Happening for a Reason

We were on our way to get coffee before church on Sunday, September 24th, 2006. On our way Aaron said that he had an “early” birthday present for me and wanted me to sit in the chair while he went in the other room to get it. He had me close my eyes and when I opened them, I was surprised with an iPod. Now I had been wanting an IPod for quite some time, so needless to say I was pretty excited, but was kinda bummed because I thought this might be “the moment”.

He had me hold the iPod while it played a slideshow of videos and pictures of us from when we first started dating. The slideshow was played with sweet lovey music and at the end it said “Turn Me Over”. When I turned the iPod over, I was amazed to see the engraving of “Will You Marry Me?”  Aaron got down on his knee and said “Will You Marry Me, Nichole?”  I don’t remember much after that but it was one of the happiest and sweetest memories.

Video of our Engagment

The “New” Wedding Band

Because of where we are wanting to serve in Africa, I decided that it would be best to leave my engagement ring here with a family member.

Aaron surprised me at 5am a couple of days ago with a black velvet box. I had to rub the sleepers out of my eyes to take a good look at it. Inside was a beautiful antique silver band.  It was very simple yet absolutely gorgeous. I took off my engagement ring and wedding band to put on this “new” ring. I was so excited but overwhelmed with sadness and started to cry.

Though it was beautiful, I realized that it was not my favorite ring. Memories of when Aaron and I got engaged flooded in, and I felt the sting from letting go of my most prized earthly possession.

Lesson from God

What I learned from this whole experience is that God is stripping me of material things. I realize it’s ok to have sentimental emotions and memories of certain material things, but God is showing me much more beyond that. He is teaching me to find value and worth in Him and in Him alone. We have been getting rid of almost everything we own and I realized that this was the last material thing that I have been holding on to. I pray that God’s glory will be shown through the Gospel and not because of the things of this world.