So let me begin this post by telling you a little bit about my sweet fiance! This man loves the Lord and takes the Bible more seriously then anything else in the world. There are no exceptions to obeying the Bible, it always comes first. I will admit that this is not always comfortable, but I appreciate his boldness in following the Bible. Daniel continues to point me to the Lord and help me grow in my relationship with Him. He is very sensitive too to when he falls short of what the Bible calls us to do or when he wrongs me. To give an example the other day while getting out of the car (to come around and open my door) he said something (to which I didn't pick up as being harsh or mean or anything) and he reopened his door to apologize. Daniel is the gentleman of gentlemen. He protects me to the best of his ability and is so forgiving in the many times I wrong him. He can make me laugh like no one else in the world and whenever we are together, we are guaranteed many good laughs. This man is gentle and kind towards me as well as others around (making me burst with pride). After we were engaged I just kept looking at him and saying "I can't believe I get to spend the rest of my life with you".
Daniel and I began dating on February 20, 2009 while I was previewing LeTourneau University. He has challenged me in so many ways spiritually and my attitude towards things. I am thankful for how we have been able to help encourage each other to be better people. Our dating relationship has not always been easy, but we have learned a lot more about each other through the hard times as well as learning how to handle hardships (since we all know they are unavoidable). Last summer (2011) we were able to work at Trail's End Ranch together. We both worked as counselors and grew a lot. After having a distant relationship for our whole relationship, it was wonderful to see each other in a daily setting. I talked with Pat a lot during this time about him and our relationship. I am so very thankful for her wisdom, insight, and most importantly her prayers.
This past weekend, we were back at Trail's End Ranch for a friend's wedding. Aron and Mandie were dear friends of ours. Mandie was my prayer partner, and Aron was Daniel's. The four of us had such fun spending time together. Our favorite memory...watching Star Wars together! It was important to us to make it to their wedding and have the excuse of going back out to camp.
Now to the part you all have been waiting for...
It was Friday night and we decided to go out to the cliffs (where camp will take their campers for Wednesday night camp out and where they do their rappelling) for a picnic. We ate a romantic dinner of peanut butter and jelly..classy I know. While sitting there the cows we had passed had congregated up near us. They continued to move closer and I was not keen on the idea of one chasing me towards the cliff (haha, unreal, I know), so we got back in the car. Daniel was probably beginning to worry about this time that his plans were caving in. Thankfully the cows continued to move on, so Daniel suggested we get out of the car and go over to the cliff and throw rocks off.
This is the view we had when he proposed
At camp, there are several people that will go up to the cliffs and write something on a rock to throw off. This is a way to symbolically get rid of something in your life. Some will write a past sin they are working to overcome, and others will write names of people they are forgiving. Daniel had a sharpie (to which I didn't think much of at the time) and we each wrote on a rock to throw off. He then (so ever casually) suggested that we write something on a rock for the other person. I am not going to lie, I was a little perturbed because I was like "ugh, I don't want to talk about the bad stuff in our lives". I agreed and wrote something down on a rock for him. He threw it over the cliff.
I then turn my back and he writes a word on a rock. I can still vividly hear him writing it. My teacher ears heard two lower case "r"s being written. I knew he was writing the word "worry". Him and I have talked many times about how worry is something I really struggle with and need to work on. I told him, "I think I know what word you wrote, but I will wait until after I see it to tell you if I was write or wrong". He tells me he is all done and hands me the rock...
It says, "singleness". I am confused so naturally, I turn around to look at him. There he is, on one knee, holding a ring. I was shocked and immediately began crying. Apparently I asked him, "Is this for real?" I now realize what a stupid question that was. I then, through my tears, asked "Have you talked to Dad?" After asking details of the conversation, he had to ask again, "is that a yes?" I quickly affirmed his original question with a yes and he proceeded to ask "do you even want to see the ring?" Haha, I had not yet looked at the ring. We shared a few moments up there standing on the edge of the cliff and then quickly got back in the car to drive where we could get cell phone reception. We were both way too excited to call people (and forgot to take pictures at that time)!
We came back to the cliffs on Saturday night to actually get pictures. Where we are standing in this picture is just about the exact same spot he proposed.
Daniel picked this ring out all by himself. I am so proud of him, he did such a wonderful job.
The common question we keep hearing is "when?" and the answer is "we have not yet decided" and that answer remains. We hope to know soon, but we are still working some things out on dates and trying to figure it all out. Until then though, we thank you for sharing in the excitement of our engagement!
This man has made me so happy. He has taught me so much about God's love by living it out. I can't believe I get to marry him!
To read his perspective of our engagement, check out his blog post!
To read his perspective of our engagement, check out his blog post!
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