12.1.24
December 1, 2024
12.1.24
My heart is rejoicing!
Rejoice with those who rejoice!
Sometimes after the heartache, God gives us joy for the morning!
A text beeped: my future son had laid out a very detailed plan and all his reasons why here and why that and how can we get her up here as a surprise.
I felt honored.
My heart was rejoicing for Christina already.
Later text: did I want to see the ring?
Nope, no pictures on my phone that gets shared by everyone… few read through my texts, but even Thea looks at my pictures!
Texts throughout the week leading up to 12.1.24: he’s getting excited and nervous… pretty sure she doesn’t know yet.
I felt honored to have been included in his plans. I expected to just hear about his proposal from her.
Day of:
I’m getting some hot chocolate for the early risers when I mention that today we are joining Grandma Tina at a picnic on vilano beach.
Christina, “I’m feeling sick” she laughs, it was cold!!
I thought Kimberly and Jaquline were going to die! Or give it away… Dad to the rescue, “this was planned weeks ago, weather didn’t agree.”
We joke a bit, Christina, Jaquline, and Jillian go to first service (they are serving, doing both), I get a text asking me to serve at 1030 (sweet!), we make salmon salad, and we’re off!
As always, had amazing fun working with my curious kiddos in Sunday School. I love their questions and it was prophecy and fulfillment matching, sweet.
Got done later than usual. Noon instead of 1145ish.
I texted the crew as we left church announcing we were headed that way.
Got a tiny bit nervous when Christona, Jaquline, and Lucas passed us. But they got stuck in the wrong lane and we lost them before we hit vilano road.
We pull up next to one grandma, the girls are like, that’s Dylan’s car, no it’s not right (he had rolled down his giveaway window, smart guy).
As we are getting out, Christina and her crew show up. We slowly make it toward the picnic area. I think as she got there, and we slowed down, she realized there were roses and candles (wow!) and was like ummm…
Dylan came from his hiding place with a little box and a Bible. She’s sure surprised…
I can’t hear what he said, but I know she said yes.
Thank you Jesus for this shining happiness from my daughter’s face! Thank you for a young man following after You! Jesus, thank you for a future son in law! Thank you that they are both following yiu! Their love for each other brings them closer to You… as I watch this is am reminded so much of how I love to worship with Louis! Of how special I feel when he prays with or for me. Of how amazing my heart swells when I see his talk about You. I love to listen to family praise! Thank you that You are healing Louis’ hand so he can play guitar again!
All of these thoughts, this stream of thankfulness, dlows through my heart as I watch my eldest daughter cry as her chosen man reads the Bible to her as he’s proposing.
Never think that you have to settle for anything! Women of God, you are made to be treasured, cherished, always treated with the utmost respect! If he doesn’t treat you as Chriat loves the church; if he doesn’t love Christ first and you second, run! God has something better planned for you! If he loves Jesus with his whole heart, he will know how to love you. Never settle for someone yiu will have to change – hold your standards high and wait for the man who thanks God daily for you and leads your heart closer to God as he steps into the husband-priest role of leading the family in worship.
Women of God! Yes, your man should edify you as you edify him. Iron sharpens iron. True love builds up each other. But you MUST each love Jesus more than you love the other person. A marriage is two imperfect people loving Jesus as they spend a lifetime learning to love each other more each and every day.
Christina and Dylan, always choose to love Jesus first.
Jesus will lead you in how to love each other.
Trust. Love. My heart.
I’m so overflowing with joy today! Thank you, Dylan, for including us in seeing this special moment. I’m so happy for both of you – and yes, I’m saving the date.
And pictures by many who sent them to me!
Thank you for reading!
~Nancy Tart
