oh my goodness....35 days

Where has the time gone? How is it that in 5 days I take my last final and in 20 days I walk the stage of Texas A&M? In 35 days my name changes and in 37 days...hello Mexico :) This weekend we had our last shower before the big day. TJ got so many tools so I have started coming up with a honey do list ;) Watching his face light up at each gift was hilarious and very fun. We got to hang out with some very dear friends of ours who we haven't seen since their wedding in May. It is so nice to have friends that you can just come back to after being apart and it is like you never left. You know what I mean? The awkward coversations that we go through with most people..."so how is school? how is your family?" With Jenna and Andrew we just skip all that and catch up on life.

Let me sum up our life lately
me: "hey TJ want to have dinner together Tuesday? I'm making fajitas."
TJ: "No I can't i have to work on my senior projects for my engineering classes"
me: "That's ok, I forgot... I have to work, finish 435 hw and figure out how to cook fajitas"

All of this takes place from opposite couches.
1. purity
2. petroleum
3. work

welcome to the lives of the future Mr & Mrs White. Patience is key. Humor is essential. Laughter is often needed to keep your sanity. Aside from all this, we are still wrestling through how God wants our lives to look post january 2. Alot has happened this semester, most of it focused on money. Long story short, BP failed to remove TJ from payroll and we came into a large sum of money. Only to later have to return it. Which is lame. But the thing we learned is that the riches of this world are so temporary. There is no reason to put our faith, our existence, our livelihood on these things. God is the supreme ruler of all and has proven Himself faithful over and over again. Yet when I look at our bank account I constantly catch myself swinging back and forthing between thinking "we don't have enough..." and  "what will we do with this money?" Clearly my life is an emotional roller coaster. Often my fiance looks at me and says "God has always provided for us. He has never let us down or let us starve. Trust Him" I am so blessed to have a man of God who speaks truth to me when I get all caught up in what our lives look like on paper. And I do get very caught up in that. Number are a big deal to me. And when the numbers don't add up that is usually when I take the license to go ahead and melt down. More and the more the Lord has been pulling my heart towards teaching. I want to be someone He actively uses to further the Kingdom, and teaching seems like a great way. God has shown both of us that He has a big family in store for us. We don't know exactly what that means, but we know He is very serious about it. You know the movie Cheaper by the Dozen? That's my dream family :)

Totally crazy, mostly out of control, chaotic and wonderful. Sounds like the life of a petroleum engineer and a teacher? It amazes me that after 400 days of engagement, 6+ years of friendship we are almost husband and wife. God has been very specific in showing us ways that marriage works, and ways it doesnt. We have been blessed with fantastic families that are great role models for us. And yet, the Lord continues to challenge the way we view marriage and the way He commands us to act in marriage. Needless to say, I am intimidated by the roles God has for me, but I am excited to serve TJ in that way.

Prayer requests
1. PURITY- 35 days til the wedding...need I say more?
2. Peaceful transitions for our family and for our new family. The leaving of the parents to cleave to one another is exciting, but a little sad at the same time.
3. Pre wedding stress and jitters- This one day has been in the works since before we were born, but it has been actively planned for the last 14 months. Thus there is some stress and anxiety that come before the big day. Please pray for peace for us and to calm any pre wedding nerves
4.  Pray that we continue to seek God and what He has for our family. Pray for TJs leadership that he would lead our family well, and that I would submit to his leadership well.  Pray for unity for the two of us and that we would reflect Christ and the church


Shalom
Amanda