::yes::

17 weeks from now the handsome guy above flies to the States for a  
w-e-d-d-i-n-g!



 

::friend Friday::Nina::

I'm so happy to have Nina here for Friend Friday.  Within the past few months, I've begun reading her blog.  I'm absolutely serious when I say that it's easy to tell from her blog that she has a genuine + sweet spirit -- just the type of blog I love to read.  I didn't get to meet her when my brother and I spontaneously visited her church several years ago....wish now that we could've met!

Take it away, Nina!!

---------------

Hello there!

My name is Nina Rose Hall. I'm 24 years old, and live I in Macungie, Pennsylvania. I've attended Lehigh Valley Baptist Church my whole life, and am so very grateful that the Lord has placed me here!

Curious what I do? Well, I'm a passionate lover of all things musical! Since I was young, I've had an interest in music and my parents have given me the opportunity to receive a lot of instruction over the years. My favorite instrument is the piano, then my harp, my flute, my orchestra bells, and my violin (which I hope to improve on in the coming years!).

Since I was young, I've had the privilege of doing quite a bit of traveling both in the US and in foreign countries abroad: visiting our missionaries, taking family vacations, visiting friends, school trips, teen camps, national parks, music programs, etc... Traveling is a wonderful way of broadening your perspective of life - and keeps things interesting!

I was saved as a teenager. Through the years, the Lord had often worked in my heart to show me my sin, and the importance of giving my life to him. My testimony is that the goodness of God led me to repentance...through the continual teaching of God's word at church and home, and the many blessings He poured out in my life. As I grew older and He began to reveal my sinful heart to me, I wanted nothing more than to be made into a "new creature" as the Bible talks about. You can read my testimony in more detail here on our church website.

I graduate from Louisiana Baptist University with my bachelor's in Music in 2010, and completed my Religious Education Diploma from Lehigh Valley Baptist Bible Institute in 2012.

A typical week would find me teaching piano lessons to about 15 students; working on a few job assignments around our church office; volunteering some time with the students at our christian school (Emmaus Baptist Academy); and doing the typical cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc...around our house with my mother and sister.

Sunday's are always busy days for our family as we all do our particular ministries around the church...then meet back at home later to talk about how everything went! :)

My family members are my closest friends. :) We have so much fun together! My parents are the best - I love them very much! Benjamin is my older brother, and a blessing to have around. He is engaged to be married this summer to a very lovely young lady from Washington state! Selena is my younger sister, and very best friend...I couldn't imagine life without her! Titus is my younger brother, and one of the sweetest guys I've ever known...don't know how I got so lucky to have such an amazing brother. Hudson is my youngest brother - cutest little guy with a hilarious sense of humor...we love him to pieces!

Well, that's a little bit about me! Thanks, Rebecca, for asking me to participate in your Friend Friday! It's been so fun getting to know you! :)

::the story 3::

SO. 


We met for the first time on Sunday morning before Sunday school. I don't think either of us would say it was "love at first sight"....although he was WAY more handsome than the picture I'd seen.  ;)

Leon came up for dinner that Sunday night after church, along with Carol + baby Hazel, [Adam was on deputation], James, and Brenda [Zambian students here at the college].  Annnnnnd, he didn't show any interest in me.  At all.  He was polite but stand-offish.  We laugh about it now.

There were absolutely no hints, at first, that he was even remotely interested.  "He was here to go to the Conference."  <----- that's what he would've said if you would've asked him

Our first time together [was it a date?!] was with the missionaries who first started the church where he currently attends.  It was great fun to be with them and hear so many stories.  The Gordon's are great people!

Our first "official" date was Friday of that week.  We went with my pastor and his wife and Adam + Carol to Chicago.  Ruth Chris' for lunch.  Sears Tower.  Grand Luxe for dessert.  The whole bit.  It was fantastic.  We laughed a lot and had an absolutely wonderful time together.

From that first Friday, I have felt so completely comfortable with Leon....never a lack for conversation...can't even really count that many awkward moments.

We spent a little time here and there over the weekend.  Monday, we went to the dairy farm. [this post]

Our last date together was on Wednesday, the day before he left.  It was a fantastic day in every way.

Thursday, he left for London to meet up with his mom.

Then, a 13-week separation.
Then, a trip in August. [posts here]
Then, a 15-week separation.
Now, a 2-week trip.

I really have no words for how God has orchestrated this relationship.  Last night at dinner, my brother said, "God must have something amazing in store because this relationship is unlikely."  I mean...come on!  Africa + America doesn't typically happen.

I love Leon so much.  He brings out the best in me.  The hard times of being separated have taught me sooooo soooo many valuable lessons.  I can't thank the Lord enough for the hard times.

The hard times are about to be over in 14 hours when I land in Lusaka.  Praise-allujah.

*blogging from London -- waiting to catch my last flight.

 

::blown away::

::taken in a real turbine engine!!!::

 I'm getting blown away today to Africa.

Thank you, Jesus, for the opportunity to go.

#finally



 

::countdown::

::our crab-apple tree was especially pretty this year after the leaves had fallen::

5 days till departure
4 more things to purchase
3 batches of goodies to bake
2 suitcases to pack
1 sweet man I miss very much

Really, at a loss for words for this little space.  Sometimes, my heart is so heavy from missing Leon.  There are a lot of miles between Chesterton and Kabwe.  But, the Heavenly Father [always] [generously] enables with peace and strength, giving me no reason but to have joy.




 

::mmmmm:::

<<creative people>>
<<the type that come up with this sort of video>>
<<are some type of amazing>>

::have you seen this::