"My Sustainer"...My Looooongest post...but special...

We are at T-minus 13 days until the wedding and never in my life have I realized how much I was sustained by my loving relationship with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It's funny because I am marrying a kind, compassionate, hilarious, smart, and strong man...but I know that he cannot fill all my heart's desires and neither can I fill his. I was talking with a friend and they began to ask me, like many people have, "so what are you going to do being that far away from your family and not seeing Justin a lot?". I can honestly say thank you to them because of their genuine concern, however I cannot answer their question with a specific and detailed plan of action for when those harder times come...simply because I don't know when they will come, what will cause them to come, and how I will feel in the moment, but I do know that they are my times. Times that the Lord has destined for me to grow closer and more intimate with Him. Times to joyfully and humbly accept the will of the Lord and make the most of every learning experience by coming to Him first and foremost every good day and every hard day. Thankfully I have a man that agrees with my thoughts, that I am not a 'tag-along' on this USAF journey; this is just as much God's plan for me as it is for Justin. He has a specific need for me wherever we go...it is my job to search for that...and believe me, I have been searching and will continue to. The past weeks have been amazing for me! I feel that the Lord has revealed a stronger spirit in me that I never knew existed; a spirit of confidence and trust. He has shown me how to find control when the world around you is full of fear, unknown, and stress. Friends and Family members, please take joy with Justin and me as we begin this amazing journey that our Lord has for us. For we believe that "He has prepared us for such a time as this" and we are not fearful because our trust does not lie in money, things, or people...it must and forever will lie in our unwavering Savior and Sustainer. For He is the one that brought us together and will lead us in the path ahead. We want everyone to know that this time is not a time of fear or sorrow for Justin and me...We are so excited to see new places, new people, and take new and deeper steps in our walk as a Christian couple. We know that the best way is not always the easiest, cheapest, or shortest.

I have to take a moment and thank my family. Through the past month, they have guided, loved, and encouraged me so much! They have built my confidence in myself as an adult, teacher, and wife. These precious times we've had sharing past stories, making new memories, welcoming new advice, and praying together has blessed my heart more than you or anyone will ever know. I have had a new type of appreciation for the family that the Lord blessed me with and I will never have the ability or words to show them the gratitude that overflows from my heart. People ask if it's hard for my parents, but honestly it's like a little caterpillar that grows and builds it's little cocoon in your jelly jar...when the butterfly emerges, the child gets so excited and can't wait to see the butterfly fly and enjoy the world.

I also have to thank my Justin. He rarely gets the acknowledgement that he deserves for all of his love, patience, and growth. He has accomplished so much and continues to set higher goals. He has met these goals by using his strength, faith, and talents...and his humility just makes me even more proud of him. He has led us to become a stronger couple in prayer, in trust, and in patience. His sense of humor has spurred me on through the tough days of working long hours or being emotionally drained. And he has really used his creativity to show me love when we are doing the 'long distance' thing.

Last, but never least, I have to thank my Jesus for our relationship that continues to grow. I am beginning to understand just a small part of what Paul meant when he said, "for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard!"

Thank you all for keeping us in your prayers. Let me know how I can be praying for you. Don't forget to smile and live in the moment...don't wish away every day :)

Love you, Rebekah