My Story - part 3

Sorry it's been awhile, head cold for 12 days..uggh, moving on...

Part 2 left off on my spring break trip to Guatemala. I came back and had the most difficult conversation in my life with the 7 yr boyfriend and cried all the way back to Athens. Talk about sink or swim. My prayers amounted to "God, help? Now can you do your part, k?" It was a long hard night, I was clinging onto Ps 30:5b that kept running through my head, "weeping may remain for a night, but joy comes in the morning." The next morning as soon as I awoke, my heartache was gone. It was peace that passes understanding coupled with desperate dependency to remain connected to Jesus. The more I drew near to God the easier it was. I experienced Mt 11:30 "for my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Pretty soon, I knew God's spirit was all over me. I mean I couldn't help but smile and gush, I was in love, with my savior.

I had some amazing friends that were growing right along side of me too. Dana and Jamie, my two best friends from the mission trip, and I were pretty inseparable. Jamie and I would grab lunch here and there, trading off on who was paying. Then it became awkward. He picked me up and I said, "So where you want to eat?" He just smiled and said he had it all worked out. Uh Oh! (let me pause at this time to say I was not interested in dating..anyone..Jesus and I were redefining love in my head and I had to get right before I could date anyone and it be a good thing) So, you can imagine my nervousness. This was a great guy who had the same sense of humor and we just had fun together. Sure enough, my fears were realized as he had a whole picnic lunch planned out reminiscent of Guatemala memories. Then I think before he could even get the full sentence out about asking me to date, I spilled the beans about my intentions and how I understood if it was too awkward to continue being friends, but I sure would love it if we could still be friends. Did I mention we hadn't even started eating yet? Yea, torturous lunch.

To my surprise he called a few days later and acted as if nothing had changed. We continued to hang out as friends till he moved away and I graduated and went to Guatemala indefinitely. We kept in touch in Guatemala through e-mail and it was awesome. I mean we were seeing God move huge in each others lives, praying for each other and encouraging each other. The time at the ministry for me was tough in certain aspects, but so rich in my relationship with God and seeing His heart for others.

When I went to Guatemala I knew not a single word of Spanish. Seriously, I didn't know the difference between "Hola" and "Donde". (Hello and Where) There were 2 other volunteers and a couple who helped run the ministry in the house we lived in. Only the volunteers spoke English. We had feeding programs in villages and at the house, a clinic 2 days a week at the house, church two times a week, and other non-regular events going on constantly. I went to serve in an administrative role and then helped with whatever else. I adore the children and the people of Guatemala. My heart was so full for them and God grew me so much in prayer while i was there with them. After about 3 months, I knew I was suppose to come home. So, I did and it was my family and Jamie at the airport when I got there. While I was in Guatty, I had some parasites and got very sick. One of the doctors prescribed me a medication that apparently had a large dose of steroids in it. So, when I returned I was about 20 lbs heavier than when I left, oh and I forgot to mention that to anyone, so that was a fun reunion!

Jamie and I were super close friends and I knew it was getting to the point where we would either start dating or end our friendship. You just can not be that close to someone of the opposite sex and have a close relationship with someone else. We both were of the same thought that dating was for seeing if marriage is right for two people. We were both done with dating for the sake of dating. If your at a point in your life where you are ready to get married, then date someone you think you'd like to marry, if not, you are only wasting your emotions, time and heart. No matter what anyone tells you, you will wish you would have saved those emotions, memories, etc... for the one you call your husband. Thanksgiving came and I was ready to date and so was he. We "officially" dated for a little over 2 months, got engaged in February and married in June. (I do NOT recommend long engagements! That's just torture.)