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McDonnell Adventures

The Pearls: Part II

 Part I- of this post was written well over two years ago.

The young lady in that story has since gotten older and

has never forgotten the lesson she learned from her mother.

A lesson on letting go and trusting God -

Trusting in His timing and knowing that His ways are far

higher than hers.

The fake pearls were given up five years ago.  Really it seems

like a lifetime ago and the young lady has learned so much

and grown stronger because of it.

Sometimes she wondered about her real pearls.

She knew that God never takes something without

giving something far better in return, but there were

times she doubted.  She thought perhaps those

real pearls were over rated and maybe she shouldn't be so picky.

But then one day God brought someone into her life.

Someone who made her a better person.

Someone who made her eyes twinkle.

Someone who made her realize that genuine is so much better than fake.

And then it happened.

He knew her story,

her past struggles, and

had read about her giving up her fake pearls.

So one fine day he presented her with black velvet box

just like the one from her story.

When she opened it she saw a beautiful strand of

genuine pearls. 

He told her that she meant so much to him

and  how he hoped he could be her set of real pearls.

A few months have passed.

Every time that young lady puts on those pearls

she is reminded of the past lesson learned

and she is so grateful that she gave up her fake pearls.

On November 2, 2012 that young lady will put those genuine

pearls on and walk down a church aisle to start a new life with him.

And she couldn't be more blessed.

a perfect day

Certain dates have memories connected with them.

This past Saturday - May 26th will forever

be a special date for me.

Jack surprised me by showing up at my house...

best surprise ever! :)

It was an absolutely perfect day in every way.

Jack and I along with my parents

went down to the beach where we enjoyed a picnic dinner.

Then Jack and I went for a stroll

along the shore.

We stopped and sat in the dune's grass watching the water

and talking.

In that moment I felt as though everything was

right in the world and I couldn't

have been more content.

Jack reached into his camera bag to get a book he said he had

picked up at Barnes and Nobles for me.

Before I opened it though, he said I had to

read the card first.

I opened the envelope and read the outside of the card:

I want to grow old with you

and then inside it read:

There's nothing in the world

that I'd rather do

Than spend my forever

together with you.

I felt my pulse quicken and my heart race

as I looked at Jack who was at this time

on his knee.

My voice caught in my throat
as I said,

Oh, Jack...

Jack asked me to be his wife

and as he did

the clouds parted (I lie not) and the sun seemed to

shine directly on the sparkling ring he

was holding.

I am sure every girl thinks her engagment is the best

and I am no different.

For you see, ever since I can remember

it has been my dream to someday

get engaged at Lake Michigan.

My dream became reality even

without Jack ever knowing that.

I also always wanted my future husband to be able

to pick my ring out without my help

and Jack did just that.

He chose an absolute gorgeous ring

and it will always be so much more

special because of that.

I did get a book from him that day as well -

The Bride's Book of Lists

He knows me all too well.  :)

Jack and I are so thrilled as we start this next

phase of life together and we are even

more excited to see what God has in the future for us!

Come see some of my photography over at Serendipity-Images.

A love story:

Sometimes we think we know what we want.

Sometimes God gives us what we want.

But, sometimes God says,

 Wait, I have something far better 

than you could have ever imagined...

Trust me.

Trust has been something I have always struggled with but,

with God's grace I have learned to be more trusting of Him and His timing.

Every girl wants to date and be swept off her feet.

I was no different.

I waited and waited and wondered if perhaps  my standards were

too high.  But, then I would remind myself that dating is a serious

matter and I only wanted to date someone that God had clearly brought into my life.

In November of 2010, through a friend's blog roll I came across a certain

photographer, Jack McDonnell.

I enjoyed his photography and the style he shot.

I was getting ready to shoot my first wedding and had some questions.

I commented on his blog and he replied

with his email so that I could further ask any more questions.

And that's what it was - strictly photography related emails.

Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months.

I enjoyed looking through this young man's photography work

and even more enjoyed his family blog.

Through his writings I discovered that we had so many things in common,

the most important thing was his evident love for his family and church. 

The emails continued and gradually became more personal. 

We soon realized that we had some connections through our churches

 and I learned that he didn't live but two hours from me...

Then through a series of emails in March of 2011

we discovered the even larger connection we had... 

Our mothers had grew up in the same town and attended the

same Christian academy.  What a small world!

By this time the emails were becoming a little more frequent,

more personal, and less about photography. 

In April of that same year, we were able to meet for the

first time at a photography workshop in Chicago.

Now, I knew that he was just as sincere, polite, and gentlemanly

in person as he was in email.

The emails continued throughout the summer and I found

myself constanly checking my inbox for mail from Jack.

I knew that his emails were becoming the highlight of my day.

I wondered if this casual emailing would develop into anything.

And so I did the only thing I knew how to do. 

I prayed and asked God to make it evident to both Jack and I

if this relationship should turn into dating. 

I prayed that if Jack was not to be a part of my life that God would take him out,

but if he was that God would make it evident that Jack felt that way about me.

And then it happened...

Jack spoke to my Dad on November 2, 2011 and asked him

for his permission to get to know me better.

I was so thrilled that I cried.

Six months to the day have passed since that day

and they have been the best months of my life!

I cannot believe how much has transpired and

how very much in love with him I am.

We love our story.
We love sharing it.
We love that is unique.
We love knowing that it
was clearly written by God.

{To read Jack's version of our love story click here.}

Come see some of my photography over at Serendipity-Images.

What a difference one year makes...

One year ago to the day,

my sisters and I are were in the windy city...

We met up with a group of fun people for a photography workshop.

And it was on April 23, 2011

that I officially met Jack McDonnell.

It was a fun filled day and one that 

I know I will never forget.

I enjoyed taking pictures of one of my favorite places

But, even more so I was happy to get to know Jack better...

If you would have told me on April 23, 2011 that in just one year I would be

dating and in love with this fellow photographer, I would have shook

my head in unbelief, but inside I would have been absolutely thrilled.

One year has brought changes and it completely amazes

what God can do when we are surrendered to his will.

Once in awhile in the middle of an ordinary life 

God gives us a fairy tale.

So glad to have spent the last year with someone like Jack-

looking forward to creating many  more memories with him!

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Come see some of my photography over at Serendipity-Images.