One Week...

One week...and these two shall become one.


Today, Cheyenne and Nathan get the keys to their soon-to-be-home.  A cute apartment that they will make their own.  With the help of family, they'll be moving everything in and setting up home.  Nathan will move in right away, Cheyenne will join him after they are wed in.....

One week!

One week left with our little girl-turned woman. 

One week until we will not see her come down the stairs in the morning.

One week until she will not join us at every meal around the table.

One week until Celeste will lose her life long room mate.

Just one week to savor every moment we have left with her in our home.

If I sound sad, it is because we will miss her and the dynamics of our family will change forever.

But....

In one week, our daughter will celebrate one of the happiest days of her life.

One week, we will gain a phenomenal son in law.

One week, we'll stand in awe of God's goodness in joining these two together, just as He designed.

One week until we have the privilege as parents to see our daughter begin her new life with her husband.

One week until we see our little girl-turned woman standing at the altar, with her white gown and veil, glowing and radiant, pledging herself before God to the man she loves.

Just one week....

What a privilege.  An honor.  A joy.  A blessing!

If you think of us, please pray for this final week of preparations.  Pray for our family and our transition.  But most of all, please pray for Cheyenne and Nathan...and the life they will share....beginning in just one week

Praise be to God!

Purity Ring Photos

(Full Story Below)


Greg sharing stories from Cheyenne's early childhood..........


More stories..........

Presenting the ring........

Greg placing on the ring........

I LOVE this picture...............

End of "ceremony"...........

Prayer.........

The gang.........

Thank you, Longenbaugh's, for the use of your camera. We wouldn't have captured these memories had it not been for you!

Purity Ring

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Psalm 51:10

One of things we had been looking forward to since Cheyenne was little in an effort to guard her heart was presenting her with a purity ring. We have known people through the years who have made this an important event in their families and it has encouraged us to consider the same.

The purpose of presenting the ring is for the young person to be reminded of his/her commitment to flee any situation that might compromise their commitment to abstinence, but it is also a reminder for the parents to encourage the young person, through accountability and prayer, by wearing the ring.

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 

1 Timothy 6:11

Last October, we were finally able to present a ring to our oldest daughter on her fifteenth birthday. It was a ceremony filled with memories, commitment, and prayer. It was one of the most beautiful and meaningful occasions in our family and one we look forward to doing with the rest of our children in the years to come.

In the weeks leading up to Cheyenne's birthday, we began planning. We hunted and purchased this ring. We wanted something pretty and feminine, but also something that wasn't too expensive; in the event it is lost we can easily replace it. We also spent time developing "the ceremony". Greg thought long and hard about how he wanted to present the ring to his daughter. It was well worth the planning......it was so sweet!

On the day of her birthday, we celebrated throughout the day just as we normally would. She opened her gifts that morning, saving the ring for later. After dinner and the cake, it was time!

Greg began the ceremony by sharing stories from Cheyenne's early childhood through the present. She was brought to tears as she listened to her daddy reminisce through the years stories of laughter, growth, and testimonies of God's faithfulness. Greg told of stories that even I had forgotten. It was precious and beautiful!

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.  1 Timothy 4:12

Once we were all good and teary-eyed, Greg presented the ring. By accepting the ring, she is making a commitment to God, her parents, and to the man God has chosen to be her husband, to remain pure.  Greg then placed the ring on her ring finger and led our family in prayer, which concluded the "ceremony"!

Words cannot describe how precious this day was and how meaningful this was to Cheyenne. Not only did the presentation signify and encompass the beauty of purity, it also showed Cheyenne how much we love her and our level of commitment and protection over her. 

As an additional resource, here is a site I recently came across called Purity Pledge . It's a family business of hand crafted purity rings and lockets.