Romance Begins

Patrick 

The story about how the courtship began could be made into a long story. But we are not going to go into everything, because it would take way to long. I was praying about it, and asking God to show me what direction He wanted me to take, with her. After a lot of prayer and fasting, I finally had peace on what needed to be done. I talked to pastor Castellaw about it, and he told me to talk to her mom. That was on a Tuesday night after the Bible Institute.

The next day was Wednesday, and I was planning on talking to Iris's mom that night at the German Bible study. I fasted all that day and was very, very, and I will say it again, VERY, nervous. I said to the Lord that if I can get to talk to her by herself without anyone around, then I would know that God wanted me to talk to her tonight. So that night at the Bible study, I was looking for an opportunity to talk to her. After the service was over, we were fellowshiping and I saw Iris's mom in one of the Sunday school rooms cleaning. And guess what! She was by herself. At first I started to ignore it and ask the Lord to give me another opportunity to talk to her. But He said that this was the opportunity and to take it. The next thing I know, I am walking in the room and talking to her. I told her "I have been praying about this and I have talked to Pastor about it, so with your permission, I would like to get to know Iris better." She told me that she doesn't choose who Iris's husband will be, but God chooses. So she told me that she would talk to Iris and give me an answer tomorrow night.

Thursday was a very, very long day. I couldn't wait to get to church that night and find out what her answer was. So finally it was time to go to church. I walked in there and saw her singing in the Sunday school room with another lady in the church. I kept looking over at her during the service and she always seemed to ignore me, that really made me nervous. Well after the service, I was going to play guitar for Iris and a friend from church. Well as I was walking toward the room, Iris's mom stopped me and gave me Iris's answer. I misunderstood and thought Iris said no. The pain in my stomach hurt and all I wanted to do was go home. I definitely didn't want to go in that room where Iris was and have to talk to her. But I did and all I could think about was " I thought she liked me, boy was I wrong" I was so glad to get home away from her.

Friday: I wrote an email to pastor Castellaw telling him about the night before. He told me he would find out more about it. So I waited and waited for an answer. Finally that evening, I got an email from him tell me that everything was good. Iris was interested, but wanted to take it very slow. This was going to be her first relationship, and so she is very nervous. I was overjoyed at that response, I was so happy.

Saturday: We had street meeting that afternoon, so I knew I would see her there. This was going to be the first time I would see her and know how she felt about me. And the greatest part about that day was; She was coming to the house where I was staying after the meeting because we were having a big dinner with a family who would be leaving for the States soon. So I knew I would get to see a lot of her. But I didn't talk to her at all that day. I knew she wanted to take it slow and plus, we didn't want to draw attention to ourselves. So I acted like there was nothing going on between us, but I did look at her whenever I thought I could get away with it. ☺

Now you know the most of the story about how our romance began. I thank and praise the Lord for bring us together. He has brought us through a lot and our love continues to grow. I had no idea that when I went to Germany, my life would never be the same. God has been so good to me.


Iris

I had no idea that Patrick was thinking serious thoughts. Yes, I liked him and thought he was a nice guy but I only knew him for two months now so nothing would happen anytime soon. Someone even said that maybe we could be a couple before I leave to college but I did not see that happening. I thought he would MAYBE ask right before I left. So life went on as normal...

Wednesday was a German Bible study and we went through the normal routine. That night my family was invited over to the Balls (friends of ours) for a movie night. I had a fun time, enjoying the movie snacks and fellowship with my "little sisters". When we got home I was whirred and talkative. My mom and I left to go walk the dog when not long after we left my mom said: "Today a certain young man came up to me and asked if he can get to know you better." I was so surprised I didn't know what to say or think. All I felt was a knot in my stomach.
That night we didn't go to bed till 1 AM trying to figure out if I want him to tell him yes or no. I wanted him to pursue me because I liked him but I didn't want him to know I liked him because that was to embarrassing. ☺ I finally said to tell him yes and I just needed to get over feeling shy.

Thursday I was SOOOOO nervous going to church because he would find out!! I avoided any eye contact because I was embarrassed. :D I made it through the service but then it was time to practice our song with him. It was safe though because me mom hadn't talked to him yet...oh...to late. She stopped him right outside the door! He's gonna find out!!!! They part...He knows, but... He looks at me weird. The rest of the evening while we practiced he was very serious. I wondered why he acted that way when he knew I liked him but maybe he was nervous, too.

Friday I get a call from my Pastor at work. He said he wanted to talk to me about Patrick. He already had a talk with my mom and there had been a misunderstanding. Patrick thought I had said no! (Oh, that explained his acting weird) I told Pastor that I liked him and wanted to start courting. Pastor told me he would email him that and if there was anything else I wanted him to know. YES, I was so nervous and I wanted him to tell Patrick that I needed to go slow. So now it was really out. No misunderstanding, Patrick will read it black on white in the email- "She likes you!"

Saturday was street-meeting and I was excited to see him but  also SOOOO nervous to see him. I avoided eye contact but made myself to say hello and smile when we both got our tracts. The rest of the day went by peacefully and full of "stomach-twisting". ☺ I was excited to see him and even got to sit across from him during dinner but that meant our eyes met to often. Young love was so hard but he was nice and didn't say much.

That is the beginning of our relationship. Patrick asked my mom on June 2, 2010. Only 2 weeks before my 20th birthday. So far...so good! ☺