You did it!

Yes, you did! You stole our daughter's heart, and we couldn't be happier!

David, you are the answer to our prayers! 

Ali was not the little girl who always dreamed of finding her Prince Charming and getting married. As a matter of fact, if she talked about marriage, it was usually about how it didn't really interest her.

Then you came along...

I love that it was YOU that made her so excited about marriage! I love the way you pursued her! I love the way you cherish her, care for her, adore her! You know her...really know her...and you see the best in her! You bring out the best in her! (And, I'm sure there are times when you bring out the worst in each other...Sometimes that just happens.) She loves and trusts you enough to be her true self with you!

With two such passionate people, you and Ali may have some bumps along the way. You both are "all in" in whatever you do. But, knowing that you and Ali desire to be abiding in Jesus, surrendered to the Spirit, seeking God's will in your lives, I am confident that this new stage of married life will suit you well!

Thank you, David, for loving our girl so well! We love you and thank God for you!
oxo-Alisa

ps- The way you displayed your love for Ali on the side of a busy street in Charleston is something I will never forget. :-)

Freedom

Just thinking about you four, my favorite young adults! 

Nicky, I've loved seeing your photos from New Zealand! What an adventure! Sounds like you had a blast with the guys, and now more fun times with the Sahakians! We miss you and pray for you daily!

Ali, Dad and I were just talking about how strange it is to start the weekend without you and David being here. We miss you! I know this week has been busy, with lots more coming up for you in the weeks ahead. Praying for you and David as you love on and serve those around you!

Greg and Maria, what a special time last weekend having you two here! Love, love, love spending time with you! Praying for the peace that passes understanding (because that's what you need!) to fill you as you deal with not living near each other. 

So, I just finished another journal! Starting a new one tomorrow. As I was going through this one, I came across a quote I had jotted down from Carol's book Living Free:

"Living freely is not letting anything or anyone crowd out the power and presence of the 'Son'...Jesus, in my life. It is continually being willing to die to self so that Christ can be the ruler and head of my life. It is believing that I can have the abundant life God offers, every day and in every circumstance."

Cool, huh?!!

oxo-Mom

Two Things I didn't Know

On our walk the other day, Dad and I were talking about marriage. We both agree that even though we knew each other for seven years by the time we got married, there were surprises. Some were challenging. Some were wonderful!

I shared with Dad that I had no idea a man could love Jesus so deeply. Your dad's desire to be abiding in, depending on, trusting in Jesus is something I had never imagined in my future husband.  It's super sexy to me...a man who knows the weakness of his flesh, who admits when he is not walking in the Spirit, who continually wants to know Jesus more intimately!

The second surprise for me was the depth of your dad's love for me! I didn't know it was possible to be so unconditionally loved, to be adored, to be cared for and protected, to be listened to so well. And...you all know me...I can be very unlovable. And he still loves me! I can be very unadorable. And he still tells me I'm beautiful and that he chooses me and that I'm his favorite person to be with!

So, Greg, Maria, Ali and Nick, my prayer for you is that you face the challenges of marriage with the grace of Jesus and that you are wonderfully surprised with the intensity and depth of the love from your future spouses!

I'm crazy about you four!
oxo-Mom

Nick-I love your love of Jesus! It's very natural for you to talk about Him! I know you want to grow deeper into Him this year. That's a great desire! I think you'll be like your dad in your lifelong love of Jesus and love of your future wife!

Ali-From a young age, you have had an unbelievable love for Jesus! Maybe your health issues caused your strong dependence on Him. I love how you see His hand in everything! Some lucky guy is going to get a Jesus-freakish wife who will respect and love him passionately! Hmm...wonder who that will be?!

Maria and Greg-Seeing you two trust in God's plan for you is so encouraging! I have to admit, I have shed some tears these past few days, knowing your love for each other, yet not living near one another. Continuing to trust Him...And thanking Him that you both love Him and keep your eyes focused on Him!

Baby Jesus

Since it is now December, I have spent a little time each morning reading the story of the birth of Jesus in each of the gospels. Each author focuses on a different angle. Mark avoids the story altogether. I love the different names for Jesus woven throughout the stories....The Son of the Most High...Horn of salvation...The Sunrise from on high...A Savior, Who is Christ The Lord...A Light of revelation to the Gentiles...Immanuel!

I realized that my favorite version of Jesus' birth comes from John's gospel...

"And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." -John 1:14

That's it! Short and to the point! The Word...Who was with God and was God...and Who made the world...and Who is Life and Light...and Who gave us the right to become children of God...that Word came down and lived among us! Wow!

And (you know this about me), I just have to mention another story. Still about Jesus, just not His birthday story...

"so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith..." -Ephesians 3:17

So cool that He came to dwell among us! So amazing and life-changing that then He chose to dwell in us!

I'll close with my prayer from my journal on the first day of December:
     Lord, this month I desire to be still and know that You are God!
     To marvel in the miracle of You becoming flesh!
     To be continually mindful that You are a Light of revelation to me!
     That You are alive and active in me!
     Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

Praying that you, Nick, Ali, Maria, Greg, and my two other favorite young adults in the whole wide world, have time this month to be in awe of the miracle of Jesus...being among us, now in us!
oxo-Mom

ps-Maria and Greg, oh.my.goodness...you're engaged!!! You're fiancés!!! You get to hang out and do life together!!! I couldn't be more thrilled! What a magical weekend that was!

Ali-oh.my.goodness...you have a boyfriend that you love!!! And, he is a wonderful man!!! And, Thanksgiving with you two was so very special! I am so excited to see where God leads you two, knowing that you both are enjoying every step of the journey!

Nick-oh.my.goodness...(just had to do that so you wouldn't feel left out)...you are sitting right here next to me with your headphones on watching "How I Met Your Mother"! You hung some of our Christmas lights! You went to Santa Barbara with us! (Yes, you should have given me some help in writing this part.)

Yes!

That's what you said, sweet Maria, and I couldn't be more thrilled! What a magical day that was last Saturday!...

You taking very seriously your job of "grilling" David (since that was the main purpose of your visit)...The enthusiasm in your voice as you shared with us about making your first set of dentures as we were driving to the beach (with no idea what was about to happen)...The look on your face as Greg handed you the note from Gregory...Your confusion as you got to the bottom of the steps at Traps and were not getting the call Gregory's note mentioned...Your hesitancy as you headed down the rose-petal path on the beach to the "table" covered with more rose petals, stones, photos of you and Gregory, more notes and a little black box...Your look of surprise and joy as Gregory stepped out from behind the reeds (yes, I'm crying as I'm typing now)...The sight of you two sharing that intimate moment when Gregory asked you to be his wife (and us getting to view this from a distance)...You two turning to us with such joy, Gregory giving us the old fist pump, like, "Yes! I got the girl!!!"...Taylor capturing this special time...All of us hugging, jumping, talking, knowing we are getting YOU as a new addition to our family!...The rest of the evening...Eating, drinking, sharing, soaking it all in!

Maria, you are truly a gift to Gregory and to our whole family! Like I told you, I knew the moment I met you that you would someday be my daughter. I just knew! What you bring out in my son is the very best! I love how he does his little dances around you, sings around you, smiles A LOT around you, pats your head and face as he says to anyone around, "She's real!", goes to lots of baseball games and is trying to really understand it, how he leads your relationship like a man, not a little boy, how he is protective of you and wants the best for you (even if it means you can't live together for awhile after you are married), how he wants to be prepared for a long distance marriage by getting good counsel, and how he adores, cherishes and loves you!

And, precious Maria, people love you from the moment they meet you! (Have I told you how many people had the same comment after meeting you?..."She's a keeper!") I know I sure did! So much I admire and love about you! Your enthusiasm for life, your passion for Jesus, your desire to give of yourself in serving others, your dedication in dental school, the way you are so intentional in your friendships, the way you know how to give your all in your studies, yet, still give your all to Gregory, your family and your friends when you are with them, your spark, your feistiness, your energy, your gentleness, your humility, your joy, and your deep commitment to, love of and respect for my son! Really, you are the answer to this mama's prayers!

So, darling Maria, I am so excited that you and Gregory will be beginning this adventure called marriage soon! And, I will continue to pray that you both listen to the voice of your Shepherd, abide in Him, walk in His Spirit, love and respect one another daily, hug and kiss and cuddle a lot when you are together, be tender with one another, laugh often, and get ready for the completion of OMM!!!

I love you, one of my favorite young adults in the whole wide world!
Alisa

Hold Tight

Happy 2013 to my favorite three young adults in the whole wide world and to my future three other favorites,

So...nothing new from me since 2012, though I have thought of what I would write once I started again...Maybe just photos from the past year...Maybe a list of highlights (and there have been many!)...Maybe a summary of what Ali and I learned from our nutrition program (another blog, another time)...Maybe some deep spiritual lesson God has taught me recently (can't think of anything off hand, just, "Trust Me, love Me, abide in Me, be completely dependent on Me").

Well, here are my words of wisdom for 2013 so far:

Hug often. Hug long. Dad and I do this thing...We just hug, snuggled together as close as we can get, no talking, not even looking at each other...Just hugging...Letting our hearts beat together...Forgetting why we might be frustrated with each other...Not thinking about problems...Just hugging!

There you have it! Now go practice.

Love you all more than you'll ever know!
oxo-Mom

My Year of No Shopping

I did it! A whole year of not shopping! Well, almost. There were those few things that I knew I would be buying (bathing suit, walking shoes, long sleeved workout shirts, a few wedding gifts). And, the year isn't over for a few days (Can I resist the after Christmas sales?). 

When the crazy idea kept popping in my head over a year ago, I thought, "That's stupid...Why do it?...By October I'll be going nuts, wanting to burn all of my clothes."

Funny thing...I loved it! Something happened in my thinking along the way...

Freedom!...

Wanting less...

Being content with what I already have...

Having no idea what's in style these days and not caring one little bit!...

Thanking God for all I do have instead of focusing on the things I don't have...

And, did I mention FREEDOM?!

Dad and I were sitting in our family room this morning, sharing what God has been teaching us. It came to me...I don't want to be remembered as that frugal woman who didn't shop for a year. Or, as that health nut who is always talking about what foods are healthy and what are not (need to work on this one...it's still all so new and exciting!) Or, even that lady with the fantastic kids. :-) What I'd like to be known for is my passion for Jesus Christ, my love of God! Yes! TRUE FREEDOM!

Thank you, you three, for your support this past year! For cheering me on! For being such good sports as I got creative with birthday and Christmas presents! Have I told you lately that I'm crazy about you three?!

oxo-Mom

ps~I'm seriously considering another year...with a few exceptions...mostly bras.