This is the Good Life: They Are Engaged!!!

We are so excited to announce the new news of Alexander, our son, and Ivy, our dear friend, getting engaged!!! I guess that is all that needs to be said, but to me there are so many stories that go with each milestone in life, and so many works of God that take place, that the story is worth being told. Please join me as you follow a new love story hand crafted by our Lord. I could probably spread this out into many posts as I have done in the past, put I will break it into sections, each worthy of a story in itself.

Preparing years: From the time Alex was born I prayed that he would have a heart for the Lord. I had watched so many of the kids I had grown up with in church fall away from the Lord that I was actually quite scared to have a child. Obviously this did not stop my desire for children and God blessed us with a son. I was still in college and David was working nights, so my evenings got a little stressful with taking care of my son and keeping up with my college courses. One night I had reached my limit, I had studies to do but my poor baby was fussy and I was very stressed. I placed him on our bed in desperation and totally and completely gave him to the Lord. Tears streamed down my face as I pleaded with God to be his parent, to help Alex to follow him all his days, and that David and I would raise him as best as we could. "Give me strength, Lord," I prayed. God answered and blessed that prayer.

From a young age Alex had a heart for the Lord. Some of his Uncles referred to him as "preacher boy." Alex gave his first sermon when he was two years old. We have such a cute video of this sermon in my parents living room as he pounded on the piano then paced back and forth preaching away and imploring us to "lift your hands to the Lord."

We chose to protect his heart and keep him at home to school him. He excelled well and he was able to have time for piano and church activities. We kept his future wife in our prayers and were happy to see God keeping his heart.

Meanwhile a little girl out there was growing up very similar. Her heart was strong for the Lord and it was very obvious to those around her that she had a calling of God on her life. She was kind and gentle and always finding the best in people. Ivy was homeschooled with two older brothers and excelled in many things she placed her hands to.

Meeting: Ivy moved to this area when she was young and attended the same church for many years. About 10 years ago we moved to this area and tried a couple churches before settling at the same church as Ivy's family attended. Alex was told by several he was the male version of Ivy. Alex and Ivy became good friends and remained friends for many years. They were in homeschool coop together, did several plays and productions for church and coop together, played in the worship band together, and even were on the Bible quiz team together. They were friends and that was all.

After Alex graduated from high school a very lovely thing happened. God placed a love for Ivy on his heart that he had never known before. He shared with me how he had never thought of Ivy like this before but she was the first girl that he truly thought he could marry. He had shared some of those feeling with her but she was content to stay as friends.

Last Christmas God began to place feelings on Ivy's heart for Alex. She sought God in this area. Then this summer God provided them with a perfect moment to discuss their feelings together. They were amazed at how much of a vision they shared for their future. God had been working on them separately and preparing their hearts for the plan He has for them. Once together they knew they wanted to work in the ministry together and would like to someday get married.

The Ring: Alex and Ivy began looking at different rings. Concerned of how much money they had for a ring they kept their focus on a budget. Grandpa Bill who passed away a couple years ago, had treated Alex as a son and was always very proud of Alex and supported Alex in all areas. David's mom, Grandma Paula, felt that Grandpa Bill would be happy to have blessed Alex and Ivy with Paula's wedding ring. She gave them the diamond from her ring. It was such a beautiful blessing of love. The diamond is over 3/4 carat clear princess cut. Alex chose a setting for this amazing diamond and ordered it, hoping to have it ready when they came home from college.

In David's great wisdom, he went to the jewlers and gave them his number as the contact number. First the ring was shipped to the wrong state and was lost. They finally found it but it was delayed. It was then the shipped to the right place only a couple weeks before the couple came home from college. They sent it to have the new diamond placed in the setting only to find out it would not work in the setting they had told us would fit. Thankfully Alex was unaware of the problems that had been happening. Alex had a very full school schedule and it was good that David was able to take care of the problems to this point. At this time we had to see what Alex would like to do. Thankfully, Alex was happy with one of the rings at the store. Because there had been so many problems, the store put a rush on getting the diamond placed in the new ring and gave them a more expensive ring for a lesser price then the original. So in the end, God made something better then these two finically challenged college Seniors had ever hoped for.

The Engagement: Alex got home Wednesday. The ring was not in yet, but was supposed to be in on Thursday. The Engagement was planned for Friday so we were praying for the best. Alex had planned a scavenger hunt for the engagement including several spots that held special memories for them. Thursday came and to our delight the ring was in and ready. We picked it up and were quite happy. Alex's hands shook and he was a bit nervous but quite excited.

Ivy had no idea when the proposal was going to happen and was wondering everyday if it might be today. Latisha had asked her to lunch for Friday and Alex said he could take her shopping after lunch. She was unaware of what was about to happen. Toward the end of lunch Latisha handed Ivy her first letter. Ivy had thought it was a card and was totally caught off guard as she opened the letter to find the clue. She sat there for a few moments, and realized this was it!!! Latisha drove her from spot to spot and at each spot she would get herself ready to see Alex. The seventh clue told her to get dressed up for the evening in a black dress and her dad would take her to meet him.

They met at the River where Alex got down on one knee and proposed. Ivy didn't even look at the ring but just said "yes" and they hugged. Alex said, "Don't you want to see the ring?" She was very happy with the ring, it was more then she had hoped for.

Next, they headed to our home, where her parents joined us and we were able to celebrate their engagement. Alex took Ivy to dinner and our families enjoyed dinner and the cake together. It was a beautiful start to such a lovely engagement.

Going to find one of the clues

Ivy reading a clue

one of the clues included a coffee

One included Santa, but he was unavailable so Latisha had to step in for him.

Another clue was a lovely park

The final clue was at her house

We now look forward to the wedding preparations. They are hoping to accomplish as much as is possible before they head back to school. In May they will both be graduating and the end of that month they will become man and wife. Such excitement and joy feels our home. Just as it should be around Christmas time. I hope you have enjoyed their story and pictures. I look forward to seeing Ivy's post soon. God Bless.
Alicia