"God promised the world --

why on earth would you settle for less?!"

You Better Be Sitting Down To Read This!!!

I was already excited enough for the day July 28, 2010, because Heidi, Jason, and I had plans to join my family at Flathead Lake and spend the rest of the week vacationing and having fun! But it got even better than that! WAY better! That night after dinner I was sitting talking with my mom and our family friend but Jason had disappeared. Soon I noticed him at the dock and really wanted to go sit with him as it was almost sunset and would be a special time. Before I could excuse myself my sister Heidi came and escorted me all suspiciously down to the dock where my dad was helping Jason back the boat out. Jason told me that since he'd just learned to drive the boat that day he wanted to take me on a special date in it. I was very excited and amazed! He drove us across the bay where he decided to stop and turn the boat off. I was concerned about him getting it started again, so he wanted to know if we had any paddles in the boat. I told him to check the floor storage, because there might be some in there. He replied by saying he should open it since he was on that side and I thought nothing of it. Jason then opened the cover and pulled out a vase of flowers and sparkling cider! I was so not expecting that! We poured drinks and then sat on the back seat of the boat and just talked. He asked me what my favorite thing was about us for the last two years and I told him my answer and then he told me his. After a short time he prayed for us and said we should go back to be with everyone. Pulling up to the dock, we noticed everyone had been at the campfire but as soon as we got close headed up to the house! My dad helped him park the boat and then went up too. Jason asked me to sit in the hammock for a bit with him, and as we sat there side-by-side he asked me what my favorite thing was about him. I told him some small, random thing, and then he asked what makes me want to spend the rest of my life with him. After I told him then he told me why he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me, concluding with "on that note" as he knelt in front of me and pulled the ring box out of the pillow next to him, and asked me to marry him!! I was so shocked that I said "really?!" and then hugged him and said "YES!"

Moments after Jason "popped the question"

So we're engaged!

Plans are slowly in the making, and we have about a year to plan which is nice, but feel free to check out our wedding website!


http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/JasonKoemans&LaurenCross2011

What Size is God?

Sunday night was a late night working on my budget with my dad when I came to realize I was making less money this summer than I thought and therefore I should've spent less this summer as well. I also got to thinking about only having a month to get back in shape for cross-country which makes me nervous. Very tired, stressed, worried and kinda bummed I opened my devotional (Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado) to the headline "What Size is God?" and the verse "God can do all things." (Matthew 19:26). Wow. God knew my very needs that night. To follow is the paragraph from the devotion. The last couple of days, if I start to worry or get stressed or discouraged about fiances or school or cross-country I've just tried to remind myself that God is BIG.

"Nature is God's workshop. The sky is His resume. The universe is His calling card. You want to know who God is? See what He has done. You want to know His power? Take a look at His creation. Curious about His strength? Pay a visit to His home address 1 Billion Starry Sky Avenue. He is untainted by the atmosphere of sin, unbridled by the time line of history, unhindered by the weariness of the body. What controls you doesn't control Him. What troubles You doesn't trouble Him. What fatigues You doesn't fatigue Him. Is an eagle disturbed by traffic? No, He rises above it. Is the whale perturbed by a hurricane? Of course not, he plunges beneath it. Is the lion flustered by the mouse standing directly in his way? No, he steps over it. How much more is God able to soar above, plunge beneath, and step over the troubles of the earth!"

After reading this paragraph again, I don't like exactly how it's worded because it makes it sound like God is so much better than our problems/troubles that He doesn't care about them, which is totally NOT the case, and I think the author would agree. We have a Great High Priest who sympathizes with us, who has gone through everything we ever will. We have a God who counts all our tears and hears even our groans and sighs. By trusting in Him, WE can rise above, plunge beneath, and step over the troubles of this earth and not be robbed of our joy or security in Him.

Sunshine & Summertime

I got my wisdom teeth out on Thursday the 16th. Heidi took me home to take care of me and Jason was there only a few minutes after we walked in the door. He held me while I slept. My sweet friends Monz and Hannah also came over with ice cream and movies! I slept most of the day though. On Friday I spent the afternoon at Jason sleeping again and then that night my roommate Kate came from Idaho to visit! Jason, Heidi, and I met her and we all went o Dairy Queen. On Saturday Jason, Glenda and I took Kate garage saling! We has a blast and some great fellowship! Then Kate and I drove up to the lake because the rest of my family was there. She had fun sailing and boating and I took it easy or laid on the dock with her. We slept out under the stars in the hammocks! Jason and Heidi joined us all Sunday morning. We had such a great time! I'm very blessed by my roommate and dear friend Kate! It was a blast for her to be with my family and boyfriend too! It's more like one giant family!

Best Marathon Runner Overall

My dad ran the Missoula Marathon, sadly without me, on July 11th. Monz, Lauren Morey, Heidi and I woke up at 4am to drive him to the shuttle station downtown and then drove out to mile 3 and set up camp to watch the runners. At 6am they were off. We sat on the hood of our car and cheered for them, some would talk and wave back too! A lady even ran up to us and said, "I'm gonna be gross and pee behind your car." We were glad to be there for her! After my dad ran by we drove to mile 8 so we could give him his chomps. After a quick stop for our own energy fuel-- coffee (it's hard work cheering!!) -- we met him again just across the bridge where my mom and brother and Josie were too and we traded the car for bikes. It was fun to bike along the rest of the way and cheer him and everyone on!! I'm so proud of him!! He did so great!! We thought it would be a lofty goal to make it in 4 hours. He finished in 3 hours and 48 minutes!! And he seemed just as strong and healthy after! He's made for this! Next year I plan on running with him!

I am so thankful you only have to get your wisdom teeth out once! It's miserable!

Greater Plans Than My Own...

My MRI results came back yesterday for my foot. I do not have a stress fracture, in fact I have very healthy bones! But I do have tendonitus, probably from running on my really bad shin splint for so long! That means the marathon is cancelled for my! I'm bummed about that, but it's best right now as I need to focus on getting healed and summer training for my fall season. My dad is still running though, and the race is this Sunday! Obviously God has greater plans in mind =)