A Page Is Turned

It's fascinating to think about how God orchestras our life, my life. It is amazing to think about His perfect plan, and while I made several mistakes through my life- He knew two things would happen and has been preparing me this whole time. 1. My salvation- that I would accept his saving blood to cover my sins, and that I would become His child. 2. That the Lord was preparing Stephen for me, and me for Stephen. I truly believe that I was created for him, and him for me.

One of our wedding songs is, "A Page Is Turned"- it absolutely describes our life.

A page is turned by the wind to a boy in curly grin
With a world to conquer at the age of ten
But as history unfolds and the storybook is told
He finds salvation but not at the hands of man

And the God of second chance
Picked him up and He let him dance
Through a world that is not kind
And all this time, preparing him, the one
To hold him up when he comes undone
Beneath the storm, beneath the sun
And now a man, here you stand
Your day has come

A page is turned in this world to reveal a little girl
With a heart that's bigger, as it is unfurled
By the language in her soul, that's teaching her to grow
With a careful cover of love that will not fail

And the God of second chance
Picked her up and He let her dance
Through a world that isn't kind
And all this time, preparing her the one
To hold her up when she comes undone
Beneath the storm, beneath the sun
And grown up tall, here you are
Your day has come

Beneath the air of autumn, she took him by his hand
And warm within the ardor, she took his heart instead
And high upon the mountain, he asked her for her hand
Just for her hand

A page is turned in this life, he's making her his wife
And there is no secret to the source of this much life
When the grace that falls like rain is washing them again
Just a chance to somehow rise above this land

Where the God of second chance
Will pick them up and he'll let them dance
Through a world that is not kind
And all this time, they're sharing with the one
That holds them up when they come undone
Beneath the storm, beneath the sun
And once again, here you stand
And once again, here you stand
Your day has come

Trans Siberian Orchestra...

...Biggest let down :(

We had a wonderful time with all our friends tonight, but had been looking SO forward to going to this concert. Stephen has been watching YouTube videos daily, we both walk around humming their songs, and have been counting down the days.

The best part of the concert is when we left, oh and the lights.... they were pretty cool.

BUT... we did have a great time with friends, somehow, we never stopped laughing (probably because Stephen was acting out all the ways he could kill himself during the concert due to how AWFUL it was... haha)!!

On another note... Another week off, soooo excited!!!!

Our Christmas with Mili

Merry CHRISTmas!!

We had a wonderful early Christmas with Mili. She opened a TON of presents and then her and Nana started a tradition, baking a cake (this year, Mili wanted cupcakes though) for Jesus. We sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus and focused on the best gift of all. Here are some pics, more to follow later....

The Clan (and soon-to-be Wards ) :)

Crazy Uncle Sean with sister (She LOVES him)

Thank you Nana, we are so happy about ALL the sounds this baby makes. NOT! :)

She got a laptop like Sean... 4 years old, crazy... but they make cute twins!

Happy Birthday Jesus cupcake pictures to come... And pictures from today. We played games from 9am to 7pm, stopped to eat, and played some more. I wouldn't trade my family for anything, I am so blessed!!!

Mili's Christmas with Mana's family

Amanda and her family are true blessings to my life. I am so thankful for them! For years they have been really good to me, it's now sweet to watch them take in Stephen and Mili. I am not sure who they love the most anymore lol.... but that's ok with me. Mili's favorite people could possible be her "Mana" and Amanda's family (including Pooka and Minnie). They waited for us to have Mili to let her help decorate their Christmas tree and then the next day had Christmas with her. Here are some sweet pictures from that evening...

Engaged!

Soon to be Mrs. Stephen Ward

Wow. What a week!

Over a year ago I met the man of my dreams, he is everything and more than I have prayed for. This year has totally changed my life forever and I am so thankful for God's blessings. December 10, 2008 is what Stephen and I call our anniversary, it was like a fairy tale date... Stephen often says it was magical. That day was our first time to go out alone, without friends or Mili. And of all days it snowed so hard, which made for a beautiful night. It started with the three of us (Stephen, Mili and me) going to church. Then Stephen and I went to Cullens (at the time I thought this was amazing... fancy restaurant and all), we had the most romantic dinner. Afterwards, we walked to this wide open field next to Cullens and we danced in the snow. He hummed and held me tight, and it felt so right even a year ago. He often reminds me that this was the night he fell in love with me, a night I never will forget....

SO... this past Thursday, December 10, 2009 was our one year anniversary. Another AMAZING night. A night I have been dreaming about since last March, after I found out Stephen had asked my mom's blessing to marry me.

We started the night going to Mili's performance at school, so cute btw... and she was the cutest kid there, not that I am the least bit partial. I had given Stephen his present before her concert but he said "I want to give you yours in a special place so you will have to wait." So I did. We went to Cullens, he had reserved the exact booth we sat in a year before, which was so sweet and special. Again, we had a beautiful dinner. After dinner I wanted to go over to Cullens Live and say hey to some friends, so he said we should after we took the food to the car. So, as we walked to the car he grabbed my hand, put the food in the car, and started walking towards the field. He told me this is where he wanted to give me my present. He took me to the same place we had danced the year before and started to dance with me again... so sweet. He pulled out a James Avery box, and I opened it... it was the snowflake charm. I loved it! He told me some things and to always remember the night he fell in love with me by this charm. Everything made sense, I had NO clue what was coming next. I hugged him and thanked him, and while we were hugging he said, "This spot is special to me because it was our first date, our first dance and our first kiss" Well, me being me, suddenly became angry on the inside, how could he forget where we had first kissed? It was before that night in the snow. And I guess he really knows me too, because as I started to correct him, he was already down on one knee... and said "our first kiss as you being my fiancee". He was crying and I was in shock. He completely caught me off guard. I don't think I even answered for about 5 minutes... Needless to say, it was perfect.

I am so in love with him, I can't wait to marry my best friend. And on top of that, he makes me feel like I am the best girl in the world, like he is the lucky one.

So... May 8, 2010... I will become Mrs. Stephen Ward :)

oh and my ring is BEAUTIFUL!!!! Pictures will be posted soon!

My funny kids...

I love my job, especially on days like today. While this three week stretch, between the Thanksgiving holidays and the Christmas break, is usually hard for all of us... today was great.

I love my job, because I love my kids. It's funny to me to think that our age difference really is only about 6 or 7 years, but I feel like they are all my kids. I find myself feeling like I am the only one who can get on to them, but no one else better talk to or bad about my kids, going to their basketball games, etc. However, my classes know this and is the reason I have a close relationship with most of my kids, they also know I am on their side. Sometimes when I assign an essay that is difficult (or just causes them to think), or spring a pop quiz on them over some text we might have been reading, they act like I am the worse person in the world... I call it tough love. It's actually easier to cater to them, keep up with their projects for them, or remind them to shave, tuck in their shirts, or to grab their ID badge from the desk but I am trying to teach responsibility along with everything else, because I am NOT their mom. Anyways, today caused us to get the giggles that could not get us back on track...

One of my boys started complaining (and not really, just more like a whine). Naturally I listened for a second and then quickly put him into place. Without missing a beat, he said (still whining), "But mom..." and then quickly caught himself. We ALL died laughing. He wasn't trying to be funny, but just called me that on accident... Proving to me I STILL baby them too much. It was a nice laugh, and everyone found it hilarious. Instead of Ms. Hall, my 5th period now calls me, Mom.

What is love?

There are so many ways one might define love. Yes, it might feel good, maybe even look good; however, I have learned it's a verb rather than a noun. It's not a person or thing, it's an action. Christ and what he did for me is the most perfect example. What did I ever do to deserve Him? How can I ever repay Him? Why does He even love me? Questions I don't completely understand, because I am so unworthy and seem to fall short of his glory too often. I just can't get enough of Him though. Lately, my favorite time of the day is when it's just me and the Lord- in my classroom, walking down the hallway, driving. Times where I could easily find something meaningless to take my time up with, I spend just trying to get to know Him more and grasp how the love He has shown me and how His mercy and grace has completely transformed my life... these are the times I am loving. Maybe it's with age, maybe it's just the way I am suppose to "mature" in my walk with Him... I'm not sure, but now more than ever I am becoming aware of how he didn't have to save me or bless me. And yet, he has done both. I surely don't deserve salvation-but by grace through faith-and I am so thankful he has placed His spotless blood on my heart. I often can get caught up in my unholiness and just forget to thank Him and take His blessing and use it for HIS glory-again, showing the Lord I love him through my actions rather than anything else. That is what He has been dealing with me lately... that and much more.

Of course I must end in a song... It's the perfect answer to my original question... What is love?

I've heard it said that
Love is blind
It's never afraid, patient and kind
I've heard it said
Love's all you need
And that it is a many splendid thing
I've heard people sing of Love at first sight
And how it's so wrong, and how it's so right
It lifts you up, it lets you down
But I have found...

Love is a Cross
And Love let it be
Love is saving you
Love is saving me
The blood and the nails
A body so bruised
A Holy heart was broken
That's how he chose to prove
Love is a Cross

I've read that Love is just a myth
It's only a crutch, it doesn't exist
It's something the world cannot achieve
But I believe...


Peace is like a rushing river
Hope is paradise
Joy's an overflowing fountain
Love paid the price...

-Russ Lee

Picture Post

Real love stories...

...never have endings.

God is so good, so good to me!

Girls Night Out

So, I might be partial, but I have the best friends in the world. I feel so blessed to have as many friends as I do, true friends. Not just the ones that are acquaintances, but the ones who take a real interest in my life and I in theirs. We have such a good time together. We can do absolutely nothing and still have a blast; however, last night we went out and had a wonderful time. PF Changs is always a good place to start, here are some pics...

I love you girls, I couldn't ask for better girlfriends!!

The gang

Me and my Mana

The twins... Stacie and Tracie (aka troublemakers)

Poor neglected blog...

Stopping in just say, I will be updating soon... being that I am off for 9 days!! Woo hoo!! I love Thanksgiving... and the break!

Off to get ready to go out with the man... nice way to start off the weekend! :)

It's Roooocket's Ball

I love sports, most all sports. However, I had never been to a Rocket's game. In fact, I hardly know anything about the Rockets- surprising because Stephen LOVES them. Last Wednesday night though I went to my first one. A friend of mine hooked me up with some GREAT tickets... 11th row. Stephen and I had an absolute blast. I learned quickly about each player (he gave me a quick lesson while the teams warmed up) and I really got into the game. We laughed so much and had a wonderful time. It was a great night and I am so thankful we got to go. Here are some pictures...

Our view of the court...

My first game... so excited!

Self portrait in our matching shirts (first time he was ever absolutely ok with this lol)

Stephen cheering.... Louis Scoooola :) (I really should be the new announcer)

Thank you Lord...

Thank you Lord for what you are doing in MY heart: the things I can see and even the things I can't see!

It's so cliche, but what do people do who do not know the Lord? Who do they turn to? Where do they find hope? Comfort? Perfect love? I will give the LORD all the glory and praise!!

Do you want to know how to know the Lord is real? Allow the Lord to lead you to a scary place- where you hurt, cry and don't understand His plan; but can feel God's Almighty hands hold your heart so tight and love on you like only a Perfect Heavenly Father can love. That's where I am. God has my heart... my WHOLE heart!

So no matter what Lord, it's You and me... and I will NEVER quit singing your praises!

The song in my heart...

What if I look at the day and the hours ahead
And before I move forward I bowed my head
And said thank You
Oh I said thank You

What if I looked at my life in a different way
Took a little more time to stop and pray
I know it would change all the moments in between
So here I go

Thank You for everything
Thank You for loving me
It don't even matter what tomorrow brings
Well I will sing my
Thank You for sun and rain
For what You give and take away
For all Your goodness
I will always say Thank You
Oh I'll say thank You

What if I lost everything that I had
I could smile and somehow still be glad
And say thank You
Thank you

Cause life is joy, life is pain
But the prayer on my heart will never change I say thank You

-33 Miles

Thank you Lord for my salvation, but then not stopping there... for knowing and loving me just as I am, and letting me know You more!

My heart breaks... but I can still praise HIS name

It's been a rollercoaster day. And my heart has 100 questions, complaints, and broken pieces. However, I can't go there. Instead... I have to and will think about the Lord. Music has always really spoken to me, and this is what my heart is singing...

When I Think about the Lord,
How He saved me,
how He raised me,
how He filled me,
with the Holy Ghost.
How He healed me, to the uttermost.

When I Think about the Lord,
how He picked me up and turned me around,
how He placed my feet on solid ground

It makes me wanna shout,
Hallelujah,
Thank you JESUS,
LORD, your worthy,
of all the glory, and all the honor,and all the praise...

Lord, when I am weak... you are made strong. I promise to praise you through the storm.

Fall Fun

Fall is finally here, one of my favorite times of the year. I love it! And this fall is off to a wonderful start!

One of our first outings this Fall was with the Sheffields. Chelsey has been one of my very best friends for a LONG time now. We have been through so much together. Looking back through the years, there is no doubt God put us together for a reason. I am so thankful to still be sharing this part of my life with her... We are living it up! John and Stephen have quickly become great friends, so double dates are always a blast. Here is the last trip we had with them, just a fun week night dinner...

I love this picture of them! Mili LOVES Binky, and he calls her "baby".... They are so sweet.

Mili with the Sheffields!

Us with the kiddos!

Stephen with Becky (if he leaves me, this is who it will be for)

Last weekend was our fall festival at church. We had a blast!! Mili was "Abby Cadabby"- a fairy, she was adorable. First, we started out at the church, they had a wonderful carnival in the parking lot. They had "Trunk or Treat", and the cars were decorated and full of candy... Stephen's favorite part. There was food, fun and fellowship all over the place. Mili's favorite part was the pony ride and the petting zoo... she could have stayed there ALL night. Afterwards we went to Amanda's house, Mili always has presents waiting there. Amanda's mom and Amanda are CRAZY about Mili and I am so thankful for that, they will never know how much that means to me. And Mili loves them just the same. So she went around their neighborhood and had a blast getting candy with Amanda's niece. Needless to say, we were worn out with tummy aches before the end of the night. Not so much Mili, but her dad and I... we might have stayed up and ate her candy all night :) Here is the miss priss herself on Halloween...

It's the simple life.

It's nights like tonight that make me thankful I am right where I am. I love my life. It's the little things in life that make it wonderful. Mom's cooking (which I have missed), Sean making everyone laugh-which is usually at my expense, Stephen making me laugh until I hurt and then rubbing my legs with lotion (he faithfully does this EVERY night- can you say amazing?) and a long bubble bath with a good book.

Life doesn't get better than this. I have ups and downs just like anyone, but it's when I step back, I realize I just don't have anything to complain about. I know this time in my life won't last forever, but I am trying to soak up EVERY second.

And Yankees just tied it up... so it's even a little better now! :) Go Yankees!

Wonderful Weekend with The Wards

All of Stephen's family lives in Dallas, so we try and visit often. This was our 4th trip in the past 4 months. Although this time seemed to fly by, it's always nice to get away. Not only do we have a blast, but his family is always there to encourage us.

I could not hand pick a better family to be connected to. The men are wonderful men who follow and love the Lord, it's evident in their life and families. And words can not begin to express how much I love the Ward women. Stephen's sisters in law are amazing to say the least. Not only are they absolutely wonderful wives and mothers, but they LOVE the Lord. Like I said already, I just could not ask for better people in my life. I feel as though they love me for me, apart from being Stephen's girlfriend, and I truly appreciate that. From the time Stephen and I started dating (almost a year ago), he has bragged about his family... and it is a family to be proud of. His mother and father raised their boys right and I am forever grateful for that. I try and thank his mom often for the man I have in Stephen and I am looking forward to the day when I can do the same to his father.

Anyways, back to our weekend... we had a wonderful time. Friday night (after a ridiculous long drive- 6 hours) we arrived at Tim and Holly's house and the whole family was waiting. Mili was so excited to play with her cousins, and we sat around and caught up until late into the night. Saturday was a beautiful day and we had the best afternoon. Chick-fil-a brought in Home Depot for the kids and they made bird houses. Well, we made birds houses and the girls got to call them theirs... hehe. But this was a special time for Mili and her cousins, making some sweet memories. After long naps, we went to Cody's (Stephen's nephew) football game... all 18 of us. Needless to say the restaurant afterwards was happy to see us leave :) Mili was able to wear the overalls I made, I have been wanting to make her something for awhile and finally made my first project. She LOVES them and ask daily if she can wear them. She constantly tells me how proud she is for me, she has the most sweet spirit. Randomly she will say, "Chelsea, I am so proud you did these pockets all by yourself" or "I am so proud you did these ponytails, they are just beautiful". I need to write down all the things she says more often so we can tell her one day, God has given her a very sweet personality. I pray that His hand remains on her and she might be a woman after God's own heart. Here are some pics from our weekend...

Sunday morning was just what I needed. The Lord really spoke and presence of the Holy Spirit was so intense, it was as if God was speaking just to me during the worship service. Since Sunday a certain song as been on my heart- Hillsong sings "From the Inside Out". The lyrics are...

A thousand times I've failed
Still your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
Still I'm caught in your grace
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out
Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

This song has been my prayer and encouragement in the past couple days. To be in the center of God's will is all I want, and when I allow Him to consume from the inside out, and allow Him to control every decision, thought, action and even my plans, that's when TRUE peace shall come and the only way I will be happy in Him. I am thankful that He is so faithful to keep such a promise.

After a lot of encouragement

Several of my friends have a blog and have been telling me for sometime now, I need to start one of my own. So here goes...

I have so many exciting things going on in my life right now. I could not be more blessed. These past two weeks have been the most exciting two weeks in my teaching career (I have only been teaching for two years, but working at the school for four).I have ALWAYS wanted to be a teacher, and never once doubted that it wasn't for me. My students are amazing, they are all very different. I teach seniors, so I have 130 18 year olds that are about to enter a world that isn't always nice. These past weeks my students have made me become more aware about how important teaching is, and not just because the curriculum. Of course I want them to master the objectives and goals I have for them with reading Beowulf or The Canterbury Tales, but more importantly it's exciting to watch them grow, think on their own, and show it in their writing. I feel very blessed to have a part in each of their lives, even the ones I can't wait to get rid of by the end of the class period :)

This week a boy in one of my classes took a HUGE step. He has a rough life and did some amazing work, which he has never done before. This of course, made me cry (yes, real cool to seniors) but at the end of class he said something that has stuck with me all week. He stayed after class and said, "Did you start to cry because I made you proud?" Of course I answered yes and went on and on about how proud I was of him. As he left my room (a kid who never speaks up), turned and said, "No one has ever been proud of me". Right then and there so many emotions came over me. Guilt, because it's the 9th week of school and I had just reached out to him, sadness that at 19 he feels no one cares, and then conviction to show Christ's love to my students. While I can't "witness" to my students, I have been praying that my actions might represent Christ well so my kids might see a difference in me.

Anyways, my personal life is filled with excitement as well, but we will save that for another post. If by chance you are bored enough to read what I have to write, I am sure you will grow tired of hearing about how wonderful Stephen is and how awesome our life is... hehe. So we will have that for later... There you go girls, my first post, count it. :)