Thursday, May 24, 2007

Milestone 1: Coming Right Up!

On Monday, eSuitor and I spent the entire day together. It started in the morning with our final premarital counseling appointment. Several months ago, we took a test called "PREPARE", which helps a couple determine areas of their relationship that are strong and which areas need some growth. It charts trends in our families of origin and in our relationship together. And it assesses the overall health of the relationship. The counselor/minister who meets with the couple must be specially trained to interpret the test results. Our meetings with our minister were very fruitful in terms of helping to discuss our areas of strength, and it was a safe environment to talk about our areas in which we need to grow. Overall, our minister told us that he feels really good about our decision to get married and said that he sees "green lights on all sides". After praying for us, he told us that he can see the fingerprints of God on our relationship, and that was a lovely affirmation of our decision to marry.

After leaving our counseling session, I got to attend eSuitor's very last seminary class with him! It was a marriage and family class, so the subject matter was very interesting and time-appropriate!

After class, we cooked dinner together at his place. Here's my man where he always looks very much in his element! I feel so blessed to be marrying a chef!


He made us this delicious asparagus which he cooked inside of an olive oil dampened paper bag in the oven. It was infused with a subtle lemon flavor from cooking it with the citrus fruit.

We decided to eat off of these pretty plates we received as an early wedding gift!


eSuitor is about to pass three major milestones, all in about five weeks time: graduation from seminary (which happens tomorrow), turning 40 in early June, and getting married in late June! As part of his graduation from seminary, he was given this silver ring. It is inscribed with the words of Jesus, "Abide in me"--a daily reminder to live in intimacy with Jesus.

I am very proud of eSuitor for realizing his long-time dream of graduating from seminary. God bless you, Baby! May He use you to touch others with His great love. To God be the glory, great things He has done!

12 comments:

ML said...

That meal looks wonderful! Congratulations to eSuitor for graduating from seminary :)

I can see that you two will have a long and very happy life together!

Anonymous said...

Congrats to you both on so many levels. What a fun day.

J said...

That class sounds wonderful and helpful, the asparagus sounds YUMMY, and wow, a birthday coming SOON. :) Good times for you and eSuiter!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to him !

Autumn's Mom said...

Dinner looks FABulous! Yay sSuitor, who we should all start calling HUBBY now! haha I like that ring. Very cool.

Anonymous said...

starshine...not to ignore the other important details--but the asparagus sounds terrific! Would love the recipe...will check back for results.

Anonymous said...

Congrats to eSuitor on so many achievements in such a short time frame!

Cherry said...

I really like the idea of that "PREPARE" test. And what wonderful affirmation you received!

Congratulations eSuitor!

Tracy said...

Jennifer,

Here's the link to the recipe:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_35269,00.html

Enjoy!

Beenzzz said...

Wow! What a beautiful meal. E-suitor is one dedicated guy. Congrats to him for completing seminary!

Selba said...

Congrats!!!

What a yummy dinner :)

Love Bears All Things said...

That was a beautiful post about a wonderful day in your life. I am always happy when I visit your site.