.: seven days :.

A week after taking one of the biggest steps of our lives, Kelly and I are still receiving such encouragement and support from all our friends and family. We both feel so loved by everyone who has taken the time to stop us and share how excited they are for us and our future together. God is at work in both of our lives, and we are reminded of it everytime someone new says something to us about getting engaged. There is nothing greater than sharing good friendships with those all around us, but to have them make the extra effort to make us feel extra special... well, we definately know now that we are in the midst of something so tremendously beautiful and rich! Thanks for all of you who have come around us and shown us such deep love. We are excited for what lies ahead of us. Please keep us in your prayers as you remember us from time to time. We desire for this time until the wedding to be a period in which we are brought together even closer, rather than tossed from one frustration to another. That will require plenty of grace, patience, and enduring love to see it become a reality. May God lead us into even deeper intimacy with both Him and each other as we continue down this road together!

.: a beautiful day :.

This 2006 Labor Day, with perfect sunny weather and the help of two good friends, I took Kelly to Fairhaven Park (Bellingham, WA) under the premise of Geocaching. When we came to our final "cache" of the day (around 1:30PM), the GPS led the two of us to one of our favorite spots - a bench that overlooks the park - and I asked her to marry me. As you might have guessed, she said "yes"! We walked down to another favorite spot close to the park, prayed together, and returned to a wonderful spread of food, drinks, and gifts. We both have been looking forward to one day getting engaged, though we both still found it so surreal at moments. God continues to catch us off guard, and draw us closer to Himself as we desire more and more to honor and love each other in better and deeper ways. He truly is the good and loving gift-giver!