Artie

So who is this mysterious girlfriend of mine? What does she look like? What is her name?

OK, OK. If you guys read my post on How I met the Girl of my Dreams, Literally!, then you saw her name once, know only how I started this relationship. Welp, she has read it and politely asked "Why am I only mentioned ONCE??!!" Umm, well.....I am getting to that. And here I am! So I will start with the 5 W's.

Who is she? Her name is Rachel, to me Artie. Her initials are RD and that is where we got Artie. Distinguishes her from my sister if they are both within earshot. 

What do I like about her? Just about everything, just.....*peeks around shoulder* Ok, everything. She is funny, sarcastic (working on that one....), God fearing, mission minded, loves children, short (I always wanted someone to look up to me :D ), sings beautifully, very smart~smarter than me~,  intelligent, writes wonderfully. Anything else???

Where did I meet her? I met her at church about 7 years ago. We have been good friends since.

When did this all start? Well, either 7 years ago or 1 month. Either way, I dont look back on it.

Why her? Why her??? Because, I have my reasons. As stated before but more importantly, God is gently prodding me. Need I say anything else?

So anyhoo, I was at her awards ceremony last night. That surprised her to begin with. I had acted like I was going to talk to her as usual at 9pm. Well, I walked into the doors and waited in the lobby like her dad said to. I waited and waited for about the 3 mins. Impatiently I called her dad to see what to do next. He said to keep walking into the downstairs room. So I walk in and look around the corner and there she is with her hand to her mouth on her cell phone. She was saying over and over "Wow". Her dad had called her to ask to walk into the foyer. Well here I come around the corner and luckily she was able to sit into a chair right behind. I sat next to her and asked if she could say anything else other than Wow. I asked her if she was surprised and she about slugged me and said emphatically "NO!" So after introductions went around, we talked briefly. I went up stairs with my friend who I brought along. We had a fun but long night. After 2 hours of awards, we get some pictures taken. I will get them up as soon as I get some from her. But to say the least, I am proud to say she got 2 awards, her sister got 1, and her dad (who teaches Debate and Economics) got 2 awards. Some pictures I took did not turn out with the new camera I got for my birthday.

This week/weekend is FULL for me starting tonight. But hopefully I will get through with God's grace.

Jon

The Family

So you might be wondering about the name, Oldest of 11. Well, there is 11 children in my family. There is 9 younger natural siblings and 1 who was transplanted in by adoption. I love them all but some can get pretty annoying. 

One brother is 18, about a year and a half younger. Works hard, tall (6' 2"), lanky, blonde. We get along on somethings and fight on others. We share the same interest in trucks (Big and must be a diesel) and  how to customize them. 

A sister is 16, born 4 years later to the day after me. (Ok 3 year, 364 days and 12 hours or so behind me) Shorter but getting taller than me, dirty blonde, tough, sweet but has a vicious side if tempted. She keeps me inline very good. Dance very well and pretty close to my 15 year old brother in height, everything. They could almost be twins. It is scary how well they think alike.

Another brother is almost 15, the clown of the family. He is about 5'8", lanky, gonna be taller than me someday. He can make almost anybody laugh and he a great sense of humor. He can do the robot dance and imitate people very well. He will be a  good comedian one of these days.

Second sister is turning the big 13 this year. Emotional, wants to be considered grown up but yet still very much a kid. She loves to try and be a tomboy but gets hurt at the smallest of things.

The twins, both at 11 years of age. They are fraternal twins, meaning they do not look alike. In fact, nearly everyone thinks the blonde twin and my second sister are the twins. One is blonde, shy, soft-spoken. The other is brown haired,  slender, strong for her size, asks those questions that make you go hmmm. They cannot be separated.. the blonde is almost the exact opposite of other in some ways. They were born 3 days after my (and Sis) birthday.

Third bro is 9 years old. Blonde, slim, gonna be tall one of these days. He follows my mischievious second bro in the hospital visits. Mischeivious, rough house at any moment with me. He is a little worm! GRab him one way and he will find a way to slip out.

My fifth sister is 7. She has these really big eyes that might one day be useful if she ever learns how to use them. She is somewhat a drama queen. She tries to imitate Mom, the twins, and third bro in that order. Every day is different.

The youngest sis. 5 years and knows how to use that smile and eyes for her good. Spoiled cause she is the last of the girls and the last natural born. She is truly a miracle for being alive! One of these days I will tell you why.

And the youngest boy is the baby of the family and adopted. Another miracle baby. What started out as a babysitting job turned into a another person being added to the family. At 2years old, he is a rambunctious little brat. If you did not know he was adopted, you would have never guessed he was. He looks like us so much!

And from time to time you will hear of my three cousins kids. We are currently fostering them.

That gives you a small glimpse of my family.

Signing out

Jon

How I met the girl of my Dreams, literally!

I have promised to tell you of this exciting new thing in my life called courtship. I will tell you my side of the story but first let me define what I am doing.

Courtship is much different than dating. In fact, dating is just a really stripped down version of courtship. Courtship relies on friendship and openness in the beginning with the prospective couple and their families! WHAT??? You mean you can't just like her, go out a few times to see if we click, and just go from their? Nope. Not in courtship. Courtship is taken more seriously than dating as a few criteria must be met on both parties first and it is a firmer step than dating to marriage. The top 3 things in my book are 1) Maturity: Physically, spiritually, and mentally (More for the ladies as we guys never get out of this last stage). How can a 16 year old take under his wing a young lady and have the maturity to do it? Can he provide for a wife? He needs to be able to provide for a family, not just the 2 of them. Think of it this way, 1+1=3. When 2 people come together, children naturally follow. 2) Families: When you marry someone, you don't just marry the spouse but their immediate family. Is the guy in good standing with her family? He needs to start this relationship on a good foot as the families are a integral part of this relationship. He will be asking the father about his want to court his daughter. And 3) Each other: This is a duh! statement but really, just cause you like her, is there a friendship already started that can be built upon? You know, I tried to like other girls but when I got to be friends, nothing more could be developed as we were just that, friends. 

So anyways, now to the meat and taters.....

I was 1 month away from turning 14 and I was really trying to see God work in my life. So I asked God who would be my wife. I know, you get what you asked for. So in 3 different nights I got 3 different dreams. What was unique about them? I always had someone beside me that I couldn't see their face fully but I notice somethings about them. They way she walked and talked. So I knew who it was. I decided to write her a letter. Uh-oh. I knew a little about her but not enough to start a courtship. And I found out later she was 11!!!! I thought since she was in my bro's Sunday school class, and acted more mature, I thought she was 13. Nope. Thats how I started it the first time. Now, where is the smily shaking his finger....

So what ensued was a roller coaster ride. I couldn't wait to see her at church but when I did, I ignored her. But when our families got together or at church events, we would find some way to go off together and just talk. Well, about 2-3 year later, she asked to talk to me after a church Christmas play practice. I said ok. I thought she just wanted to talk. So we sat down and she turned and looked at me and said "Jon, I don't have any feeling for you anymore. I am going out with another guy." My world came crashing down like the Twin Towers on 9/11. I choked out "If that's how you feel, its alright with me." I walked outside to get something from the van and as I was walking back in, I started to sing a chorus that our church had started singing just a few months before. But the only verse at that time that I could remember went like this:

When Satan tempts me to despair

And tells me of the guilt within

Upward I look and see Him there

Who made an end to all my sin.......

~Before the Throne of God Above

I just kept repeating that verse over and over. The next day for the play, I was dealing with it ok but Rachel was not looking very well at all. I knew she was attached to me but if she wanted it to break off, I was going to make sure that it was officially and totally broke off. So from then on, I didn't interact with her much, really only when I had to. And from then on my life would go down to the pits and come back up. In fact, it was that point which was the lowest. I had gotten in some seriously deep trouble when something on my computer came to the forefront and I had to confront them. Unfortunately, I didn't find it first, my parents did. Yikes! I never have seen my dad that mad, let alone he never gets mad about anything.

So God was working in my life then. He was molding me and bending and tempering me at that point. I made a few bad decisions about jobs and how to handle money. I made a few trips to New Orleans to help with the Katrina Relief. And all this time, I was looking for a new girlfriend.

Everywhere I went, people would ask me "So, do you have a girlfriend?" I would pump up my chest and say "Nope! They cost too much time and money." They would laugh and most would drop it there. Then some would ask what happened to the last one. I said I never had a girlfriend. That is when their mouth dropped. No grilfriend? Dude are you feeling well? You gay or something? I would shake my head and drop it.

Now Rachel at first tried getting back together with me and I was being my stubborn German self and I said no. I did not want to be the fall back guy. But then we fell away from each other until March 27.......

She was over at our house so our mothers could talk about what was going on with the 3 kids we are fostering until my cousin gets back on her feet. So I was asked to take my Sis Rachel and Rachel (My sis was spending the night with Rachel as they were really good friends.) to the resturant where they were talking and to drop Jay off with my mom so he could go get counseling. On the way their we were talking like friends, the first time since.....Well since a LONG time. Our old relationship came up and we were jabbing at each other about how it went. She asked me something and I remember saying that breaking up hurt.

I dropped them off and was returning home in the snow when I get a call from some number I didn't recognize so I answered. It was Rachel (not my Sis) and she said "Jon, I have to tell you something. I wanted to tell you in the van but you jumped out right away and I couldn't ralk to you." I said "What's up?" "I am sorry. I had no idea that I hurt you that much. Will you forgive me?" Being the romantic I am, I said "Oh. Ok thanks" and hung up. I pounded the steering wheel as the emotions started flowing again. Emotions that I thought I had destroyed came flooding back. I screamed at God "WHY??!!" 

That night I talked to Mom. 

Then Dad that Saturday. 

Then her Dad on April 13 and he said "Yes, you can court her." Um, is there a door way that could fit my now overgrown head through?? I think not. But some how I walked out through those Pizza Hut doors.

Anyways, in the past 30 days, we have grown closer together than we ever were before. April 26 will be considered our "anniversary" as that is when we went out on our first official date and I gave her a promise ring.

Guys, and gals, she is the one I want to be with for the rest of my life. I cannot describe her and her heart. She has forgiven my past sins. I am unworthy.

But God (those famous words) has a plan for us, and it just might as very well be together for a long time.

WOW!!!

GOD IS GOOD!

ALL THE TIME!

Jon

WOW! God's timing is perfect!

WOW!!! In the last 5 months God has been showing His goodness to me. Since January my life has been changing and I am loving it. Jesus has helped me with a lot of stuff in my life that needed to be redone, worked on, and where I needed to grow in.

One thing I notice is the idols in my life. If you know me for more than 20 minutes, you will find out a few things about me. I am serious, love to help, a little slow to speak, act like a blonde, love to be with friends, try to keep track of all my 10 younger sibs and 3 of my cousins kids, and I love anything that has 4 wheels, room for 2-6 people, has a bed to sleep in or throw stuff in, and has a diesel engine shoved under the hood! My friends have found it hilarious that I can tell you everything about a diesel pickup and tell you all the problems wrong with it. Plus the fact I am shoving a Dodge Cummins Diesel into a 87 Chevy Suburban after I wrecked my truck last year in August. The truck WAS a 93 3/4 ton 4x4 Dodge with a Cummins Diesel and I loved it until one fate filled day I wrecked while I was off road. OUCH! Talk about God bringing some things to the fore front for me to deal with. So I stupidly kept on looking for a truck and finally settled to shove the diesel in when the old engine in the Suburban threw the timing chain. I also wanted to go to college and get a certificate for being a diesel mechanic. II wanted to do what I wanted, not Him.

The other idol was the want of someone special in my life. I have never had a girlfriend before (!!!!) and was feeling lonesome and angry towards God. Why couldn't He provide someone when I thought I needed it right now. I have found out that Gods timing is perfect and while I was waiting He decided to clean house in my heart. My life needed direction and a sense of peace and closeness with Him.

So in January I went to go see a movie with some friends and saw the rating was R for sexual content, language, and sporadic use of drugs. I was like "Guys, lets see something different. How about Rambo?" Well pretty much everyone else had seen it. So I regrettably bought the $7 ticket. You know what $7 can do to your life? I was shaking my head at the coments and the language until about 15 mins into the movie a scene came up. I looked down (not something any Christian should see, much less any guys), stood up and walked out to my bro's truck. I had this nice down jacket on and boy was I glad I brought it with! The outside temp was about 30* and my bro (still watching the movie) had the keys. So I hop into the truck and sat for about 10 mins. I figured I might as well do something and started to pray. Well one thing led to another and I started sobbing at how my life was at that point. I was running from God's plan but still trying to follow Him. Why was I not at peace with Him? Why was I angry at Him? Why was I not as strong of a Christian as I thought I should be? What is His plan for me? What is my purpose?

God has answered or is answering all those questions. YES!!! Finally!! I have peace. I am not angry at God anymore! I have a hunger for the Word now. I am praying more often. Stuff I have never really experienced in my life before.

I then realized what had happened about a month and a half ago. That is, there is a difference between asking Jesus to save you from your sins and surrendering your life to Him. My life is now totally His and He could do what He wanted with it. Who am I to stand in His way? He now leads, being a Perfect Leader, in my life! How many settlers in the 1800's wanted a perfect scout and leader? A lot! And those guys made a ton of mistakes too. But God will not make any.

So since January, I have been revealed or shown a lot about what God wants me to do. The first is to move out and start being responsible for my life. But I need a vehicle and once the Suburban is done, and after some prayer, I will be. My parents are planning on me helping them with the addition to the house this year and I will. But whether I am moving out before and just stopping by on my way home from work or moving out after is all a matter of what God wants, and they know that. I love my parents.

Also God wants me to start helping young men and fathers on how to live life for him while being brother/friend/husband/father of their relationships. Sexual integrity is top priority on my list. What is wrong with our culture?

The other thing is a job. I am staying at my current job at Crest Foods They have been good to me but the thing that bothers me the most is people. What else is new?

And finally the one thing that I have prayed for and wanted for 7 years, a girlfriend! But not just anybody, someone who I respect, trust, and love to be around with. I have waited for 7 years (SHe said it is like the story of Jacob and Rachel in Genesis). You will hear more of my COURTSHIP later when the time is right. 

WOOHOO! God is shaping me to be the man He wants me to be. And I LOVE it! Life is exciting, how is yours?

Jon