Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Kircher

They're married!

And my favorite photo of the day :)

We were standing together, getting ready to line up for going into the sanctuary. We were also joking 

because right behind us was an Exit door--'There's still time!!'. I'm so grateful that this moment was captured! [Photo Credit: Jonathan Parker]

God is so incredibly sweet! After years of praying for Jessie and her future husband (unknown most of the time), I had the privilege of standing beside Jessie as she promised to serve God alongside Andrew. It was probably one of the sweetest, most relaxing weddings I've ever been to--which seems hard to believe because of how busy we were! God just brought everything together in a special way, even providing small moments (like the one above) where Jessie and I could have "little pep talks" ;). The church family that Jessie and Andrew have are SUCH a gift from God! They did SO many things, including taking care of even the smallest details-their youth group even made all of the sandwiches. I was blessed by the Church family's serving and humbly honored to work alongside all of them.

 The morning of, Jessie and I had a fun, laid back drive to get her hair done. Then as soon as we hit the doors of the church (figuratively, that is), we were "GO" mode. But I cherish every single moment of helping my childhood friend--from repining her hair, helping her zip up her dress, arranging her train, twitching jokingly to make her laugh, singing "going to the chapel" with her from our Wedding Party table, tearing up as I made my very first toast, laughing because of how good God is, and then waving goodbye as they headed out together.

I got to say goodbye to Jessica Lee Bannan on Saturday.

 But. I think Jessica Lee Kircher and I will get along JUST fine. :)

Mrs. Kircher

Jessie's getting married.*Gulp*

The more I think about it, the crazier it seems. Jessie, my friend since I was 11 (almost half my life now), is getting married on March 30th! This past weekend at her wedding shower (which, despite my responsibility of hostess, was super fun) and into the week as I was helping her plan "tablescapes", all I could think was--"Is this really happening!?" :)

Despite my own surreal feelings, I know without a doubt that it has been the intricate weaving of the hands of the Creator that has woven the fabrics of Jessie and Andrew's lives together in such a beautiful way. Despite their "less traditional" way of meeting ;), God is writing a beautiful story for them and working out even the smallest details.

A quick version of the story:
Jessie Bannan and I met when I was 11 and she was 12. We mutually agree that neither of us liked the other at first impression--I thought she looked snobby and she really did not want to be acquainted with ANOTHER stranger. You should also know that, because we were both home schooled  our mom's were kind of nudging  us towards each other because 1)I had no friends and 2) Jessie's mom is great at including everyone. So Jessie was kind of fighting that "Mom says I have to" feeling ;). We laugh so often about it now, but I truly know that the Bannan family was a gift from God. They became a second family to me, including me on camping trips, kayaking, hiking, bowling, snow tubing, beach trips, gingerbread house making  parties--you name it, we probably did it. Jessie and I also went through a lot of molding and shaping under God's hands together. Sometimes the outcome was awesome, and sometimes really really painful. But God knew we needed each other. :)

Jessie moved to North Carolina over a year ago, specifically to be a nanny for her 2 nephews. There, through interesting circumstances, she met Andrew Kircher (who is a Marine) and it ended up that they went to the same church! Funny thing was they had never seen each other =p. They got to know each other over time, I got to meet him and he survived lunch out with my family!(haha!) He proposed the weekend of New Years and they are getting married March 30th!

Out of all of this (extremely) shortened story, 2 things continue to blow my mind:

1) I have always prayed that whoever captures the heart of my close friends could actually be MY friend too. I have had bad experiences with feeling used, or where guys pretended to be my close friend because they liked my best friend, and then they drop all contact when things don't work out. But Andrew is actually a really neat guy and I have a lot of respect for him. I feel blessed that I feel comfortable around him and can call him a friend.

2) All of the times I've prayed for Jessie's husband, I've been praying for Andrew. 
Pretty crazy huh? All the times I've prayed that her husband would be strengthened, courageous, seek God--everything--I was praying for Andrew.....He actually exists! :)

                                                      

awww...Aren't they cute? ;)

I'll sign off with this. I've been struggling so much with some really heavy burdens, some things which feel like  burdens I know I can't bear without Jesus' help. It's in times like this it is CRUCIAL to remember the testimonies in my own life where God has proven himself to me! The list is a prettttyyyy long one, too. And even now as I think about my friends, all I know is that God will take care of his people....and He will take care of me. Just as he spent years crafting both Jessie and Andrew for their life together, He is crafting me specifically for purposes which He has set before me. Whether it involves a future spouse, or just trusting Him with day-to-day needs, He WILL provide and care for His flock. He is the called the Good Shepherd for a reason! Trust him, friends. He will not fail us. :)

"The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.[...]As a father has compassion on his children,   so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;for he knows how we are formed,he remembers that we are dust. The life of mortals is like grass,they flourish like a flower of the field;the wind blows over it and it is gone,and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting  the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts." ~Psalm 103:8,13-18

"But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me." ~Micah 7:7

~Just wanted to show you what we're known for~

A Lesson for Myself

Whew! The last 6 days have been a whirlwind of busy, little sleep, and such sweet times with dear friends! My sister Rachel and I flew up to Massachusetts on Thursday to surprise our "Big Brother" Josh before he headed off to Boot camp and were able to stay in the area another day or so to visit with some of our closest friends. I can honestly say that God truly takes whatever small amounts of time we have a multiplies it to be such an incredible blessing!( But, I will say that I left with the thought that we should live less than ten hours from all of them..haha!) We connected again with my mum in Lancaster county, PA to get dropped off (its a midway point between Connecticut and our home in Virginia) and then proceeded to drive another 5 hours home. As we were driving home yesterday, the weekend started to scroll through my mind. So many transitions are happening-Josh is in the Army now, my best childhood friend is getting married in March, one of my favorite couples in the world are expecting their first baby this summer...So many things! Even in my own life, things have been changing. I never ever would have imagined two years ago that I would be in the place that I am currently in--Waiting on God for my next step and recovering from 2 skin graft surgeries over Christmas(I'll tell you about that later)! The last year and a half have been a period of truly just sitting before God asking "What Next, God?". For those who truly know me, I love to work hard and get things done. So going through a time where I get direction in small bits and have to sit quietly has been one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. Not to mention several injuries which reemphasize the "sitting quietly". ;)

Sometimes it's really easy to get overwhelmed with all that's happening AND when you're desperately trying to hear God wants you to do next--despite how crazy and incomprehensible it is to family and the world. BUT. God is timely, and this past Christmas I was presented with one of the best gifts I have ever received: "Strengthen My Spirit" by Charles Spurgeon. A few nights ago I was actually crying because of the weight of making decisions, changes, and because I was frustrated with myself because....I'm...frustrated....(yes...I know, it's complicated).  But God directed me to this short, good word by Brother Spurgeon and I really want to share it with you.

"He Will Direct, We must Walk"
He who walks does not need to think of direction his own steps, for there is One who will direct them for him. What if sin persuades us to take the wrong path and if poor judgment makes us err through oversight? There is no need for us to choose our own fate, but we may bow before the Lord and say, "You shall choose our inheritance for us". The choice is difficult for you; do not choose your own way, but leave it to Him who sees the end from the beginning and who is sure to make the wise choice.

The burden of life is heavy-do not try to carry it, but "cast your burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain you. Commit your way unto the Lord; Trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass." Do not let it be your choice; let it be God's choice.

If only we could but at once abandon our own choosing and say to the Lord, "Not as I will but as you will," how much more happy we could be! We should not be troubled by the thought that we should not direct our own steps, but we should be glad because our very weakness entitles us to cry to the Lord, "Now that I will not direct my own way, what I do not know, teach me."
~Charles Spurgeon

Even reading it again as I type it, God causes my heart to quiet down. Dear friends, even as I am learning this myself, God IS able. He has not created us, then left us alone to figure out life alone nor live in terror that we will make a mistake in decisions. We have been given promise after promise, and command after command--Trust and obey. We have to release our white-knuckled hold on "our" things-time, money, hopes, dreams...everything. A lot easier said than done, but God is gentle and patient...He will never lead you somewhere He will not go himself. :) Trust Him and obey.


"Now that I will not direct my own way, what I do not know, teach me."
Amen.

~Anna