AM I HERE?

Sorry bloggers. I do exist! I do! I'm really sorry.
I've been away due to my name change.
man, that sounds like too simple.
But it wasn't.
Wait.
Let me explain.
I got married to the man my Lord, Jesus Christ, my God, my Savior led me to. He is truly one of a kind! He is the man for me. I just know it. I could never be happier than to be in God's grace and my husband's loving arms.
Jon tells me how much he loves being married. Now it's no fairytale, but I love waking up beside this man!

How many men can say that he loves being married?
I mean that in the nicest way possible. How many men look at their life and say, "You know? I've got it okay. Life isn't a fairytale. It isn't always easy, but I'm doing okay. I love God, I love my wife, where I work, etc."

This is a great new chapter in my life. I love the way God answers prayer. =)
Let me end this post with a list of prayer requests.

*Pray for those involved in the Urbandale apartment fire. On google type in "Urbandale apartment fire" and you'll get led to plenty of things to help you know what all happened. I heard some sad stories of people who lived there. My parents and brother actually know of someone who used to live there.

*Pray and encourage those who are serving our country, and their loved ones.

*Prayers for those who are soon to add more children to their family. All my sisters are expecting! Elizabeth is due August 5th, Melissa due Aug 27th, and sister in law Elizabeth due on Thanksgiving.

*Prayer for Rosebud team. They left Sunday morning. I went there 6 years in a row, and this is the first year I had to miss. It's been tough, but I know it is God who can be there everyday and not me. I have a lot of relationships there, and I miss them deeply. Thank you Kate for sending a note to give them. I am forever thankful.

*For my grandma Evelyn and my mom.

*I hate asking for prayer for myself, but please if you think about it pray for Jon and I. We have a lot to think about. I need a job in Ames and I just pray that God lets us know if I should find something super quick and deal with the job. Or do what Jon is hoping for...a job that I really like and a place where I feel motivated and where my energy isn't sucked out of me. And also for Jon as he makes his decisions as he finishes up school and decides where to work full-time. I know God's timing is perfect.

Thank you everyone. I hope I can be in touch soon!

Moving May II

Never knew "Moving May" was the perfect title for May updates!!!

Jon and I signed and paid! We got an apartment in Ames! It is super wonderful. It's everything we ever could hope for in a first place. It's not a large apartment filled with many people. There's only four "families" that are able to live there. It's a nice size. They're putting in a new, larger dishwasher. As soon as they're done we can move in. We don't have to pay utilities for May, since it wasn't ready as soon as they had originally said...but we are able to move in as soon as we would like to.

I'm excited to make it look like home and decorate it all nice. =)

I'm working on getting used to the idea of moving to Ames.

I'm needing to work on some stuff for the wedding, but I got a sinus infection.

I was able to get an appointment set up for the girls and I to get our hair updo's for the wedding. Jon and I are planning on going to get our marriage license later this week. We also need to pickup our wedding rings.

And another thing...

I still need to get fitted for my dress.
I haven't heard anything yet. =/
Yes, I'm anxious.

but no matter what June 12th I'll be walking down the aisle to the man the Lord brought me too!
I've never been so excited!! =D

A sneeze, a cough, and a blow of the nose...
Blessings everyone! Hope you're all enjoying May. Memorial weekend is coming up. What are your plans?

Moving May

May is moving faster than ever! Here's the lastest....

1. Turned 22 years old on May 5th. My last birthday as being a single woman, and I am totally okay with that! =)

2. Jon finished up the end of his semester wonderfully! Now he's spending time: with my family and me, helping out around the house and prewedding randomness, and working on finding a place for us to live in Ames. And of course still working part time in Ames.

3. It's starting to feel more "real" as June approaches. Working less to accomodate my schedule, bridal showers, and job searching for something Ames. May 13th was my first shower, and it was totally wonderful and beautiful! =) I feel so blessed.

4. Jon and I have one more counseling session next week on Wednesday. We have homework for it due on Sunday. I also am working with the kids on Sunday. After lunch meeting at JEFC to work with the ladies who are playing the music at my wedding. I hope I can get everything prepared that I need to for Sunday. Luckily, I don't work on Saturday (tomorrow). Attending a graduation party (Emily Hall to be exact), and then working on everything to prepare for Sunday!

5. As I am typing this post, our family dog Abby is sleeping on the couch. Jon is starting to fall asleep. Wish I had a picture of this. Jon's head is on the blanket on the floor (and using it to cover light from eyes), and his legs/feet are on the couch. Sleep much?

6. I have a few more "must do's" in time for the wedding. But what I'm really wanting to have ready soon are: salon appointment for hair, marriage license, fitting for my dress (planned to come within the next couple weeks!!). I feel as soon as I put that dress back on---I'll be ready!! =D Oh, I also need to get a new swim suit. Any suggestions?

7. And the thing I had to wait til the end....otherwise I wouldn't get through the rest of the post. We are having to sell my grandma's house. She has lived there since my mom was in elementary school. So, this house is filled with memories, and I just dont think anyone else should live there. Unfortunately, we have to sell it. She can't live there anymore. My mom, sisters and I went up there this past week and went through her stuff. We laughed, cried, and just remembered the wonderful memories. We all are holding on to many of my grandma's wonderful belongings. It was also nice to have Jon be able to come up for awhile and see it for the first time. Unfortunately, it wasn't while she was still living there. He was a big help with fixing it up a bit to make it better for selling purposes.
I hope and pray whoever ends up with my grandma's dear house takes care of it. I also hope they put in special memories as well. A house is not a house until you make it a home.

And my grandma's house is more than just a home.
It was filled with pictures hung up on the wall by scotch tape, because they were made by her grandchildren. She held on to our pictures, small keepsakes, and anything we ever gave her....she kept. That house had our favorite cereal waiting for us everytime we visited. It had that perfect smell of grandma's home. The golf ball swinging in the garage to help her know when to park. Filled with love and games. Playing with flour and water. Running across the street to get to the park.
Grandma allows you to be the person you want to be. She loves encouraging you. She kept help but serve you until there's nothing left she can do. She would never let you lift a finger if she could do it for you. She was just like Mary in the Bible, kneeling at Jesus' feet. In love she always looks to you in the eyes---What can I do for you? How can I tell you how much I love you?

She's a wonderful gift from God. A wonderful Grandma to more than just her grandchildren.
We love you Grandma....more than we could ever express!

April Days

1. Easter was wonderful! =) I loved spending time with family! The church service was filled with some of my favorite worship songs!! =)

2. Jon and I have attended more sessions. We're learning a lot more about each other and our relationship as a whole. Don has encouraged us and helped us understand why we are the way we are. He also encourages us to talk about our needs and be more open with each other.

3. I'm getting married in less than 60 days!!!! Not many days left to finish my to do list, but can I please mention I won't be SINGLE anymore!!! What will that be like--I have no idea!

4. I had jury duty this week. Want to hear the story? Here it is in a shorten version: on Monday get there early, wait for hours, watch an orientation video (couldn't see it), sit for more hours waiting to hear what case you had, get in line, hear your name mispronounced, sit on a wooden bench for hours listening to the judge and lawyers. Then you have to go there again the next day and wait for hours and then......the case ended because of new info came up. Next, they tell you call them that night to see if you have to go in again the next morning for a whole new case.....
Praise the Lord.......there wasn't a new case!
My jury duty is complete.

5. I will soon be living in Ames. It's exciting to think about all the changes that are going to happen in my life in the next few months. Which reminds me...I need to register! Actually, lately, anything and everything reminds me of what I need to be doing...

6. Lately I've been really thinking about the kids in South Dakota. This time of year I'm usually getting ready to go on a mission's trip to Ideal, South Dakota. I went every year for the past 6 years, but this year......Jon do you think we can go?

7. God answers prayer! He led me to the man I was praying about every night before I fell asleep. And He has humor too! His name is Jon. =) They say you end up with someone like your Daddy, never thought the name would be similar too! =)

March

1. Jon and I have had two marriage counseling sessions now. Both went really well. We are learning a LOT! =) Our counselor, Pastor Don, has given us things to work on during the time in between our sessions. Last week we had our parents fill out a questionaire about us. It was fun to read their answers.

2. Today at work I spent four hours dusting, straightening, and restocking Playmobil at the Learning Post. When I close my eyes I think I'll see blue boxes! I was thankful I had something to do though, today I went with a sad mood. It kept my mind busy. Thank you Lord!

3. I'm seeing God working in my life and that is really encouraging! He is allowing me not to stress over the small details of life in general, including the wedding. It has really helped me get focused on what is truly important!

4. Never go grocery shopping when you're hungry.

5. I wish I didn't have to work for a few weeks/months so I could just get more wedding stuff done....like order and send out invitations!

6. Next weekend (March 12-13th) I'm going to Women of Faith! Super excited!!! =) I'm a note taker, so my notes will probably be one of my next posts.

7. Searching jobs in Ames is slowing down some wedding to do's. Jon has a couple or so years left at ISU. Instead of driving back and forth we're thinking it might just be best to live in Ames. Can't wait to pick out an apartment!!!

Have a wonderful week everyone!
"Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love endures forever!"

Updates!

1. The best wedding planning has been looking at my future husband, and learning more about his character. I am reading a book called The Marriage Builder. It has some great insight! I look forward to the next step in life, and focusing more on how to be a loving wife and to serve him.

2. This next week Jon and I will attend our first premarriage counseling. We're looking forward to seeing what more we have to learn about each other and prepare ourselves for the future.

3. Work has been interesting. The busy season has gone and now we are restocking and preparing for birthday gifts and then supplies for school.
(Jon and I are planning on living in Ankeny or Ames. If I find a job in Ames it would be nice to not have to commute, but at the same time would be hard to leave Timberline Church. We will probably end up in Ankeny.)

4. Every moment of my days reminds me of something I need to do for the wedding, apartment searching, filling out registries, etc. Never have I ever had so many things in my head before. I think this is preparing me for motherhood.

5. The weather has had a lot of people in a down sort-of mood. I understand. Ths is a LOT of snow to deal with. It's okay to worry about the possibility of flooding this spring. I just pray it wont be the focus. I pray it wont lead us to have an excuse for our attitudes. I pray we can all rely on God and know His plans are better than what we could ever imagine. How can we think positive about this weather? How can we serve others and love on others during this dark and cold winter?

6. It has been wonderful to see the changes at Timberline Church. We are at our new location now--in the timberline area!! =) The place is incredible! God has definitely blessed us! I look forward to the ministry that I see God doing through us.

7. It's weird to think about but June 12th my name will change. I will then have to remind myself to sign my name differently. I should start practicing! Not just how will it look? But to also try to retrain my brain to put a different last name! After I sign Mary, it's just habit to put A. Tometich, but soon I need to trigger it to say "Mary Kaisand." I've decided to take away the middle initial.
If you ladies have any tips for me let me know! =) And it doesn't have to just be lil tips of what it's like to have a name change, but things about premarriage and everything else that goes along with this new step in life!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!
Love and blessings!

THE PROPOSAL

Just want to make one thing clear, this is not the story of "the proposal" from the latest movie. This is Mary Tometich's story. Her one and only proposal story. =) It wasn't perfect, but why start our lives out with a perfect story? Doesn't reality have a few bumps along the way? This is the story......

I knew it was coming. I knew he had gotten the ring. He had it with him for awhile. Less than a couple weeks to be exact. I knew he was going to ask me before Christmas. The weekend before Christmas was his last shot. He was going to ask me Saturday night, December 19th. He told me we should go out to eat in Ankeny. He let me pick the spot. For girls I'll add a little part to the story..... Of course I had to wear the same thing I was wearing when he first saw me!! =)

I picked Chips. Little did I know how perfect of a choice that was. While waiting for Jon to park the car I knew it was going to take him awhile to get back. He had to make a call, but what for?

He walked in with a look on his face where I already knew the answer. The surprise he had for me that would happen after dinner, wasn't going to work out. I wasn't going to get engaged that night.

We got led to our booth.

We started eating chips and talking. Obviously I wasn't too excited about the bad news. Jon kept thinking. I encouraged him to do whatever he wanted to do, it was his thing. Why start a life together with the woman trying to lead?

While eating our meal, we talked about the situation. At that moment another idea came to his mind. He quickly dashed away from the table to make a call. He came back with more bad news. That plan might not work either.

Once in the car we were both pretty bummed. Jon was doing all he could to make a plan work, and he was doing a good job of keeping his cool. The whole time I think I was getting an idea of what he was trying to make work, but I didn't want to inform him that I was catching on.

He was trying to get ahold of someone to get into the church--Johnston E. Free! So he could propose to me in the room where he first spotted me. =)

He told me he wasn't going to propose, because his plan wasn't working out. He was really sorry, but he wanted to give me a special story to share. A story I could be proud of. A story with a perfect moment. A special moment. A typical story that all my girl friends would enjoy. I told Jon that I didn't want a perfect story. I looked at him and knew that the stupid idea of having a perfect story is only for fairy tales. My story that God wrote, what could be better then that?

While looking out the passanger window trying not to get too upset about the evening that was unfolding before us.....Jon was driving. He passed the street to get to our house quicker and said, "Let's not go back to your house quite yet." I was thankful. I didn't want to return with my family there, and show an empty finger. (I had already taken off my purity ring on the way to dinner to prepare for it!) But by that time I had already put the purity ring back on....all that driving I needed something to do. He pulled into the JEFC parking lot, pulling up by the door and parked his car. Sitting there, he began talking to me. All I can remember is still looking out the passenger window and telling myself to look at him and remember this moment for the rest of my life.

Looking at my future groom I was so proud of him. He decided to share what it meant to be commited to someone. The symbol of the ring meaning eternal and a true commitment. He talked about when we first met and since then. He told me how much he loved me and how much he wanted to share our lives together. He never wanted to have to leave my sight again. He wanted to marry me. He wanted to let me know that the early newlywed stuff would end at some point, but he reminded me of where our foundation lies. With God all things are possible. He told me so many things that I wish I could remember, but what I can remember is that he truly loves me. He wants to focus on God, and wants to be the man in my life and to be my spiritual leader. He told me he wont be perfect. I never planned on him to be, because how not perfect of a woman he wants to marry!!

He got the ring out and asked me. Before saying yes I shared some thoughts. Before I could say yes I wanted to talk to him about things we could always work on. I asked him a list of things that I wanted in a husband. If he didn't want to commit to them or didn't think they were reasonable, then I knew I wasn't about to say yes to the right man God had in store for me. He didn't have to say "YES!" to everything. Some of those things are tricky because we are all human. But just the fact of hearing his response was enough for me. He told me he would work on it, pray about it, and ask God for help to be able to provide those needs for me. He was honest that he couldn't fulfill my every desire. He couldn't live up to everything I could ever hope for, and I understood. Because I look in the mirror and think the same thing for his case. He just asked a woman who is not perfect in any way, and I wasn't about to hold that against him. Unconditional love is something we can all work on. What better example than Christ Jesus?

OF COURSE I SAID YES!!! I said, "Yes, Jonathan Kaisand, I will marry you!!!"

With a ring on my finger, I was not ready to go home! Not after that eventful night of tosses and turns of feelings! I asked him if we could go somewhere for dessert, and he said yes. We went to Village Inn. I couldn't stop looking at my ring sooo shiny! We talked about every little thing there was to talk about.

Once home my groom-to-be wanted to go on a walk. So on a cold, winter night we walked to the place where we went on our first date. With a hat, gloves, boots, and a blanket we sat on the bench. Well, I didn't wear gloves, I wanted to keep looking at my ring! We were on the bench for quite some time. After awhile we walked back home and happy as ever. But I did forget to mention one thing. While on the way to the park bench, we spotted my dad's car pulling up. We got them to stop and they said, "We wondered who the crazy people out walking were...."

That's when I said, "Hey mom and dad...I want you to meet my fiance Jon...."

They were SOO EXCITED FOR US!!!" =D

Sunday morning we went to church and people were excited to hear about the engagement. I was still not allowed to hear what was going on later that day. After church we stopped by the hospital to see my grandma. She wasn't doing very well, but we wanted to give her some good news! After that we ran some errands.

At 7:00 we had an appointment in Ankeny for something I didn't get to know about, but I had a feeling what it was. Jon was taking me to the Ankeny airport to get my first helicopter ride! It was a blast! We got to see a lot of the city/Des Moines area. Everything with Christmas lights was really beautiful!

Later that night he told me what his original plans were. He wanted to take me to dinner, helicopter ride, and then on the walk that we took on our first date. That is where he was going to propose to me...on that special park bench. It was a wonderful, sweet story. But the way things got changed meant even more. He told me how badly he didnt want other things or people to get in the way of what he truly wanted to do for us. He didn't want anything to get in the way of him wanting to do it that night, Saturday the 19th. I'm so glad he did that! What a great leader! =)

From then on I can't help but look at him and think, "June 13th will be the first day I won't just call you a man in my life, my fiance, my boyfriend, or just a friend. God brought you to me. I get to call you my husband. I get to lift you up in my prayers. I get to one day tell our kids what a great dad they have. I get to look into their eyes and tell them how much their dad loves our Heavenly Father."



"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." Ephesians 5:31