Welcome to my eclectic journey of my life and delights. This year my theme is surrendering my writing pen to the true author, Jesus Christ, while looking forward to the future, reflecting on the past and dancing through my journey.




Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Up and Down, Twist and Turn...Don't Vomit



I don't do roller coasters; in fact, I get car sick.  I am just not one for that thrill ride...you can have it.  So when life decides to take me on a ride, without my permission.. well, what do I do?  I do a little of everything...want to vomit, feel queasy, excited, thrilled, faith-filled, exhausted, hopeful, discouraged, and when I finally come to the end of myself, I feel His strong arms.  The ride, even though it is still going, becomes a place of surrender.  I have heard that that is the trick of a roller coaster, if you don't tense up and just enjoy the ride, it becomes pleasurable.

So, Monday started the unexpected roller coaster ride.  After the boys were off at school, leaving me to myself and house cleaning, windows were opened to allow the cool breeze to filter through...and the ride came unannounced.

I heard my husband's footsteps in the middle of the afternoon.  "Hey!, what are you doing here?"  His answer back was a shock...he had lost his job.  Monday was the last day.  His 100% commission, supposed-to-be-temporary,-but-lasted-four-and-a-half-years-job had come to an abrupt end.

As I moved through the afternoon with my thoughts invading my being..highs, lows, twists, turns...etc.. my body called me to bed.  But wait...there is always something unexpected in a roller coaster ride. The phone rang............

"Mom, what you doing?...I AM ENGAGED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" screamed our only daughter through the phone.

We knew it was coming.  The wonderful Christian young man had already discussed this with hubby..but we hadn't expected it just yet.  My husband has always said our only daughter's husband would be a cross between John Wayne and Rambo...this man comes close...he is a Marine Corporal... with a great heart.

This is how he proposed........................................................I am the mom, so I have to share!

They were having an evening picnic on the lawn of the county courthouse.  She had lost her Bible and had been complaining about it...that's my girl...very verbal.  He bought her a new Bible and engraved her future name on the cover. He gave it to her and she hugged the Bible, not reading the full name.  Now I have to say both last names start with a "W", so she just glanced over it.  He had to draw her attention to the full name.  Well, after some words...verbal girl giving him a hard time for the wrong last name... he pulled out the ring!!



Aren't they both beautiful.  The ring was created from the diamonds of his grandmother's wedding band.


This is my goofy girl in our garage, where brother and friends were playing ping pong...teary-eyed...showing off her ring!


Here is our future son-in-law...the mixture between John Wayne and Rambo.

All these sixteen and seventeen year-old boys (her brother's in the baseball clothes) acting goofy with her!  This was so appropriate for them all to hear the events of the evening, since she and future son-in-law both work with the youth at church.

Both of their testimonies of life can fill a book...labeled: God's forgiveness, God's redemption plan, God's restoration, and to His Glory.
Our prayers are with them throughout this engagement period.  We have now had two of our children engaged in one month...oh my!  I don't have pictures from the other engagement..but our prayers are covering them also.

What a roller coaster ride on this day...one that could only have been touched by God!

33 Joining in with more words:

Vee said...

Talk about juxtapositions! What joy in the camp. What comfort it gives us to know that God has everything under control.

Rebecca said...

What an amazing proposal!

And, oh Janette. My prayers are for your stability and yes, even JOY on your roller coaster! I pray that your faith fails you NOT! (Luke 22:32)

Sandy said...

This is so romantic! Movie-like! Your girl looks soooo happy and lovely and what a cute and sweet looking fella she got! Congratulations to all!
I will be in prayer about future employment for your dear husband. Truly our lives are in His loving and capable hands.
Love & Prayers~

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

Lifes up and downs are constantly with us...I'm a true believer in the little things in life that make us happy...AND we've always experienced that NO MATTER what happens, it happens for a reason AND something better ALWAYS seems to come of it!
You are in my daily prayers.
Congratulations to your beautiful daughter...
Big Hugs to you,
Donna

Patty Marker said...

Congratulations on the engagement. I will be praying for you husbands work situation. God is good al the time in the good and the bad things in life.

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

No one could have expressed that whole emotional ride any better than you just did. I am so thrilled for your daughter, and I know you are too, and praying for the best and next for hubby. You said it so well Janette... sick, excited, the whole gamut. God is in the changes, right smack dab IN THE MIDDLE of them!

Hugs!

Christine said...

Whew! What a Roller Coaster Ride!
I stopped short and took a deep breath about the job news.
Then when you told the engaged story, smiles! Look at her radient face. And yes, he has the Rambo and John Wayne look.

Janette, I know you know who is in charge. Remain steadfast. I always go back to read James 1:12 during trials.
Praying for you and all the situations that have come up.

Theresa said...

Sorry to hear about your husband's job.
Congratulations on your daughter's engagement. Really they sure are a beautiful couple. You are going to have some gorgeous grandchildren ;)

Maryann said...

congratulations on your daughters engagement janette, she looks absolutely radiant. I loved the way he proposed...very romantic! Will keep the employment situation in prayer. I know you know who is in control, praying that god will give you peace. Isaiah 26:3

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

To my fellow "I don't like roller coasters but that doesn't mean I can avoid them" friend... I pray today is an "up" day for you and your husband and that you are both catching your breath and feeling God's peace. I'm hurting for you - and praying that whatever lies ahead will be beyond your great expectations.

As for your sweet daughter... I'm praying best wishes for her and her fiance as they enjoy their engagement. Keep us posted when both children set their wedding dates!

Farm Girl said...

Oh that is so amazing and I totally love how he proposed. Her ring is beautiful.
God is so good isn't he?
I wish you blessing upon blessing.
I am sure God has another job for your husband. :)

Lisa said...

Janette!
WOW! First off congratulations to your beautiful daughter! What a romantic and meaningful way to purpose. This guy is definitely a keeper.
I'm sorry about your husband's job, but I know God has something special just for him. Hang on, Friend.:)

Anonymous said...

BEST. BLOG. EVER.
OH! And best parents ever :)
-Your very happy daughter

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

Jeanette, I am so, so sorry about your husband's job loss. Goodness, that is a toughie for sure. Praying the Lord already has that all figured out.

So happy for your daughter. They are precious and I know the Lord has much in store for them.

Thinking of you and praying for you in a special way.

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

So sorry to hear about your husbands job loss. Been down that road and our was a very long one.

But very excited about the engagements in your family. The proposal to your daughter was so sweet. Blessing to all of you!

Cecilia Marie Pulliam said...

Wow, Janette. That is indeed a roller coaster ride. Praying for more ups than downs.

What a great story about your daughter and her fiance. That is one that will become a permanent memory in the family history. Thank you for sharing it with us. And God bless them both, and you and your husband.

Marsha Young said...

Janette
Congratulations on your daughter's engagement to a fine young man.

Praying your husband will find a satisfying job very soon.

Life can, indeed, be a roller coaster. Good thing God gave us the ability to "roll with it." :)

Nikki (Sarah) said...

a huge congrats and in Jewish...Matzel Tov. Your dgt is absolutely beautiful and looks like total fun...something I would imagine of her being your dgt. :)
And about your husband....He's got something awesome for him too....believing for that with you guys.

myletterstoemily said...

goodness! that IS a roller coaster! i pray your daughter's engagement is a foreshadowing of
many blessings to come.

fear not, little lamb.

Sally said...

Wow, that is a swing in emotions for one day. Congratulations to the happy couple and my prayers for a quick and perfect resolution to the job issue. Let us know where we can lift you up. Blessings!

joanna bolton said...

Congratulations on your daughter's engagement!
What a lovely blog. It give me inspiration.
Joanna

Petra said...

What a ride, my friend! Your RC buggy went front- and backwards, up and down, and all around. Congrats to your beautiful girl! And what a way for God to step right in to show that He's in charge of it all - the good and the bad. Or should I say, the good and the good? Romans 8:28

xoxo

Debbie said...

I just got your email so I came here after responding. Now, I wish that I had seen the blog post first because my heart is just FULL of praise for you with this wonderful news from your daughter. She's beautiful, and she is living the dream that I have for my girls. What a huge, huge, blessing that God has sent her a man after His own heart.

What timing our God has. I can't help but feel after reading this that He has something so awesome planned for you on this roller coaster that you will ever after say that it is your favorite ride.

I've got you covered, Janette.

Sue Anne McKinney said...

I'm letting out a yell with you at the "top"of this ride!!! I love you and will be covering you in prayer! Screaming my heart out! Congrats on the newly engaged couples!

Debbie said...

Oh Janette how on earth I missed this blog post I just can't be sure...First of all congratulations to the absolutely darling couple! I love the proposal....soo sweet. And it sounds like God has picked her out a winner... How many fun and exciting things lay ahead for all of you. I just couldn't be happier for all of you over this. And as for the ride....well, you just couldn't have explained it better. The emotions, and observations and feelings all come into play don't they? I am sorry to hear about your hubby's job, and yet know that the Lord has it all figured out. It is hard (oh how I know this) to wait for Him to reveal just what He has in mind, but we do KNOW (key word here) that we are the apple of His eye and that He has plans to prosper us right? So things might not feel just right now, so we have to concentrate on what we KNOW...His love will never fail us. I have begun praying about this, and I will continue. In the meantime I am rejoicing with you over this exciting announcement, and am holding your hand on this ride. HUGS! Debbie

Debbie Petras said...

Congratulations to your daughter and her Rambo! I love the photos and her excitement that comes through loud and clear.

But I'm almost in tears about your husband's news. I'm so sorry! I know that God is in control but I also know how your human heart must feel. I will be praying friend.

Love you,
Debbie

Anonymous said...

Roller Coaster -- I love the high's but not so much the low's -- been in the mist of job issues and so I know prayer is powerful -- but you know that.. all the best..
Totally awesome about your
daughter.
Hugs..

Brenda Lazzaro Yoder, said...

Thank you for your transparency of the real moments when life deals us all of this. May God supply all of your needs according to His glorious riches. I am so sorry for this loss and for the next stage, waiting to see what God will open.

Brenda Lazzaro Yoder, said...

Thank you for your transparency of the real moments when life deals us all of this. May God supply all of your needs according to His glorious riches. I am so sorry for this loss and for the next stage, waiting to see what God will open.

Anonymous said...

Wow. What a wonderful proposal. What a thoughtful and loving, beautiful, meaningful ring.

Angela said...

This has brought tears to my eyes..God You are SO good..all the time...'where mercy leads'..Rich Mullen singing in the background as I type this out....sigh.

Catherine said...

Dear Janette, Congratulations!! Your daughter and future son-in-law look very happy. They are young and in love, how beautiful.
I will keep you in my prayers that employment for your hubby will be soon.
Blessings dear friend. Catherine xo

Leslie @ Farm Fresh Fun said...

Oh Janette,
I am praying for you all and full of confidence that God's love has you exactly where you need to be. Your daughter is gorgeous (just like her mommy). I will await happy news of your husbands next job... and keep praying.
((((hugs)))) and lotsa love
Leslie
ps - I am awful about roller coasters and uncertainty too

Related Posts with Thumbnails