Perspective

I was doing some research and came across some interesting facts on this site. It is crazy to think that 45 years ago, interracial marriage was still illegal in some states, and I am thankful that through the initiatives of many people in our society, interracial marriage is legal today.

-In the 1660s, Maryland became the first colony to prohibit interracial marriages. 1

-By 1750, all the southern colonies as well as Massachusetts and Pennsylvania made interracial marriages illegal. 1 For example, Virginia had a law stating that "All marriages between a white person and a colored person shall be absolutely void without any decree of divorce or other legal process." (Code Ann. A7 20-57)

-During the 1950s, half of the states still had laws prohibiting interracial marriage.

-By the early 1960's at least 41 states had enacted anti-miscegenation statutes at one time. 1

-in Maryland, when slavery was introduced in 1664, "the law also prohibited marriages between white women and black men.... between 1935 and 1967, the law was extended to forbid marriage between Malaysians with blacks and whites. The law was finally repealed in 1967." 2

-The first court to overturn an anti-miscegenation law was, predictably, the California Supreme Court in 1948. 3

-By 1967, 16 states still had anti-miscegenation laws in place.

References used:
1. "Lewis et al., v. Harris, et al. Superior Court of New Jersey: Brief of plaintiffs in opposition to defendant's motion to dismiss," 2003-MAY-8, at: http://www.lambdalegal.org/
2. Eddie Becker, "Chronology on the history of slavery and racism," at: http://innercity.org/holt/slavechron.html
3. Perez, supra, 198 P.2d 17. Quoted in Ref. 1.

One Year

Exactly one year from today, I will be walking down the aisle as Ms. Weldin, and leaving The Village Church as Mrs. Nase.

The reality of everything is starting to set in-that after today, the countdown begins. This is my last year as a "single" woman. This is my last year to have a roommate other than my future husband. This is my last summer to live at home. This is my last Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family.

When my heart starts to flutter as I think about the checklist of things to accomplish within this next year, I am reminded that if Christ is the center, that is all that really matters.

A year from today will be one of the happiest days of my life, but the greater celebration is with our Father when He comes again to bring us Home. I will admit, it is easy for me to say that in my mind, but not with my heart. However, my prayer for this next year is that I would praise Him, thank Him, and be reminded that the joy belongs TO Him, and not for my own glory.

Proverbs 27:15-17

I was reminded of this passage when I was talking with my roommate last weekend. A relationship requires commitment and hard work as each person is sanctified in their relationship with Christ. Marriage is a continual sanctification process, like the sharpening of iron upon iron. I know that the Lord is calling me to be patient while both Brandon and I are being tested in our relationship, and steadfastly praying that He continues to draw us closer to Him.


"A continual dripping on a rainy day
and a quarrelsome wife are alike;
to restrain her is to restrain the wind
or to grasp oil in one’s right hand.
Iron sharpens iron,
and one man sharpens another."

The Spirit and the Bride

I saw this song by Matt Maher on my friend Hannah's Facebook status, and the words are so beautiful and completely fitting, so I decided to share them. You can also check out the song here!

"For all the thirsty in need of the river
For all the sleeping hearts waking from their slumber
For everyone still standing at the shoreline, come!
For all the hurting soul running from their Healer
For all the skeptics running from an answer
Let everyone who hears these words, say come!

For the Spirit and the Bride, say come!
Yeah the Spirit and the Bride, say come!

For all the Pharisees, empty on the inside
For all the lovers who spent their love in a lie
For the forgotten, the Father's heart, say come!
For all the fatherless looking for approval
For all the daughters who've never heard the are beautiful
Let everyone who hears these words, say come!

Amen, Amen, come Lord Jesus, come again!
Until then, until then grace and peace be ours, Amen!
Till You come again peace be ours, Amen!"

"The Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come.' And let the one who hears say, 'Come.' And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price." -Revelation 22:17

One Month

Beyonce said, "If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it." And Brandon did just that! It's officially been one month since he proposed, and I am still just as giddy as ever! Early tomorrow morning my roommate Lillian and I are traveling to Amarillo to spend the Thanksgiving break with Brandon and his family. I cannot wait for laughter, great food, family, friends, and fellowship! It is so wonderful to be able to reunite with a body of believers and celebrate the things God has given us. I am so blessed with the family that I am "marrying into," and have never felt more love than I have with his family. I'm sure this is just a small taste of what it will be like when we are reunited with Jesus Christ in Heaven. John 14:2-4 says, "In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going." Jesus is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE! Happy Thanksgiving!

Bloodlines

On Sunday October 30th, I went to church at The Village. At the end of the 5:00 service, Beau Hughes mentioned a new book that John Piper wrote called Bloodlines. We also watched a short video featuring John Piper and this book. I was so encouraged by the message behind the book and immediately wanted to share it with Brandon.

After I left church, I noticed that Brandon had called me, so I called him back. He said, "I just sent you an email." I said, "Oh ok, I'm going to get groceries, but I'll check it as soon as I get back to my apartment. What was the email about?" He said, "Just read it when you can."

So, I started telling Brandon about the book Bloodlines. There was silence on the other end of the phone line. He said, "Are you kidding me right now? I think I'm going to start crying again. I just sent you an email about this new book that I happened to come across on the Resurgence website called Bloodlines. I just ordered us two copies."

I was so overwhelmed at that moment. I was happy, but I wanted to cry. My heart was overflowing with love for both my Father and my fiance. But in all things, Jesus was so clear. While I was sitting in church, and as Brandon was sitting at home, over 300, miles away, the Lord showed us Bloodlines.

Later that evening, I opened my Gmail inbox to find Brandon's email, sent at 6:33 p.m. (at about the same time I was sitting in church watching that video), which said: "I was crying like a baby while watching this. I just ordered two copies for us. How amazing that as we enter this new time, I just happened to stumble upon this on the Resurgence website. Thank you Jesus."


I couldn't agree more. You can watch the full video here.

The Story

At 7:30 on Saturday evening, Brandon and I went to a wedding at Ashton Gardens in Denton to see one of his friends who he worked with in SGA get married. After we left the ceremony around 8:00, he told me that a few of our friends were still busy after the UNT Homecoming football game, so he said, "Let's go the Square."

For those of you who don't know, Brandon and I went on a few dates before we were "official" in August of 2009, and the Square was one of the places where he and I sat on a bench and talked all about our lives after we got some coffee at Jupiter House.

As we drove towards the Square, Brandon asked, "How are you and Jesus doing?" I responded by saying, "Oh, we're ok. I'm having a hard time with discipline (in my quiet times), but I'm learning." Shortly after, we found a parking spot and we started walking towards the Square. But then Brandon said, "Hold on, I need to get my Bible." My back was turned away from him so I didn't see what was going on, but my heart started beating faster because at that point, I had a feeling that something was going to happen.

We walked towards our favorite bench and sat down at the same place where we sat in 2009 and many times after, and then Brandon said, "I want to read something to you." He turned to Proverbs 31:10-31, which says, "An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hands to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes bed coverings for herself, her clothing is fine linen and purple. her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates."

Then he read something to me that he wrote in his journal: "You have shown me unconditional love. You have loved me the way Christ loves me. I want the opportunity to try and love you as Christ loves the church, for the rest of my life. I could tell you how loving and incredibly beautiful you are, but the only thing that truly matters is your beautiful heart for God. I want to continue to grow closer to Christ, while drawing into a deeper relationship with you. So, Lauren Kelsey Weldin, (as he got down on one knee), as an act of worship in humble accordance with what I feel is God's will for my life...will you marry me?"

Of course I jumped up and said YES! After I hugged him, he slid the beautiful ring on my finger, and then I turned around and saw some of our closest friends walking towards us.

After I hugged the girls, showed them the ring, and the guys gave Brandon a slap on the back, Jonathan led us in prayer as Brandon and I stood in the center while our friends surrounded us. It was such an overwhelming feeling to be supported and surrounded by other believers as we joined together in fellowship.

After calling family and friends, we went to Greenhouse for dinner that evening and celebrated. I could hardly sit still in my seat! Keith Cranford, Brian Murray, his wife Allison, Jonathan Cao, Samantha Kelley, Beau Henderson, Lillian Cain, Eli Lopez, and his girlfriend Elyssa were also there.

That evening everything changed, and it was one of the happiest days of my life. My boyfriend became my fiance, and God's love for both me and Brandon was so evident in that special moment.