Wow...over a year has past since my last post. SO MUCH has happened since then. As I reread my last post, I had to stop and smile to myself. While remembering one reason that had brought on all my frustration, I looked at the date of my post -- April 14. This was just 8 days before God answered a prayer that I had been praying for soooo looooong. 8 days after my last post, I went to the Bluegate restaurant in Shipshewana, Indiana....and my life was forever changed. My life was not changed because of the great Amish food for which the Bluegate is known, but rather by WHO was with me at the restaurant. My accompaniment...ok, ok, date...was none other than Justin Blotkamp, a man from (get this!) my hometown of Kimmell. For those of you who have never been to Kimmell, it's really not that big, and I am kind of shocked when I don't know someone that lives there, but it indeed happened.
One year later, Justin is still such a blessing to my life. He encourages me to be the woman I should be in the Lord. He is the leader of our relationship in every way, and is my constant comfort and encouragement. I can honestly say that I have never loved any man more. Yes, I said love. This is serious. :) The Lord has answered so many prayers with Justin. One that makes my stomach go all crazy with butterflies is one that I want to share with anyone who actually still reads these blogs....
When I was 4 years old, I was adopted by my mom's new husband (an entirely different story.) My name changed legally from "Brittany Victoria Hough" to "Brittany Victoria Replogle." Many would not notice this, but my new name has 8 letters in each part. As a small child, this was important. My name was "even" -- perfect. The even-ness of my name signified that I was wanted - needed - loved. When I would play "pretend," I realized something -- someday my name would change for real, and most likely my new name would not have 8 letters. A small piece of me never wanted to get married. I didn't want to lose something that was so important to my small heart. When I started dating boys in late middle school, I would always count the letters in their last names to see if their names fit. This was a ritual that I repeated all throughout my high school years, but was never fulfilled. I decided this was a silly notion and forgot about it until late into my junior year of college.....
In mid-April of my senior year, my phone buzzed. It was a text from Cheryl Mast, asking if I knew who Justin Blotkamp was. I had no idea what the meaning of the text was, but I assumed that it was a dating set-up. Without even thinking, I counted the letters in his last name -- a perfect 8. Before I even met this man, I knew he was going to be special, and I was so much more than right!
I guess my reason behind sharing this with you is to encourage you that we serve a God that always has our best interests at heart, and longs to gives us the desires of our soul (even the small ones!) When you feel like you are so frustrated you can't go on, just remember that a blessing could be as close as 8 days away! (or sooner :) )
God Bless, and Keep Trusting :)
Rep
