The love Story

On the 18th of January 1997 I was online on AOL reading through the ChristianOnline bulletin board. I was getting ready to move to Red Bluff California. I was looking to make some friends in the area before I got there. I came across a post from a person who asked "aren't there any women in the Redding area who are looking for a Christian friend?" I answered the ad and got a reply the very next day from Michael. We began sending IM's back and forth and emails. (I still have them all too!!) Three days later though I knew we were more than just friends.

While I was in Bible college, 2 years previous, I began a journal to my husband to be. I didn't know who he was but began writing down thoughts, prayers, etc for the man that God would bring into my life. It was to be a gift to him the night before we married. After 3 days, I knew that Michael was brought into my life for that reason.

We didn't know what each other looked like on the outside. God developed this relationship from the inside first. I didn't share with Michael that I felt he was to be my husband. I left that up to Him. I just stayed in prayer over it. Michael had come out of a bad relationship earlier and was only looking for a friend. I was content to be that. We decided to meet in person when Michael went to LA to train to become a missionary. The plan was for him to stop at my mother's home and stay a few days. I was working 2 jobs at the time and didn't live at home so that worked great. I met him at Burger King to show him the way home.

Those few days really kept me in my prayer closet. I fell in love with him all over again. While he was there, the circumstances changed and the school had to put his training off. It was so hard, he was so looking forward to it. But God was in control. He got a local job and we began spending time together. He took a long haul job and asked me to be his wife. I said YES! and we began to make plans. We set a date of May 5th, 1997.

May 3rd Michael called and was still stuck in Washington. So we changed to the following week. Guess what, he was still in Washington and it looked like they were going to send him to Texas. Quickly, I packed a bag and took the train to Red Bluff. The family that I had been Nanny for had moved there. The plan was that Michael would pick me up and we would just get married in Nevada on the way to Texas. He got there and the family I was staying with was also my Pastor. He performed the ceremony May 19, 1997, in his home so we would not have to do a Nevada quickie!! Things changed again and they sent Michael down to Southern California so we stopped to pick up our marriage license and sent it up to our Pastor that married us. However, by the time it got there it was beyond the time allowed so we had to file it a week later. So officially our wedding date is May 25th, 1997.

We have just celebrated our second anniversary! Times have been rocky but we are standing on The Rock-Jesus Christ and nothing can prevail as long as He is the head of our home. We have no children of our marriage except the two cats. We are looking for Michael's girls from a previous marriage. They are 11 and 15. We treasure your prayers on us and our endeavor.

** Update **

We have found Michael's daughters, Now they are 13 and 18.  We speak quite often and still cherish your prayers!

God bless you!!