Mrs. Ford

11/2014

Two months have passed since I walked down the isle, and I thought it was time to post this!

Habakkuk 2:3 (TLB) "But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!"

Years ago when I was a very idealistic teenager, the Lord gave me this verse through my favorite magazine, as a pretty foldout poster. It gave me so perspective and hope over the years, as it felt like the Lord required me to wait a lot!

Well, it finally happened! After so many years of waiting and praying, I am now a wife! Ryan and I celebrated the anniversary of the day we met by getting married!

Life has moved quite quickly in the last year, and I have not really taken the time to write much. But such a significant and blessed day deserves mention.

September 27, 2014 I became Mrs. Ryan Shea Ford. The morning was fairly relaxed, and I greatly enjoyed spending time with my girls and getting ready. I think one of my favorite moments from getting ready was when my little niece, Melina saw me all dressed up and was confused as to what was going on.



As I got ready, I thought of Ryan and really wondered how he was doing. We briefly text that morning and I asked him to get me some Aleve, because I was already at the church and had taken my last one. I wondered if he was able to relax and rest. We had a lot to do to get the church ready for the wedding reception the day before, and he and I were a little stressed. But we were blessed to have a many wonderful friends help us decorate. He sent me home to rest and relax and let everyone else finish. I did, but it took me too long to get to bed. I missed him. But I knew he was spending time with the Lord and resting.

When a friend brought in the Aleve I was relieved, knowing that Ryan was at the church and hopefully could relax and spend time with his guys. When it was time for me to get dressed, I began to get nervously excited. I wanted to see Ryan. To know how he was doing. To know that he was just as excited as I was. 

All of a sudden it was time to begin the processional. We walked out into the hallway, and Lissa prayed over me, and a welcome calm flooded me. My heart quickened as time came closer to the walk down the isle. My littlest sissy, my flower girl was in front of me. It was her turn. She was ready, and thankfully very cooperative. I took a breathe and grabbed my dad's arm. It was time. I just wanted to see my man.

We walked in the beautifully decorated auditorium as my musician brothers' Eric and Ryan played "Annie Song," the song my mother walked down the isle to 34 years earlier. Emotion flooded in. It was my turn. My day. My moment. The tears threatened to start when I saw my friend who would have been a bridesmaid had she not had to have surgery just before the wedding. And then, I saw my man expectantly waiting by the alter.

My dad kissed me and hugged Ryan, and gave me to him. And I could not stop smiling as we walked together in front of our friends and family. It was almost surreal. Pastor Dan did a great job, but the thing I remember is that my man was in front of me, and together with the Lord, we were becoming one. We said our vows, exchanged rings and lit the unity candle. The wedding was perfect. And then we were husband and wife!



We greeted guests following the wedding and signed the marriage licence.

We had pictures in the park and then the reception. The rest of the day was a bit of a blur. Everything seemed to happen so fast. But the most exciting part was of course, that we were husband and wife!




We drove home together after packing up so many lovely boxes of gifts and Ryan carried me over the threshold into our home.

And so our story of husband and wife begins.

Kisses from Heaven!

Sunny with a high of 80. Windows down, music loud, hair dancing. JOY!

Feet bare, in cool grass. Great memories of childhood flood back with each dandelion in sight.

A break to enjoy the sunshine and spend time with the Lord between appointments. Making the most of a busy day.

Studying nutrition half an hour every night. Three mornings this week clothes tried on, awkwardly BIG. Set aside, no longer needed!

Hearing "I'm sorry," when you already know you are too. Tears pour, pride melts. Spirit humbled. Forgiveness begins.

Hugs from little ones.

Hugs in general. 

Hearing, "I love you!" from anyone you love back. 

Realizing you may be difficult at times, yet still are more than loved. 

Sun, setting.

In bed, windows open, book in hand. Cool breeze flowing in. 

Doubts creep in. A louder voice pierces them. "Be still and know that I am God."

Hands folded, heart humbled, spirit contrite. "Lord move, or move me."

Frogs chirp, breeze comes. Eyes close. Good night.  

More

For so many years I have prayed for more of God. For more movement. More opportunities to be used of the Lord. Well, I have been seeking and finding lately. And I have realized that a lot of my waiting has been because of a misconception of what I thought "waiting" on God meant to do, and what it looks like to be a Christian. I am learning at times it means getting up even earlier to spend time with him even after going to bed late, before an early work morning. It means seeking until I find.

When I was praying for a nameless husband, the Lord told me that I would find this amazing man who was after God's heart by seeking Him (Matthew 6:33). So I did more than before. The prospect of a husband was quite the motivation for me to do something I knew I should be doing more of anyway. And I knew that it was essential for me to be in a good retinue with seeking the Lord daily and making it a priority, because I knew that when I did meet him, my life would change quite a bit and I would have to guard that time because I need it, and I also need to be sure I am following the path the Lord has for me.

For years, as I prayed for a husband, I prayed that I would grow in wisdom and understanding to be the the kid of wife my husband would need. My ideas on relationships and Christian marriage were not always realistic as time helped me to discover, but the Lord is a patient teacher. I prayed for a man like Jesus for my husband, and most recently, I also prayed for a man like Todd White, a passionate servant of the the Lord, and speaker in the video above. I prayed for a ministry partner in a husband, and that our lives be that of service to each other and to the Lord. And then exactly four months after I turned 30, I met my Ryan.

Ryan is a warrior, a fighter for souls and the things of the Lord. He is so much different than any man I have ever known. He is passionate, athletic, and tough. A real man's man, and is after God's heart. A man like Todd White. Our life together in this season of dating includes seeking the Lord together, serving others and a lot of me stepping out of my comfort zone. Through having him in my life I am learning more about myself, and I do not always like what I discover. I have had to kill off some pride and selfishness in me, more than once, and I am still working on what it looks like to relentlessly follow Christ. I continue to be amazed at how quickly I grow and learn, yet I get so frustrated with myself when I fall short.

Ryan is so full of passion for the Lord and has been blessed with the ability to ignite in others the fire to seek the Lord and instill great motivation. I have been majorly blessed because of this gift of his. Sometimes I find myself begging God for more spiritual gifts. Surely it would have to better equip me for this life. At times, I get frustrated that I have yet to fully realized my spiritual gifts. It is like I feel that I should be able to blink and be at this wonderful place with the Lord and have this even more glorious relationship. I forget that I have to change and grow to be more like Christ so I can be a better mate and a better daughter of my heavenly father. But then I learn that these gifts are already mine! I have to claim them and live in the victory that has already been given to me!

I see this snow covered mountain in front of me crash like an avalanche, only when the snow settles, the mountain was completely swallowed and all is calm and still. A shallow babbling brook narrow enough in places that I could step over is now in place of the mountain. How amazing is my God!?

I want to be possessed by the love of God! My identity is in Christ! I belong to the Lord. I'm learning, and I have some amazing teachers both in the Holy Spirit and in the mentors I have been blessed with. My directions come from seeking Him first and always. No longer will I "wait!"