Aaron and I are ENGAGED!!!!!

Praise God, Aaron asked me to marry him this past Sunday and I said "Yes yes yes, please put the ring on!" Well there is more to it than that but that seems to be everyone's favorite part of the story. :)

I kinda knew something was up because he always gives me details about everything so when he said he did "errands online," I thought "ring???" Then he also asked about 5 times if this past weekend was open for Panama Rocks.  But then he tried to trick me by saying he'd email InterVarsity to see if they wanted to go.  And then he said why don't we ask Brandon.  But anyway so he had me going both ways for a while.  But regardless of whether or  not it was a total surprise isn't important.  IT WAS PERFECT!!!. . . and even better than that I get to marry the love of my life in about 6 months! AMAZINGNESS!!!

Anyway, we went to Panama Rocks in Panama, NY after church this past Sunday and we got there and I was taking pictures (it's what I do) and walking and talking to each other during the walk through the scenery.  I was thoroughly enjoying just walking and holding his hand and having him lead me as I was a little bit unsure about it because the wet leaves made things a bit slippery.  (Oh, side note: Praise God we got to go because the day before they closed due to 5 inches of snow!!!) But we had fun climbing on the rocks and taking photos and Aaron decided to ask me to climb down one rock that scared me and I was like no no no no no and so on.  So I went around the other way and met him.  Then we walked on a little farther and he asked to sit down since he was out of breath. (He had been sick and later told me he wouldn't have come if he hadn't been proposing.) Then, he said something to the affect (I don't exactly remember because I heard "lots of loving things, *don't cry don't cry, crap I'm crying*, saw him get on one knee, and open the ring box, with a gorgeous ring inside and asked me to marry him") But he said: Amanda, I love you very much and I always enjoy all of the adventures that we have together, and I know there will be many obstacles but that if we keep loving and serving God He will help us to conquer them.  And I know we've been looking at all of these pretty rocks, but I'd like to show you the prettiest one I've found (as he gets on one knee). Will you marry me?" To which I reply "Yes yes yes, please put the ring on.  I love you so much." And almost pulled him up off the ground to hug him as we both hugged and laughed and cried and greatness! The people behind us probably thought we were crazy and guess what, they wouldn't be wrong to think that. 

We finished walking through the area and had fun taking pictures and hugging and holding hands.  Then on the way back we got lost (see that whole adventure thing already kicking in.)  But we figured it out and then we went and called our family and friends for about 2 hours to let them know before someone else did. 

We are so thrilled and not really very far into planning yet, but it will come.  I'm just so happy that I will be able to spend the rest of my life with Aaron, he is my best friend, my comforter, the one God has provided for me, my partner in ministry, my comedic relief (often), personal heater, confidant, and everything else good and great and wonderful.  I love him so much.  I'm so happy that I will be able to join in his family as well as I love them very much also.  And I pray that my family will take him in as a son and love him too.

I would have posted more pictures of us together but when I took them off my camera I did it at Holly's so here are a few pictures of the ring instead.  BTW, it's TOTALLY me!

All taken with my point and shoot also! :) 

 

Feelings mutual

This is a song from the movie Fireproof.  If you haven't seen it yet, it's really awesome.  I love it!  I've seen it probably 5 times already and really really enjoy it.  Anyway this song is called "While I'm Waiting" by John Waller. That's how I'm feeling right now. 

"I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait"

 I love Aaron very much and would really like to be getting married like a year ago.  Not joking.  But today's sermon really helped me think about how I should be patiently waiting and serving the Lord.  I should also be praying for more specific things.  So one of the ways I am applying this is with asking the Lord for patience. This song also reminds me of that.  I've decided that while I am waiting on the Lord to allow us to get married that I'm going to be in the Scriptures daily, looking at what it means to be a couple serving the Lord together. 

I truly believe that Jesus has put Aaron and I together and that someday we will be doing full time ministry together in one way or another.  We've already done a lot of ministry together. One of our close friends said that it was through our witness that said friend came to Christ and was able to grow in Christ.  My senior year of college we'd stay up in the end lounge talking about spritual topics.  Well, to be honest I usually ended up falling asleep because I'm not very good at staying awake at night, BUT, it was awesome to be able to serve our friend TOGETHER! 

I just pray that the Lord will continue to help me to grow in patience as I wait on His timing for marriage.  I know I know, never ask for patience.  But to be honest that is what I need. James1:5-6 says " ⁵If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. ⁶But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."  I am asking God for wisdom and patience as He shows me His will for our lives. 

Thanks for listening to my ramblings.

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Whitten

This past weekend I went to my friend Dana's Wedding. She was one of my closest friends in high school. We traveled to Ann Arbor Michigan to witness this special day and I am so thankful that I went.
Outside the church they had a rock painted with the date, time and couples' names.

Dana and her daddy walking down the aisle. She's so cute!

Only picture I have of the whole bridal party :(

Andy's vows

Dana's vows

Rings!

Unity candle :) They poured their candle during the ceremony. It was neat!

pouring the candle!

First kiss

Yes you are seeing candy sprinkles being thrown at them!

First dance!

saying goodbye :(

It's About Time

We made it on time this year!!! Btw these are from October and refer to my last two posts to understand better what Harvest is!



Same sign every year but it changes with the theme. This year's theme was Playing for Keeps: Going all in for God
Jon was clothespinned by Aaron, a tradition in our chapter started by the Grove City chapter which I spread to our chapter!
Main building - side entrance some of the seminars and our chapter prayer were in this building.
Main Building close up


Heart shaped leavesclose up

It took me three years to find this but I love it :) 1 Corinthians 13:13

and
But the greatest of these is Love.
I thought this would turn out better. It's on top of the sanctuary
Yay handsome prince and good friend DP
Moll Moll and Kiesel
Decorations :)
crazy photo
air hockey is popular at Harvest in the game room




And apparently so is Nintendo Monopoly. . .a bird's eye view
A few properties were missing and Pat knew how much each of them was worth from memory. That's SICK!
just another shot
moneys
my friend Amber that goes to Clarion, she is from the Pittsburgh area though :) She went to high school with a cousin of mine, small world huh?
more cuteness