Wedding Updates

Wedding planning as been in full swing this summer. I had to put them on hold a little bit because of taking so many summer classes, but as my classes come to a close (11 days left!) I'm starting to realize how much other stuff we have to do yet! The major things are done...

-Have my dress
-Ordered bridesmaid dresses
-Finally settled on a florist and put down our deposit
-Have a vocalist
-Picked out tuxes
-Registered (Target and Kohls)
-Narrowed down the invitations to a few
-Reserved the church and reception hall

There's more that we've done but you don't want to hear about all of it! But the bigger things are settled. And my mom found her dress a month or so ago. Bonny (Mike's mom) found her dress while in Vegas on vacation a few weeks ago. Yesterday Joey (Mike's sister) found her dress! Finding a dress for Joey was a little more difficult, because at the time of our wedding Joey will be 8 months pregnant. But she found a great dress that she is comfortable in. I'm so excited! My first shower has been planned on my Mast side of the family for the end of September. I even checked my registry last night and a couple things have been bought for us!! It's starting to feel real, and I just can't wait for November 21st.

Engagement Pictures!

We had our engagement pictures taken on Monday by Amanda (Fales) Shaw. They turned out great. We're both so happy with them. Enjoy these favorites and you can see more of them on my facebook.

Wedding Updates

My life still consists of school, wedding, work. But today I'll focus on the wedding end of things (mostly because that's more fun to talk about!). We have so many of the big things done and I'm so thankful for all that my mom has helped me with! I can't imagine planning a wedding completely on your own. It's so great to have my mom off work this summer (Since she works at the school) to help with all the details. The bridesmaid dresses are ordered, I have my dress, the tuxes are picked out, the caterer is booked, our honeymoon is in the works (Jamaica), and the florist is set. Now we just have to find a DJ. Any suggestions?? DJs are so expensive I'm realizing. It's frustrating. OH! We also had our engagement pictures taken today by our photographer. I'll get those up as soon as I get them. All in all, things are going smoothly. My first shower is planned for the end of September and I'm so excited!! Now if I can just get done with school !!!

Well, it's been a long, emotional week. Travis' funeral was an amazing tribute to the man he was. I feel like those who didn't know Travis the way we did were able to leave feeling as if they were best friends. That was my first military funeral, and it made me feel a little more patriotic. I have a greater sense of pride, respect, and honor for our troops and our country. Which is exactly the effect that Travis would want to have on a community. He will be missed, but I have a feeling that his death won't be in vain. He's a hero. We will always remember him that way.

Proud

I couldn't have explained the sight any better than Rob did in his blog. Read it, soak it in. Some days I can't wait to get out of this small community, but on mornings like this morning, I thrive for a sense of one-ness like I experienced. I'm so proud to be apart of something bigger than myself. Just as Travis makes us proud, I know that today, He's proud. Just as I'm proud of every church leader who let their churches out early, every student who dropped what they were doing to walk to the town square, every parent who brought their children to teach them about freedom, and every person who was there today - who took a moment to honor a hero. Our hero. I didn't see a flag draped casket this morning turn on Elkhart street, I saw Travis, I saw his smile. I saw him laugh. I saw him the way I choose to remember him. The Travis that didn't turn his back on me when my world was falling apart.

We honor you today Travis. Today, tomorrow, and forever.

Please continue to pray for the Hunsberger's, and his wife Hannah.
Visitation is tomorrow from 2-8 and Tuesday from 1-3 at Nappanee Missionary.
The funeral is at 3:00 on Tuesday afternoon.

Also be praying for those in attendance at the funeral. Pray for a certain group of Travis' guy friends. I pray that they will have open hearts and ears as they hear the message.

Homecoming

Tomorrow morning Travis is coming home. He'll be arriving in Wakarusa around 11:00am. I'm asking you to please come support the Hunsberger Family and line up on Waterford street to welcome Travis home. Although, this is not the homecoming for him we wanted, this will show our commitment and love for him as they take him to the funeral home. I encourage you to come out and join us.

Selfless Sacrafice

My heart has been heavy this week with the news of Travis. It seems ironic that the 4th of July is just a few days away. I read Rob's blog tonight and shed quite a few tears at his words of thankfulness for soldiers just like Travis who have given their lives for this country. This July 4th, during the fireworks, I won't be thinking of the fun I had that night, I won't be thinking of the people around me. I'll be thinking of Travis. His family. His wife. I'll be thinking of the rest of the armed forces who lead our country without recognition. Rob made a comment in his blog that I have thought since the moment I heard about Travis. I see Travis at the gates of Heaven being greeted by God. I picture God wrapping his arms around Travis and whispering in his ear - "Well done my good and faithful servant. Well done." Then I see that grin. That famous Travis grin that we all have commented on in the last few days.

In Rob's blog he says this, "From what was shared with us, Travis had a few hours after the accident before he passed, and he spent his final words sharing his love for his wife, his family, and his God. He said he was proud to give his life doing what he truly loved: defending his country. What a beautiful example of selfless sacrifice, just like Jesus made for each of us on the cross."

I cried as I read Travis' last moments. I weeped for his wife. I can only imagine how badly she wanted to be there with him, holding his hand. Kissing him one last time. I cried for his family who would have done anything to be there in that moment as well. But mostly, I cried because of Travis' faithfullness to his call. His selfless sacrafice. You are our hero Travis.

Well Done Travis. Well done.