Early Morning Thoughts

This morning after Ian gave me a kiss goodbye on his way to work I thought: "Mmm, I don't work today I am going to have a nice little sleep-in, YAY! And then wake up all refreshed and ready to go about the day." Not so my friends, not so. About 15 minutes later I woke from a terrible dream that came from no where! And couldn't get back to sleep because you know how it is, if you are having a wonderful dream you can never get it back no matter how hard you try but when you have a bad dream, it is all that pops into your head the moment you close your eyes. So anyway new thoughts: "Great I am home alone ALL day and awake at 6:15 and a little freaked out."

Well, it was as good a time as any to finish the book I have been reading, "So Long, Insecurity" by Beth Moore (Which I would highly recommend it to anyone who is sick of feeling discouraged by insecurities and feelings of insignificance or worthlessness, because we were created with great worth AND significance). So that I did, I finished the book and then saw at the end of the book that her and her daughters blog on their ministry's blog and so I felt curious, it only being like 7:15 at this point. And on there was a slideshow of photos from one of their trips to Israel. This is the reason for my post.

I had never given much thought to visiting Israel, even when one of my roommates moved there for 8 months for onSite. But looking at those pictures I am thinking that it would be really amazing to walk where Jesus walked. I can't imagine what it would be like but if I try really hard I think it would be powerful and moving. Perhaps one day I will have to make it out there. Anyone interested? A group might be lovely. Think about it :) I am not making the big bucks yet. But one day it would be amazing to go.

So this is not a terribly profound blog haha but I just had the urge to write and comment on how sometimes God can take a terrible awakening and use it to bring our focus for the day to Him. Amazing. He is good :) Now I think I will go make MORE coffee, it will not be my first batch of the day, and open up the blinds to let the light of the day in. I hope everyone has a good day.

All my love.

The Ian and Michelle Oenema residence!

So, I figured since I am home sick today I would update my blog with some pictures of Ian's and my cute little home :)

This is what you see as soon as you walk in our door:

And this is what you see from the couch:

This is what you see when you turn the corner into the dining room:

This is what you see as you turn the corner into our kitchen:

This is from the kitchen/hallway into the dining/living area:

This is our little dining room (which now has a fold-up treadmill by the dishwasher):

Our kitchen:

Our very very full spare bedroom (lucky Mom and Dad get to stay in there soon, it will be more cleared out for that!):

Our bedroom as you walk in:

And this is our room from the bed:

So, it's still a little bare, although we have put up three more large paintings and are in the process of figuring out where to put photos and such, but we like it!

Hope this gives a little hint as to how we are living :)

We're Married!

We've been married for just over two months and I love it! YAY! I was going to put pictures of our new little home but it turns out I can't upload pictures to my computer when my camera is dead, who knew?! Not I anyway. Anyways, life is good and I love my husband :) Soon there will be more pictures on here!

2010

So... the new year has begun.

I find the phenomenon of time dragging as well as flying by hard to grasp. There are times when a week feels like a year and then the next minute 4 weeks are gone and you have no idea where they went.

I experienced this just recently with being home before Christmas and now not being home for Christmas haha. It seems that once December 1st rolls around Christmas cannot come fast enough, but then somehow, December 23rd comes and then 2 minutes later it's January 5th!?! seriously? I don't know.

I had such a wonderful time being home and it was especially nice to have Ian home for Christmas with me. It was nice to be surrounded by people who you feel comfortable to just be around. I loved it. That week at home, however, went way too fast and I've decided it is best to show up at home just before Christmas (not the week before) and then stay until after the new year has been rung in. Well.. that time is gone now but it was enjoyed. It is hard to get back into the swing of normal life however. Especially when you don't know what normal life is for you at the moment. I feel as though I am constantly waiting, even though each day in the middle brings enjoyment.

Our wedding is only 10 weeks away. Which is only 10 weekends and yet, it still seems so far off. It isn't in reality but.... Things feel hectic while at the same time I am not exactly sure what is even going on at the moment.

I should go and get some things done. I love everyone I have in my life. (Just so you all know).

August 30th, 2009

On Sunday August 30th Ian asked me to marry him and I said yes! It's been 2 weeks now and believe it or not it is still just as unbelievable but just as exciting! Here is how our day went: 

I had suspicions when I woke up that morning but after some more (to be expected) probing about what Ian might have gotten me for our 6 months coffee date I had concluded that there was no way we were getting engaged that day and I had to make sure that I was really convinced of this so that I wouldn't be too disappointed when it didn't happen. It was interesting, however, that Ian's hands were sweaty the whole way to and through church that morning, and that's not normal haha. He commenting on how it was so weird but that it must have been the lotion he put on (even AFTER he had washed his hands)... that really should have been my first clue but he really had me convinced that it was not happening....

After church we went to our favorite Chapters and Starbucks combination and enjoyed a lovely and much anticipated coffee. Now looking back, Ian didn't seem too keen on browsing the store like we normally would he just heading straight back to our favorite seats near the back of Chapters with my present in hand :) There were a couple times while I was eating my cheese croissant when Ian tried to hand me the back and I guess I just kind of ignored it because I had greasy fingers and afterwards felt a  little silly. After I was finished he handed me the bag and inside was a wrapped box that looked like a shoebox, at that point I had zilch idea what could be inside. It turned out to be an old mini blender box. Still stumped. I opened the box and saw the top of a travel mug which was so exciting because I was needing a new travel mug, one of mine broke and the other leaks :( so yay! 

When I took it out I noticed that it was one of those "decorate it yourself" mugs and on it were block letters reading "WILL YOU MARRY ME" I looked up and could only muster an unbelieving "really?" and Ian said "yes" with a smile and said "open it." Everything after that point went so quickly, it's a bit of a blur and I had to ask Ian exactly everything that was said. Inside the travel mug was the ring. being kind of a keener I just put it right on my finger and then Ian asked if I wanted him to put it on my finger. Well of course I did, so I gave it back to him and then he got down on one knee and said "Michelle, I love you so much and want to spend the rest of my life with you, will you marry me?" (or something very similar to that) and I said "yes!" And then we laughed and hugged and kissed and took a picture. It all went so fast, we left right away to call our parents we didn't even finish our drinks.

The ring is beautiful and delicate :) Unfortunately, it was too big and at the moment it's somewhere being sized to fit my finger. Hopefully by the 21st it will be sitting nicely where it belongs on my finger again :) hehe

That is our engagement story and I love it!

An email from Mom - Loved it!

Regina Brett's 45 life lessons and 5 to grow on

by Regina Brett

Sunday May 28, 2006, 10:13 AM

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.

It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolls over to 50 this week, so here's an update:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.

17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.

18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

45. The best is yet to come.

46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

48. If you don't ask, you don't get.

49. Yield.

50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Life.. oh life.

     This morning I woke up much earlier than I had hoped, considering Fridays are my sleep-in days. I woke up feeling frantic about the meaning of life. I am not sure what is going on inside of me but that has been a question on my heart and mind a lot recently. It has caused me to shut down a little bit and feel as though I don't have much to share with others. It's been a frustrating time, to be honest. 

     BUT, I spent quite a while in God's presence and Word this morning and came away feeling  encouraged. Life should be about relationship with God and others. Love for God and others.   My prayer is that God would remind me of that on a daily basis and that he would give me the grace I need to lead a simple and loving life.

     I have been blessed with much and I hope that I will not take advantage of all I have been given nor take it for granted. My friend Mindy directed me to the website www.ransomedheart.com a few weeks ago and I finally took the time to check it out this morning. There were 3 prayers in particular on the website that I read through and found encouraging ("For Life," "Daily Prayer," and "Bedtime Prayer.") I printed them out and have challenged myself to pray them daily.

     I am young and have much to learn. If anyone has words of wisdom I would love to hear them.

God bless and keep you all safe.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Friday :)