A Day of Blessings

Today (June 10th) has been a day of unexpected blessings. The day began with Clay and I meeting with our landlord, signing our lease, and paying our first month's rent - pretty typical. However, as we have come to learn, no conversation or interaction with our landlord is predictable (in a good way). Near the end of our interaction he told us that as a wedding present he and his wife were going to pay (or wave) our second month of rent. This nearly brought Clay and I to tears (rightly so, huh?). We were overwhelmed by gratitude and thankfulness.

Next, Clay and I went to Avis Ford to see about getting a new car (since Clay's car has been acting up for over a year). After about an hour we were finally given a monthly rate on a car, however it was quite a ways above our price range. Then, after some more checking, the price came down a little more, but still not quite where we were comfortable.

The salesman who was working with us asked if we wanted to look at the car; before we went outside Clay asked if we could check and see what some other car options might be. As the sales rep. was scrolling through the list and telling us that anything else that has a lower price will have a lot higher miles, he paused for a second and then explained that he had just found the exact same car we were about to go look at but with $2,000 off - a sale that had just gone into effect possibly hours or minutes before, making it so it had not previously shown up until just now. (Oh hey God, thanks for that one).


This brought the price down to a spot we could afford. This whole time we are just speechless at the fact that seeing this car (a 2012 Ford Fiesta) was even possible. The salesman went, got the car, brought us out to it, and I think Clay fell in love immediately with the color...and the look...and the fact that it's blinkers worked, and so on and so forth.

After a test drive, some discussion, and some laughs that this was even possible, Clay and I signed quite a few papers, traded in his old Malibu, and drove off in our new (to us) Ford Fiesta. What a blessing!

After these two unbelievable events, we met with our friend James to talk about the cupcakes he's going to make for our wedding and to catch up on life. I've gotta say, overall today has been an incredible day. Unexpected, but incredible. I don't think we could be more grateful, thankful, or excited.

Mom

If you know me, you might know that as a teenager I hated being told that I was like my Mother.  I think it's something that most young girls may not necessarily look forward to hearing; however, recently I have realized how much I hope I am like my Mom in many ways.

My Mother, Alisa Jo Brackney, beautiful, hard working, and driven. I am just beginning to realize how hard she works and how much she loves us and strives to provide for us. She cooks (amazing food), cleans, home schooled me, Leneigh, and Hannah (and got us all off to college) and still home schools my youngest sister, Grace, keeps many beautiful gardens (to provide fresh food and a beautiful yard), she is up late ironing my Dad's shirts as we speak, among many other things. I can only imagine how much energy this takes, and as I begin to think about taking care of my own home I am beginning to appreciate more and more what she does and who she is.

Not only does my Mom keep us all taken care of, but she (with my amazing Dad) has raised me and my sisters in a way that I think has greatly equipped us for life - spiritually, mentally, and socially. My Mom and I haven't always seen eye to eye, and we've not until more recently become close, but looking back I know that my Mom has always had my best interest at heart and was right sometimes too. (That's the thing that most kids, including myself, promised we'd never say). Crazy.

Unfortunately this is the only recent picture I have of my Mom and I, but even so you can see that she's a beautiful person; or at least I think so - inside and out. She has a beautiful smile, a contagious laugh, a servant heart, a love for God, her family, and her neighbors and friends. I have seen my Mom change over the years into even more of a confident, loving, and joyful person and I am so thankful and blessed to be her daughter.

I can only hope and pray that I continue to remember the things she has taught me over the years and what continues to teach me. Not only is this because she has set a great example for me, but also because now it is my turn to become a wife, eventually a mother, and continually a daughter. I want to show love, patients, forgiveness, and joy the way my Mom has shown these traits to me.

Thank you, Mom, for teaching me, trusting me, loving me, instilling confidence in me, putting up with me when we didn't see eye to eye, and continually encouraging me follow God in everything I do.

I think this Proverb describes my Mom well and is something I will also strive toward.
I picked The Message for a bit more of a modern setting, but with the same NIV (or whatever other translations) standards and meaning.   ;)

Proverbs 31:10-31

The Message (MSG)

Hymn to a Good Wife

"A good woman is hard to find,
    and worth far more than diamonds.

Her husband trusts her without reserve,
    and never has reason to regret it.

Never spiteful, she treats him generously
    all her life long.

She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
    and enjoys knitting and sewing.

She’s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
    and brings back exotic surprises.

She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast
    for her family and organizing her day.

She looks over a field and buys it,
    then, with money she’s put aside, plants a garden.

First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
    rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.

She senses the worth of her work,
    is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.

She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
    diligent in homemaking.

She’s quick to assist anyone in need,
    reaches out to help the poor.

She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows;
    their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.

She makes her own clothing,
    and dresses in colorful linens and silks.

Her husband is greatly respected
    when he deliberates with the city fathers.

She designs gowns and sells them,
    brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.

Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
    and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.

When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
    and she always says it kindly.

She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
    and keeps them all busy and productive.

Her children respect and bless her;
    her husband joins in with words of praise:
“Many women have done wonderful things,
    but you’ve outclassed them all!”

Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
    The woman to be admired and praised
    is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God."

(I like the NRSV better for this part...)

"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

Home sweet Pontiac

Well everyone, Clay and I have officially picked where we are going to live once we are married. Today we put the deposit in on a duplex house in Pontiac, MI right next to the Micah 6 House (check out the link! We're super excited to be living next door to these people and the ministry!).

A little glimpse of our home-to-be :) 

It's a bit of a fixer-upper but our landlord is ready to start construction (i.e. new carpet, new appliances, fresh paint, etc...) on Monday!          I cannot tell you how excited I am (we are) to have a place picked out - especially in a neighborhood where we feel called to work in and help make a difference in.

Since we will be living in Pontiac/next to  Micah 6, Clay and I will be helping out in a community building project focused on improving the neighborhood, helping kids do better in school, and planting community gardens. If you haven't heard of Micah 6, you should definitely look into it some more; it's a ministry that I think has already and will continue to make a big difference in Pontiac!

This house/apartment/duplex, whatever you want to call it, is a God send for sure. Clay and I were just days away from signing on for an apartment to rent when my friend Coleman contacted me and told me that he had a friend that was looking for reliable renters. A couple conversations, a look at the house, and several prayers later here we are with plans to move into Pontiac. Crazy how God works!

So here's to the beginning of a new adventure! I can't adequately share my excitement through my words yet, but I will definitely be keeping whoever wants to read my blogging/rambling in the loop on this new chapter. It continually amazes me how God keeps on providing and opening doors - I'm excited to see where this door takes us.