Our Hope is Certain!

People always say that the 1-3 years following college are the seasons in life where frequent changes and adjustments are made. Um yeah, can I attest to that. It's fun (and scary) to think that I literally can't even comprehend where I'll be in the next 3 years--I could even be in a different state! Let alone I'll be married, living with a man, and have a new extremely long signature.

I don't know about you but for me, I think changes and adjustments can be particularly difficult. This is something I've come to learn about my personality, accept, and be more aware of over time. I am naturally resistant to change as I would much rather be comfortable. Ah, that C-word that doesn't push growth. The great thing about change is that it DOES force us to grow, to adapt, to learn in a new situation. Within the last few months, I have felt myself go through so many up and down emotions--I've been happy and content, I've cried, I've felt purposelessness, and I've felt like I belong. The reality is that things are going to keep changing! This makes me crazy! For someone who likes to be planned and calculated this is bad news bears. And yet, that's the kind of life that the Lord has called me to--a life that's always changing and growing and a life that's not controlled by my me.

While life can, and will, pull us in different directions, and even the thought of all of those possibilities can become overwhelming, it continues to becoming more and more clear to me why it's so important to remember the steadfastness of our God.

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." - Hebrews 6:19-20

I love that--while my life feels crazy, unmanageable and out of hand, I have a hope that is certain. Even though I have no earthly clue what's ahead for me, Jesus, our forerunner has already gone before me. Beyond that, I can rest in the fact that Jesus has already secured my ultimate future--a future in Heaven with Him. And now, all those silly little plans get put into their proper perspective--it's really not so bad after all!

On a completely different note, here's an update on life in true Type-A format:

• We picked a date! We'll be getting married July 14, 2012 in Fredericksburg. I'm so excited!
• I found a dress! And a caterer, and a venue, bridesmaid dresses and all the major stuff. Now it's on the fun part of wedding planning! Jesus help me not think I can DIY everything...
• My pinterest is stacking up. It's been cool to see our wedding evolve over time into something I NEVER would have thought would be our theme.
• We love our small group! Ryan and I joined a young marrieds small group and we are loving it. We've loved the community we have and the things we are learning through them.
• In 37 days I'll be in Jamaica! My family is taking a "last family trip" before I get married and we're going to Jamaica! I can't wait to be warm and go on a vacay.
• I'm already wishing I was still in college. You college people have no idea how much free time you really have! I miss breaks so bad when I see everyones tweets and facebook statuses.
• I had my first hospital visit 3 weeks ago. That was an adventure. I went from thinking I was dying to praising Jesus for life! I also kept thinking I was on Grey's Anatomy.
• I'm thinking I'm definitely going to have to do Black Friday. I've never been before believe it or not. I have so many practical things that I need that go on intense sale during Black Friday, so I'm thinking it might be worth my while! Who wants to come?!
• We got our engagement pictures done! Our wonderfully talented friend Katelyn James Alsop shot our engagements in Washington DC! Don't laugh at our serious face pictures--we're going to be practicing before the wedding! We just like smiling too much!