So exactly one month from tomorrow I will be married. Holy smokes!
Now that I was gone all last week for beach camp with Jordy and his students I feel SO behind. I need to meet with the florist, call the photographer, confirm things here and there, oh and finish that dreadful thing I like to call "the to do list" that seems to be never ending these days. But there is good news in all of this mess. But I should explain first. Jordy was living in a duplex that was owned by a man in his church and all he had to pay was utilities. Well this duplex was built in like the 1940's and was 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, the kitchen, dining room and utility room was all ONE room and there was a small living room. Oh and there was only 2 doors in the whole house. The front door and the back door. This place was small and smelly (due to the fact it's ancient). But anyhow, the church owns a parsonage as well. This is place is like a castle compared to the duplex!! It's 4 bedroom, 2 bath, living room, den, kitchen, utility room, fenced in yard, carport, all hardwood floors...bottom line IT'S BEAUTIFUL!!! Jordy and I have been praying for the church to allow us to live there. We've been praying and praying and praying, and it just seemed like NOTHING was happening. Well just about the time I had almost given up on the Lord Jordy got a phone call from a member from church and he said that WE GOT THE HOUSE!!!!!!!!! Jordy and I get to live in a castle people!!!! God is so good! I could I forget! So starting this next Thursday I will start moving ALL of my stuff to Louisiana. What a trip this will be!!!! YAHOO!!!!!!!! Here is the outside view of our beautiful new home! Praise HIM!!!

the count down

So yesterday at church we voted in a new minister of music. The family seems very nice and very good for the position.

But this got me to thinkin...wow in about 56 days (only because theknot.com has a countdown on their website, which happens to be my homepage for the time and I see often) I will become a wife. Not only a wife, a spouse and a partner but I will become a ministers wife. This is BIG! You know you always see those women in the church that you think are so great. Two women come to mind for me. My aunt (a pastors wife) and Beth (my past youth ministers wife). Two wonderful women of the Lord. Two women whom I admire greatly. These women never want credit for anything they do, you never hear them complain, kindness and compassion is the biggest quality they portray, you always hear encouragement from their lips and completely selfless. Now some of you know me very well and you all know that I am an individual that says what's on the mind and lots of times I don't even think twice about what I say. In James it instructs me it says, "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires" James 1:19&20. This is a problem....

But there's good news, since I've been dating Jordy I've seen these issues arise in my life and I knew that this has not who I want to be. How did I become like this. How did it get this far. I don't want to be something the Lord has not instructed me to become.

So my hope and prayer is this. To be like that of the Lord. To be the woman he has made me to be. To be like the role model these two women have left in my life.

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." 1 Peter 3:3&4

Proverbs 31:30 says it best. "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."

Wedding Bliss

So a couple of weeks ago Jordy and I had our FIRST shower here at my home church. My family and friends got to come down and we had lots of fun!! Jordy and I got TONS-O-STUFF and no where to put it except in my den at home. It was starting to feel really real that we really are getting married in about 82 days! whoohoo!! we got just a sneak peak of what's to come during the wedding week!! thank you all for coming!

The Moms

Opening gifts!!


with the bridesmaids:

The Stowe gals




So this past weekend, the parents and I went to Louisiana for Jordy's ordination. It was such a great weekend. Even though it rained THE ENTIRE way to Louisiana and then some. Sunday afternoon was such a beautiful day! My parents finally got to see where Jordy and I will live, where we will go to church and just the town of Springhill. And they even got to meet Daisy, Jordy and I's puppy. Then we went to Jordy's hometown, West Monroe, for his Ministerial Ordination. This was held at his home church and boy that place was full!! What a proud moment for my love. I got to meet lots of people he grew up with, old friends, members of the new family and great food! It has really started to hit home. Not only am I going to be a wife, I'm going to be a minister's wife; which carries more weight. This is one of those things that I want to be so bad. I hope that I can be like Beth Harrison. A woman who never complained, who was kind and compassionate to everyone she came in contact with and most importantly she showed the love of Christ in what ever she did. That is my prayer. Because we all know that sometimes I can be very outspoken and can voice my opinion and not think twice. I just pray for a compassionate heart for these students, their families and the new people I will come in contact with. In 2 weeks, my parents and my sister and her fam will be making another trip to LA for Jordy's graduation/another shower! Here are some pictures from this past weekend.
The Parents:

The McKaskle Family:

Jessica and I

My dad praying for Jordy and his ministry...presh I know. Grab a tissue now!

I would like to introduce....

My wedding party. Now I now some of you are rolling your eyes and saying, "Really Jessika, I don't really care" but please bare with me. And I'm doing this because my dear cousin, Robin, was wondering and interested to see who is apart of this great day! I just want to take some time and introduce these very special people.

Let me start off with my fiance. Jordan Scot McKaskle. We met 5 years ago on a mission trip. Now at the time I was 15 and he was 18 and as you all know 15 year old girls love any boys! ha! well Jordy and I lost touch over the years and then about a year and half ago, he called me up. To my surprise, he wanted to come to Norman. So after dating for about 8 months of dating, Jordy proposed!!! Now we are getting married July 25!!! whoo! This is Jordy and I 5 years ago. And here we are now.
Next would be my beautiful sister, Kari. She and I have have done it all and what a woman she is. She has been through many ups and downs, but she never fails to put her faith in the Lord. She has grown to be a wonderful mother and wife. I don't know anyone better to be my Matron of Honor than her. I love you sister!
Next we have my dear friend Jessi. She and I have been BFF since 1st grade. Looking back at my elementary years, Jessi is there. From the land run, to talent shows, to slumber parties up to senior prom; Jessi was there. She introduced to Phi Lamb, that changed my life, she even became my roomie who should Mr. Clean's wife. Thank you Jessi for making so many great memories!!
Next we have Tracer, but you all will know her as Traci. Traci and I met when I transferred to OU and I joined Phi Lamb. Traci and I didn't know each other very well until this last semester/summer when Traci became Chaplain and I became President of Phi Lamb. What a wonderful woman she is. Traci has taught me so much about the Lord and is the BEST ballroom dancer I know. She and I have become best friends and I never knew that I would make a such an awesome friend as Traci. Eventhough she is from Texas, I wouldn't love her any less. Traci is graduating this May and will be a journeyman, sometime this summer. Love you!!!
Then I have a junior bridesmaid. My niece, MaKenzie. Kenzie and I go way back to when I was in the 6th grade. She has grown into a very smart gal. She loves to cheer and i enjoy helping her with her cheers. She is more than just my niece; she like my sister. Kenzie holds a very special place in my heart.
Now to our flower girl Marlo. Marlo is my cousin's child. Marlo is mucho fun, just like her momma, Robin. I remember when Marlo was born and Robin and Brad brought her around the Stowe Fam. What a beautiful child she is becoming!!! I can't believe how big she is! Marlo and I do share one common thing and that is Disney Princesses. Although Marlo doesn't love Belle as much as I do she does love my second favorite princess, Ariel.
Last but not least, Zane, my nephew. He is the going to be the ring bearer. Zane's been in lots of weddings and I'm so glad that he is going to be in our wedding in July. Zane is 6 and he love being outside and playing with trucks and such. Oh I how I love him.

well folks, there ya have it. The wonderful people that are very near and dear to my heart. Thank you all for being apart of this special day!!! Jordy and I have our first shower this weekend. I will post about that later......

in awe...

The past two weeks have been awesome.
The weekend before last I went to Norman. I've missed that place SO much. The people, the atmosphere, the big city feel, the late nights with my best friend and the officers. Before I left OU the HARDEST thing was leaving those girls. Especially the Officers. How I still miss you all. It was so good to feel their presence, fun spirits and love. Life isn't the same without them. I love and miss each and everyone of you very much :)
This last weekend was Easter. Every year I'm used to the same ol' thing. Getting to see my wonderful family, hunting Easter Eggs, going to church and cooking a spectacular lunch. But this year was different. Our church this year did a Thursday night service and a Friday night service. On Thursday, we experienced the Last Supper as the disciples did before Jesus was crucified. This service was called the Tenebrae meaning Maundy Thursday; Holy Thursday. The entire sanctuary was completely dark except for lots of candles at the alter. After we read and viewed the story through the eyes of the 12, the deacons were then waiting at the end of each aisle to serve us the Lord's Supper. As as church, we took of the cup and bread. Then on Good Friday, we came together again and when we entered the church, it was completely dark except 7 candles in the front and one single candle lite setting up on the baptistery. The 7 candles at the front represented the 7 stages or representations of Jesus' crucifixion. How to imagine Jesus and the his relationship with His Father during this particular time, to see and feel His love. This was an awesome time that I got to get life straight with my Savior and King. So on Palm Sunday I could REJOICE, shout and Praise His name! What a beautiful picture.
The Lord has been moving in my life in ways that are so humbling. I am starting to connect with the students from Jordy's church. They are calling/texting me with questions, concerns, thoughts and it's so comforting to know they are beginning to build trust and a relationship with me, not just with Jordy. Secondly, one of my very near and dear friends was elected President of Phi Lamb at the University of Arkansas. It was such a blessing to talk, encourage and pray for her during this time that I myself have lived through not that long ago. It was so great to hear her enthusiasm for Phi Lamb and the love for those girls, but also hear her comfort and confidence she received from the Lord. The Lord is so good and is continuing to do great things in and through the lives around me. Praise Him(as my dear friend Kate would say :) )
Psalm 119:33-40
" Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared. Take away the disgrace I dread, for your laws are good. How I long for your precepts! Preserve my life in your righteousness."

Check this out this video,

The Sessions

So this weekend my Uncle Rusty came down from OKC to provide Jordy and I with some great marital advice. Now I was expecting the worst. I could just see it one extreme or the other. But Jordy and I lucked out. It wasn't as bad as we were expecting it to be. Rusty gave us lots of useful advice, what a great uncle he is.
In other news, this last Thursday Jordy and I have been together for a year. So we didn't want to get each other lots of stuff as if it were a birthday or Christmas or something, but I did want to get him something fun. So I got him these
Chacos. This boy has wanted Chacos since he has seen them on my feet. And now that it's getting closer to summer, he just keeps asking about when can we go try some on? Well I just decided to buy them for him because he can get some use out of them this summer and since we will be going on a cruise for our honeymoon then we can have matching tan lines. HA! He loved them so much, last night he just wore them around the house. He said he needed to "break them in." What a goof. Gotta love him.
One last news issue, the weather. What is with this snow in almost April!?!?! hello, it's SPRING time last time I checked. NOT winter! Come on sunshine and snowcones!

So I finally did it...

I created a blog people. Get excited. As you all know it literally took me FOREVER to come up with a title of some sort. Although it's not as exciting as I had hoped it to be, it's pretty meaningful. Please bear with me, I'm still learning about the blog world. However, I do have a tutor. So if you have any cool ideas or anything that would make my blog cooler than it is, please, please inform me.
Moving on to better news. Tomorrow I get to see Jordy because my wonderful Uncle Rusty is coming down to do our marital counseling sessions. Oh joy! I'm really interested to see how this happens. I just have no idea what to expect. Due to marital counseling I'm off work for 2 days and it just so happens that my one and only class that is scheduled for tomorrow is cancelled. I'm so ready for another break.
I should also mention today is the very day that Jordy asked me a year ago. Man, how time flies. He and I have come so far and to think that we are getting married in 121 (not that I'm counting or anything) days!!! Preparing for showers and getting a few things done for the wedding, whew!
I'm off to figure out more about the blog world! :)