We decided to use the time John was in Japan as a time to pray and talk about where to go from here when he returned. During that month and a half, I attended a Music Camp at the Christian college I had been looking into. Being there, in the midst of everything college and everything music, I started to wonder if I was making the right decision. After all, I was still so young. Could I possibly need to do something else before getting married? I was surprised at myself for wavering. I called my parents and asked for help and prayer. I suddenly felt lost. I also had a long talk with a godly woman at the college, and she and my parents told me the same thing. God had a plan unique for me. My primary purpose in life was to honor, love and serve my Savior, and how could I best do that according to His will? He had quite clearly given John to me and only I could decide, though with the counsel of my parents, whether or not I marrying him was the best thing. By the end of the week, God had used it to completely clear my mind and show me, without a doubt, that He had given John to me and becoming his wife was the greatest thing I could do. I needed that week to weigh out everything and become fully convinced of what God had for me. I was about to face many a skeptic and be on the receiving end of many doubtful comments from people. I needed to be sure.

After Music Camp, my family spent a few days at the beach with Bethany's family. She and I talked about my courtship (she still had yet to meet John!) and the fact that, if things went as planned, we would be planning a wedding for the following summer. I asked her what she would think if we became engaged soon. She replied that it would be weird-she was still reeling from the courtship! I laughed and told her not to worry, since it would most likely be quite a while before I had a ring on my finger.

A few days later, I stepped of a plane in Denver and into John's arms. I was going to spend a few days with his family and my parents and Zach were going to drive up a few days later. As of yet, my family had only been able to talk to John's family via telephone, and while this was not "ideal", we were thankful for the opportunity to better get to know them now in person.

John and I began our drive up to his home where his parents were waiting. John wanted to make a few stops along the way to show me some of his favorite scenic places. First, we admired the stillness of a large lake, then headed up closer to his hometown of 10,300 feet elevation. We stopped off on the highway and hiked a little way up a hill until we saw the top of a sparkling waterfall. John suggested climbing down to the stream below it, but I wasn't so sure. It looked so steep. He assured me we'd be okay. We headed slowly down the hillside then settled to sit on a fallen log with our feet dangling over the water. With the mist from the waterfall surrounding us, John slipped a beautiful marquise cut diamond ring on my left ring finger and asked me to be his bride. Again, I was rendered speechless. but only for a moment. I whispered, "Yes," with tears in my eyes.

On June 26, 2004, we became Mr. and Mrs. Our wedding was beautiful and perfect for us, because it was glorifying the precious Lord who had brought us together. The day itself brought a bit of stress and a few tears due to the fact that our outdoor Rocky Mountain ceremony, overlooking a lake with snow-capped mountains as a backdrop was rain-and-hail-stormed out. Thankfully, John's dad is a pastor and we were provided with an alternative location. but that is all another story!

From the beginning of our relationship, we had been learning that God works in different ways with each of His children, and of course we were no exception. We went through the same difficulties during the course of our courtship and engagement that most couple face-we are, after all, merely two sinners coming together to give God glory in a portrayal of His love toward and relationship with us. But through all of it, both the blissful times as well as the agonizing times, God again proved His faithfulness and grace by bringing us through and, as John so often prayed in those early days, by bringing us closer together by drawing us closer to Himself. We could honestly say on our wedding day, "This is the Lord's doing, it is marvelous in our eyes!" Ps. 118:23

June 26, 2004

My Beloved Husband,

Today is the day I become your bride. and you will be my husband. The one I have dreamed of, prayed for and loved.

I love you, my John. I can hardly wait. This doesn't seem real. Oh, how I love you!

See you at the altar.

Yours forever, with all my heart,

Your Bride

Your Wife