Monday, February 25, 2013

Our Story - Part 1

My first year of teaching contained a lot of "meetings"... new teacher orientations to start off the year and monthly meetings with all the other new teachers in the district.  It was at those meetings that I met Lauren, the new kindergarten teacher on my campus.  We weren't on the same hall so we didn't get to see each other very often, but we instantly had a connection since we were both "new".

My second year of teaching my classroom got moved right next door to Lauren's classroom.  Our friendship grew more that year because we were able to see each other throughout the day at work.  She asked me more times than I can remember if I would go out with this guy friend she had from church.

I never answered.  Don't know why.  Just didn't.

Actually, I think I was burnt out on all the fifty thousand blind dates I had been on.

I cannot tell you how many times we would be somewhere and she would say, "I want to set her up with Mark!!  Don't you think they'd be cute together!"

Finally, just so she would stop asking (ha), I told her I would meet him.  She told him to send me a message on facebook so we could start getting to know each other.

That was in August of 2011 and well....

the message.

It was long.  A big run-on with lots of questions and oh my gracious.

That was it for me.  I was turned off and done.

Can you tell I went in looking for something wrong so I had an excuse to run? 

I mean where was the, "THIS IS IT MEGAN!  MARRY HIM!" written in the sky.  I mean did the Lord not get my memo?!  :)

I never responded to his email.

We laugh about it now because it's just so funny!  Okay, so maybe Mark doesn't laugh, but it really does make our story that much more special!  :)  

Three months go by and I find myself face down on the floor of my bedroom with tears...

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Introduction to Our Story

There have been many times over the past few weeks that I've wanted to sit down and write out our story.

Not because it's perfect.  No, that's not it at all.

You see... I was terrified about relationships.

For most of you that is not new information.  Just search around the blog and you'll see - or don't!  You can't say I didn't warn you! :)

The fact that Mark and I are getting married is truly a testimony to the Lord's faithfulness and His abundant plans for our lives. 

A few years ago, after some hard events in my life I prayed to the Lord to please just not let me date again.   I begged Him. "I don't want to go out with anyone again until it's the one that You have for me.  I don't want to call anyone BOYFRIEND, until it's him."

I'd heard other girls pray that prayer before and I thought - yep, let's do it.

It didn't take long for me to realize that my motivation for that prayer was all wrong.  I didn't want to date because I was absolutely terrified.  I didn't want the past to be repeated.  The pain was just not worth it.  I was content just sitting and waiting until He very clearly YELLED - THIS IS IT MEGAN, MARRY HIM... and pushed me into my future husbands arms.

The year I prayed that prayer I went on seriously about 10 blind dates.  God really has a sense of humor huh?!  :)

After a few of those dates I realized that He wasn't trying to frustrate and confuse me by contradicting my prayer, but instead showing me what desires He had placed in my heart for my future husband.  And possibly helping me overcome some serious issues of fear I clearly had.

Four years.

That's how long I went without calling anyone - BOYFRIEND.  And I was perfectly happy that way.  While my prayer might have had some funny motives, it was one of the best decisions I ever made because I was able to find my identity in Christ and really grow into who He had created me to be.

It was in those years that a lot of pruning and questioning and doubting and so much more took place.  I needed to dig through a lot of that on my own and make my own decisions.

Now, yes, I was like every other girl who wanted to find her man, but I also was so okay with waiting on His timing.  My past taught me that His plans and timing were so much better than anything I could force to happen - even on my best day ;)  I truly got to a place where I was content being single and trusted His plans.  That in itself is a gift from God - nothing my flesh could muster up!

So... this is really more for me than anyone else... because I want to write it down.

But I hope that maybe someone is encouraged by our story.  That maybe your faith in Christ is strengthened by something you read.

Just please remember that I am only a kindergarten teacher and so not a pro when it comes to grammar.  ;)

Check back later...