The proposal

Now this is the story all about how-
How My life got changed, filled with  hope-
And I'd like to take a minute - just sit right downI'll tell you how I became the fiance of Kevin Pope

I hope you read that while hearing the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song. I have been letting the engagement sink in and I finally have some time to write about how it happened. Hope you enjoy the story- because it is a good one!

Friday- November 16

I had left work early because I had worked late Thursday night. I went to Kevin's house when I got off from work. We hung out and talked and he said he had to go to Atlanta a lot this next week and maybe he could swing by Solomon Brothers and order my ring.
I made a sarcastic comment- "it is less than 7 weeks til Christmas you know." (knowing that he had told me it would take at least 6 weeks to make the ring and have it shipped back to GA) He replied "Oh my gosh- are you serious?! Well, maybe I can get it rushed through." And my reply "It's fine- I'm never getting a ring." He said in the sweetest voice "Oh yes you will, just not right now because the ring you picked out cost a lot of money and I have to save up more for it."
So I left it at that and set in my mind that it was going to happen on New Year's Eve because he had asked me multiple times- do you want to get engaged this year or next- and I just KNEW he was going to get down on one knee at 11:59 December 31.

Later on his mom called him and said she had seen my mom at Walmart and they wanted to know if we wanted to go to dinner with them. (I was pining for some Lieu's peking anyway on my own- so when Mrs. Helen said that's where they were going- I was totally on board!) We said we would meet them there at 7.

No big- our parents had met before- but they had never had dinner all together. My mom missed out on a few previous dinners. So  really didnt think anything of it- but I was incredibly excited about chinese food!

Mrs. Helen called again to make sure it was ok with me- I guess part of the plan- and I think to tell Kevin to make sure he didnt dress up too much or something about my mom having clothes- I dont really know.

We left the house and headed to Lieu's. We took Kevin's truck- which is really weird and I don't remember why- but I asked him if he remembered our date to Aubri Lane's when he asked me to sit in the middle and I said that was one of the best dates I had ever had. He told me to sit in the middle again this night and I did.

We get to Lieu's- late of course- and where are our parents seated? RIGHT SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PLACE!! Seriously- the middle table where everyone in the entire place can see you from any other table. We sit down- order our food and set out to overindulge on some various chicken plates.

By the end, I am so full and miserable because I for some reason ate EVERYTHING. Bob, the owner, brings out a pretty dyed onion he had carved- and I am guessing he did this because he was so nervous about bringing out the fortune cookies he was trying to calm down. The fortune cookies come out a few minutes later (Kevin said he was having to give him signals all night about the timing). I grabbed up a few and tossed them around the table.

Kevin is to my left and my deddy is to my right, then my mom, his mom, and his dad. I shuffle 2 cookies in my hand like I always do and I asked Kevin- which one do you want? (Now I did notice that Lieu's had gotten new cookies, the bags were different {yes, we eat there that much}, but I didnt think anything of it.)

He picked the one in my right hand and I tear mine open. Now, I dont know if you play this game- but my family always plays read your fortune and add "in the bed" after it to make it funnier. Well, I didnt really want Kevin's parents to hear me say that- so I just read my fortune outloud to Kevin. "The man next to you has a very important question to ask."

Pause story

I immediately think to myself "well, that is not very exciting of a fortune, but when I add "in the bed" maybe it will be funnier.

So, as I am processing the above statement, I turn to Kevin to say "in the bed" and lo and behold he is getting down on one knee. At this point I lost it. And immediately thought "OHMYGOSH This is a REAL fortune!" My hands are over my wide open mouth and I feel like I am in another place and he said "You know I tell you I love you every day and that I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Will you marry me?"

Picture Quasimodo. Now make him cry. That is what kind of face I have at this point. My mouth is wide open and Im bawling. I just hug the life out of Kevin because I am still in shock. He didn't get a yes when he asked, just some extremely tight hug and the breath knocked out of him. He asks me, well is that a yes- do you want me to put the ring on your finger?

And i said "yes! yes yes yes!- but way more cry-tone involved. He slid the most beautiful ring on the planet on my finger and stood up and got me up to hug me again.

At this point, everyone in the restaurant is clapping for us. The crazy thing is that we knew about 10 people in there having dinner. It was really special for that many people to share our excitement with us. All I can do is cry and hug Kevin. I didnt want to let go.

My parents are technologicaly challenged, so my mom with her fancy iphone she has had for 2 months- couldnt figure out how to take pictures. So in the middle of my exciting time- I had to show her and I eventually just gave it to Kevin to deal with. Everyone wanted to see my ring, so I gladly went and showed it off.

I know both my parents teared up and were smiling from ear to ear when it was happening. Bob brought us out more food for the celebration and said he had never been so nervous in his life. He had never had to do a proposal before. Kevin's mom had delivered the special fortune cookies- which Kevin had ordered 20- to make sure he had his bases covered because he knew I would switch them up! So, all of us got the same fortune, I really dont even think our parents opened theres. Smart guy he is. He also made sure Bob knew to bring out those cookies- because the regular ones would obviously ruin the plan.

We celebrated a little longer and took lots of pics. We missed out on taking pictures with our parents, I guess we were just too excited. I hugged my parents and they have never been so excited. I hugged Kevin's parents and his mom said "well- you didn't ask for my permission. And I am thinking..what the heck are you talking about woman? And I said "Can I be your daughter in law?" and she said something- I dont remember- so I guess that meant I got it wrong and I said "Can I please marry your son?" and she said yes- then proceeded to hug me and said in a stern voice that only I heard "Don't hurt my baby".

I have to laugh- but I'm pretty sure she meant business. I won't hurt your baby- I love him too much to hurt him!!

It was the best thought out and well planned engagement. Kevin is a sweetheart. Lieu's Peking is where the story all started, where Kevin and I had our first date, so it will forever hold a special place in our hearts.

Here are some pics from that night- start left- then go down- then the right side is the completion.

We are over the moon excited and can't wait to get married in April! Thanks for reading our story- This will be the best Thanksgiving ever- because my heart is full and my ring finger is SHINING!

All you need is love...

Not really. Some people base their entire lives around this saying- and go looking for love in all the wrong places. To the arms of a stranger, to the home of a friend- to the refrigerator or to the mirror- only to find that sometimes we don't always get what we want.

Acceptance. Memories. Warm thoughts about being together- these are the deepest feelings that all human beings crave. And when we don't get the things we need/want, sometimes it can turn out ugly.

In my struggles as a Christian, I find it really hard to love the way I should (refer back to the other post). Christ is the model for love- so to sum it up- it is supposed to be on purpose, genuine, with intent to bring something better to someone else's life, and real.

If anything- just know that Jesus didn't pretend. He didn't love people one day and turn his back on them the next- we did that part.

I had to spend some time in the Word this week looking for something that I honestly wasnt comfortable with, but I know that God was pushing me to it. When we are angry or hurt or disappointed or just plain confused from/by people, the only place we need to run to is the arms of Christ.

Yet, so often, we run to the created and not the Creator.

"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5:44

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." Luke 6:28

^"But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked." Luke 6:35

You can see where my struggle is this week- ohh loving people that are enemies. Or in modern day terms: people that don't like you.

My favorite parts of the Bible are when Christ speaks. I am huge fan of Paul's work, but Jesus' words have a different something to me.

In the Amplified version, it takes on a whole new meaning:
 "Invoke blessings upon and pray for the happiness of those who curse you, implore God’s blessing (favor) upon those who abuse you [who revile, reproach, disparage, and high-handedly misuse you].

Instead of harboring bitterness or holding on to the hurt- I choose to let it go this week. I choose to pray for those who are against me. I choose to ask for God to rain down blessings on them- and bless them to the point where their cup runneth over. It is a hard thing- which is why there are so many verses about loving those who are against you.

I will pray. I will love. And I won't do it because it is any idea of mine- I do it because Christ loved me when I was his enemy.

Maybe all you really need is the love of Christ- and it will cover a multitude.

The ugly truth

Sometimes, we all do it. Some of us, probably more so than not. And when we do it- we don't ever question it. It is who we are- .........or is it?

I have found myself lately seeing life through a different perspective. I am not sure how this came about- because I sure didn't ask for it, but God is trying to teach me something right now.

Sometimes, I look at people and judge them. Oh how I judge them for their clothing, their belongings, but mostly for their looks. I think the worst or degrade them in my mind because they aren't like me. Or they aren't pretty or attractive. Then, for some reason, God has been working on my head and my heart lately. God reminds me in a still and quiet voice- that he made them just the same as me- He MADE them on purpose and with a purpose- and I am supposed to love them. Love them because God loves me- and I say I love him- and that is how you are to live your life according to the scripture. ..John 13:34 (NIV) “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

It is hard to love people who are different from us. Or not so much different from our "lifestyle" but it is hard to love people who get on my nerves. Maybe not for you. Maybe you can just see them for what they are- I hope to be that way one day.

Sometimes I call people ugly- like a make a big point out of how ugly and trashy they are. That same still voice reminds me that "God does not look at outward appearance Rachel, he looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7)- and you should be doing the same young lady.

It is so hard to think of all people being equal. There are many many differences- race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education level, religion, where you live (such as ghetto vs a trailer park or a subdivision), where you were raised, who ya momma and ya daddy are- your political stance- and how you present yourself to the world with your clothes and hygiene. But one thing remains- oh and I love this song- "Your love never fails, you never give up on me."

God never gives up on us- his love is never ending. And the crazy thing is- that same love is inside each and every believer. I want that love overflowing from me. I want to love others- this verse sums it up  "Dear Children, let us not love with words or speech, but with actions and in truth" 1 John 3:18

Don't just talk about how you love people- get out there and show them. Stop running your mouth so much and maybe you could see the brokeness that these people need, and the only thing- THE ONLY THING that you can offer them that will actually make things better- is the love of Christ.

I hope the next time you look at someone, you look at them and love them- even if you don't know them or never speak to them- I pray that you and I can love people.

Regrets and Roots

It's been a long time- I shouldnt have left you without a dope beat to step to..

If you know that song- then you are old :) But it has been a while- so much has been going on- and the lazy bug struck me again, so here goes.

This past weekend I had the chance to take a trip down memory lane with Mr. Kevin Pope himself. We trekked off to Statesboro- his college town- his old stopmpin' grounds. Now, I had been to Statesboro a time or two in college- to visit friends on breaks that I had- but never really did anything besides the movies or dinner. This time- oh, I got the full Statesboro special.

Saturday we made our way to the tailgate for the Eagles- and I can tell you- it was way more relaxed and chill than an Athens tailgate- and a whole lot less stressed. I really liked how everyone tailgates in the same area- its not a bunch of loud people with solo cups. And the football team comes through the backside of the tailgate in their buses and everyone sets off their car alarms. Oh- and the band walks through the tailgate- which was pretty cool too. Eventually, after visiting a few tailgates of Kevin's friends, we made our way into the game. Here is where my regret started to set in.

I am pretty sure I missed out a great deal by not going to a school with football. The excitement of being a part of something way bigger than yourself really set in this weekend. I missed out on tailgating, screaming for my school and singing alma matas with my classmates. I really have no idea what it is like to feel like you are a part of the ____ nation.

This sparked a lot of other regrets that I thought about over the weekend.

I missed out on a real college experience because I didn't go away to a school. I missed out on learning what it is truly like to live on your own at an early age. I have never had to share a room- or a bathroom with anyone- even when I did move out. I have always had the luxury of having my parents around if something ever went wrong- like tearing my acl- or being sick my freshman year.

I don't know what its like to be in a class FULL of people. The most I ever had was maybe 45-50. I don't know what it is like to actually have to plan your schedule to be able to get to classes on different sides of campus.

I missed out on going to a school that people have actually heard of. I missed out on knowing what it is like to actually have to drive back to school and stay for a while. I do feel like I missed out on the fun and excitment that college is supposed to bring. I regret staying in Milledgeville all of the time- because I am still here. I regret just taking a chance and actually applying anywhere but Georgia College. I regret just actually taking a chance to leave.

I say all of this- because my college experience couldn't have been more different than my other half's. I went to a small school with no football team. I lived at home my first 2.5 years. I moved out my Jr year and still was in the same town, so nothing changed but some freedom. I had small classes. I didn't party. I would go out to dance- but I didn't drink until I turned 21- the 1st day of my Senior year. Even when I could drink legally- I didnt really do it because that just wasn't me. I didn't date anyone until my Senior year- like I think I went on maybe 3 dates in college.

My college experience was so different from that of a "typical college student"- but I have to remember that some things I wouldn't ever change.

I met an awesome core group of friends my freshman year- and to this day we still keep in touch. I spent my every waking minute either at the BSU (BCM now) or with my BSU friends. BSU was my life. I went on mission trips to Alabama, Texas, Washington DC, Atlanta- Marietta and Connecticut because of being at GCSU. I went to the beach every fall and every spring the mountains. Chattanooga is where I decided to change my major because of BSU. I was on BSU Council Freshman year- which was a 1st for our BSU. I stayed on Council til my Senior year. I was in and led Bible studies. I went home with friends for Spring Break to their parents homes and we talked about everything- and their parents loved me like I was one of their own.

I stayed up late with my BSU friends talking, singing, and laughing. My grades didn't slip because I partied, they slipped because I had too much of a social life. I have many stories that are only relevant to my friends and myself- that no one else would understand, but I wouldnt trade for anything- not even a school with football.

So as I sit here and feel as though I did miss out on my college experience, I can honestly say- it wouldn't have worked out the way it did if I went any other place. God knew what he was doing keeping me in Milledgeville. I have the best memories- and even still- some of the best friends from this lil ol' town.