The Father's Blessing.

As most of you know, Jessica and I were in our second and final year of Celebration Bible College, and so the story goes...

It was Thursday of last week (April 24th), when Jessica and I headed to Pearson Airport to pick up my parents. As we were informed that my parents' flight had just landed, I felt a very firm grip on my hand and as time passed, the grip proceeded to my arm. I could almost feel Jessica's own teeth clamping and her jaw flexing as there off in the distance stood my parents, which Jess was about to meet for the first time. Waves of nervousness passed through her as she realized what the very thing we had been excited for for weeks was about to happen. So to make a long story short, we greeted my parents with armth and we proceeded to have dinner at Montana's. My parents warmed up to Jessica very quickly and we then proceeded back to St. Kitts.

The following day I was granted the priveledge of hosting Mr. John Brown (Jessica's father) at mine own dwelling for two nights. I wanted him to stay over for two reasons 1) to simply provide a blessing and 2) I wanted to make sure I had the opportunity for "the talk" (call it a hidden agenda, or ulterior motives if you will, but Mr. Brown knew it all along :) ). So it was, on Grad Banquet Eve., that as Jessica had her own reasons to be nervous, so had I mine. However my nerves were calmed by confidence in who I was (-disclaimer-in Christ), and knowing that Jessica and I would make a good couple, serving God together by teaming together, selling out for the Gospel. At the end of the night I was straight to the point, I wanted Jess' Dad's approval (or whatever you want to cal it). To be honest I was a little nervous when he told me he would pray about it, but I was glad nonetheless; no man should give his daughter's hand in marriage so hastly.

The next day John and I took a road trip to Toronto, and on the way back he gave me open opportunity to pour out my heart for Jessica and convince him what makes me good for his daughter. So I went on and on, not really in a pleading my case way but just in an excited kind of way. I find that, when it comes to Jessica, there is much to say (in a good way!), so I was a chatter box for at least a good 20 or 30 minutes. As I was explaining to John how Jess and I are both complete in the Holy Spirit, I was suddenly interrupted by his hand on my shoulder and him telling me that I had it... He needed to hear that we don't depend on eachother to fill a void, but that we are both two complete people in Jesus. To be honest it felt a little strange, I was thinking "should I just say thank you or do I keep going?" But overall I was honoured and still am honoured. We had a good time in the Holy Ghost for a few minutes right there in the van as we could both feel the presence of God and an overwhelming peace about the whole situation.

So there it was, I was given the father's blessing. Now, I was originally going to wait until Jessica's birthday to propose, but honestly, I was too excited and anxious... I couldn't wait! I had the ring, I had the peace of God, and her father's blessing... so I at least waited until our two month anniversary (May 1st). It was that night after a home cooked meal and in the candlelight that I first told her to close her eyes so I could suprise her with this beetle necklace (it's really cool!). I know we had told eachother that we weren't going to get eachother little gifts like that, and not get so carried away in materialism, but I couldn't just tell her to close her eyes, she would know in a second what I was doing, and it wouldn't be a surprise! So after I gave her the necklace (which was my little scheme to keep the proposal a surprise... now whether it worked or not I don't really know), I told her to close her eyes once again and in that time I knelt down quietly and pulled the bulky ring box out of my pocket and opened it up just as I told her to open her eyes. You should've seen the look in her eyes, I think she was a little surprised (which is good), and after I asked the question she answered me softly. It was a beautiful moment... one that I will remember for the rest of my life.

So there it is, the story of how Jessica and I are engaged. I hope you enjoyed the story :P. We're both still excited, anxious to continue our lives in ministry as one. The thought of advancing the Kingdom with Jessica just thrills me. None of this would ever be possible without Jesus. At the end of the day, He's the one who gets credit for every good thing in my life. Without Jesus, I would not be satisfied, because in Him is our joy, our peace, and our satisfaction. It wouldn't be a joy for me to pursue Jessica if I wasn't pursuing Jesus first. My relationship with Jessica would not be at all possible if it weren't for Jesus. In Him we have everything. As Paul quotes an ancient greek poet in Acts 17:28, In Him we live, and move, and have our being. There's no true joy in life apart from knowing Him and knowing His heart. God is always wanting for us to draw near to Him, to just come to Him without any agenda but just to come to Him so he can serenade us, and so He can pour out His love on us. Like I say, there's no joy in life apart from knowing Jesus.

Anyway... Hope you all enjoyed!