Learn to be a person of prayer (1Tim 2:1-8)
Too few of us, myself included, have established strong prayer lives–yet Paul states that this is essential for living a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
Learn modesty, good works, and submission (1 Tim 2:9-14)
Women are encouraged to adorn themselves with modesty, with good works, and with submission. This is a skill we can grow in; even as married women.
Learn discernment (1 Tim 4:7-8, 6:20-21; 2 Tim 2:15-19)
Paul commands Timothy to “reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise [himself] toward godliness.” So we too, would do well to develop discernment in doctrine and practice.
Learn to walk in purity (I Tim 4:12, 5:22; 2 Tim 2:21-22)
Contrary to the depraved world in which we live, where singles are encouraged to do whatever they like, Christian singles are called to live lives of purity.
Devote yourself to the Word of God (1 Tim 4:13,15-16; 2 Tim 1:13-14, 4:2-4)
I believe single adults have a unique opportunity to dig down deep into the Word of God – both reading it, speaking it, and doing it. Paul says singles are not distracted–what better time to “give attention” to the Word?
Learn to walk in your gifts (1Tim 4:14; 2 Tim 1:6, 4:5)
Singleness is also a great time to learn what your gifts are and to begin to practice them. Don’t sit around and wait until you are married to get involved within your local church and your community. Ask God what role He would have you play–and get doing it. Don’t waste your singleness by living only for your own pleasure.
Develop healthy relationships (1Tim 5:1-2)
Paul encourages Timothy to develop healthy relationship with older men and older women (treating them as parents) and with younger men and women (treating them as brothers and sisters). We can learn how to glorify God and honor others in our relationships.
Learn contentment (1 Tim 6:6-10)
Contentment goes further than singleness. We can learn to be content with our circumstances, with our possessions, with our relationships, etc.
Be discipled and disciple someone (2 Tim 2:2)
Paul encourages Timothy to take what he (Timothy) has learned from him (Paul) and to teach it to others. Timothy is one link in the chain of making disciples. In the same way, we ought to be links in the chain of discipleship. Seek out older believers who can mentor you. Don’t wait until you have kids of your own to begin to pass along what has been entrusted to you. Find a younger man, a younger woman, a child, that you can commit the word of God to. I promise you won’t regret it.
Maintain your focus (2 Tim 2:3-7, 4:5)
Endure hardship. Resist temptation. Look forward to the prize. Don’t let either the trials or the pleasures of this world distract you from the treasure that is Christ Jesus.
Learn humility (2 Tim 2:24-26)
This one gets me every time. Learn humility–avoiding worthless disputes. Being gentle. It’s tough, but it’s necessary.
Recognize that singleness is not a sit-on-your-hands-until-something-better-comes-along time. Singleness is a time when we should be fully focused on God and on advancing His kingdom. Singleness is a time when we can develop our relationships with God, with His body, and to win the lost. Singleness is a time to grow in godly character and to be conformed into the image of Christ. Don’t waste your singleness.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
My Wedding Remembered
A sweet friend made this slideshow of Grant's and my wedding last spring. It was such a blessing to view and I thought I would share.
P.S. The song is "Bless This Man" by Katie Drake
P.S. The song is "Bless This Man" by Katie Drake
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Heavenly Love Stories: Jason & Jessica
Jason and Jessica
September 12, 2009
As told by Jessica:
I always hoped that God would bring me a knight in shining armor one day who would sweep me off my feet, and we would live happily ever after. God did, in fact, do just that, but it wouldn’t have been possible if I had not saved myself for my man. Sexual purity, yes that is important, but really I’m speaking of purity as a whole in relation to men.
I know many girls who are sexually pure, but emotionally they are soaring high or crashing in rocks around this man who they have no realistic reason to believe is to be their prince charming. I am sure most, if not all girls, have been in this situation before. Don’t waste your emotions. Remember, there is only ONE man for you. If he is undetermined, then act as if such is true. God created women to be emotional creatures, and that is a very good thing. You just need to use your emotions for things that matter, and save your special emotions for the man you will marry one day. The more you give yourself, emotionally or physically, to a man, the more you are taking away from what you will give your husband one day. I made a commitment to God when I was 15, to save myself physically and emotionally for my husband, to the point of not kissing before my wedding day, and guarding my heart against my emotions.
When I was 17, I asked that God would put me asleep toward men until he was ready to bring me my husband. I didn’t want to worry about it. I didn’t want to be interested. I didn’t want to waste my emotions on someone before the right one came along. As it turned out, I didn’t have a long wait.
The first time I saw Jason he came to a Bible study at my house. A friend brought him as a guest. I was 18. I had heard a lot about him from friends and family. I introduced myself and made cordial conversation, but didn’t think anything else about it. Apparently, he didn’t either. It was months before he came back, and he had forgotten all about my existence. I noticed he was nice this time. He noticed me as well, but that is as far as it went. My Dad invited him to lunch, and Jason obliged. My Dad is a CPA and I worked in the office with him. When Jason came in for lunch, I was the receptionist in the office. I generally was able to send people in to Dad with little interaction required from me, but Jason stayed 3 hours after lunchtime talking to Dad. Whenever Dad got a client, Jason would come out to my desk and talk to me. Then he was back in Dad’s office. I thought this was very strange as Dad frequently had lunch appointments and they never stayed over 3 hours like that. Probably half of the three hours Dad had a client and Jason was talking to me. Somehow we had plenty to talk about, and I discovered I had a lot more in common with this 30 year old man then I had suspected. Before he left, I asked for his email address. I was going to put him on our update mail out list that I handled for my family. He asked for mine in return and I thought, “Well, I didn’t mean it like THAT. I was just going to add him to my updates. I’m sure he felt like he had to ask for mine out of courtesy since I asked for his.” How surprised I was to get an email from him that very night. “Hmm, that is interesting,” I thought, “I’ll wait a few days to respond.”
The next 3 months were very interesting. He started emailing every night, and I started seeing him about every couple of weeks. We had been friends talking for almost a year, and I was getting very impressed with this man. His character, the things I had seen from him were admirable, and I couldn’t find one important thing on which we disagreed. We had talked about a slew of issues, and somehow he had such different views that aligned with mine perfectly. My Dad and he were good friends, and Dad seemed to approve of him entirely. One day while I was praying, I had an overwhelming feeling that I needed to pray that God would be making my future husband into a man of prayer. I prayed for him often, so that wasn’t such a big deal. A couple of weeks later, I was listening to Dad and Jason talk. Dad asked Jason what God had been teaching him about lately. Jason said that he was learning about prayer. He had been studying and reading books about prayer and trying to increase the depth and consistency of his prayer life. I was shaken because I realized that things needed to stop now if he was not the man for me or it would be very difficult for me to save my emotions. I prayed that God would send something immediately to show me if it wasn’t right, and that he would burden me and him about it and make us not be able to sleep, that we would be so disturbed if we weren’t right for each other. I didn’t want to develop an emotional attachment that couldn’t last. I prayed that God would cause whatever circumstances necessary to draw us together if we were to get married. I felt so much distance from Jason I felt like it would have to be something big if that were to happen, and I wasn’t really expecting the stick to fall that way.
To my amazement it was something big. A week later, Jason’s grandpa died suddenly. Everyone was heartbroken and traumatized, but somehow this is just what God used to bring us together. Whatever that wall was in Jason fell, and we were suddenly connecting on a much deeper level. I had so much peace about it, but still we had to discuss many things before I was any deeper connected. I think we were both ready to settle questions we had or drop things completely. It was Christmas and we found ourselves talking about issues that mattered to us in our future family. “If I were to marry someone I would want him/her to want to raise a family in this way, if you disagree with that, we need to move on.” I think I had a lot more questions and concerns than he did, but somehow they all got resolved. What we assumed might be the end, was instead a delightful conversation.
I was for certain mentally that our views were similar and that he would make a good husband and father. It seemed we would be compatible…But I was not quite ready to say I was for certain that Jason was God’s man for me. I knew that I couldn’t marry somebody if I wasn’t for sure he was the one God had for me. I would be under his authority my whole earthly life, and a wrong choice would be a very bad mistake. A couple of more months passed. During this time, we hardly saw each other, but continued to email every night. One night I was driving around town on some errands, and I started praying. For some reason I was praying for “us” and not for “me”. I got very annoyed with myself and asked God to show me once and for all if he was the one for me. Suddenly, I realized that if I were going to marry someone, I would really have to love them, like Christ loves me. I began to pray that if we weren’t to be married, I would grow stale to him. I also asked that if we were to be married, God would fill me with HIS love for him. I know marriage is hard and you have to have the love of Christ for that person if you are going to make it with flying colors. I thought that if God were to give me His love for Jason, it would be a gradual thing, and I wouldn’t notice it for at least a few more months. Even as I was still saying the prayer, I felt God place His love in my heart. I did! It was an overwhelming feeling! I began to cry and say that I loved him. The whole car had a different feeling in it of the Spirit. It was incredible! That was it! I was sure he was the one. I knew that after we got married, I could never convince myself that I had made a mistake.
Two more months passed and nothing happened. My sisters and Mom began to voice their uneasiness that I was too emotionally involved when he hadn’t committed to anything. I tried to thwart their concerns, but it was in vain. It was now April and seemed like it had been an eternity of dodging questions. Four months after our “marriage talk” we were still not a couple. I wanted my Dad to be involved and approve of my marriage partner. We had talked about it all along, and I was always seeking his advice about what boundaries I needed to set and the things I needed to do or not do. He was a huge blessing in trying to figure out where I needed to be. Also I wanted him to give his approval to me and my future spouse by giving his blessing and consent to our marriage when the time came. I also wanted to get his blessing for even being in a relationship. We called it courting, because it wasn’t anything like regular dating. We thought it deserved a special title to set it apart. Jason agreed that is the way it should be, so now I was just playing the waiting game. My birthday, April 18, was the blessed day. Jason came, hung out all day, and brought me a diamond cross necklace. In the middle of the afternoon he asked Dad if he would go with him for a walk. I knew what that meant! I could hardly wait for them to get back. That day began our courtship and it lasted a grand total of 2 months. This was exciting because I was allowed to go to his place on some weekends and be with him and his family. Before this we hardly ever got an opportunity to be together. We also started talking on the phone, which was a new privilege.
September 12, 2009
As told by Jessica:
I know many girls who are sexually pure, but emotionally they are soaring high or crashing in rocks around this man who they have no realistic reason to believe is to be their prince charming. I am sure most, if not all girls, have been in this situation before. Don’t waste your emotions. Remember, there is only ONE man for you. If he is undetermined, then act as if such is true. God created women to be emotional creatures, and that is a very good thing. You just need to use your emotions for things that matter, and save your special emotions for the man you will marry one day. The more you give yourself, emotionally or physically, to a man, the more you are taking away from what you will give your husband one day. I made a commitment to God when I was 15, to save myself physically and emotionally for my husband, to the point of not kissing before my wedding day, and guarding my heart against my emotions.
When I was 17, I asked that God would put me asleep toward men until he was ready to bring me my husband. I didn’t want to worry about it. I didn’t want to be interested. I didn’t want to waste my emotions on someone before the right one came along. As it turned out, I didn’t have a long wait.
The first time I saw Jason he came to a Bible study at my house. A friend brought him as a guest. I was 18. I had heard a lot about him from friends and family. I introduced myself and made cordial conversation, but didn’t think anything else about it. Apparently, he didn’t either. It was months before he came back, and he had forgotten all about my existence. I noticed he was nice this time. He noticed me as well, but that is as far as it went. My Dad invited him to lunch, and Jason obliged. My Dad is a CPA and I worked in the office with him. When Jason came in for lunch, I was the receptionist in the office. I generally was able to send people in to Dad with little interaction required from me, but Jason stayed 3 hours after lunchtime talking to Dad. Whenever Dad got a client, Jason would come out to my desk and talk to me. Then he was back in Dad’s office. I thought this was very strange as Dad frequently had lunch appointments and they never stayed over 3 hours like that. Probably half of the three hours Dad had a client and Jason was talking to me. Somehow we had plenty to talk about, and I discovered I had a lot more in common with this 30 year old man then I had suspected. Before he left, I asked for his email address. I was going to put him on our update mail out list that I handled for my family. He asked for mine in return and I thought, “Well, I didn’t mean it like THAT. I was just going to add him to my updates. I’m sure he felt like he had to ask for mine out of courtesy since I asked for his.” How surprised I was to get an email from him that very night. “Hmm, that is interesting,” I thought, “I’ll wait a few days to respond.”
Wait we did. For about 5 months we emailed a couple of times a week, and saw each other seldom. I was certain that he was just like all the other normal guys. It was just a matter of proving it to myself by waiting for time to expose his true character. Of course we would never work. Always assume he’s guilty until proven innocent. My sister was getting married. By that time our emails were still about twice a week, but beginning to get very deep in content. I had deep conversations with a lot of people, so I tried not to think anything about it. A friend from out of state was down for the wedding, and she asked, “Who is this guy who is so interested in you, watching you, and following you around all the time??” I was thinking, “Who is she talking about?? Surely she doesn’t mean Jason. I cannot even tell if he likes me or not.” Yet, she was speaking of him. I thought I might like him a little too, but I didn’t know. I wasn’t going to waste my emotions, so moving on… Another 3 months passed, and he started inviting me and members of my family to his place to do things with him occasionally.
To my amazement it was something big. A week later, Jason’s grandpa died suddenly. Everyone was heartbroken and traumatized, but somehow this is just what God used to bring us together. Whatever that wall was in Jason fell, and we were suddenly connecting on a much deeper level. I had so much peace about it, but still we had to discuss many things before I was any deeper connected. I think we were both ready to settle questions we had or drop things completely. It was Christmas and we found ourselves talking about issues that mattered to us in our future family. “If I were to marry someone I would want him/her to want to raise a family in this way, if you disagree with that, we need to move on.” I think I had a lot more questions and concerns than he did, but somehow they all got resolved. What we assumed might be the end, was instead a delightful conversation.
I was for certain mentally that our views were similar and that he would make a good husband and father. It seemed we would be compatible…But I was not quite ready to say I was for certain that Jason was God’s man for me. I knew that I couldn’t marry somebody if I wasn’t for sure he was the one God had for me. I would be under his authority my whole earthly life, and a wrong choice would be a very bad mistake. A couple of more months passed. During this time, we hardly saw each other, but continued to email every night. One night I was driving around town on some errands, and I started praying. For some reason I was praying for “us” and not for “me”. I got very annoyed with myself and asked God to show me once and for all if he was the one for me. Suddenly, I realized that if I were going to marry someone, I would really have to love them, like Christ loves me. I began to pray that if we weren’t to be married, I would grow stale to him. I also asked that if we were to be married, God would fill me with HIS love for him. I know marriage is hard and you have to have the love of Christ for that person if you are going to make it with flying colors. I thought that if God were to give me His love for Jason, it would be a gradual thing, and I wouldn’t notice it for at least a few more months. Even as I was still saying the prayer, I felt God place His love in my heart. I did! It was an overwhelming feeling! I began to cry and say that I loved him. The whole car had a different feeling in it of the Spirit. It was incredible! That was it! I was sure he was the one. I knew that after we got married, I could never convince myself that I had made a mistake.
Two more months passed and nothing happened. My sisters and Mom began to voice their uneasiness that I was too emotionally involved when he hadn’t committed to anything. I tried to thwart their concerns, but it was in vain. It was now April and seemed like it had been an eternity of dodging questions. Four months after our “marriage talk” we were still not a couple. I wanted my Dad to be involved and approve of my marriage partner. We had talked about it all along, and I was always seeking his advice about what boundaries I needed to set and the things I needed to do or not do. He was a huge blessing in trying to figure out where I needed to be. Also I wanted him to give his approval to me and my future spouse by giving his blessing and consent to our marriage when the time came. I also wanted to get his blessing for even being in a relationship. We called it courting, because it wasn’t anything like regular dating. We thought it deserved a special title to set it apart. Jason agreed that is the way it should be, so now I was just playing the waiting game. My birthday, April 18, was the blessed day. Jason came, hung out all day, and brought me a diamond cross necklace. In the middle of the afternoon he asked Dad if he would go with him for a walk. I knew what that meant! I could hardly wait for them to get back. That day began our courtship and it lasted a grand total of 2 months. This was exciting because I was allowed to go to his place on some weekends and be with him and his family. Before this we hardly ever got an opportunity to be together. We also started talking on the phone, which was a new privilege.In June, Jason asked me to be his wife and we were official engaged. We were married 3 months later on Sept, 12… 2 years after we met. He is the most romantic, God- fearing man, and the perfect match for me. We have been married over a year now, and have a baby boy. I’m so happy that God has made me a woman, and that I have the wonderful responsibility of helping Jason and raising godly children. I pray that I will follow God all the days of my life, and that my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will do the same.
Have a testimony to share about how God has written
(or is writing!) your love story?
Share it with us by emailing it to: thekingsbride@ymail.com
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Popular or Pure?
“The world has enough women who are popular. It needs more who are pure. We need women, and men too, who would rather be morally right than socially correct.” - Peter Marshall
Thursday, April 21, 2011
A Year of Marriage
I can't believe it's been a year since I stood before Grant in a white wedding gown. SO much has happened!...the biggest thing being, of course, our baby boy who arrived just four days before our anniversary!Sunday was our first anniversary. It was very different from what I had expected. I didn't expect to be shortly home from the hospital with a tiny little bundle in my arms. But I also didn't expect the day to be so sweet. Both Grant's Mom and my Mom fixed us a romantic dinner, took care of Nathan for us for hours, and hid themselves in the nursery while we enjoyed some time alone to reflect back on the past year. Of course, it wasn't long before we both tip-toed into the nursery to try to pull our baby away from two giddy grandmothers!
A lot can happen in one year. In one years' time, Grant and I both learned an awful lot. We had our share of ups and downs. We had some amazingly sweet and beautiful moments together! We had road trips, revivals, prison meetings, friends gatherings, a mission trip to Israel, and experienced pregnancy and the first chapter of parenthood together.
The years ahead look blurry and I can't see what's up ahead any more than he can. But we both know that the Lord can see....and He is in control. He blessed us with a glorious first year together....and I can't wait for many more up ahead in the years to come.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
A Year Ago
Today marks one year since I stood in a pretty white gown before a handsome fella and exchanged rings, vows, and a totally-worth-waiting-for kiss! Today is my anniversary.
Happy Anniversary, to my husband, Grant!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Heavenly Love Stories: Caleb & Anna
Caleb and Anna
July 7, 2007
As told by Anna:
Our story started when I was 3 years old and Caleb was 4 years old. My family found a little stray puppy in our yard that was starving and we took him in. He had a heart shape mark right in the middle of his forehead so we ended up calling him Valentine. I LOVED that dog. I have always been more of a cat person but this dog was mine (or so I thought). I’m not sure exactly the reason why we couldn’t keep him but I know my parents put an ad in the local paper for a “Free Puppy”. A few days after they put the ad up, a young couple with a little boy about my age came to look at Valentine. They were looking for a dog that was good with children. My parents told them how good he was with kids, so they said they would take him. I cried and cried over that dog, but my parents said that he was going to a good home with people who would love him.
Several years went by…I went through middle school and then finally made it to high school. I was absolutely terrified. Older kids everywhere and me an outcast. I watched how girls my age would change boyfriends like they would change their socks and I did not want to be like that. I never dated during my high school years, I only had a couple of crushes that I regret even wasting my time with. I remember praying that God would help me find someone He thought was right for me. Someone that He had already picked out. I thought I had in mind what I wanted him to look like or be….but the Lord had something else in store. Something MUCH better then a silly high school crush.
One of my close friends was dating this guy named Caleb. He was super funny and super nice.…and best of all, he was a Christian. He always made me smile. I just thought he was a pretty good guy and she was lucky to have him. I remember going with them to the movies or a youth outing and loving hanging out with him! I remember thinking I wish I could find someone like him! They dated a couple of years…then they broke up. I already had him on my Instant Messenger so we started to talk more after they broke up….just about life in general. This was the summer of 2003.
We talked online for about 3 months, then we started calling each other. I remember talking one night online and he said “Do you remember ever having a dog named Valentine?” I said yes. How did he know?! He said that he was the little boy that ended up getting him. I was in shock! How awesome was that?! He told me that Valentine had saved his life after they got him. Caleb was playing outside and Valentine all of a sudden bit his pants and started dragging him away from where he was. Come to find out he was dragging him away from a rattlesnake that was about to strike Caleb. If he hadn’t have had that little dog around that snake would have bit him, and no telling what would have happened to him.
After a few more months, we gradually started hanging out more. When he came over to my house for the first time, my parents absolutely LOVED him. He and my dad would get into Bible talk with each other…just for my dad to know where he stood and what exactly he believed. He would come over for 30 minutes or so and we would just talk or he would invite me out to watch a movie. We were just having a good time. I considered him to be one of my best friends. I could talk to him about anything! Plus he was a good Christian guy, which was hard to find. Most guys just said they were but never lived it. Caleb actually lived it. Plus, his family was so sweet! They would invite me over for supper or to just come over. He told me they had never done that with any of his friends before. I felt special!
On February 14, 2004, I was working in my office and the door opened and this woman came in with the most beautiful arrangement of flowers in her arms. Purple irises, red tulips, baby’s breath….it was HUGE. I had NEVER gotten anything like this before in my life! I asked in shock, “Is this for me!?” She said yes! I saw an envelope and looked inside to see a letter. It was so sweet and genuine about how much he loved being with me, how he cared about me and how he wanted to get me my favorite flowers and it went on and on. A LOVE letter for me?!?! Wow, was all I could think. I was absolutely terrified to think he wanted to be more than friends with me. I didn’t want to end up like everyone else I knew….dating then breaking up, then dating a new guy, then breaking up. I wanted to give all my love to the one guy God had picked out for me. Not share it with random guys for “a limited time only”. I had to trust God in what He was doing in our relationship. I didn’t need to trust in how I felt. If I had gone with my feelings, no telling what could have happened. Probably nothing good! No one had ever done anything like this before for me. I had no idea how I was going to respond to him. I ended up calling him…scared to death. I thanked him and thanked him for the beautiful flowers.
We talked several times after that. On March 5, 2004. He officially asked me out on a date. I was super excited and nervous! He took me out to Applebee’s and then we went to see a movie. It was so much fun! I knew he was the one for me! Then on March 9, 2004, he came over to my house for supper and he officially asked me to be his girlfriend. I was beaming and so happy! My parents were thrilled!
We had been dating for almost 2 months when he told me he loved me. What a surprise to me! I had never heard those words before (besides from family of course) and it was so natural sounding saying it back.
In July 2004 he interviewed for a job about an hour and a half away. Of course he got it. We prayed whether or not we should stay together in a long distance relationship. We decided to stick to it. God had a plan for us! We dated for 2 years like this, only seeing each other three or four times a month. It worked out though…we would call each other whenever one of us was heading to bed. We would talk until one of us got sleepy…telling each other about our day, what different Bible study groups he was going to, just everything in that day crammed in an hour or so. Every day we did this for two solid years. It was way worth it! I loved hearing more and more about him. Both of us also started our own Christian blogs during this time. It was awesome reading some of his posts. He was so inspirational to me.
One afternoon, on May 25, 2006, we were talking on the phone after he had gotten off from work. Before I knew it, he was pulling up in my driveway. I was shocked and very excited! I rushed to my room to change clothes…and while I was doing that he was asking my dad for permission to marry me. Of course my dad said yes! Caleb was like another son to him! I went into the living room and I noticed my parents acting weird. Caleb asked me to close my eyes, so I did. I was wondering what he was up too. When he had me open them, there he was on one knee asking me to marry him! I was so shocked!! My parents were beaming and poor Caleb was shaking like a leaf! I said yes while tears of joy came streaming down my face. It was the best moment.
On July 7, 2007, we were married in front of 200 plus of our friends and family. It was so beautiful! I am so glad that I saved all of myself for my one true love! I hope and pray other girls will do the same. It is so worth it! Make God the center of your relationship and marriage. Trust in Him and not on what you “feel” is the right thing to do. Waiting for the right guy is hard to do but when he finally comes it will be well worth the wait!
Share it with us by emailing it to: thekingsbride@ymail.com
July 7, 2007
Our story started when I was 3 years old and Caleb was 4 years old. My family found a little stray puppy in our yard that was starving and we took him in. He had a heart shape mark right in the middle of his forehead so we ended up calling him Valentine. I LOVED that dog. I have always been more of a cat person but this dog was mine (or so I thought). I’m not sure exactly the reason why we couldn’t keep him but I know my parents put an ad in the local paper for a “Free Puppy”. A few days after they put the ad up, a young couple with a little boy about my age came to look at Valentine. They were looking for a dog that was good with children. My parents told them how good he was with kids, so they said they would take him. I cried and cried over that dog, but my parents said that he was going to a good home with people who would love him.
Several years went by…I went through middle school and then finally made it to high school. I was absolutely terrified. Older kids everywhere and me an outcast. I watched how girls my age would change boyfriends like they would change their socks and I did not want to be like that. I never dated during my high school years, I only had a couple of crushes that I regret even wasting my time with. I remember praying that God would help me find someone He thought was right for me. Someone that He had already picked out. I thought I had in mind what I wanted him to look like or be….but the Lord had something else in store. Something MUCH better then a silly high school crush.
One of my close friends was dating this guy named Caleb. He was super funny and super nice.…and best of all, he was a Christian. He always made me smile. I just thought he was a pretty good guy and she was lucky to have him. I remember going with them to the movies or a youth outing and loving hanging out with him! I remember thinking I wish I could find someone like him! They dated a couple of years…then they broke up. I already had him on my Instant Messenger so we started to talk more after they broke up….just about life in general. This was the summer of 2003.
We talked online for about 3 months, then we started calling each other. I remember talking one night online and he said “Do you remember ever having a dog named Valentine?” I said yes. How did he know?! He said that he was the little boy that ended up getting him. I was in shock! How awesome was that?! He told me that Valentine had saved his life after they got him. Caleb was playing outside and Valentine all of a sudden bit his pants and started dragging him away from where he was. Come to find out he was dragging him away from a rattlesnake that was about to strike Caleb. If he hadn’t have had that little dog around that snake would have bit him, and no telling what would have happened to him.
On February 14, 2004, I was working in my office and the door opened and this woman came in with the most beautiful arrangement of flowers in her arms. Purple irises, red tulips, baby’s breath….it was HUGE. I had NEVER gotten anything like this before in my life! I asked in shock, “Is this for me!?” She said yes! I saw an envelope and looked inside to see a letter. It was so sweet and genuine about how much he loved being with me, how he cared about me and how he wanted to get me my favorite flowers and it went on and on. A LOVE letter for me?!?! Wow, was all I could think. I was absolutely terrified to think he wanted to be more than friends with me. I didn’t want to end up like everyone else I knew….dating then breaking up, then dating a new guy, then breaking up. I wanted to give all my love to the one guy God had picked out for me. Not share it with random guys for “a limited time only”. I had to trust God in what He was doing in our relationship. I didn’t need to trust in how I felt. If I had gone with my feelings, no telling what could have happened. Probably nothing good! No one had ever done anything like this before for me. I had no idea how I was going to respond to him. I ended up calling him…scared to death. I thanked him and thanked him for the beautiful flowers.
We talked several times after that. On March 5, 2004. He officially asked me out on a date. I was super excited and nervous! He took me out to Applebee’s and then we went to see a movie. It was so much fun! I knew he was the one for me! Then on March 9, 2004, he came over to my house for supper and he officially asked me to be his girlfriend. I was beaming and so happy! My parents were thrilled!
We had been dating for almost 2 months when he told me he loved me. What a surprise to me! I had never heard those words before (besides from family of course) and it was so natural sounding saying it back.
In July 2004 he interviewed for a job about an hour and a half away. Of course he got it. We prayed whether or not we should stay together in a long distance relationship. We decided to stick to it. God had a plan for us! We dated for 2 years like this, only seeing each other three or four times a month. It worked out though…we would call each other whenever one of us was heading to bed. We would talk until one of us got sleepy…telling each other about our day, what different Bible study groups he was going to, just everything in that day crammed in an hour or so. Every day we did this for two solid years. It was way worth it! I loved hearing more and more about him. Both of us also started our own Christian blogs during this time. It was awesome reading some of his posts. He was so inspirational to me.
One afternoon, on May 25, 2006, we were talking on the phone after he had gotten off from work. Before I knew it, he was pulling up in my driveway. I was shocked and very excited! I rushed to my room to change clothes…and while I was doing that he was asking my dad for permission to marry me. Of course my dad said yes! Caleb was like another son to him! I went into the living room and I noticed my parents acting weird. Caleb asked me to close my eyes, so I did. I was wondering what he was up too. When he had me open them, there he was on one knee asking me to marry him! I was so shocked!! My parents were beaming and poor Caleb was shaking like a leaf! I said yes while tears of joy came streaming down my face. It was the best moment.
On July 7, 2007, we were married in front of 200 plus of our friends and family. It was so beautiful! I am so glad that I saved all of myself for my one true love! I hope and pray other girls will do the same. It is so worth it! Make God the center of your relationship and marriage. Trust in Him and not on what you “feel” is the right thing to do. Waiting for the right guy is hard to do but when he finally comes it will be well worth the wait! Have a testimony to share about how God has written
(or is writing!) your love story?
(or is writing!) your love story?
Share it with us by emailing it to: thekingsbride@ymail.com
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