Our Engagement Story!

The moment was a wonderfully unexpected whirlwind, so Ben and I typed this story of our engagement up after he proposed so we would not forget all the amazing details to our story. Enjoy!

Our Engagement August 18, 2012 4:30 pm Atlanta State Park We are in New Boston, TX this weekend spending time with Grandmom and Granddad. Ben and I have been planning our wedding for the past month, but I had no idea when he would propose. Ben and Granddad golfed this morning (Ben won with a score of 89) and I spent time with Grandmom at the house talking and cooking lunch. When Ben and Granddad got home, we ate lunch and everyone laid down for nap time. I had slept really great the night before and used the quiet time to read my Bible and read over old Journal entries dating back to November of 2010. The entries spoke of the heartache of loneliness and disappointment of that season in life that I remembered clearly. As I read through the pages, they introduced Ben, our meeting in Zambia, Africa and how we knew within the first month of dating that God had made us to spend the rest of our lives with each other. I remembered how God and I had worked so hard to change my heart so that He was my first Love and the only One who satisfied my heart. To this day I am conscious to worship the Creator and not the created. While I love Ben more than I knew was possible, He can never fill the place in my heart that belongs to God to satisfy. I’m so thankful for a spiritual leader that encourages me to prioritize my relationship with God before my relationship with him. What an answer to prayer! After this wonderful quiet time, Ben asked if I would like to go for a drive. We love the beauty of the trees and scenery in East Texas. My response was, “Sure, can I go in my sweatpants?” I had no clue! Thankfully, he convinced me to put jeans on instead (I thanked him profusely for this after he had proposed). Grandmom and Granddad were still napping, so we left the house quietly. As we drove, Ben subtly mentioned that he thought there was a nearby lake. I confirmed how much I loved lakes and he said we would go find it. It was a beautiful drive. It’s been stormy all weekend, so there was a nice cloud cover, which in Texas is refreshing after a brutally hot summer. We drove around Wright Patman Lake and Ben told me stories of how he had grown up coming to this lake when he would visit Grandmom and Granddad. We pulled into Atlanta State Park. The park ranger, Jan, came out and when she found out that we had never been to that state park before, she gave us a free entrance pass to drive and look around it. Ben drove us over to Knight’s Bluff which was absolutely breathtaking with tall East Texas pine trees, an amazing lake view and perfect clouds. The air coming off the lake was cool, crisp and felt wonderful. Ben had brought his backpack and paused at the car to get something out of it. He told me he had brought his camera and was getting it out to take pictures of the lake. As we walked down to the lake, Ben put his arm around me and we walked side by side taking in the magnificent beauty ahead of us. We walked around for a bit and sat down on a boat dock to take some pictures of the scenery, including an old dock next to us. Ben asked me if I’d like to take a walk out onto the other dock which went further over the water. At first I hesitated because it looked so old, and possibly unstable, and the lake was very full from recent rainfall which made the choppy waves come up fairly high. After a little conversation, Ben said he’d hold my hand and we’d go together. We walked hand in hand towards the end of the dock and stopped at the end. We looked back at the shore and at how far out onto the water we had walked. Ben said, “Now that wasn’t so bad was it?” My reply was, “It’s fine now that we’re out further than most of the waves.” We stood together holding each other and then Ben reached in his pocket. He pulled out a ring box and asked, “Do you want to see what’s in here?” Immediately my heart started racing and I could not help the enormous smile that would plaster my face for the rest of the day. I enthusiastically declared, “Yes!” He then asked, “Do you want to marry me?” Again, an ecstatic, “Yes!” With a huge smile that matched mine he then said, “Ok well I’m supposed to get down on one knee…” As he knelt to one knee and took my hands, Ben asked me if I would marry him. Again, the only word my shocked brain could exclaim was, “YES!” I leaned down to kiss him and he stood and picked me up while we kissed and celebrated. He asked if I wanted to see my ring and told me there were multiple rings, but that he would explain why. And of course all I could respond with was, “Yes!” Ben waited until we got back to the shore to show me the rings. Before we left the dock, he pointed out the journey we had made together to walk out to that point over the water. He said that we would always walk through life together no matter if the waters were calm or choppy like the ones we had walked over. He said that no matter what goes on around us that it would always be us together. I finished his sentence with, “forever” and he said “yes.” Once we were on land again, we sat back down on the boat dock and he pulled out my rings. The first ring held 5 crystal clear diamonds on a white gold band; this was Ben’s Nanas ring. The second one was his mom’s ring. Ben said that he wanted both sides of his family represented in my ring since he was the only male Gibson in the family to carry on the family name. He let me know that the main diamond in his mom’s ring belonged to his Granddad’s mom on his dad’s side of the family. Ben is going to have the center diamond in Nana’s ring removed so that he can replace it with his great grandmother’s diamond. I love that he has taken such thought and care in designing my engagement ring and I feel honored to wear such a special ring that represents his family, and my future family. As we sat on the boat dock, Ben looked out at the water and said, “Wow, look at those birds.” I teared up and could not believe what I was seeing. Since I was in the 7th grade, God has used a unique type of white birds to fly by in moments where I’ve needed to feel His presence and peace with me. He used these exact birds to fly over the water by us to show us that He was there with us. I will cherish that forever; it means so much to me. Ben told me later that he wanted us to get engaged out in nature where we were secluded and could just share the moment with each other and with God. He did not know that was my dream proposal too, and it could not have been a more beautiful or sweeter proposal. God was there with us, and I’ve felt His smiling and rejoicing over us all day. It blesses my heart to know that we serve a God who so rejoices in His children and blesses them with rich gifts beyond our understanding! We praise God for the many details He has been in throughout our relationship, and especially in our proposal and wedding plans. It began to rain on us so we hurried back to the car. Once in the car, we each prayed over one another thanking God for His tremendous blessings, and dedicating our lives together for His glory. To God be the glory, GREAT things He has done!

We're Having a Yard Sale!

So far Ben and I are having great success selling the Antique doors and windows we salvaged from an old 1915 house in Fort Worth last weekend. We're having a yard sale this weekend to sell the rest! And some other cool items we've collected :) Tell your friends! Hope to see you!

Yard Sale! Friday, 4PM-8PM; Saturday-Sunday 8AM-4PM 3417 W. 5th St Fort Worth, TX 76107 Antique Doors & Windows from a 1915 Fort Worth house. Original wood, hinges, some original door handles, windows all original glass and all window panes intact. Stereo Speakers, laptops, framed art, vintage Pyrex, records, books, t-shirts & more... Find garage sales in fort-worth on Yard Sale Search

wherever He leads, i'll go

Well the guys (Ben, Matthew & Jonathan) are working on cars outside and I am stuck inside sick with what I'm hoping is not turning into bronchitis. Figure this is prime blog update time.

For the past 2 years around this time, I have been blogging Africa updates for all my friends & family supporters. This year, however, the Lord has not called me to Africa for Camp LIFE 2012. This is not the calling I was hoping for, but it came so clearly that I could not ignore it. Ben's sister, Katy, works for Family Legacy Missions who I have traveled to Zambia with for the past 2 years. This past fall, Ben and I attended a testimony time where Katy shared what great work this organization was doing and how we could support her. While listening to Katy's stories of how the orphans in Zambia had touched her life, I couldn't help but recall my own stories of these amazing orphans and the boys I've encountered in my Camp LIFE groups the past 2 years; specifically my sponsored child, Sweet Samuel - oh how I love him! While taking it all in, I cried out to God, "Father, can I please go back this summer?!" "NO." Clear as day. No more, no less...but a definite, "no." Tears filled my eyes and emotions overwhelmed me... "But, why not? Isn't it a good thing to go visit the orphans and widows? What will I do? God, why??" I excused myself to go to the bathroom and let the tears out as I processed God's answer. I knew that if I went to Zambia in 2012 it would be Shannon's will, not God's, and that is not an option. Besides my desire to be obedient to my Father, I know that there is no way I can accomplish a trip like that on my own.

Since that time, I've been praying for Zambia 2013. I am so excited to have Ben, dear friends and family members also praying about going to Zambia in 2013 too! I wait with great expectations of what God will provide; He never fails. While I'm still praying for local mission opportunities this summer, I have been unexpectedly, but completely BLESSED to support other friends who have been called to international missions this summer! It has been a humbling blessing to experience what it is like to be a part of a mission trip not by going myself, but by sending someone else. Supporting missionaries around the world is a crucial calling to all believers in order to further spread the glory of our God and make His name greatly known. Below is a list of missionaries that God has called to go overseas this summer. Please join me in praying for them and supporting them from home!

North Fort Worth Baptist Church - India - this trip already happened in February, but I pray that the seeds planted are being watered and growing.
North Fort Worth Baptist Church - Belize - specifically my baby brother, Jonathan! I'm SO proud of His obedience to follow God on his first foreign mission trip and I'm so excited to hear of the great things God will accomplish through this group. And I can't not mention my best friend Carly who is also following God in obedience to Belize...and hopefully back to Africa in 2013! After Belize, she will have officially been on a foreign mission trip with all the Ely kids ;)
Patty Gibson - Zambia, Africa - this is Ben's mom and I'm so thankful that she will be arranging for my sponsored child, Sam, and Ben's sponsored child, Solomon, to receive visits and gifts from us even though we can't deliver them ourselves. Patty is selling handmade baby onesies (newborn-24 months) to raise money to build a house for the orphans in Zambia! If you are interested in this ministry visit http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3709336770710.2174403.1194314221&type=3 "> or message me.
Katy Gibson - Zambia, Africa - As I mentioned earlier, Ben's sister works for Family Legacy Missions and needs daily prayer as she works so hard to raise self support so she can continue ministering to the orphans in Zambia throughout the year. To keep up with what the Lord is doing through Katy, you can follow her blog: http://www.chainsarebroken.blogspot.com/.
Ashley & Casey Roberts - Zambia, Africa - I LOVE this couple's passion for the orphans in Africa. Ashley also works full time for Family Legacy Missions and I admire her heart so much. What a sweet friend who I am truly blessed to know! They also have a blog you can check out: http://www.walkingbyfaithnotbysight.blogspot.com/.
Andrew Bradshaw - Nicaragua - It has been a blessing to see God move in this man's life! He is following God to serve at an orphanage in Nicaragua on his first mission trip as well this summer. If you feel led to support Andrew in his first mission trip, you can do so here: http://ebcgiv.convio.net/goto/andrewevans.

How's that for furthering the gospel around the world?!?! God is at work! Even if you can't physically go, please be a part of supporting missions through prayer, finances and encouraging those who are going.

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21)

2011 Recap

Since I was so bad about posting towards the end of last year, I wanted to do a fun post recapping 2011...

January - I was so blessed to be a part of FBC Hurst's Disciple Now Weekend and spend a few days with some wonderful 7th grade girls...and Edward ;)

February - Despite having a slight quarter life crisis, I had a great time celebrating my 25th birthday Austin style!

March - Had LOADS of fun with my new Nikon D3100 camera! This is one of my fav pics I took the first month having the new camera.

April - This was a great month! But if I had to pick one highlight, it's obviously Warrior Dash!

May - I got to spend some wonderful mother/daughter time in Glenrose at a Ladies Retreat.

June - Return to AFRICA and reunited with SAM!!!

July - First of many dates with Ben after we got back from Africa <3

August - Go Rangers!

September - My first trip to Fredericksburg and my first Schinken Schnitzel at a German restaurant

October - Kim and I went to the Zoo together for the first time since the 5th grade

November - The start of our first Holiday season together...2 Thanksgivings in one day, oh yes we did!

December - Friends are friends forever, if the Lord's the Lord of them

Not too shabby! Thankful for all this and more that happened in 2011 and excited for the adventures waiting in 2012. <3

Tragiphobia

Oh my poor neglected blog! I have wanted to be better about blogging this year and it's taken me until the end of January to actually sit down and write out a post. I do have plenty of thoughts and lessons to share! I literally have a sticky note of things I want to write about going back to the end of last summer! I'll slowly but surely get caught back up on here. For now, here is what I'm most recently learning...

Tragiphobia - Shannon's made up term for the fear of tragedy...

This past December, one of my former students from the youth Sunday School class that I taught passed away very unexpectedly and tragically. The event hit very close to home and I was shaken to the core. I felt like I had been living in a bubble where I sometimes was concerned that something could happen to a loved one, but most likely it would not. That bubble was burst. I felt naked, exposed and honestly, unprotected. My dad died very unexpectedly and tragically as well, so the pain of remembering this grief was overwhelming at times. Suddenly I didn't feel like my loved ones were safe anymore. It hurt to watch them walk out the front door and to think they might not come back. I started borrowing worry that conversations I had with them could be my last, that hugs I gave them could be final. In the weeks that followed, my cousin and her husband tragically lost their baby that we were expecting to welcome to the world this summer, friends of mine lost family members, and my Aunt Charlyne passed away in East Texas. Thoughts of how precious, but temporary, life is have been my constant companion, along with worry of losing people I consider irreplaceable in my life. I have not been living in peace. Sometimes when I blog I am able to write about trials I've been through and what I learned from them or how they were resolved. In this case, I am still very much wrestling with this trial and learning to trust God more in the process...it's not easy.

The TRUTH is that I have no fear of death because of the power of Christ in me (1 Corinthians 15:55). Jesus is Lord and King in the hearts of all my closest loved ones, and as Ben sweetly reminded me the other night, if something does happen, "I know where I'm going and I get you back." The TRUTH is also that this life is not really about me. I am here only to bring glory to the great I AM, whether in life or death (Exodus 3:13-15). The problem is, I've developed attachments to things [people] in this world. The TRUTH is furthermore that I cannot allow these things [people] to become idols in my heart (Exodus 20:3). If I exalt these relationships and love them more than God, then my heart is broken and needs to re-prioritize until it seeks and loves God first...and all these things will be added unto me (Matthew 6:33). I think more than anything, I'm afraid of the pain that I've experienced, remember, and know comes with the grief of losing someone you love. I wish I could never have to experience that kind of pain again. Sadly, it is part of this life. TRUTH tells me that God will never leave my side (Deuteronomy 31:6) and that I can put my faith and trust in Him as I daily die to self and give my loved ones and desires over to His capable, loving, good, and never failing hands. I read the following scripture tonight and it prompted this post. It's not easy to be this vulnerable or to share these deep, personal emotions, but I know that I'm not the only one who struggles with the fear of losing someone and so I pray that we can encourage each other (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows...Anyone who loves their father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for My sake will find it.
~Matthew 10:29-31, 37-39