Unveiled

So it’s been a little over a month since we got engaged and much has happened. I think we have all the big ticket items in place and now it’s all the fun details that get a tad bit overwhelming if you start to list them.

Luckily, we have some pretty amazing people around us that have offered help when we need it!

Blake picked up his suit last Saturday and I just got the call today that my dress is ready! For some reason now that my dress will be hanging in my closet makes this all more real to me.

I still don’t have all the pieces of my wedding day attire. I have my shoes of course and sadly-I bought those maybe before I was even engaged-sssh don’t tell! They were just too perfect not to own! I now have my dress. I may have just seen the perfect necklace online today and I even have the garter. But I don’t have a veil!

I have looked at plenty online-bubble veils, blushers, and the adorable birdcage veils. I have tried a few on but I have yet to find the one I want.

For as long as I can remember I have always thought a veil was necessary. Otherwise you are just a girl in a big poufy white dress. It’s putting on the veil that pulls it all together. When else are you going to wear a veil?

It hit me this week-Holy Week-that the need for the veil is even greater. I love the idea that I’ll be walking down the aisle wearing a veil over my face with my father approaching my bridegroom. My father will give me away to my future husband and lift my veil. No longer will there be separation between me and my groom.

Does that sound familiar to you? If you get a chance this week pick up your Bible and read Luke 23. It’s painful and you will cringe and perhaps cry as you read the suffering that our Savior endured for us on the cross. However, take note of one of the last things that happened right before he breathed his last breath.

44 Now it was[l] about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 Then the sun was darkened,[m] and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’”[n] Having said this, He breathed His last.

Did you catch it? The veil was torn in two. What does that even mean? Why is that even important to know?

I was blessed to go to a Christian elementary school and one of the big things that stood out was our study of the Jewish temple in Bible class. We learned all about the way it was built, the symbolism and the role of the priests within the community. One of the things I remember my teacher pointing out to us was the temple veil. The veil separated man from God or from the “holy of holies.” (Ex 26:31, 33) Even the high priest was only allowed to go into the sacred area once a year on the Day of Atonement.

But that all ended when Christ died for you and me on Good Friday. The sky went black, the veil was torn in two and Jesus breathed His last breath.

Man and God were no longer separated. Jesus ended the separation. The veil was torn in two. The Bride was united with her Bridegroom.

What an amazing image that is for me as a bride-to-be but also as a child of God. I don’t have to be afraid or approach with caution or be a high priest to come close to the throne of God. Christ ended all of that at the cross.

This Easter I am going to reflect on what that means to me as the bride of Christ. I have full access to my King. His Death and Resurrection made that possible. May you enjoy the freedom this week offers you. The sorrow of the cross allows you to rejoice in the torn veil and approach the holy of holies any and all the time!

Bought with a Price!

I’m engaged! My best friend and the love of my life asked me to marry him last Wednesday night-February 24th. I knew it was coming at some point but I was definitely thrown off guard.

Well it was a typical Wednesday for me-working out and babysitting. I ran a hard 4 miles at the gym. For some reason it was really exhausting and I was so glad to be done with it. So covered in sweat I went to the Janas’ like I always do on Wednesdays. I had a feeling it was coming this week but Tuesdays I have Bible Study and Wednesdays I babysit. I thought maybe Thursday or even Friday because my parents were coming into town.

So the dog was barking while we were finishing up dinner. I had just wiped off yogurt on my sweatshirt from cleaning up with the kids. I go to the front door and 2 Men and a Truck are there with the biggest box ever. They had a delivery for “Emily Adams.” Um…weird since I don’t live here. This isn't my apartment?! So I immediately got nervous and figured something was up but it was all a blur after that. I had to sign for the box and they kept asking me where I wanted it and I was like um…right here I guess. They also kept saying over and over it's really heavy! I was like -fine okay!?

So then as they go to move the box, Blake popped out of the box and got down on one knee and said, "I love you for making me laugh and for waiting on me even when I’m late, will you marry me!!?" I of course said, "YES! I WILL!" Flashes were going off and I was like who all is out there??? And so Alex his old roommate was taking photos. I have the entire proposal and Blake in a box captured for a lifetime!

However, I was still babysitting so I was like-come in we are playing Wii and finishing dinner! I showed Lily and she was proceeded to tell me she has a ring upstairs that’s bigger. And then Sam began attacking Blake for being his "futuristic man sitter!" Mass chaos until Mike and Mary Ann got home-which wasn’t too long after. Sorry, I fell down on my job and didn't bathe or read to your children that night!

As we were leaving, he gave me a bouquet of flowers and the sweetest card ever. I am sure I have read as many times as I have gazed at my left hand. I finally got to shower!!! And we went to cheesecake at like 10pm because of all people he had not yet eaten!! Ha.

The ring is perfect. He custom made it to look just like a little costume ring I have had for like 7 years but way better!



So once the dust settled down from the weekend and whirlwind of wedding activity I decided to reflect on the ring. I love to look down at it and see it there on my finger! It sparkles in the sunlight. Sometimes lights overhead catch the spectrum of color in the perfect cut and shape. I love having people ask to see my ring. I gush when I hear comments about how unique it is and how it is so my style.

Someone loved me so much and wanted to spend the rest of their life with ME! I have read the card he gave me over and over again and looked at pictures online of the proposal more times than I should. I get to look at the daily reminder that my future husband put so much time and effort into having a ring custom made for my finger.

Best of all I’m spoken for. I’m no longer available. I have a fiancé!

I went back to my favorite book, Lover of My Soul, and read the chapter entitled “The Cost of A Diamond.” The first line is quite simple, 1 Corinthians 7:23 “You were bought with a price.”

It’s interesting to think about how instead of a diamond on our left hand we have a Savior that has scars on both of his hands. That he went to great lengths to make sure I knew how much he loved me by dying for me. The cost of “my diamond” wasn’t money but an innocent life.

The empty tomb sparkles in the sunlight. Rays of sun bounce off the beauty of my perfect risen Savior. I gush when I hear comments about how special I am to him and how I was perfectly made.

He loved me so much and wanted me to spend the rest of my life with him that he was nailed to a tree. I read passages in the Bible over and over again about how much he loved me and gave himself for me.

Best of all I am spoken for. I am no longer available. I have a Savior!

My prayer for my marriage is that I will remember what it symbolizes. That I won’t forget it is the amazing picture of Christ and his Bride. The love we have for each other needs to reflect that pure unconditional love that Christ has for his children.

I am not perfect; we don’t have a perfect relationship. We will fail, hurt and disappoint each other more times than we care to admit BUT we have a perfect Savior who showed us how to love at Calvary. And that is True Love!

ps if you click on the photos you can get a bigger image of them!