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. :-)