It's beginning to look a lot like...

Christmas.
I still remember being a little girl and all the excitement that came with Christmas. Eagerly counting down the days until Christmas Eve. Packing the car with presents and food as we went to Uncle Joe's that night. The whole family would eat spaghetti (except for me, just salad and bread. Spaghetti? Gross.) and we'd eat lots of sweets and drink that stuff that is basically melted Red Hots. I remember the big tree with all the presents, making s'mores in the fireplace, going outside to throw carrots on the roof for Rudolph (not knowing that they usually just fell off on the other side). We would dig under the tree for the presents with OUR names and stack them in a big pile in front of us, waiting for Uncle Joe to say "okay, you can open your presents.....now! Driving around and looking at Christmas lights.

Man, those were the days.

It's not quite the same anymore. No more big tree, no more pile of presents for me (that has moved on to the little ones...darn), no more throwing carrots on the roof or smores or looking at lights or Red Hot drinks. Ever since those days ended I always find myself a little sad around Christmas Eve, I guess just remembering how it used to be when I was a kid. It's a good thing that those things I miss are not what Christmas is all about. But if you wanna know what Christmas is all about, ask me, Linus from Peanuts, Steve Swofford from FBC Rockwall, or check out Luke 2 or John 3:16. That is what it's all about- praise Father that sovereign grace and mercy never fade like presents or falling carrots.

Moving.
One week from this Saturday, John and I (and some lovely friends and family :) ) begin moving our stuff into our new home! Well, apartment, but our home! We went Sunday and signed the million page long lease, got some measurements for curtains and such, and just got more excited. I have begun the dreaded packing process. So far I have figured out (in my room at least) what is staying here and what is going, but haven't started packing a thing yet. That's okay. The Lord has been so faithful to provide for things (furniture, bedding, kitchen gadgets, 1 towel, haha) for us to start our life together. I am so grateful to Him and to the great friends and family through whom He used to provide. This is very, very exciting, and I just have to stop and thank the Lord over and over again for His provision. Oh, and I cannot forget to praise Him for the greatness that is Craigslist. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Jesus.

Wedding.
If we are moving in a week from Saturday, that means we are getting married 2 weeks from Saturday. 2 1/2 weeks! Holy moly. That is craziness. I am starting to do last minute wedding stuff with the sister and matron of honor- gluing ribbons onto things, counting stuff, planning, drawing pictures, last minute shopping. Man- this is really going down! So crazy. I haven't really gotten a chance to sit down and think about the actual ceremony itself since we've been in the planning/buying stage, but I guess sometime over the next week we will have to plan the ceremony/reception and get to really realize that we are getting married. So wild. Thank you Father. We go to get our marriage license tomorrow :)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, Moving time, Wedding time, time for changes basically. Thank you Father for remaining constant.