Prayer Changes Things

"Prayer Changes Things" is what the plaque says hanging in my family room.  I've read it many times laying on the couch but it wasn't until this past year that I realized the truth in this simple saying.  If you don't believe these three simple words now, you hopefully will after hearing just how powerful prayer and God have been as our Love Story has unfolded.

For years I have prayed that God would give me a husband and a partner in life.  Someone that could serve in His kingdom with me.  Someone that would be a great father (someday).  Someone that would love me unconditionally.  Someone that would be my best friend.  As my friends began to get married I asked God many times why not me?  Where was the man he had chosen as my mate?  But God reminded me His timetable isn't aligned with ours. 

Mom and Dad have been very active in the ministry in Cebu over the last seven years.  Mom is always so excited to tell us the latest happenings, successes, and church plants.  The Naga church plant was no different.  Naga was the latest church plant and Mom was so excited one morning as we spoke about the work Gepher was doing.  Every Saturday children from all over Naga (about 70 to 80) were coming to hear the story of Jesus under a Mango tree.  That story touched my heart and I knew immediately I wanted to help.  I asked Mom what kind of "stuff" did Gepher have to teach the kids.  She said only the material she had received from Southside (our home congregation).  It was back to school time and school supplies were on sale.  I immediately told her I was going to go out shopping for crayons, glue, scissors, etc and bring when I came on my vacation.  I went out shopping that day and filled the cart full of fun supplies that I just knew would bring smiles to the kids faces.  I didn't know then just how important those crayons would be in the rest of my life.

Since I had never met Gepher, I just wanted Mom to deliver the package.  Of course she wouldn't (but who knows where we would be if she had).  Wednesday morning after devotional Mom and I walked downstairs to where the boys were.  I gave Gepher the bag of crayons and he was speechless.  He couldn't believe I would want to make a difference in the kids lives.  I never really thought of it that way.  The kids needed the supplies and I had them to give.  At that moment Gepher says he knew there was something special about me.

After returning home from a wonderful vacation, I found a Thank You note in my email from Gepher.  I was surprised to find this note and thought "he's on Mom and Dad's ministry team, I need to respond and be nice".  An occasional email turned into an often email and even online chatting.  I couldn't believe what was happening.  I was building a friendship with someone I had only met once.  How could this be???  We talked about life, dreams, goals, prayers.  And the more we talked the more we looked forward to the next interaction...until Gepher finally told me just how he felt.  I was shocked, speechless.  I immediately prayed and said "God can this be true???  There is no way this can happen.  He's on the other side of the world."  I told God if this was suppose to be then he needed to make it obvious and open doors for us.

Driving to work one day I heard God speak in a way I'd never experienced before.  He told me to "step out in faith and see" as I was listening a CD in the car.  I couldn't get that out of my head.  The more time we spent together the more I prayed and the more God told me, "I'm giving you what you've asked for."  My boss came to me later that week and indicated we were moving my business to Cebu and would I be willing to lead the operation there for 6 months.  I couldn't believe this was happening...God was working in ways I never expected.  He was opening doors for us to be in the same place.  Prayers were being answered.

In April I traveled to Manila for business.  Gepher and I were so excited for this trip as it was going to be the first time we actually got to spend time together.  We had arranged the perfect afternoon...coffee, movie, and dinner.  We were going to meet after church at the mall.  Like all girl's I had found the perfect outfit.  But something after church told me I needed to go home and change.  So I did.  I went home and put on blue jeans and a cute top.  We met and had the perfect afternoon.  It wasn't the akward first date and he was the perfect gentleman.

As I got ready to head back to the US, Gepher and I spent one night talking about us.  We both felt things were perfect while together.  He shared something with me one night that took my breath away.  He told me he had been praying for us.  He had actually done more than just prayed but asked God for a sign.  He had put the story of Abraham finding Isaac a wife into practice.  He put names in a cup and prayed over them for a week and when he "cast lots" he drew mine.  Talk about giving a girl chill bumps.  As if that wasn't enough, he pulled a piece of paper from his wallet.  It was a prayer he had written out.  A prayer that stated when we met on our first date if I was the one I'd be wearing blue.  And in case you forgot, I went home after church and changed clothes and put on blue.  Prayers Answered.

Upon arriving back home our time together online became more important.  It was a chance to reconnect, build our friendship, pray together, and just continue to get to know one another.  We weren't sure how this was all going to work, but we knew with God in charge He obviously had a plan.  We both longed for the time I could travel back to Cebu to spend more time together.  At that time we didn't know it would be just a few weeks later.

Meredith was traveling for her summer vacation in June and I was so jealous she was going and I was staying behind.  My boss and I talked one day and she asked about Meredith.  I told her that Meredith was getting ready to head to the Philippines and she was disappointed I didn't get to go with her this year.  My boss quickly said I could go and just work from there.  I couldn't believe it and immediately I knew I wanted to go.  We got online and found a rewards ticket on Friday night and flew out on Sunday.  Who would have thought you could do that! 

That trip we savored every moment together.  We enjoyed spending time together and ministering to the people of Naga.  He and I taught the kids on Sunday morning and it was as if we had always taught together.  The kids loved it and looked forward to our teaching together and the fun things we'd do in Bible class.  Those were sweet special memories.

As we fast forward time, I flew back to Cebu in August for work and vacation.  We enjoyed hanging out, planning the carnival (that'll be a post in the future), meeting the family, and just being together.  Our time together flew by too fast. 

At this point we both realized that God had given us what we had asked for, it just came in a package we didn't expect.  When he asked me to marry him I couldn't imagine answering anything but YES!! 

Our journey has been written on prayer and God.  Its a colorful adventure that He has written and we are enjoying every twist and turn.  He has provided ways for us to be together and minister in Cebu both in the short term and after we get married.

I guess by now you can say I have a new saying.  Its not "Prayer Changes Things" but instead its "Be Careful What You Pray for Because You Might Just Get It."  We can't wait to see what God has in store for us and share with our friends and family as we start our journey together as husband and wife.