I'm Engaged!

Yes, the rumors are true... I'm engaged to a wonderful man named Jason Hendrickson. To many of you who haven't even met him, I'll start the story at the beginning :0)

On December 1, 2004, Jason and I started dated. He is a computer science major here at the Master's College. Techincally, he is supposed to graduate in May with his degree, but in the last year or so he's realized his love of Music and his talent as well. He has decided to pursue music here for one more year, with the intent of being a Music Minister. He desires to love people, and i desire to be with him loving people too.

Lord willing, I will be graduating in Decemeber. I only have a couple classes left, and i will receive my Degree in History.

Last night, March 8, is when the engagement happened. It was a normal wednesday, except that i was feeling sort of sick and i had been kind of a mean person to Jason all day. I was struggling with my own selfishness. When I left church choir rehersal, Jason's best friend Karl gave me a note from Jason, saying that he was sorry for not making Choir practice with me but to meet him at a dorm at 8:45...I thought it was weird since we never go to that dorm, but i went along with it. Once i went up to the dorm, Karl met me again. This time he was in his truck and he said he was sorry Jason couldn't make it but he gave me a rose and another note. This note said to meet at the student center at 9:10. So i headed down there. I ended up seeing my best friend Erin down there, holding a rose. She had a note and said i had to go to the practice rooms. So we headed over there... at that point i was wondering and asked erin if i should know something.... she of course said no... and we met Karl, again, at the practice rooms. He made me wait 3 minutes, then took me to the recital hall, where he claimed Jason was practicing music. Karl told me i had to run in the door as soon as he opened it, so that no one else would come and disturb him... basically i was all freaked out! I was supposed to run in the door, into the unknown, and karl was going to shut the door really fast after i went in... so i went in...

What i found was half the recital hall beautifully decorated. there were tea lights everywhere on the floor. Aaron Bride, the awesomest piano man, was just playing nicely in the background. Jason led me up to a little stage that had a little table and chairs.  There were roses and candles everywhere! There were two wine glasses filled with strawberries and chocolate mousse, made by the best pastry chef ever, Tony Nigro, our friend from our Japan trip last summer. We sat down and just talked a bit... I knew something was going to happen but he kept telling me to wait.

Finally his phone rang, and in the door came Suzie Zimmer, Matt Dixon... and then i knew... it was totally Majesty coming in. They came over and sang "Can you feel the love tonight", a song they had learned for Nathan Fogde's Recital. It was amazing and i was just laughing, i couldn't believe he got them to do this. Thanks Majesty!

Once they finished and left, Jason got down on his knee and asked me to marry him. I said yes... it was so surreal. I had been thinking about how i was going to answer, what i was going to do, and then all of a sudden i just did it and said yes... it was just crazy.

We were both crying :0) Once we composed ourselves he told me i had a surprise, someone wanted to see me. I looked over and my Mom came out from a door and I was so happy to see her i started crying again! Then other friends came in, Megan, Erin, Karl, Randy,... it was just great.

Afterwards there was a huge party at the Dixon household! All of my friends were there! It was such a great time to just celebrate with everyone.

I thank all of you who are reading this and were there! Especially all of those who had a huge hand in helping make it an awesome night!

Lord willing, our plans are to marry in late July or early August, in the Santa Clarita area :0)

When i get some more pictures, I'll post them :o)

Evening with Charles Spurgeon- March 5

I read this today, I really enjoyed it, and I wanted to share it.

'Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation' - Ps. 35:3

"What does this sweet prayer teach me? it shall be my evening's petition; but first let it yield me an instructive meditation. The text informs me first of all that David had his doubts; for why should he pray, 'Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation', if he were not sometimes exercised with doubts and fears? Let me, then, be of good cheer, for I am not the only saint who has to complain of weakness of faith. If David doubted, I need not conclude that I am no Christian, because I have doubts. The text reminds me that David was not content while he had doubts and fears, but he repaired at once to the mercy-seat to pray for assurance; for he valued it as much fine gold. I too must labour after an abiding sense of my acceptance in the Beloved, and must have no joy when His love is not shed abroad in my soul. When my Bridegroom if gone from me, my soul must and will fast. I learn also that David knew where to obtain full assurance. He went to his God in prayer, crying, 'Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation'. I must be much alone with God if I would have a clear sense of Jesus' love. Let my prayers cease, and my eye of faith will grow dim. Much in prayer, much in heaven; slow in prayer, slow in progress. I notice that David would not be satisfied  unless his assurance had a divine source. 'Say unto my soul.' Lord, to Thou say it! Nothing short of a divine testimony in the soul will ever content the true Christian. Moreover, David could not rest unless his assurance had a vivid personality about it. 'Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.' Lord if Thou shouldst say this to all the saints, it were nothing, unless Thou shouldst say it to me. Lord, I have sinned; I deserve not Thy smile; I scarcely dare to ask it; but oh! say to my soul, even to my soul, 'I am thy salvation'. Let me have a present, personal, infallible, indisputable sense that I am thine, and that Thou art mine."

Konbanwa! Dana des. Jukyu sai des. Amerika kara kimashita.

Okay thats out of my system... today is friday the 8th, evening, and i am supposed to be teaching english, but my student did not show up. She is probably busy studying for school or just couldn't come. Its okay though!

I'll give an update on the trip so far, Japan is starting to grow on me... at first i couldn't believe the culture shock i had... i mean, i was so ready for anything, probably being too prideful, but we were so tired and i was so nervous about what to do that it was exhausting that first evening here. all i could do was pray for God's grace to help me be an example and to be dependant on Him.

We had our first Japanese lesson today. Tomo taught us a few conversational things that will be helpful in just talking to the people of the church. It is nice how our ministry is working... we have started off slowly and will continue to build up momentum. Day by day we have a few more things to do and i think it has helped us to be more effective and appriciative of the culture and people.

Its kind of crazy because all my missions trips in the pasat were always hardcore work and you are thrown into something right away and get no sleep... but since this is longer, we can pace ourselves and stay healthy with good sleep and food.

It rains off and on, and its just beautiful! Its a warm rain!!!

Currently i am staying with Mrs.Omura and a college age girl that lives with her. I'm am eating very well, so mom don't worry :0) For breakfast we have a huge feast of Japanese/American food. Mrs.Omura caters to our american taste and make scrambled eggs and a Canadian bacon. I also had chocolate crispies advertised by snoopy (which was just great). Oh! and the best yogurt ever!! it was completely plain and completely delicious! I don't even like it that much in the states, but it was tasty here.

I ride Mrs.Omura's bike for about 20 minutes (ahhh maybe 10 when i don't hit people on the sidewalks), to go to Church and back everyday. At first it was scary, but its turning out to be a great profitable ride. Japan is very safe. Children walk down the street by themselves. The city is amazingly clean as well. Its completely safe for us, and Isaiah said that the most dangerous alley to walk down was probably as safe as a suburban street...

Anyways, I am going to leave soon to eat dinner with my family and then I am joining Mrs.Omura for some folk-dancing tonight! It is going to be her and some other 60 year olds at the community center. It kind of sounds fun, so i thought oh why not right??? i mean this is a once in a lifetime opportunity...

Thank you for the comments and notes. I love you guys!

Hello family and friends! I'm in the beautiful city of Tachikawa, Japan! Today was our first real day here. We came in yesterday evening and were totally wiped out with jet lag! Today we did our introduction thing, learned some of the ropes, went to the bank, etc. Tomorrow we start Japanese lessons as well as teaching English!

The food is crazy and pretty good, and guess what Kaitie???? I had my first complete cup of coffee today!!!!!! It was good too, i couldn't believe it! Japanese coffee rocks :0)

Its humid and rains off and on... large water drops and warm air (aka... heaven).

The whole team is staying in different locations and we meet at the church everyday. Some take the train, monorail, and I ride my bike. That in itself is an adventure! I mean, last time i checked i could ride a bike, but according to this mornings experiences i was pretty rusty... :0S

The city is soooo amazingly clean! The techonology store was quite the trip as well.... i seem to be writing in such short and incomplete sentences, its what happends to me in other countries :0)

Well i'll update again soon! Keep praying for us fervently!

Love, me

Currently Watching Mulan (Disney Gold Classic Collection) By Ming-Na, B.D. Wong, Eddie Murphy see related

This is a devotional I recently read, written by Charles Spurgeon. I hope it is as encouraging to you as it has been for me.

Looking unto Jesus.

-Hebrews 12:2

It is always the Holy Spirit’s work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus; but Satan’s work is just the opposite of this, for he is constantly trying to make us pay attention to ourselves instead of to Christ. He insinuates, “Your sins are too great for pardon; you have no faith. You do not repent enough. You will never be able to continue to the end. You do not have the joy of His children. You have such a weak hold of Jesus.” All these are thoughts about self, and we will never find comfort of assurance by looking within. But the Holy Spirit turns our eyes entirely away from self. He tells us that we are nothing, but that “Christ is all in all.” Remember, therefore, that it is not your hold of Christ that saves you; it is Christ. It is not your joy in Christ that saves you; it is Christ. It is not even your faith in Christ, though that is the instrument, but it is Christ’s blood and His merits that save you; therefore, do not look as much to your hand, with which you are grasping Christ, as to Christ. Do not look to your hope, but to Jesus, the source of your hope. Do not look to your faith, but to “Jesus, the author and finisher of [your] faith” (Heb. 12:2). We will never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our actions, or our feelings. It is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. If we would at once overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by “looking unto Jesus”. Keep you eyes simply on Him. Let His death, His sufferings, His merits, His glories, and His intercession be fresh on your mind. When you wake in the morning, look to Him. When you lie down at night, look to Him. Oh, do not let your hopes or fears come between you and Jesus. Follow hard after Him, and He will never fail you.

My hope is built on nothing less

            Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

            But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.