My sister is engaged.  Have I mentioned that?  It’s so incredible.  So yesterday I left home at 5:20, went into Chicago for a boat ride on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan with Heather and her college students (she’s the Director of Student Activities at Trinity College).  It was awesome.  Then bright and early this morning we got up and starting talking wedding.

We left promptly at 8:20, got Starbucks, and drove to Vernon Hills to meet my mom at Target so she could finish registering.  Then a quick trip to Bed Bath & Beyond to see the dishes and bedding they had registered for.  Heather was off to a baby shower, and mom and I continued looking and planning.

Heather met us at Olive Garden for lunch, then we went to David’s so she could try on wedding dresses for an hour and a half.  Success.  After that, 4 of the other 5 bridesmaids met us there so we could try on our dresses.  Success.

Then I drove back to Fort Wayne, arriving to a quiet home at 9:20.  But none of this is really what I wanted to write about.

You see, my sister is 33, and we’ve been waiting for this for a long time.  Praying about this for a long time.  Pleading with Jesus for a long time.  My sister is incredible.  Disagree, and you’ve got a fight on your hands.  (Now you know where Ada gets it from…. if there was any doubt).

No, what I wanted to write about are the little glimpses of absolute happiness I saw in my sister for the past 20 hours.  She talked about how stressful it was trying to secure a reception place, but how well Rich was taking care of her during the process.  She talked about his patience, and graciousness, and understanding.  She talked about the things we’ve prayed for.  God is so good.  HE knew.  He knew the plan, the timing, the man, He knew.  “Just wait, Janna.  Just wait.”

I don’t like waiting.  But I love the result of our wait.  Welcome, Rich.

Thank you Lord for your provision.  Even when my heart said my prayers were unheard, my head knew better.  I know you better than that.  Thank you for the perfect way you played this out.  You are so incredible.  And I am so thankful.