A Word from Octavius Winslow...

"The sight of Jesus is a soul-satisfying spectacle! The penitent soul is satisfied, for it sees in Jesus a free pardon of sin. The condemned soul is satisfied, for it receives in Jesus a free justification. The believing soul is satisfied, for it discovers in Jesus a fountain of all grace. The tried, tempted, sorrowful soul is satisfied, for it experiences in Jesus all consolation, sympathy and love. Oh, what an all-satisfying Portion is Jesus! He satisfies every holy desire—for He realizes it. He satisfies every craving need—for He supplies it. He satisfies every sore grief—for He soothes it. He satisfies the deepest yearnings, the highest aspirations, the most sublime hopes of the renewed soul—for all these center and end in Him!" 

We've Returned...

...from Houston! Here is a picture of us. :) 

Getting back into the swing of things this week...trying to readjust to school and work should be fun. Promise we'll have another post up soon to tell all about our trip!

~ Elisabeth

Update

"Praise the LORD, my soul, 

   and forget not all his benefits— 

 who forgives all your sins 

   and heals all your diseases, 

 who redeems your life from the pit."

~ Psalm 103:2-4

Hello friends. 


We are happy this week because...


I'TS SPRING BREAK! 


And spring break is awesome. Even when it's snowing on the first day...


But only in Kansas. BEN and I, along with dearest Emily, are flying to Houston tomorrow afternoon.


Haha. Take that, Kansas. 


But on a more serious note, the reason we are going to Houston is to visit Ben and Emily's dad, who is undergoing an experimental cancer treatment there at the research hospital there. According to God's will, he might be there anywhere from 1 to 3 months. We are continuing to pray that, even when things look like there's nothing else that can be done, that the Lord would work powerfully and cure his cancer. We know he hears these prayers.  I was reminded again of our Lord's mercy as we sang this beautiful song during church this morning: 

"Savior, he can move the mountains

Our God is mighty to save

He is mighty to save

Forever, author of salvation

He rose and conquered the grave 

Jesus conquered the grave."

We know that this same Jesus who conquered the grave can also conquer Mr. Hegner's cancer. Please keep him in your prayers over the next weeks. I will try to post updates as they come (though mostly on Facebook.) 

P.S. Be sure to check back for pictures from our week in Houston. I am bringing my camera and might get a little artsy...plus...Ben and I take cute pictures together. We are a pretty awesome couple. Just sayin...;)

6 months...

...is a comparatively short amount of time. Actually when I think about it, it seems like just yesterday we were FINALLY together. Courting. As a couple. And yet, on the flip side, I almost can't remember what it was like before. It's become so sweetly natural, so right...I just can't imagine it any other way anymore. 


I'm pretty sure that's the way God likes it. He does write the best love stories, after all. 


But anyway. Ben and I have (you guessed it) been officially in a courtship for 6 months now. And while this IS a comparatively short time (see above), it is also a time to step back, take a deep breath, and recount the Lord's faithfulness in our lives. Not only as a couple, but as individuals. I have recently been discovering that the more time we spend together, the more opportunities there are to grow. Really, it's been quite amazing to see what God can accomplish in two people's lives in just 6 months! 


Something I should also mention: Ben and I aren't the type to celebrate every little anniversary that comes around the corner. (If you've ever watched the Disney channels, its really obnoxious how the little tween couples are always celebrating their "7-week-aversaries". Gooooood grief.) But, because 6 months is a natural and semi-substantial amount of time to have been together, we decided to observe the date. 


By going to Sonic and having slushes and chili-cheese tots. 


Honestly guys. If you've never had chili-cheese tots, yoooouuuu my friend are missing out. 


God was also kind to bless us with a warm, sunny day just out of February on which to celebrate this momentous occasion. So I wore a yellow skirt. And we washed our cars together in my driveway, with the stereo turned up obnoxiously loud over the hum of the wet-and-dry vac. 


It really was a rather lovely day. We should have them more often, in March. (In case you can't tell, Lord, I'm hinting here.) 


Well, let me conclude by congratulating ourselves on a very happy and successful first 6 months of courtship. God has been good to us. Very, very good! 


"But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
   my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD,
   because he has dealt bountifully with me."


~ Psalm 13:5-6

Welcome to the 21st Century...

Hello friends. Elisabeth here. 

I have a confession. My confession is, for the better part of my life, I have been afraid of talking on the phone. 

Texting is good. Face-to-face conversation is better. But actually dialing and speaking to someone over the phone? Noooo way.

I am not sure where this phobia originated. Maybe it's because I'm afraid of those awkward silences when I have nothing to say? (Whatever. Don't laugh. It does happen.) Maybe it's because I know how weird my voice sounds over a speaker? Actually, I really have no idea. 

Well. This is the 21st century now, folks. And courting couples don't send each other letters in the mail, or even cute little post cards to each other on a daily basis any more. No. Because thanks to Alexander Graham Bell, we now have this luxury known as the telephone. And while a convenient luxury it may be...well...

Yeah. Just not my favorite. 

Needless to say, I have had to get used to talking on the phone. I clung strictly to texting for as long as I could, but one day, Ben told me how much he really just wanted to hear my voice. 

Awwww. 

Really, who could resist that?

So I caved. And what do you know, but it's not really as bad as made myself believe for so many years. Actually, I kinda like hearing his voice, too. :) 

It is now our ritual to...you guessed it...talk on the phone...nearly every night. It's become a rather soothing ritual, at that. And, actually, a rather productive part of our relationship. Face to face, we have the luxury of reading each other's expressions, and silence is comfortable. When on the phone, silence is really not comfortable when drawn out. Which causes one to constantly think of what to say to the other person. Ask questions. Really work at adequate communication. Not that we don't do these things in person, but it's interesting to experience this sort of growth as a couple...on the phone of all places. 

I guess, God  knew what he was doing when he decided that Benjamin and Elisabeth would be of marrying age in this century. He doesn't leave out any details, does He? Chew on that  thought. 

It rather makes me smile. :-)

Sunday afternoon

Too much time has past since I last wrote anything for this blog...In fact I have never written anything for it seeing as this is, yes you guessed it, Benjamin ha ha.

I felt I should write something, anything so I could call it my blog as well.
Let me see...

Well today was rather an interesting day. I think I’d rather not tell you how much of it was spent in front of the television screen watching movies. Yes I gave you a hint there with that plural. Basically it was a fun day of hanging out with family and friends and good food to celebrate... (wait for it!)

My little sister winning the football pool.

In case you don’t know this football pool is just a thing my family did this past season. Basically you just guess who is going to win each game, and you win a point for every game guessed correctly. At the end whom-ever has the most wins, well, wins. It’s a game that tests the hardcore fans to their limits at picking the winners. One must take into account injuries to key players, previous season team records and the present season as well. So how you ask did my kid sister win? I’ll tell you. Even with all the stats and records and expert opinions to consider, the best approach is now proven: just pick the team with the best colors. Oh and try to make sure they don’t clash.

On another finer note, I didn’t come in last.

Let no man say I don’t have at least a slight eye for fashion.

What We've Been Reading...

As we house-hunt (or, apartment-hunt as it is in our case), we have run into a couple of problems. 

First problem: 

Find apartment in our price range that is not in the Projects. 

Second problem: 

Find apartment with enough space for all our books. 

Between the two of us...we have...a lot.

One thing you should know about Ben and I...

We really really like to read. 

Currently, Ben is reading: 

And as for me:

These are great classics, folks. In the words of Larry the Cucumber: "I laughed, I cried, [they] moved me Bob." 

And if you've never watched Veggie Tales, WELL, I say I hope you know what you're missing!

[Insert Generic First Post Title Here]

Hello, friends. :) 

Welcome to our brand new little corner of the blogosphere. Do take off your coat; sit a spell. Do you take your tea with milk, or sugar? Both? Me too! :) 

Because this is a first post, I will stick to short and sweet. But I thought you might want to know what to expect from this little project of ours. If you know us well already, don't laugh. We know we are spontaneous. So you can expect a little bit of that too. 

Wait, expected spontaneity? 

Oh dear. 

Anyway. 

As I recently stated (about three paragraphs ago now), Life (As Told By Us) is actually a project of mine. Besides being spontaneous, I am also a rather sentimental being. I save everything, because I don't want to forget anything. Especially now. This romantic and often ridiculously fun courtship season needs to be recorded. Because, well, I say so. I want to remember. And this is only the beginning. Because after this...well...it only gets better, right? 

You should also know, I am an incurable optimist. 

So! Thus begins this spontaneous and sentimental commemorative project. In the form of a blog. By Elisabeth, and Benjamin. 

From now on, you should expect many stories, and photos, and subsequent commentary on, well, our lives. The journey has been fun so far. And really, its only the beginning. We are looking forward to sharing it with you all. 

"The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love."

Psalm 147:11