B I T S + P I E C E S

So we went to the fair last week, which just so happened to be Elisha's first time to the State Fair! Crazy. So of course, we ate everything in sight and did all there was to do. We actually got to go with my work, because I drove a bus - yes, a bus. Me, behind the wheel of a 13 passenger vehicle. It was quite the sight and an experience I shall not soon forget. It was fun to go on a date with Elisha and to experience the fair in all of it's greatness!

Last night we had our first premarital counseling session, which surprisingly I really enjoyed. In all of our years together, Elisha and I have never met with someone to discuss us. Maybe seperately we've done so, but never together, to receive council - we've just kind of figured it out on our own. Which, is great and all, but to discuss "us" with someone else really gives a whole new perspective on our relationship. And I love it! All of that to say, if you don't have someone (or a couple) in your life, that you and your other can go and talk to, you should get one. It's like totally great.

We are less than two weeks away now. like whoa.

xo. melisa

N E W S P A C E :: new address

I realize I've been absent lately. I've had a significant change in my life - I moved into our new home! It's been kind of nuts around here; planning the wedding (4 weeks, people!), planning a huge youth event, and finally moving and unpacking. It's wonderful to know that so many incredible things are happening, but it's also really quite exhausting. So forgive me for not being around as much. I promise things will go back to normal around here soon! Thank you for bearing with me. You truly are the best readers. I'm really excited to share peeks at the progress around here. And any fun decor shops/ideas you come across and want to share, are greatly appreciated. Thanks friends!

xo. melisa

B I T S + P I E C E S

This weekend Elisha and I went to one of our favorite spots in Ft Worth called Brewed. The food is great, and the environment is even better! We had fun working on a few wedding things, and planning one of our biggest youth events. We love working from coffee shops; maybe it's the creative vibe, or the constant flow of food and drink, but it's our favorite! Where do you work best?

xo. melisa

B I T S + P I E C E S

I love the stillness of morning. It's so rare that I get to wake with nothing on the schedule, with nowhere to be or nothing urgent to accomplish. It's on those days I like to draw open the curtains and just sit in the stillness, soaking in the sunshine. God is so good and these days are reminders of that.

I had a perfect Labor Day weekend. The mr and I went to Austin, where he completed his first triathlon! I'm so proud of him and I'll be sharing more on that later this week. I received a sweet package from my dear friend Brittany. She and I grew up in the same city, but never actually met. Over the last year or so we've gotten to know each other via the internet and I feel so blessed for our friendship. Finding people you truly connect with is so rare and wonderful.

I'm hoping your week is off to a great start. My life is taking on a new adventure today, and I'm nervous, but excited. I also have quite a bit of wedding stuff to take care of and trying and pick out a few more home items before next month when I make the move.

Life is good. Your life is good. Remember that.

xo. melisa

ENGAGED :: Month three??

I have somehow managed to go through two months of being engaged and am just now sitting down to write about my experience thus far. I fully intended on keeping an online journal of sorts to be able to catalog this season of my life - something I could go back to years down the road. And already, two months have passed me! But seriously, they just flew by!

So here we are in month three, we've accomplished quite a bit, but still have much to do. My to do lists seem to be ever-growing, but I have yet to reach a freak out moment. Pray it doesn't come! Every bride has told me that they had at least one; some even managed to make it all the way to the wedding day before their break. I'm just hoping mine is quick and painless for all involved. I feel so lucky to have such incredible friends and family to share this moment with. They've each been so helpful and supportive on every decision we've made thus far.

It's so fun planning something so big, like a wedding, with your best friend. This big project has really helped us see, even more, how well we work together. Each of us picking up where the other lacks and working through issues as a team. It's his birthday today in fact. It's crazy to think I've known him for 9 years of his life and through any and every change, we've moved in the same direction. I just love it! I'm realizing more each day, how lucky we are to have found eachother and how truly excited I am to continue spending my life with him.

Our big to do's as of now, are cake, flowers, invites and honeymoon. Once we check those off then we can start having more fun with decorations and such. Which, btw, I have so many fun ideas already and it's killing me not being able to share! 

Any of you remember this part of your engagement?? Any advice for me? I love any helpful tips!

xo. melisa

bits + pieces :: youth camp

Youth Camp is always exhausting and fun! This year was no different. It was incredible to see so many of our students give their heart to God for the first time, let go of past hurts, and feel completely different about who they are; Elisha even had the opportunity to baptize a few of them! It was incredible! 

This week is always go go go, but nothing is quite as rewarding in youth ministry, as witnessing true change in a student. So I will always choose to go to camp; it's the best!

xo. melisa

bits + pieces :: new york

We had such a blast in new york and I'm glad I finally get to share about our experience. We took six of our students and leaders to partner with an organization that allowed us to minister to the people of NY. We stayed in a church from the 1600s, complete with a cemetery in the backyard, and showers in the basement. We had to sleep on concrete floors, and had only a box fan to keep us cool, but it was all worth it! I loved this trip so much because although we had the opportunity to go serve food to the homeless and work in a food pantry, we also got to do a few things that were more non traditional. One of the days we went on a prayer tour and visited nearly every bureau and had the chance to pray over the entire city; it was incredible. Another day we had an "immersion" day, where we were given $2 each and had the task of getting ourselves to a specific location and buy a meal for ourselves and a stranger with just two dollars. The entire trip was so rewarding. Honestly, the most memorable moments were those spent simply talking to strangers on the subway. Realizing that every moment you take the time to get to know someone, their life, their struggle... it's an opportunity to change their life even in the smallest way, and remind them that they matter. Those simple conversations were my absolute favorite!

This was my third trip to NY and I think it may have been my favorite. I can't wait to get back to the city!

xo. melisa

bits + pieces

We had the most fun weekend ever! It was full of wedding dresses, laughing, eating and family time! I am happy to say that I found my dress, and no it is not the one in the photo! I really wish I could show you guys and it's kind of killing me that I have to keep it a secret for five whole months! The Mr and I also booked our venue and secured our date! We are checking things off of our list left and right, it's awesome. 

xo. melisa

L E W E D :: the proposal

I'm so excited to finally share our full proposal story! To begin, here's a little back story... Elisha and I met when we were in high school. We "talked"for about a year, before we officially started dating. Our first Summer together was actually spent apart, while I was visiting my Dad in Houston and he was running an internship program back home. We emailed each other at least once a day & learned so much about each other! I actually printed off all of our emails and gave them to him as a gift for an anniversary. There were about 150 pages! 

After that Summer I came home and we started living a dream. Over the course of two years we had incredible dates, laughed so much, shared memories, went on trips, did ministry together, learned from each other, had rough times, grew up, and were better because of one another. Looking back on where we started and who we were then, it amazes me that we've been able to grow and continue in the same direction. Eight years later and it still seems like just yesterday.

Elisha was my first and only boyfriend. There were guys who I talked to, guys who wanted to date me, but for some reason I had the mentality that if I wasn't going to marry them, then I wasn't going to waste my time. Kind of a strange way to think when you're only 16, but I knew that I was going to date to marry. When Elisha and I started to get to know each other, I knew he was going to be my guy, the one I'd spend my life with. Again, strange thinking for a teenager - or I guess more common these days. 

From the beginning, we both knew we wanted marriage and that we couldn't wait to spend our lives together. After I finished my two year program, we thought it might be time. After some conversation though, I realized that I really wanted to go to college and move to Texas. That Summer he was offered a great job opportunity in Ft Worth, and I planned on attending college in the fall. Everything was lining up.

We decided that marriage while I was in school just didn't make sense. The idea of starting off fresh, with no debt, and with two jobs just seemed like the best option. So we waited. During that time Elisha was offered a Youth Pastor position in Wisconsin. He was there for over a year and needless to say, it was a trying time for both of us. Being in a long distance relationship is tough enough, but when you both have so much on your plate, it makes it even harder! I went to visit twice and spent a Summer there. This time grew us as individuals and made us stronger as a couple. Our time together was treasured and we learned to not take the other for granted; true appreciation for what we had together grew.

Elisha returned to Texas and began his new position as a Youth Pastor here in Mansfield. I graduated college and began working and helping out at our church. Our lives finally began to feel like we were on track and marriage could actually be real.

A year passed after having graduated and I was getting a bit antsy. I went through many seasons during our time together, but one thing I truly learned was patience. I knew that I knew, that we were going to be together forever & that our marriage was worth waiting for. So I waited. 

On May 31st, 2005 Elisha asked me to be his girlfriend. On May 31st, 2013, Elisha asked me to be his wife.

Elisha took me to eat dinner to celebrate our anniversary. He was acting a little funny, but I did't think much of it. We were on our way home and he seemed a little nervous - at this point I was hopeful, but thought, there's no way! We stopped to pick up some ice cream and he drove us into the park parking lot. I thought he was going to recreate our first date. We walked down into a a wooded area and once we turned the corner, I saw my family and some of our closest friends lined up with candles. I instantly started crying. I seriously could not even control the tears. He held my hand and walked me to the clearing. Our friend Branden was playing "I have and I always will", and Elisha was singing the words to me. When the song finished he whispered that he loved me, and I said I loved him too. This was the first time we'd ever said that to each other and we never meant it more. He got down on one knee and asked me what I had dreamt of hearing hundreds of times. I said yes (of course) and there was much rejoicing! 

Every part of this night was perfection. From the sheet hung to show our photos through the years to the giant wall created with Christmas lights, to the people I love most being there... perfect.

It was like an instant engagement party as we made our way back up to the park pavilion to eat cupcakes and toast with cider! To be honest the night is kind of a blur because I was so in awe that this day had actually come. Even now, looking down at my ring as I type, listening to this song... I'm the happiest I've ever been. I can't wait to be his wife, and I'm excited I get to share this with all of you.

xo. melisa

footnote: all photos taken by my sweet friend Kalli. We were so grateful she was able to capture this moment.