| | Wow, it has been a long time since I updated my blog! If you have not heard the big news, I am now engaged! Yes, the lovely Sara Dean has agreed to be my wife. From the day Sara and I started dating, I was quite certain that she was the one I would marry. But she had to leave to go back to the States, and we were separated for four months as I finished up with my Samaritan’s Purse contract in Liberia. The time apart was tough, but we kept in touch with Skype and regular phone calls. Still during that time we grew closer together as a couple. Then in the middle of December I returned to the States and was met by Sara, my brother Nathan, and my grandparents at the airport. I spent a few days in Minneapolis, and then went to Wisconsin to spend some more time with Sara.
After some time with her in Madison, we went to her hometown, Berlin, to spend Christmas with her family. I had a wonderful time meeting them. I had an important question to ask her dad, but only a limited amount of time there. It was the day before Christmas Eve, and I knew I wanted to propose the next day. I had only been to her house for a few hours, when I worked up the courage to talk to her dad about my intentions towards Sara. He was very gracious and told me that I had their blessing. The next day in the early afternoon before the extended family arrived I decided the time had come. I had been working on a particular song for several years, but could never finish it. When I fell in love with Sara however, I finally had the inspiration I need to complete it. So I pulled out my guitar and poured out my heart to her in this song.
Your hand in my hand
We will walk this road of life
If you let me be your defender
I’ll keep you safe through darkest night
You should know that
You should know
I’m going to be here for you
Forever and always
Chorus:
Because a love like this don’t come but
One in a lifetime
So hold on tight and don’t let go
Let’s see where this road leads us
Many waters cannot quench our love
No, our flame burns pure and true
And floods will never drown it
Forever I love you
Sara loved the song. I then told her it was time to open the big gift-bag she knew was my Christmas present for her. When she opened it, she found a special carved wooden box that I had made for her in Liberia. It commemorated the time we spent together in Konia last summer. On the top of the box was a “monkey bridge” like the one I took her to near Konia, and carved our initials in one of the trees. Sara LOVED the box, but didn’t realize the real present was actually on the inside. I encouraged her to open it, and when she did she saw that there were ten kola nuts inside. I think by this time she knew what was going on. In Liberia she learned that kola nuts are used as part of the first installment of a bride-price in traditional marriages. We joked there that if I wanted to marry her I would have to bring back some kola nuts. So she was pretty excited to see them in the box. I asked her if she had ever tried one before, and she said “no.” So I encouraged her to bite into one, and when she did what did she find inside but a sparkling diamond ring!
I then popped the question, “Sara Dean, will you marry me?” She said “Yes”! We hugged and kissed, and she cried a bit, then after basking a little while in the joy of the moment we went downstairs to announce our engagement to the family. Her mom was the first one she told, and there were more tears of joy, followed by a group hug. Her extended family started showing up, and the scene was repeated several times. It was definitely the best Christmas Eve ever for both of us!
Sara has been such a blessing to me and I love her with all my heart. She is the sweetest, kindest person you will ever meet. She loves God with all her heart, and is committed to serving Him. She has a great heart for missions and I can see a great future ahead of us as we follow God wherever He leads.
I am studying at The Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics in Dallas, Texas now. It is tough, but good. I'll write more about the school later. Sara and I will be getting married on June 12th. We can hardly wait! Then we are looking to moving to South Carolina later in the summer if God opens the right doors. |
| | Posted 2/22/2009 12:37 AM - 51 Views - 8 eProps - 5 comments
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Congratulations to you and Sara! God has blessed you both so much. May He continue doing so, as you continue to do His work! 
