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

No Typical Day

Most Wednesdays I don't work and I treat it like a Saturday. I get my errands done, laundry done, and hope to get any thing on my "to do list" done.
But today....
Today.
Today was different.
Why?
Because.
Because my wonderful boyfriend of four months had lunch with my dad.
This lunch wasn't any typical lunch.
Today was never meant for anything typical or "normal."
No, this lunch was for Jon to ask my dad if he could marry his youngest daughter. Talking to my dad about how much he wants to spend the rest of his life---with ME!

While they were having lunch, I was working on laundry.

When Jon got back he told me he was still alive (hehe), and then I got ready to leave with Jon.
We went shopping.
And like everything else from this nontypical day....
It wasn't like any other shopping I've ever done!
The first and last time that I will be shopping for an engagement ring. =)
(Well, I take that back, we're going back Friday evening, but you get the idea.)

Wanna know more details?
I'll explain more in my next post. =)

And by the way, ring shopping is fun. =)

Motives, Fulfillment, and Being Great?

My sister Liz and her husband Scott attend this church in Kansas City called Redeemer Fellowship. The pastor reminds them of Pastor Steve Hudson, which I would have to agree! Here are my notes from the message I heard from him on Sunday (September 20th).

From Mark 9:30-37

The book of Mark talks about our need for Jesus.

"We believe" --> Our attitude and thoughts do not always show that we believe.
We are in danger because we think "we got it-let's move on." Our hearts are not changed.

Three parts in this section of Scripture:
1. What Jesus' Mission is
2. Why we need this mission (our rescue)
3. How His mission changes our mission

• You can't understand Jesus without understanding the cross. The cross was the purpose of Jesus.
• (verse 32) They didn't understand, but they were too afraid to ask. Have you ever noticed your sin without others having to notice? Jesus didn't have to tell the disciples "I'm going to the cross because you are sinful."
• While Jesus was teaching sacrifice, the disciples were trying to figure out who's greater.
• In today's culture we get hung up with: promotions, used to do this awesome job and now I'm just a stay-at-home mom, unemployed, competitions, etc. Everything around you is about being GREAT!

What is right verses what sin tells you?

• Jesus never said, Don't try not to be great. Live a life that matters to the glory of God. Our sin wants us to be noticed as great. Have a great life because of God.
• Competition and level of greatness (ranking sin) Don't persue your greatness for being greater than others.
• How capable are you of using Jesus to getting something else? The sin issue is this: The goal isn't Him, but what He's going to do for me. You follow and desure Jesus, but while "using Him."

Extra Application:

Is marriage for no loneliness or sexual desires? Are you using relationships for fulfillment? Are you using the sake of having children for fulfillment?

In what areas of your life are you thinking, How am I going to be great? What is the motive?

When Dreams Come True

I'm reading this book for the second or third time. I really like it! It's about a love story. Two people who lived their lives according to themselves, then found God. Through grace they were given a new life, through Christ, and refocused their lives. The book is all about their lives before they met, their friendship, and then how it grew to love. It would be a wonderful thing to meet them someday. I should look them up online and see if they have a family of their own. =)

Sorry, I'm not keeping up on my blog lately. I really want to get back to writing again. I need to add more to my life experiences at Rosebud! I also should share the enjoyment of seeing my now one-year old niece "open" her presents. Her sweet little giggle as I played with her at her home. The joy she brings to our lives is absolutely wonderful! I also should find the time to write all the notes I took while listening to a great sermon at Liz and Scott's new church in Kansas City. I should asap! But until then.......thanks for your patience.

Why I Work

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men..."
Colossians 3:23

"For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: If a man will not work, he shall not eat."
2 Thessalonians 3:10

Answered Prayer & Updates!

Sorry, it's been awhile since I've updated. It's already August!

1. I haven't had a job for a long time! Prayers were answered!! I have a job interview tomorrow at 1:00pm for the Learning Post! The one place I was really hoping to work! I'm really excited!! Answered prayer beyond what I could ever imagine! The guy's name is Monte and he said I could work for a month with about 30 hours and see how things go. If I liked working there and wanted more hours I could adjust and get more hours! If I didn't like working there I could leave and not feel guilty about it. He really wants me to feel comfortable. He also said if I work Saturdays I'll get paid more, and it really helps him out with scheduling!
"By prayer and petition, give your requests to God!"

2. Friday and Saturday my church small group had a garage sale to raise money for older orphans (check last blog post). Once these kids hit a certain age they don't have a home and they have no education, resulting in making some poor decisions to make a living. Our goal is to help this organization called Kid Save. Next year we are bringing the older orphans to the U.S. to host families, hoping they will get adopted. It's a great organization! One of the families from our church adopted a girl using this organization (that's how we heard about it). From the garage sale we raised $2,300!!!! =) Praise God!!

3. I don't have kids so I don't have fun little updates of what my kids are doing now. But I do have nephews and a niece. It's fun to see what they are up to. While typing this post, I'm watching my mom read books to the boys. Sam just watched Cinderella, because they are going to Disney World in September. The boys haven't watched a lot of television so their parents were just thinking maybe it would be a good idea for them to see some Disney stuff before they go and see it in person! ;) It's fun seeing how much Max has grown up even within the past couple weeks. He's definitely getting out of the baby stage and moving to the toddler time! He wants what ever his brothers have and is getting more vocal. It's really fun! Evelyn was here this past weekend. She is adorable as always. I didn't see her that much so I dont have much to share, but they did go swimming and I was able to see those sweet pictures!

4. Since the last time I updated my blog, I was single. My boy friend is Jon, yeah I know....another Jon in the "Tometich" family. God does have humor right!?! Jon's a great guy (of course). It's cool to see how God has made both of us a certain way that fits so well together. =) Sometimes I get speechless cus I dont know how else to explain it. We've been dating for 15 days now. Last week he was in Colorado with some of his relatives. He had a great time: saw a black bear on the street, climbed a mountain, went on a trail on bikes, and went swimming (brrr).

5. My best friend Kate is going to Chicago for the first semester this year. I wont see her until December, unless we go there to visit! My friends from church are planning on going there with me sometime. That will be nice! =) She's going with the possibility of great opportunity of a job. It will be a great experience for her.

6. The days I didn't have a job.....some went quickly (thank you God for the rest). Some of the days were filled with the ability to help other people, giving them the ability to do the things they needed to do without kids at their heels. =) It also gave me some time to learn some household things (with out the stress of a busy/stressful job) that I can use in the future in my own home.

7. In life we always have our rollar coaster experiences in everyday life for different reasons. Some things are a bigger deal to some people while it might be small to someone else. But overall it's still a rollar coaster ride. Lately my quiet times have been like that. There's nothing I can really point out about it. I've been reading different books of the Bible and seeing how they relate to one another. Joshua, Job, Daniel (I finished 1 & 2 Timothy and Galations.)

*Well those are my updates. If you want more specifics let me know, I would be more than happy to share with you. Just send me a message or e-mail.

Hope your fasssst summer is going well!
God's blessings and keep on praying (earnestly)!!

GARAGE SALE (Money going to orphans!)

GARAGE SALE
in Grimes (off of highway 141)

My church small group is having a garage sale! All of the money will be going for children in Columbia who need adopted. We are working on raising money to be able to bring some to the U.S. (with host families of course) and hopefully find them a place they can call home. We are praying that these children will have a chance of a Christ-centered life with a family who loves them.

Feel free to bring your donations to my house or to our church on Sunday mornings.
Check out our website at timberlineonline.org
The church address (but not mailing address) is:
6600 Westown Pkwy (Regency Building)
West Des Moines, Iowa

You may be asking, "Mary! What time is the garage sale!?!"
The garage sale is:
Friday, August 7th at 8am-6pm and Saturday, August 8th at 8am-4pm.
It's at 704 Dovetail Road (the next door neighbors garage will be full also).
We have a whole garage filled with clothing (and coats and shoes) for all ages, toys for kids, puzzles and games.
A garage full of house-hold items! We also have some great bikes (even brand-new)!!
So please stop by and check it out!