GOD.IS.Sooooooo.GOOD.

So I was cleanin out one of my bookshelves/night stands, and check out what I found :)

This crinkled, bent, wrinkled, torn, not-so-white anymore legal pad with a very long list written on it. 

It's dated from 2008-

when God started getting a hold of my life and using a not-so-hot relationship to show me what HE wanted me to have because HE knew EXACTLY what I needed.

I mean, He knows me best.

I wrote a lot of things that I knew I desired in a man, and a lot of things I dealt with in the past, (present at that time) that I knew I absolutely knew I DID NOT WANT.

Here goes!  

(Warning: this is word for word, explanation point for explanation point)

(another warning: yes, some are very cheesy, slightly unrealistic, etc- but hey, don't hate)

"My Man"

• Godly-man, first and foremost ( I'm SO glad I didn't compromise one this)
• someone who I can be myself with at all hours (well, we fart, wrestle, sing, and make fools of each other in front of the other all the time)
• makes me laugh
• i can make him laugh
• my best friend
• honest- trustworthy above all else
• Romantic- doesn't mind, actually enjoys, going out of his way to make me feel special (Beau's a PRO at this, flowers, treats, etc allllll the time)
• thinks I'm beautiful (pretty, gorgeous, you name it- he tells me, make-up/sweats etc)
• love notes!! love letters, whatever (you should SEE my planner, bathroom mirror, car)
• able to tell him anything (You don't even wanna know)
• he can tell me anything (see above)
• PDA! (appropriate) haha (by this, i meant holding hands wherever we're headed private or public)
• loves to cuddle, snuggle, hold hands, kiss, anytime! (even MORE than I do)
• knows what he has when he has me (never ceases to tell me how blessed he feels by the Lord that he found me) WOW!
• adopt kids from Africa (he said he'd never even considered it before meeting me, or before becoming a believer- and now he's okay with or without biological children. This is a HUGE difference from my previous relationship and the things he would say about adoption, or the race of what I'm so passionate about. Unbelievable- God is SO GOOD)
• can take my romanticism, haha (he LOVES IT)
• can cook, because I can't (we're working on this one- our meals consist of eggs, toast, cereal, chicken breasts, and the occasional grilled cheese)
• fits in with and respects my family (they love him more than they do me- that's NOT an exaggeration)
• faithful. (can't even describe just HOW faithful he is- he's done so well with making me feel so secure- compared to the 'past')
• holds me whether I'm crying/in a bad mood or happy mood
• he can never tell me how much he loves me, too much! (I think these are the most words used in his vocabulary each day)
• can be a little jealous :) (don't get me started!)
• "ride" together!!! (By this- I'm a HUGE motorcycle guru..I shake with excitement about Harley's and going on rides. Although when I met Beau he had a "crotch-rocket", he's not opposed to a Harley falling into our hands someday to replace the one he sold for our future!)
• wants me, all of me, forever, everyday!
• HE MAKES AN EFFORT
• Selflessness (most selfless person I know)
• wants whats best for me
• loves unconditionally ( an incredible example of Christ in this sense)
• doesn't yell, raise voice, controls temper (we're big on forgiveness for raised voices, we're human)
• meet 1/2 way- compromise!
• i'm the ONLY one he desires
• appreciates my thoughtfulness (he's SO thankful and always tells me thank you)
• determined, motivated (dedicated to anything he's involved with: work, Men's group, church, Salt, appointments, dates, etc.)
• strong-willed, not too stubborn, yet passive :) (he's THE PERFECT COMBO- seriously, be jealous)
• protective :) (I always tell him I feel so secure, protected, and safe when I'm with him/near him)
• not afraid to show his feelings, open
• loves and respects his family, and CHRIST
• makes time for us, and God (if we were the only two people left on Earth, he'd be ELATED!)
• " a couple who prays together, stays together"
• never go to bed angry
• communication! (thank goodness for unlimited text/minutes- that's all I'll say)
• follows through with what he says he's going to do
• kisses me on the forehead 
• excited to see me and misses me when we're apart (2nd most used phrase in our relationship: "I miss you baby, even though it's only been 24 hours!)
• cares about my feelings, emotions, opinions
• loves me and shows me
• he trusts me above anyone else (other than God) 
• confident but not cocky!
• says what he means and means what he says
• to be the only one either one of us wants to fall asleep next to, or call at the end of the night or when we wake up each morning (it's sickening, I know, but every night/morning we're the last/first to start the day. Every. Day.)
• opens the door :) (I've let him off the hook for this one, but he does, and did)
• He- pursues me!
• doesn't name call
• doesn't seek revenge

The ones in red, are just details of Mr. Beau, BUT seriously, HE. IS. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. OF. THESE. THINGS. 

that I wrote down over three years ago- before I met Beau-Beau! 

MAN DOES GOD KNOW WHAT HE'S DOING OR WHAT! 

(and knows exactly what I NEED?!?!!?!?!) 

MY GOODNESS. 

This silly list, blows......my........mind.

I'm trying to imagine what God was thinking when I sat on a nasty couch in eastern Iowa that night, writing this through tears...hahaha, laughing MAYBE? a SLY little smile? 

What a sovereign reminder to who He is and how GREAT He is, and how thankful I am for His faithfulness and direction, and most of all- the BLESSING HE'S GIVEN TO ME through BEAU!

I CAN'T WAIT TO MARRY HIM! :)