'hood

I'm hoping to be this brand of cool as a mother. Yes, yes, yes. A baby boy in all gray? Yes. Me in a black dress and wild red sunglasses? Yes. These are the small joys in life. Living well and having it bleed into every part of who I am and the role I've stepped into will be such an amazing adventure. Life is about to get so challenging, and yet so satisfying. I'm about to become the version of myself I've always dreamed of.

peace

His purpose was to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. - Ephesians 2:15-18

An amazing thought came to me this morning: peace is the result of two people becoming one, being reconciled through the cross. The answer to war and cruelty and violence is aligning yourself with someone else so unlike you. The product is peace and the world will witness the miracle of peace dripping from unity.

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. - Ephesians 2:19-22

Our joining together, our union, creates a space for God to inhabit, and as our union is joined with the union of others, we create an entire mansion for God in which to dwell among us. This thought amazes me.

promotion

In an age and city of work and money, God has taught me to see beyond my company, title and salary. I don't care much whether my office has a window or if I sound valid when I talk about what I do to pay my bills. I enjoy earning a living as much as Proverbs declares that I should. But my real goal is to search out positions designed by God in His grand architecture of living well. Those positions are relational, really. And as I embark on marriage, I can't help but think that it is one of the greatest promotions I could receive. The fact that He thinks I've met the criteria and have the qualifications is completely humbling. I'm so excited to actually become Mrs. Uptown Allen.

official

Very late last night and into the wee small hours of the morning, something wonderful happened. Rico officially asked me to marry him. Despite his eager attempts to propose to me in a dramatic way, he ended up asking me in the most authentic and special and surprising of settings: at home. I couldn't have asked for anything better.

The ring sparkles like you wouldn't believe.

new space

Being snowed in gave me plenty of time to organize and pack for the move to our new apartment. It feels so cleansing to go through three years of odd papers, receipts, and old clothing. When the day comes to move, we can easily make the transition.

This weekend we'll make a trip to register and to Ikea to pick up a few new pieces of furniture. I can already see the apartment glowing and twinkling in my head. I cannot wait to get my hands on those new keys. I'm thirsty for a new space to design!

blueprint

Going through old boxes and papers this weekend, I came across something I had written in 2oo3 about what I envisioned life would be like with my husband. I truly believe in seeing circumstances first in your head and then finding it in reality later.

"Part owner with my husband of a Christian-based service company. (The details are fuzzy.) A contemporary  atmosphere in terms of modernity. Multimedia? Consultant/consulting company - a place for young, forward-thinking Christians to gather, exchange ideas. Magazine? A place of encouragement, creativity. An outlet. Urban, talent-scouting, researching trends, reporting trends, social changes. Issues that affect Christians. A meeting place. A revolutionary idea for the Christian world. Spreads message to urbanites."

It's amazing to see this description provide a strong starting point for all that Rico and I are called to accomplish. And although our passions have moved far beyond what's captured here, I'm so grateful for a vision to recognize the kind of man I needed long before Rico and I found each other.

celebrating together

I'm overjoyed by those family members and close friends who are already rejoicing and celebrating in what will take place in May. I'm absolutely amazed by those who are willing to do anything to be with Rico and me that day. It moves me beyond anything I'm able to express.

To see all of your faces in that sanctuary and to dance with all of you on that floor will make me the happiest new wife in the world!