Well, when I woke up on Thursday, May 1st, it was going to be a normal day. Or so I thought!
It all began right after school when one of my co-workers handed me an envelope that said "THE AMAZING FACE" on it. My first thought was Luke's email that day saying he couldn't wait to see my amazing face (we were planning on using webcams and talking online that evening). Inside this envelope were instructions to go fill up the car with the money provided and there I would recieve the next clue.
And so I went on a series of missions where I got clues for each next step. Each task had a fun inside connection between me and Luke or some special significance to us. The last clue sent me to one of my favorite Mexican restaurants, The Jalapeno Tree, where I was instructed to be seated and order something to drink. The whole time I'm thinking Luke has got to be here! But it was too crazy...I never had had any reason to believe that he was planning any kind of surprise visit. But I just knew he had to be there at the restaurant.
The waitress came up to me and asked me if I was Miss Stewart and when I said yes, she handed me an envelope. It said something about congratulations on completing the competition but since you are not engaged or married here is your consolation prize money. I couldn't believe it....this couldn't be it!!! Luke had to be here! I kept looking around and was seriously on the verge of tears because I wanted him to be there.
Just as I was starting to cry and reaching for my phone to call a friend who I knew was in on this and demand where Luke was.......the love of my life came right up behind me and simply said "Ellen" (according to him, because everything was a blur to me). And of course I just completely melted and just kept hugging him. I kept telling him "You got me so good!!" Because he did! I love surprises!!! But I'm really hard to surprise and he knows it, so for him to pull this off was a huge thing! So for the next hour or so over dinner I put the pieces together of how he managed to get up here without me even having a clue!!! I seriously didn't even have a thought at all that he would come up here and surprise me.
After dinner we took a few pictures and Luke was acting really vague about what we were doing next. He made it seem like that was the big climax point and there were no plans from here on out. And of course in my mind I'm thinking "he's going to propose"...but I didn't want to get my hopes up so I kept making myself not think about it. But when he starts playing me a Keith Urban song on guitar with some of his own lyrics in there: "When I'm down on bended knee, will you say yes tonight?" then of course I was thinking "oh my goodness! he is!!!"
And he did...on one knee and all, he asked "Will you marry me?"
And I of course, said "YES!" A few moments later I think he was still processing what was going on and was like "What did you say?" at the same time as I was saying "Can you repeat the question?" Just cuz I wanted to hear him say it again. So I guess you could say we got engaged twice! Which was doubly great. :) Almost right away Luke wanted to pray together...it was just a sweet time of praising God for His leading in our relationship and also committing our future to Him. And after that we began telling our families and friends our exciting news!
It was quite the adventure coming from Nicaragua to Texas! First, Luke and I flew from Managua to Ft. Lauderdale on an overnight flight. We had an 11 hour layover in Ft. Lauderdale! It actually didn't turn out to be too bad...we spent our time crashing on the floor, eating, reading, and connecting to the free wireless, which was the perk throughout the airport! When we arrived into San Antonio, we stayed with parents of a missionary friend from Nicaragua. 
The next day we got to experience the River Walk and see the Alamo! That was so nice! I loved the River Walk...very beautiful. We had lots of fun walking around and taking pictures. OH! And I got an icecream cone in honor of my 1st icecream cone ever, which I had when I was a toddler on the River Walk. :) 
That afternoon we got on a Greyhound bus (which was over 2 hours late) to Houston and stayed with some friends of Luke's family. The next day we drove their van, which was being loaned to Luke, up to Dallas. So it took us 4 days to get to our destination but it was really fun! :) Each leg was different and it was so fun being together on our trip....I mean, our journey!!! :) 
Graduation at NCA was this past Friday. Luke was one of the Senior advisors so he had lots going on. This class of 2008 has been my favorite class at NCA since I came in 2005. I had most of the girls in Bible class and some of the guys in my debate class. Plus, I got to know many of them through helping with youth group, chapel music, and sports. It was an exciting time at graduation but also a sad time to see these Seniors go.
One of the Seniors, Wendy, is especially special to me, and I lived with her family last year. She became a sister, a friend, one who I shared many adventures and laughs with. :) I will miss her so much next year and can't even begin to think about what it will be like without her bright smile and hugs.
Now that school is over and graduation has passed, Luke and I are now officially both on vacation. Yet, we have to-do lists that we're working on too. Lots to take care of and errands to run, etc. But its all fun because we're doing them together this time. Its been so nice to spend time with Luke's sister Maggie, husband Jason, and now 3 month old Noah! :) And just basically enjoying being in Nicaragua again. :)
