Riding Aslan the Lion

My dad has always told me that following Christ is like Lucy and Susan in C.S. Lewis' Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe. There is a section in the book right after the curse of the stone table is broken, and Aslan who was once dead is now alive. The girls who had just been weeping over His death, now find themselves on Aslan's back riding through the countryside.

"That ride was perhaps the most wonderful thing that had happened to Narnia...He rushes on and on never missing his footing, never hesitating, threading his way with perfect skill between tree trunks, jumping over bush and briar and the smaller streams...and you are riding not on a road nor in a park nor even on the downs, but right across Narnia in spring, down solemn avenues of beech and through wild orchards...the two girls, breathless but unhurt, found themselves tumbling off his back..."

I think much of life is to be lived in this way. We do not know when or where God is going to take us next...but yet He is very purposeful in every step and each way He takes us on.
As Jared and I face this new phase in life as we move from Southern California to Michigan-not yet having everything worked out-I am reminded of this example-that all we need to do is hold on tight to Christ and He will make it the most exciting, terrifying, yet amazing rides of our lives!

I bought a wedding dress!

How cool is that! It was from David's Bridal-the first of 3 appointments I had that day-but I never made it to the other 2! Since the dress was on the discontinued rack, and they had a sale that day-I got over half off on the dress!

As much of a dream come true as it is to buy and wear the dress I will get married in, it reminds me (as so much in this process does) of being presented before Christ as His Bride...what a beautiful moment that will be...thinking and imagining the look on Jared's face when he sees me for the first time on our wedding day-I can only imagine what it will be like on that day I am presented before Christ...

I am so thankful for the relationship and representation of our betrothal to Christ and a marriage relationship.

What a day that will be...

Who do you want to be like?

I want to be like my dad.

You see, there are a lot of role models we can have...teachers, pastors, mentors, musical inspirations, parents...

Fortunately for me, that is all the same person.

I know my dad is not perfect, but He is my role model. I want to be like him when I grow up...

Most of all because He affects lives for eternity every day...He is a fantastic leader and loves Jesus more and more every day.

I want to be like my dad.

Happy Birthday and Happy Father's Day Dad!

October 21, 2006-Our Wedding Day and Future Anniversary...

Wedding Plans, Moving Plans, Leaving a job/church, and Finishing Classes:

Well life is crazy right now that is for sure. All of you ladies who are going through or have gone through getting married, you understand the feeling of having your wedding and marriage CONSTANTLY on your mind! It's like I go to do something...anything...and bam! There my wedding ideas and thoughts are in my mind.
Along with planning our wedding, we are planning on moving...and trying to spend as much time as I can with my Jr. High students as well as finishing up a few classes!!!!
Insane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But it is all good-and I am marrying the most amazing man in the world:)

The Amerine/Teal Adventure!!!

Well life certainly is crazy in so many ways-

Saturday May 27, 2006 Jared Robert Amerine got down on his knee at Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach CA and asked me to be his wife!!!

That moment that us women dream of as little girls, teenagers, and grown women has finally arrived for me. And let me tell you, nothing could have prepared me for this!

Once again Jared managed to surprise me like only he can. That moment when he dropped to his knee was truly amazing. As I described to my best friend Emily, seeing that act of humility for a grown man to get on his knee, offer all the love he has to give and ask me to spend my life as his wife was breathtaking! I could hardly form the word "yes" through my mess of happy tears!!!

I sit here on my couch 2 days later still in shock at this gorgeous ring on my finger representing a promise of a lifetime commitment! Our prayer is that the Lord would receive all the glory and honor through who we are and all we do!

Jared and I are currently working on a web site-we will have it up shortly! Your prayers are greatly appreciated as we continue on this adventure set before us!

Pictures from Youth Group last week!!!

New Hobby:

My boyfriend Jared has a new hobby. Selling our old crap on e-bay. I have thought about it before, but don't have the patience to read through everything and actually DO it. So if you are looking for a camera, cell phone, or I think he's even selling a labtop, you can find it all on e-bay.

P.S.
I just bought 2 TaeBo DVD's from e-bay. It's kind of cool.

My Ode to My Mother:

Nancy Jane Teal

Many people think they have wonderful moms

Maybe they are right

But they are missing out

because they don't have my mom.

Many people may think their moms love them

They may be right

But probably not as much as my mom loves me and my brother.

Many people think their mom makes the best deviled eggs and potato salad

But they are wrong

My mom does.

Many people think their moms are servants

And they probably are

But my mom has made more sacrifices then I can even count.

Many people may brag about how their mom does everything just right

But not me...

You see, I know my mom is imperfect

I know she feels pain

But I understand one thing

No matter what she does...

Or what she says...

It comes from the love given her by Christ

And that makes my mom the Greatest mom in the entire world.

I love you mom.

Me and Ailey and her mommy

MICHIGAN...

Well Jared and I just returned from our little visit to good ole' Michigan. We had an AWESOME time-every night before we would go upstairs (to seperate rooms of course) to bed, Jared would tell me "Ang, I am having so much fun with your family!" Here's a run down of all we did in a few short days we were there:

Thursday:
-Mom and Dad picked us up from the old airport at DTW and we drove out to LAMBERTVILLE (what a name huh?)

Friday:
-Jared and I ran off to Emily and Andrew's to see little baby Ailey-my favorite baby girl! We had an awesome time with them!
-Stopped by Vanessa's grave
-Met up with mom, dad, Alex, and Becky and Evan at mom and dad's house
-For a minute I am going to brag about my nephew. He is the smartest baby in the entire world. He's almost 2 and he can not only say his abc's, but he can fill in the blanks if you leave out certain letters! He knows actions to songs...seriously...he's so awesome. PLUS he totally knows who I am and loves me:)
-We played games into the night-speed scrabble is amazing!

Saturday:
-Did my Tae Bo dvd
-Went to McDonalds with the fam for lunch
-Played over and over with Evan

Sunday:
-Went to CrossRoads-what an awesome blessing in many ways! My uncle spoke on Marriage and did it wonderfully!
-Ate with uncle Tom and aunt Noni
-Watched a movie with mom and dad

Monday:
-Breakfast date with dad:)
-Shopping with Jared:)
-Trip to Ann Arbor with mom and dad:)

Tuesday:
-Made breakfast with Jared for mom and dad
-Left on a plane and came back to Cali!

What an awesome blessing this trip was in so many ways!

Birthday Week!

Jared's 23rd Birthday is tomorrow!!!! Happy Birthday Love! I am soooooo excited to celebrate our birthday's together as a couple this year for the first time!

My 25th birthday is Saturday! Yes! A Quarter century!!!!

We are going out to the LA Philharmonic on Saturday!!! What a way to spend my birthday!

This is my gorgeous Best Friend Emily and her new beautiful baby Ailey:) I am in love with so many babies now! My nephew, Ailey, my boyfriend's nephew Tommy. Good thing I'm not having one for a LOOOOONG time. I can just love eveyone elses:)

Seriously though-this picture is awesome

Well it is all official now! Baby Ailey Kaylen Smith has entered the world early this morning on Monday April 17!!! She was 6 lbs and some other ounces...close to 7 lbs and 20 inches long with a lot of hair i am told!

From everything Andrew said, Emily was a pro and did great! I am soooo happy for you guys and can not wait to hold her in my arms in a week and a half!

Congrats mom and dad Emily and Andrew! Wow! My best friend is a mom!

Hospital Days...

There's nothing quite like a visit to the hospital-especially several visits on consecutive weekends when they are checking your boyfriend's neck to see what the painful lump in his neck is, if he has cancer...

After a month of hospital visits, a needle biopsy, and a CT scan, Jared was quickly scheduled for surgery this week when the other results came up inconclusive.

Monday morning, me, Jared, his mom, and grandpa (his dad passed away from cancer a few years ago) checked in to the hospital for an hour and a half long surgery in which the doctor thought he may simply have an infected gland, however would not really know anything until he opened him up. I did my best to keep Jared in good spirits as we waited in the pre-op room...reading the Word to him, making jokes about the warming blanket on him that looked like an inflatable raft, and holding his hand that just had an IV put into it. As they wheeled him into surgery, his mom, grandpa and I waited in this lobby area for the longest hour of my life.

The doctor came out after an hour telling us the wonderful news that he removed the lymphnode which was inflamed because of an infection in his tonsils. No tumors, lumps, or cancer!!!!! What a huge relief!!!!

When we were finally able to see him, the nurse asked us which one of us were going to stay and help Jared get dressed, and his mom and I just looked at each other and slowly started backing away and pointing at his grandpa!

Jared has been recovering remarkably well-he hates the vicadin which makes it too hard for him to focus on his school work, and is expecting to be back in Azusa on Friday-Praise the Lord!
For me, my emotional breaking point was after the surgery when we were in his mom's kitchen and it all hit me like a ton of bricks...and then later on in Blockbuster-that was fun:) The Lord is good and I am overwhelmed at His power, strength, and love.
Thank you God.

When you Feel like a smoldering wick...

Much like myself and Jared-we are reminded the Lord will protect us and care for us-not leave us to be done for...

Jared goes in for surgery on Monday for the lump on his neck...It is difficult not having his dad with us anymore...Lord, when we lack the presencem comfort and strength of a father...would You remind us that you will care and be with us all the more...

Gaucho? Goucho? Groucho? Gaaaaaooooocho?



What the heck is a gaucho? Who was the moron that invented the goucho? Why would anyone in their right mind want to own a gawwwwcho? seriously.
In my recent discussions with Jared and his 2 two roomates, I have discovered that there are some serious problems here.
Problem #1: Permanent Wedgie. Enough said.
Problem #2: Not flattering in ANY way. Wear these if you are NOT trying to attract anyone in their right minds.
Problem #3: Let's face it. There is a reason spandex were outlawed in several states including Texas.
Problem #4: I was up Gauching all night.

WASH ME...

Many of us have heard the story of Jesus washing the disciples feet...A gross job but someone has to do it right??? But when was the last time we served someone? I mean really served them? Served someone when no one would notice...or when there was no "thank you". When was the last time you served someone who was in a lower position then you? Or someone who normally does not get noticed by anyone?
Jesus knew He was God's Son. He knew He was going back to heaven. And yet some of the very last things He chose to do, were make sure people around Him knew-He was there to serve.
I want to be like Jesus. How about you?

I Have 2 Favorite Nephews!

It is true! Not only do I have a favorite nephew already, but now I move onto favorite nephew #2! This little guy won't be around until the beginning of August, but I already feel how much I love him! More Teal boys to carry on the family name:)

Can you tell I'm excited?

It is over...

No longer am I the reigning Miss Azusa...am I sad???

Not really sad and not really happy either...kind of a weird state mixed somewhere inbetween. I am thankful it is over-pressure off of me...and thankful the night went well:
I was able to sing 3 times (the national anthem, The Impossible Dream, and I'll be Seeing You)
Jared was able to be there
I was able to boldly proclaim the name of Christ without being preachy in my farewell speech
I was able to crown the wrong girl-later take the crown off her head and put it on someone else...oh wait that was horrible!!!
I was able to be surrounded by My awesome roomates, Jared, and Dave and Shelby when all was said and done...

PLUS I got these awesome flowers!