Proposing, Engaging, Giggling, Etc.

These are my very wonderful teammates, Dustin and Lori. This picture was taken last Thursday at sunset on the beach in California. Why were they on the beach in California last Thursday at sunset taking pictures, you ask? Well, Dustin had a very important question to ask Lori, and she may have eagerly answered "yes, yes, yes!" (That's three yeses, in case you didn't pick up on that. She really meant it.)

Yes, my friends, Dustin and Lori are engaged!

Now, typically, Lori is not very good at picking favorites. You ask her what her favorite movie is, and she'll tell you three. Sometimes, a song will be played, and she'll say something like, "This is in my top 10 hymns!" When you ask her her love language, she explains that she has a top three, but the other two come in a close second. It's not that she is indecisive, she is just truly able to take joy in lots of things. However, over the course of the past several months, it has become quite clear to me that Miss Lori Bowman has definitely set her heart on a particular favorite...Mr. Dustin Butler.

And, seeing as I've gotten pretty good at posting lists, I'd like to do another one. Here are 10 reasons that Dustin Butler and Lori Bowman are an incredible match for each other (not neccessarily the top 10, in true Bowman fashion, just 10 I can think of off the top of my head):

1. They both love people and have a heart for ministry. That is, their visions for life, and the direction in which God is taking them, line up beautifully.
2. She fits perfectly underneath his arm.
3. Her inner ballerina princess balances out his inner thug.
4. They have fallen in love with each other. I mean it. This is a big one. They haven't fallen in love with the idea of each other, or a false perception of each other. They've gotten down to the nitty-gritty (who is this Encarnacion?), and the incredible thing is that Lori loves Dustin for Dustin, and Dustin loves Lori for Lori.
5. Their parents approve.
6. Their nicknames go so well together - Smush and Biz. Just kind of rolls off the tongue, doesn't it?
7. She won't have to change her initials.
8. They both love ice cream.
9. He loves her well; she respects him well.
10. And, God has had His hand all over this thing from the beginning. This is obvious to even the most casual observer. This is truly a match made in Heaven.

For those of you, like me, who are interested in the token of his affection, here it is:

And, because, as beautiful as this picture is, it just doesn't do the ring justice, here is a picture of it from the jeweler's website:
Isn't it fabulous? There has been a lot of giggling at the Strudel house over the past few days, and I forsee much more in the future. Isn't it a wonderful thing when God brings together two of your dear friends, and you are able to fully rejoice with them, because they are clearly following Him in it? I think so.