This is Lauren writing for me and Eric because if you have not heard, we are getting married in T- minus 10 days! We are completely thrilled and so grateful for the individual journies that God has taken us on that have led us up to the beautiful gift of meeting, dating, and now starting a journey together.How has all this happened?
Well, long story short- Eric found my name among mutual friends on Facebook in May 2017, he took immense courage to write me and that started us on a long distance friendship, quickly turned relationship through WhatsApp, Skype, emailing and then finally a one week visit to Uganda for Eric in October. It was our first time to meet after 5 months of talking - him in PA and me in East Africa.
We continued dating, I went to the US at Christmas for 3 weeks to visit, Eric and I spent time together, our families met, then Eric came to visit me again in Uganda for a week in March and proposed and I said YES!
I moved back to the US for 3 months in June hopping around Maryland (where my family is) and Pennsylvania (where Eric lives and his family too).
These last three months have been full and fun as we have gotten to know each other better, have gotten to know each other's families and some friends better and prepare for a lifelong marriage!
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| Defending his thesis |
1. Eric's successful completion defense for his masters' thesis in Animal Science
2. Eric's GRADUATION from Graduate School! Congratulations!
3. I took a girls trip to Northern Ireland with two good friends
4. I moved in with a lovely family in State College to be close to Eric for the month of July
5. We have been wedding planning- including growing beautiful sunflowers!
6. We had time in Little Rock, AR with Laurens's dear friends (now Eric's dear friends too:))
7. We have had a beautiful time with our families: at the family cabin weekend with Eric's family, on the farm, a baseball games, dinners, breakfasts, etc etc!
8. Eric moved out of his home in State College after wrapping up an intense and very hard working season with grad school. He has been saying goodbye to friends, saying- see you later to church community at Grace Fellowship Community Church
9. We had a lovely couples shower that my parents hosted for us- many dear people, who we love came and it was a fun filled celebration
10. My mentor, Mary, hosted a special bridal shower in DC for me
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| DC Shower |
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| Wedding Prep- planting in the rain |
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| Family Cabin Weekend (not all are pictured) |
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| Graduation! |
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| Graduation! |
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| Growing sunflowers for our wedding! |
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| Dinner with friends in State College |
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| Graduation |
The last and very big update is that Eric and I will be moving back to Uganda in September! I will be working with my students at Livingstone International University for the third year and Eric will be doing a collaboration of assignments as we prepare to move to northwestern Uganda for him to work alongside farmers teaching, training and supporting agricultural livelihood programs. Eric has been working very hard to fundraise for our work and ministry there. We are very eager to return! For more information please visit: https://worldrenew.net/ranck
Here are some photos of our community in Uganda!
We pray for you and wish you much love and joy!
Love,
Lauren and Eric
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| Lauren's students |
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| Eric's old coworkers/friends |
We pray for you and wish you much love and joy!
Love,
Lauren and Eric
