Speechless

Speechless is really the only word I have to explain what I am thinking and feeling as I write this blog. The providential hand of God and His perfect faithfulness blows me away yet again. I marvel at how He orchestrates our lives, down to every tiny little detail, and how He always blesses us beyond our comprehension and beyond what we could ever deserve. I tend to be a talker and because of that it is really weird for me not being able to adequately express what I am feeling, I search for words and come up empty and yet tears seem to always come to my eyes when I reflect over the work of our mighty God.

As most of you know, the most amazing event in my life, well up to this point (apart from my salvation), happened on Monday night; something that left me humbled and amazed and with a smile on my heart that I am sure could be seen beaming from my face. Do you ever have one of those moments in life where everything seems to be too perfect? Well it definitely was and still is one of those moments, a moment where I have found myself having to constantly remind myself that all this is really real and that I am truly marrying my other half. The man he is makes me stand in utter disbelief that God would bless me with him; it is a divine gift I can’t comprehend. It is amazing to look back and see how God has prepared and woven our hearts together over the last year through the stages of friendship, dating and courtship we have went through, and so perfectly…again I just stand amazed.

So Monday night I head out for a beach picnic with my best friend and the love of my life truly suspecting nothing but a wonderful time, little did I know he was planning on doing what I had dreamed of and prayed for, for years, that is, asking me to be his wife! After finding a cozy spot without too many people around we set up for what I thought was just going to be an early evening enjoying chocolate covered strawberries and sparkling cider. Somewhere during the middle of our time I decided to drink out of the martinellis bottle, forgetting to leave room for oxygen I ended up getting a mouthful of bubbles which ended up all over his pants and in my hair, a good laugh none the less. Our picnic was picture perfect!

During our time there were two points where I could literally hear and feel his heart beating like crazy (later I would know exactly why). Although I have felt his heart racing before, this was quite unique. For whatever reason I didn’t say anything but I remember wondering what on earth was going on, moments later he explained that he had made me something. Now at this point I still had no idea because it isn’t unusual that he does something creative for me. So he pulls out this giant scrapbook that he had made with the initials K+V on the front. As he opened the pages and revealed what was hidden inside I fought back tears. He had made a book of “our story” from the moment we met last year, with texts and facebook conversations, to today, with pictures and other mementos along the way. It was absolutely wonderful. God's hand of providence was so evident in every part of it, I was amazed to see the actual "proof" of how He had faithfully led us together and kept us and woven our hearts together. He got to somewhere down the middle of the book, because he had built up the book to look like it was full to trick me, when I say a book called “When Sinners Say I Do”…that was the moment I wondered if something was up. He told me that he wanted to read the book with me, and then behind the book was a letter that he wanted to read to me. I had to turn my head as tears filled my eyes. Was this really what I thought it was?! I couldn’t be sure but as he read the letter, my heart beamed and God’s grace poured out. This man that God had graciously given to me was pouring out his heart to me in a way that no person had ever done before, His love for me takes my breath away, literally.

At the end of the letter he said he wanted to make “the promise” real today. He turned the page and there was a question…. “WILL YOU?” with a box and in that box the most perfect ring. I think at that moment I said “FOR REAL?!” He grabbed my hands and stood me to my feet as he knelt down on a knee and asked me to be his wife, YES was an immediate response, I had been waiting forever to say that! The moment was perfect, my emotions were soaring, and my heart elated, and a smile were painted on my face that still hasn’t left.

Shortly after he suggested we go back to my house to show my parents, who he explained had already knew but hadn’t seen the ring. I couldn’t understand why he wanted to go home, why wouldn’t he want to just be alone. Little did I know a house full of some of our closest family and friends awaited us to congratulate and celebrate. When I walked in I was shocked to say the least but so excited to share in the moment with some of the most special people in both of our lives. The night ended perfectly, I couldn’t have asked for anything more.

I am blessed to say the least. I am amazed, dumbfounded, in awe, marveling, in shock and humbled by it all. God has given me the most amazing gift in His perfect providence and timing and I am so excited to see what He has in store for the both of us as we walk this life together. I am so in love with this man, Keith Edward Bence, and am confident that the Lord will continue to grow our love for one another as we grow in love for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! I cannot wait to be Mrs. Vanessa Renee Bence!

Thank you all for your love, prayers, encouragement and support. I want to end with our theme verse… Ephesians 3:20-21

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."