A Shower of Love

Gecko's Gone Wild!

For several years now Geiko Insurance has cleverly used a 'cute' little gecko with an Australian accent to advertise their company. Many love the witty commercials and have even begun to love the reptiles.

But that's not me...

I don't like those commercials because of the geckos! It freaks me out & the accent is even scarier!

I am seriously afraid of those things. Here in Texas it's still a little warm, so these creatures are everywhere! I was lying on the couch on Tuesday relaxing, watching Oprah & something on the fireplace caught my eye...it was a lizard!!!!!!!! This thing was big! So after calling everyone I knew in my vacinity, no one agreed to come kill the lizard for me, so it was solely up to me. I got all kinds of advice from my friends and family! I even called my fiance who was in New Orleans on business. His response was, "What do you expect me to do?" (Thanks, sweetie.)

Well, I never got the nerve up to kill the thing by myself, so I waited until my mom came home, and the two of us wrestled that thing & finally killed it!

Then...the very next night a friend came over and another gecko came in through the front door with her like he was a welcomed guest! This one was big too! Ugh....Needless to say, we made her try to kill it, but the rascal was too quick and she didn't catch it....so, it's still somewhere in the house we guess. Great.

So, I know it's ridiculous of me to be afraid of them, but I AM! So there. I don't like those things--Australian accent or not. These geckos have gone wild, plus they're not even saving us 15% on our insurance.

Fall Reflections

I know Fall officially started last month, but here in Texas it gets started several weeks later. This morning it was a cool, crisp 66 degrees! Love that...

Call me strange, but I get so nostalgic when it gets cool outside. All I can think about is Christmas! So what did I do this morning as I drove in to work? Why, I played Christmas music, of course!

Today as I sat outside enjoying my lunch in the shade, I actually got cold! So ridiculous, only a Texas girl can get cold in 82 degree weather!

Things are constantly changing. As you gaze outside your window, let the change of season remind you that God is in control of every season of your life. Moment by moment, day by day, Our Savior is watching over every detail of our lives.

He's got you and me, sister in His hands...

Submission in Small Steps

As a student for three years in seminary, I have entered our campus computer lab numerous times. I always walk in and use the computers and leave, but last week I noticed something different. As I sat there using the computer I looked out at the entrance and saw a sign asking students to sign in. I sat there thinking to myself,

"Whatever...I'm not signing in."

The next time I was headed to the library to the computer lab I sensed the Holy Spirit saying to me, "You need to sign in..."
It was a very clear God was asking me to be obedient, not to ask any questions, but to do it because He said so.

We all have a choice to either obey or disobey the Spirit's prompting...

As I approached the sign in sheet, I signed my name as asked...because those in authority over that computer lab have asked for we students to do so.

You see, my friend, submission takes place in small steps. If I cannot submit to a simple sign-in sheet, will I submit to the Lord in other areas? (i.e., my marriage) The answer is no. Submission is a Christian duty, not just one isolated to wives in marriage. We all are to be practicing the discipline of submission. God calls us as believers to submit to:

Christ as Head of the Church,
to one another,
wives to husbands,
and to governing authorities.

So, as you can see...we all fall under someone's authority. No one can escape it.
As you go about your days, be sensitive to the small ways the Lord is prompting you to submit.

Well said!

The mistakes one makes sledom have as much consequence as one's responses to those mistakes.

Seasons

On Monday my fiance and I went for a run. It almost killed me by the way, but he is preparing for a 3k run & I thought I'd be supportive of him and go on a run with him. As we were running, I noticed the acorns are starting to fall...the season is getting ready to change around here!

The weather isn't the only thing changing, though....my season of life is quickly changing, and like fall, it will be here before you know it!

Four months from today we will be wedded together as husband and wife. WOW! It still amazes me! I've come a long way...trust me!

Today that realization became more real to me as dear friends I have worked with this summer gave me my first surprise Bridal shower. As I opened up gifts we will use for a lifetime together in our home, I thought, "It's really here, I'm going to be this man's wife." Most all of the women in the room are married, and have been for many years.

They are seasoned wives!

When I witness these women and the years they have put into their marriages, it gives me much hope and anticipation for mine. I know seasons will change. Some we will enjoy, some we won't enjoy.

But, God...

He is faithful. He is patient. And He will walk with us every step of the way as we travel down the many seasons of our lives. My heart is so full and grateful for the women who celebrated with me today, and I will continue to celebrate Jesus in this season and the ones to come!

Save the Date!

It's official...my fiance and I will be joined together as husband and wife on Saturday, January 5, 2008!

We've got the location down and now it's just downhill from here as we plan our big day. We are making an effort though not to get lost in the planning and to continue to be committed to preparing more for the marriage than the wedding...a mistake I've heard many couples make.

I keep reminding myself though that God is in the details, and so even as we make small decisions, I continue to invite Him in on the planning, to guide our footsteps, and that we be sensitive to His voice. God has been so faithful to show us which way to go, and He has blessed us tremendously thus far for choosing to follow and trust Him.

A person plans his course,
but the Lord directs his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

D-Day

Well, it's been 3 weeks of walking on cloud nine! I still pinch myself and cannot believe I am going to be a wife! Crazy stuff, but it's so real. I think it became more real for me tonight when I purchased my dress!

That's right...today was D-Day: Dress Day!

I went last Friday (along with my mom & 2 friends) to try on some dresses. That lasted 4 hours! By the way--I recommend going on Friday nights, it was very slow. I narrowed it down to 2 dresses, took the rest of the weekend to think about it, and came back today with 5 of my close friends and my mom.

I wish I could load a picture of my dress on my blog for you right now...it is soooooooo pretty! Great price, low stress, and it was on sale! So, I can cross that off my list. I'm so pleased. It was so fun. I just thought though...I'll never again go dress shopping...that was it. It's a done deal. That kind of makes me sad.

Moments fly by so quickly.

Now I know what past brides mean when they give me the advice to treasure this time and enjoy the planning...Today, I did just that. I'm so grateful for my mom and my friends who shared that moment with me!

Engaged!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last Monday, at 7:30 pm on 7/30 my dreams came true! D proposed! I've now been engaged for a week. I would have loaded the pics last week, but it turned out to be such a busy week making phone calls and telling all our friends the good news!

I thought it was going to be a regular evening, but it turned out to be quite a shock for me. I was clueless, stunned, and speechless. Of course, I managed to say, "Yes!"

It was quite a unique proposal...he asked in a prayer as he was blessing the food. I remember thinking, "This prayer is getting lengthy!" At the end of his prayer he asked the Lord that I would accept his request for me to be his wife! I looked up and said, "What?" Then he came around, got the ring out of his mom's purse, and got down on one knee and said, "Lynzee, I love you....will you marry me?"

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so honored and thrilled to accept the proposal of Mr. DeLario Bolton! I am blessed to embark on this new journey of life wiht this man! I'm so thankful he chose me to be his bride!

Thank you, Lord...

Captured!

Waiting on my blessing!

Enough Said...

"God is too wise to be mistaken. God is too wise to be unkind. When you can't trace His hand, that's when you must learn to trust His heart."

Charles H. Spurgeon

It's Our Anniversary!

A year ago this sweet man pictured on the left, DeLario, humbly approached me and asked if we could begin an intentional friendship. I remember his sweet smile & his nervousness. In fact, he forgot to ask me for my phone number, so he had to call one of my friend's to get it!

Since that day, we have indeed developed a friendship that has flourished into a deep love for one another.

I am so grateful for this man and I want to honor him right here in this post. He is a Man of God. He is gentle, kind, loving, funny, has a servant's heart, and walks a life of integrity. Before he approached me on June 25, 2006 he was praying & fasting over me, being sure not to jump ahead of the Lord. He desired to hear from the Lord before he approached me. He has pursued me, wooed me, and won my heart!

Thank you, Lord for your redemptive gift to me through this man! Thank you, sweetie for loving me sacrificially and being my best friend. I'm so glad to be chosen by you. Thank you for choosing me!

A Life Cut Short

I cannot believe the e-mail I just read. I just received an email that one of my former students passed away due to a drug overdose.

I am shocked.
Sad.
Hurt.
Confused.

She was 15 and going to be a junior next year. What went wrong? What happened? I do not have the answers to those questions. A life cut short. So much potential and life ahead of her. Oh, how I wished I would have reached out to her more. That I would have not ignored the signs I saw of lonelieness, grief, and sorrow in her eyes.

Now tomorrow I will attend her funeral with her young peers.

I need strength, Jesus.

El Salvador: Mission Accomplished!

Down El Salvador Way

Next week I will be walking the streets of San Salvador, El Salvador! Exciting stuff. I will be traveling there on a mission trip with the Prestonwood women's ministry. We will be ministering to women in a local church by conducting a women's conference for them. This is a double treat for me because I will have the opportunity to minister to women and to use Spanish. Que bueno! How cool!

I am hoping for the Lord to do some amazing things in El Salvador, for all of the women's hearts to be united in Christ, for women to come to the Lord for the first time, and for God to be glorified. Please pray with me for this trip. I look forward to sharing with you when I return.