I know sorry but I kind of like him a lot so deal with it).  

AS we are driving in the car I am thinking "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh! This is not happening.  He is not proposing is he?"  As we drive along we talk about our days and swap stories of things that happened.  And then I figure I need to do some investigating.  I start bringing up particular subjects like "I was talking to mom about wedding dress shopping and she asked if it would be weird doing it without a ring because as far she knew I wasn't going to be getting one before June unless I knew something she didn't."  He answers very nonchalantly "I was looking at some rings today and I think I can have a ring by June still."  I try desperately to read him.  He was actually doing a pretty good job.  I tried to think back to when he could have talked to my dad and when he could have gotten a ring.  I couldn't think of any unaccounted for time in the past few days so the doubt became even larger.  I knew he had been acting suspicious the last couple of days but as far as I knew he was just planning something special for our 4 month which was coming up on Monday and he was planning on doing something on Sunday the last I had heard not tonight!  "So where are we going?"  I ask.  "Somewhere." He deflects.  We drive up Lookout Mountain and head towards Covenant College.  We pull into the parking lot and he looks anxiously to the other cars.  I am not sure why he is finds the other cars so interesting all of a sudden but we start walking toward the looking out point.  There is a little bench there where you can sit and enjoy the view.  We get up to the place and instead of looking out at the view he is looking rather anxiously at the ground below us.  Suddenly I hear him call out "Kukaw kukaw!" like a crow.  This doesn't necessarily phase me because this is not so out of the ordinary for him to do random funny things like this.  After standing there a few moments I say, "What was that?"  He shrugs and says, "I don't know I just felt like doing that.  I think there is a fountain over here!"  I follow him to the fountain and think, "Seriously?  You brought me all the way to see a fountain?  This couldn't have waited until tomorrow?"  "Oh look there are fish in the fountain!"  In my head, uh great who cares about a fish?  Outloud I say, "So, why are we up here again?"  "Oh, uh, to look around and see the city lights and stuff."  In my head, uh huh, sure..."Kukaw, kukaw!"  In my head, ok one time was ignorable but two times is suspic... "Whoo, whoo!"  Was that a response I heard?  I hear a twig snap to my left and then there is a flash of light and I look over and see a dark figure in the shadows that looks familiar.  I turn back to him and he says, "So I prayed that God would bring me someone to help me do ministry, because I knew I couldn't do it alone.  So He brought me you."  He gets down on one knee, pulls out the ring..."So will you be my wife?" 

Needless to say...I said YES!!!!!!     

TTFN!

The future Mrs. Rachel Miller

P.S. That dark figure was his roommate and there will be pictures of the moment coming in the very new future :)

SWF seeking GOD: Trip Down Memory Lane

So I was recently going through Facebook and came across some notes that I had written several years ago, back before I had a blog.  It is so beautiful to look back and see how God has sustained and worked in my life since these posts were originally penned.  That is one of the reasons why I keep this blog is so that at any time I can go back to any date and see where I was and see how God has carried me through.  If you don't have a prayer journal or blog or something like it I highly encourage you to invest in one.  It is such a blessing!  I hope these thoughts from an 18 year old me are encouraging to you . . .

Saturday, April 19, 2008 -

"I just wanted to share something that really hit me tonight in my devotionals. I have just started reading the Psalms and I was reading 3 tonight. One verse really struck me.

"I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah." Psalm 3:4

This verse is so amazing! If you really think about it every time you have ever cried out to God, He has heard you! He has condescended from His holy hill to your level to listen to your hurts! The God of the universe, Who holds all the planets in orbit, the God Who controls our past, present, and future. The God Who created everything we see around us. This God, this very same exact God, comes to you when you call Him in an instant He is by your side. He is there to comfort us when we cry, to wipe away our tears, to fend off our enemies. All we need do is call out His name and He hears. Not only does He hear but He knows exactly what we are going through. He can sympathize with every hurt, every distress. 

How can a God of such magnitude be so loving! How can such a God be so holy and just and merciful all at the same time! He hears us guys! He doesn't say, "Oh uh hold that thought a sec I have a universe to run." He doesn't say, "For crying out loud are you back again?!?! What do you want this time?" He doesn't say, "You think you have problems? Let me tell you my day!" NO!! He says "I know it hurts but I am here. I am always here. I love you. You are not alone. Remember what I have done for you. I love you too much to forget you. I will never tire of you coming to me. I will never make you wait for my comfort. You are precious, you are my child." All of this from the God of the universe! And His love and comfort is perfect! 

How is all of this possible? Only because He is God! We will never know on this earth at least why or how he loves such wretched creatures like us. But he does and that is all that really matters.

He loves you and listens to you. He hears you from is holy hill when you cry and he comes to your aid at a moments notice." 
Saturday, November 25, 2008 -

"Tonight in my devotions I was greatly humbled. Reading tonight I was struck with a sense of shame at my own selfish and self-absorbed mentality towards God. I have been reading through the Psalms for quite sometime (there are a lot of them!) and I have stumbled across this unifying factor. The Psalmist goes through hard times, so much harder than I myself have ever faced and yet with every Psalm he ends with praising God. How in the world does he do that??? 

I go through such small and insignificant "trials" and I always come out questioning God and asking Him to get me this or fix that or make the problem go away. Very rarely do I sit back and say, "God I don't understand what You are doing here, I may never understand. But thank You for this test that I may be refined. While I am in this moment please teach me what I am to know and use me to further Your kingdom. May I glorify You in this Lord. Blessed be the Name of the Lord!" 

How much more would I learn if I accepted the obstacles and trials that God put in my path as an opportunity to grow in faith, wisdom, patience, mercy, joy, peace, etc.? How much further along in my spiritual growth would I be??? I have no clue and it breaks my heart! 

But God will not leave me; He will never give up on me; Christ will never stop praying on my behalf; and I will always be God's beloved daughter! 

You can take hope that this is true of you as well!

Blessed be the Name of the Lord!"

TTFN!

REE~

Confessions Of A Chatty Girl: Not So Single White Female

Part 3

January 16, 2012

Monday - First day of CYAM book study

I had heard that he was going to be at Panera tonight.  Needless to say I was a little excited.  Over the past several days I had been talking to a few people about this guy that I had met and it had only served to make my crush turn to full blown swooning.  I get to Panera and there he is sitting with the rest of the guys.  Turns out I am the only girl there.  The only seat open is one next to him. SCORE!  I claim the chair and greet everyone.  He and I talked a little at first, again I felt so incredibly comfortable.  As the book study sporadically progressed, we alternated between talking about the book and he and I getting caught up in an entirely separate conversation.  After the book study was over we are all sitting around talking and he and I were completely enthralled in our own conversation.  To be honest, I kind of kept forgetting we weren't the only ones at the table.  At one point in the conversation I began telling a very dramatic and elaborate story about the night before and how I had bought a new and incredibly heavy TV stand and had a time and a half trying to get it into my apartment all by myself.  After I finished my story and all of the guys had a good laugh at my feminine frailty, he said, "You know you could have called a deacon to come and help you.  That is kind of what we are here for."  Ha! My plan worked perfectly.  Play the damsel in distress card and viola I have an in.  "Well, if I had a deacons number I would have called..."  Hint, hint, wink, wink, nudge, nudge.  He said, "Yeah, that's true . . ."Nothing.  He didn't get the hint.  Seriously?  He is not going to give me his number?  I practically just begged for it!  Okay, maybe he is a little off his game tonight, I'll give him a hand.  I reach in my purse grab my phone, open up my contacts, write his name in the new contact section and hand him my phone without a word.  He looks surprised at first but he enters his number and I text him so he now has mine.  On the outside I am calm and nonchalant but in my head I totally just gave myself a fist bump.  I go home that night pretty satisfied with myself.  Now that I had his number I needed to do something with it.  But what?  I call up my friend and tell her the story.  She says, "You know you do have some book shelves he could come and help you take apart."  "YOU ARE BRILLIANT!!"  

January 17, 2012

Tuesday - Bookshelves are dismantled

So the next day I text him.  "So if that offer to do deacon-like things still stands I have a job for you. I will make you food as payment." He accepts and we make plans for him to come over that night.  That night he shows up at my apartment.  I thought he was going to come in take apart the bookshelves get his food and leave but he casually walks in without a care in the world.  I show him where the shelves are.  He takes a look at them, says, "Yeah those won't be a problem."  Turns around and walks back out into the kitchen and settles in a bar stool and begins to chat.  Over the next hour or so we talk and eat and make each other laugh like we had known each other for ages.  When he finally gets around to taking apart the bookshelves I follow him into the room sit on my bed and we talk while he works.  There was not a break in the conversation the whole time.  We both were just chatting away like old friends.  And again I was struck by how comfortable I was.  I didn't feel like I had to be this overtly charming or witty person.  I could just completely and totally be myself with him.  He ended up staying for over 3 hours and we talked the entire time.  At one point I got up the nerve and asked, "So how are you still single?"  His response was, "God just hasn't brought the right one along yet I guess.  I am open to whatever God has. I am not to worried about it."   Another point in his favor.  As he was leaving he was mentioning that maybe he would try to get some people together this weekend if I was interested.  He said, "With everyone getting engaged or married or what have you, we don't really hang out like we used to."  I said, "Well, I am single and you are single so we can just hang out and be the single ones together."  He smiled and said he would text me later in the week if we were doing something.  We say good night and I close the door and I allow myself to let out a very small and very quiet squeal.

Over the next couple of days . . .

I wait not so patiently for that text message.  Turned out I didn't have to wait that long.  He texted me on Thursday and said "Want to come over for dinner tomorrow night and watch a movie?  My roommate and I will cook."  Needless to say I said yes.

January 20, 2012
Friday - Double date-like activity

I go over to Mandi's house before hand to get ready.  I was pretty giddy.  And Mandi just shook her head and gave me many "I knew it" looks and it was so true.  She knew before I did.  So, I get to his house and it is him, his roommate, his roommates girlfriend and me.  I had a feeling this wasn't going to be a big get together but I didn't want to get my hopes up and read more into it then there actually was, after all he could just be a really nice guy who wants to make the new girl feel welcome.  So when I walked into the house and saw the small company I was pretty pleased.  All four of us spent a fun evening together hanging out talking and laughing.  He cooked and the food was awesome!  We watched a movie and played darts and hung out for a while.  As I was leaving he was walking me out and he said, "So what are you doing tomorrow?" I said, "Hanging out with you."

January 21, 2012
Saturday - Our first official date

He took me out to dinner and we had an awesome time talking about our families, what growing up was like, our church backgrounds, etc.  It was so much fun and with every topic he got more and more impressive!  At the end of the evening as we were parting he said, "So, after church, what are you doing tomorrow?"  And he has been saying that almost every day since then :)

Confessions Of A Chatty Girl: Not So Single White Female

Part 2

January 1, 2012

New Years Day - Sunday

My parents and brother were in town to help me move.  We sat with a few of my friends.  I had not seen him since before I left for St. Louis to spend Christmas with my brother.  I took my family with me to Sunday school and a few of the people were talking about the New Years Eve party that I had missed, the night before.  He walked in just as everyone was telling stories of the night and it struck me that he was A LOT cuter than I remembered.  He carried himself in that same relaxed and easy way and it looked good on him.  Maybe I did like him?  During the class they had asked those on CYAM leadership to stand up so that the new people could know who was on the team.  He stood up.  I hadn't realized he was on leadership.  Another point in his favor.  After class as we were leaving I had a very strong desire to talk to him.  I had left almost immediately and he had stayed back to talk to a few people.  I was trying to figure out what to say and then I remembered that I could talk to him more about my dad being from Indiana since my dad was there and could fill in any blanks in my information.  We talked for a few minutes and then my family and I headed to lunch.  As my dad and I were walking to the car he said almost absently, "You know, he really reminds me of Jamie McBride." (My very dear friend's husband).  This is big because my dad doesn't usually make such complimentary comments about guys so this instantly caught my attention.  And for the rest of the day he was in the back of my mind just kind of hovering.

Over the next several days...

I had kind of ampt up my Facebook stalking.  I was impressed by several stati that he had posted on biblical things and some of his incites on Old Testament passages were very intriguing.  Then I saw a very eye catching post, "...parents coming to see me get ordained as a deacon on Sunday..."  I text my brother right away, "Dude! He is becoming a deacon!" "Wow really? That is pretty impressive." "I know right?!"  So, not only was he on the leadership team for CYAM but he was also being ordained as a deacon.  Whenever I thought of deacons I thought of middle aged men with several kids in high school not a young single and might I add cute guy.  Another point in his favor.  

January 8, 2012

Ordination Day - Sunday

I had decided to go to the ordination service for several reasons.  One of which was I hadn't seen an ordination service in several years and I was curious to see how a church with robes and a choir did it.  And obviously I wanted to support my new friend...ahem.  My plan was to just sneak in the back and sneak out without being seen.  I didn't want to him to know that I had kinda sorta started getting maybe a little bit of a crush.  Okay, so I had the game plan.  We are set.  Sneak in, sneak out.  Piece of cake.  Walk through the doors of the church and boom there he was right in front of me talking to couple of men.  No problem.  He is busy talking he probably didn't even see me.  We are good, we can still make it in without being noticed (when I am being stealthy I apparently talk in third person).  I am just about past him when I hear in my right ear, "Hi there."  I try to play it off.  "Oh hey." Like I didn't know he was going to be there.  "Where are you sitting?"  "Oh I don't know, in the ba..."  "You can sit with me and my parents if you want."  And there went the final nail in the coffin for my stealthiness.  We walk down the aisle together and sit in the VERY FRONT ROW.  He introduces me to his parents and I awkwardly wave to them as I contemplate how my plan could have gone so horribly off course.  His parents were lovely and were very welcoming of me to their pew.  I sit down next to him noting to myself that he smelled really nice.  My mind is racing.  What do his parents think?  Do they find this awkward?  Does he find this awkward?  Is it only awkward because I know that I think he is cute?  Is he just being nice to me?  Is he interested?  We go through the service much like this.  He gets up to be installed and he is youngest guy up there by at least 15 years.  Needless to say I was again impressed.  As I was sitting there watching him take his vows I kept thinking to myself "Is it weird that I find this hot?!"  He comes and sits back down and I am thinking to myself, "Okay there is no denying it now.  I am totally into this guy."  After the service was over he stands up and says, "Me and my parents are grabbing dinner. You want to come with us?"  I pause trying to weigh the level of awkwardness with how bad I didn't want to stop being around him.  I figure it was worth it.  "Sure!"  A few other people end up getting invited and when we all arrive at the restaurant it is him, his parents, his roommate, his roommates parents, his roommates girlfriend, and me.  I am obviously the odd ball.  I end up sitting a chair away from him.  Still wanting to play it cool and not be obvious until I figure this new found attraction out and also until I figure out his feelings towards me.  So I end up between his roommates parents and talking to them the whole evening.  I kept watching him out of the corner of my eye and I see that he is paying very close attention to my conversation.  At one point everyone starts talking about biking and he and his roommate are discussing a particular bike that they liked and wanted to get.  At one point he says, "Yeah, but if I ever get a girlfriend there will be other things I have to save for as opposed to a bike."  As soon as he says this he and I make eye contact for a few seconds it seems.  As I walked away my thought really was just a simple but very meaningful "Oh boy."


To be continued . . .

SWF seeking GOD: Evening Encouragement

So Saturday night I was reading my Morning & Evening before bed.  I found this beautiful encouragement within its pages that really spoke to my heart in light of the Stuck Outside the Garden post.  It was a good reminder that God sent me here (Click here).  He would not have done so had He not had a reason and a purpose behind it.  He is not going to leave me here without guidance or aid.  Praise the Lord! 

May 12                                                                                                                                         Evening

"Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation: I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again." Genesis 46:3,4

Jacob must have shuddered at the thought of leaving the land of his father's sojourning, and dwelling among heathen strangers.  It was a new scene, and likely to be a trying one: who shall venture among courtiers of a foreign monarch without anxiety?  Yet the way was evidently appointed for him, and therefore he resolved to go.  This is frequently the position of believers now - they are called to perils and temptations altogether untried; at such seasons let them imitate Jacob's example by offering sacrifices of prayer unto God, and seeking His direction; let them not take a step until they have waited upon the Lord for His blessing: then they will have Jacob's companion to be their friend and helper.  How blessed to feel assured that the Lord is with us all our ways, and condescends to go down into our humiliations and banishments with us!  Even beyond the ocean our Father's love beams like the sun in its strength. We cannot hesitate to go where Jehovah promises His presence; even the valley of deathshade grows bright with the radiance of this assurance.  Marching onwards with faith in their God, believers shall have Jacob's promise.  They shall be brought up again, whether it be from the troubles of life or the chambers of death.  Jacob's seed cam out of Egypt in due time, and so shall all the faithful pass unscathed through the tribulations of life, and terror of death.  Let us exercise Jacob's confidence. 'Fear not', is the Lord's command and His divine encouragement to those who at His bidding are launching upon new seas; the divine presence and preservation forbid so much as one unbelieving fear.  Without our God we should fear to move; but when He bids us go, it would be dangerous to tarry.  Reader, go forward, and fear not.

God is at work!  

TTFN~

REE

Confessions of A Chatty Girl: Not So Single White Female

Part 1

I have been batting around the idea of writing this post for some time.  I was debating whether or not y'all would really like to know or if it was just one of those things where I want to tell everyone whether they want to hear it or not.  Well after a little encouragement I decided that yes, I would indeed write this post and as the subject is sitting right next to me I find myself feeling even more inspired if for no other reason than to give a testimony as to how busy and gracious God has been in the last 3 and a half months :)

December 17, 2011

Christmas Party 

I had been at the party for a good 2 hours or so.  I had been chatting with a few people.  I really only knew one or two there so I was trying to make decent conversations with as many as I could to get to know people in my new town.  I had noticed this guy that I hadn't seen before.  He was hanging around a bunch of the other guys and seemed to know pretty much everyone at the party.  I was intrigued with the ease in which he carried himself but really beyond noticing that, he had kind of slipped into my peripheral as I became engaged in another conversation.  After that conversation ended I found myself refilling my punch glass.  I don't remember how he got to my side of the room but before I knew it I am introducing myself to him.  The next hour or 2 I found myself in the most relaxed and easy conversation I had had all night.  It might just have been the most easy and relaxed conversation I had ever had with a guy upon first meeting.  We were talking about anything and everything.  The conversation just flowed so naturally.  I was stunned with how comfortable I was.  And it wasn't just me doing all the talking.  This guy was talking my ear off, in a good way.

    - He had a degree in carpentry.
    - He went back to school to get his bachelors in Biblical Studies.
    - Once he finishes that he will go on to seminary in pursuit of becoming an associate pastor.
    - He was from the same area in Indiana that my dad was from.
    - He came to Chattanooga almost 7 years ago to work for a non profit inner city ministry.
    - He is handy and can fix pretty much anything in the house.
    - He loves to mountain bike.
    - He has a dog.
    - He loves having people over.
    - He has awesome taste in music and movies.

The more I talked to him the more I realized that this guy was something special.  But I can't say that I had those giddy school girl feelings or that instant crush.  I liked him but there wasn't a romantic interest.  However, as I walked back to my car that night I remember hearing my inner voice just say, "He is it."  I wasn't willing to admit quite that much to myself.  After all I had just met this guy but I was willing to acquiesce that he was going to play a very important role in my life, whatever that meant.

I get home from the party and as soon as I walk in Mandi and Sarah could both see on my face that I had something on my mind and that something interesting had happened at the party.  Their inquisitive looks soon won me over and I spilled the beans about this guy I had met.  After listening, they both asked tentatively "So, do you like him?"  Quite adamantly I said "No! I just met him. He was nice but I am not interested like that."  He was just a funny, kind guy who had talked to me and seemed to show some interest in me.  That was all nothing more.  I could tell by the looks on their faces and their pregnant "uh huh"s that they weren't buying it.  But I was not ready to admit anything more.

Over the next several days...

He friended me on Facebook and invited me to a New Years Eve party he and his roommate were throwing.  I was going to be moving into my apartment on New Years Eve so I wasn't sure if I would be able to make it but I said I would definitely try.  He offered to help me move in, but since I was still denying my interest in him I didn't take him up on it because in my mind I did not want to lead him on if he was interested in me.  When move in day arrived I had been sick for the last several days.  I had hoped I would get better in time for the party that night but it was not to be.  I ended up just staying home and sleeping.  But I made sure to write on his wall and tell him that I was sick and couldn't make.  I didn't want him to think I was blowing him off.  He was a sweet guy after all.

To be continued . . .