Last week was the Mennonite Disaster Service Annual Meetings. Jenny and I traveled out with some of my coworkers on Wednesday. On thursday I was in a meeting all day and Jenny joined me on Friday through the end at noon on saturday. I was proud to introduce Jenny to my coworkers and the others. Someone actually asked if we were married or engaged and I had to respond that we weren't. I wanted to say we were. These meetings were a great time to reconnect with some of the folks I have come to know in the organization. I was also given a renewed vision for my job and the organization as a whole. This is a ministry and I feel called to use it as a ministry and to keep Him the focus of our organization. The focus of the meetings was 1 Peter 4:11"If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ." My goal is to keep this in mind in my day to day activities on the job.On Saturday afternoon Jenny and I rented a car for our trip to Salem to spend the next several days with them. On our way we traveled a scenic route through the Silver Springs State Park to see some waterfalls. Meeting Jenny's grandparents for the first time was an honor. As we entered the house Grandpa checked Jenny's hand for a ring but was disappointed that she didn't have one yet. We immediately connected well with them and my love for them grew as I learned more about them. Grandma prepared a great meal for us and we had dinner with them and Steven, Jenny's cousin.
Sunday was a relaxing day as we went to the coast. The coast in Oregon is so much different than here. The waves were large and seeing and feeling them breaking on the rocks made us thank God for his splendor and majesty. We were awestruck by the beauty of his creation. In Newport we climbed up in a light house and walked along the rocks taking pictures and video of the waves on the rocks. It was a great adventure with my favorite person. What a blessing! In the afternoon we met Steven's son and again spent the evening with grandma and grandpa.Monday started with a bit of uncertainty. We had planned to go skiing for the entire day but Jenny was feeling really weak and tired from fighting with this parasite. After some prayer and seeking God for direction we decided to give it a try. I am so glad she did. I didn't have a backup plan. I could have done it at the coast but wanted to do it on the mountain. I was praying that we could and that the weather would cooperate. It was a blessed day. After buying chains for our rental car (the only way the department of transportation would allow us to approach the mountain) we drove two hours to the Timberline Ski Lodge. The drive to the mountain was one of the most beautiful drives in my life. The pine trees and snow (measured in 10's of feet) were like nothing I have ever seen before. They don't grow mountains like that on the east coast. As we got closer the walls of snow grew to about 12 feet. I was told that the mountain had 40 feet of snow so far this year. It was one of the best years on record.
Jenny and I rented ski's and then hit the slopes. We skied down from the Lodge and then took a lift up a bit beyond the lodge. Jenny was feeling weak so I decided to take her to the lodge for a break. On the way to the lodge I asked her if she wanted to take a break and sit in the snow and look out over the valley for a while. We took off our ski's and walked into the trees. I cut out a love-seat in a snowdrift protected by the wind and we talked.........well I did. I shared my heart and how much I adore her and want to walk together with her for the rest of our lives. I shared that the mountain was significant for us as we begin this new life together. I shared that I want to be founded on God's word and his purposes for our lives. I also shared that I want to be a strong, safe, protected, firm, secure, place of peace for her to come to. My life verse is: 1 Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." I believe this can be a verse we can stand on together as we serve and honor him together. I asked her to marry me and she quickly responded with a "yes" and we had our much anticipated first kiss. I took the ring out of my glasses case and put it on her finger. She was so blessed. I thank God for leading me to the perfect ring for her. It was a custom ring I created with my love to match her unique personality. In the past she told me that she told me she didn't want a ring or didn't want a big ring. I was also told this by others as well. I prayed about it and felt peace about creating this ring. It was fun. I wanted to bless her and I did. At the same time she was praying that I wouldn't listen to what she and others had told me. I believe God led me. I pray that I can always be open to how God wants to bless her through me.
I took Jenny back to the lodge and then skied one more run. I quickly skied to the bottom of the hill whooping and hollering on my way down. There weren't many people there so I could go crazy. She said yes!!!!!!!!!!!!! After returning our ski's and talking to our parents we walked out of the lodge and stepped out into the most beautiful view ever. The sun, which was behind the clouds all day, finally came out and was setting in the west. I immediately thought that this was God smiling on us............our mountain top experience. It was truly the best day of my life! I am the most blessed man alive. You can see pictures of this day by visiting my web albums.
Thank you all for your prayers and ask you to keep us in your prayers as we prepare for our lives together. This is so much fun and we have an incredible peace about it. The confirmations we are receiving are amazing. God is Good!
