Sunday, August 27, 2006

Praying for Paul

I talked to Paul about a week ago and expect a call from him any day now. I did get a letter and an email from him this week. In the card he had mention that he is doing some of the same stuff over and over that he stopped becoming effected by it. He is seeing things and doing things that one person can't even imagine what he must be going through mentally. Please pray for him. I know he is ready to come home. Pray for him every week as he works out in the tree house for his safety and ability to perform his tasks.
I'm going to be open about this, also pray for both Paul and I to seek God's wisdom concerning our relationship. We more than anything want to do God's will. We have been seeking wisdom and advice from our parents. I am suppose to share something with all of you readers of my blog but I'm at loss of how to put this exactly but dad wanted me to share this with everyone so that everyone is aware of Paul and I's relationship. I met Paul last year in early June. I started emailing him in November of the previous year. Simply because his parents had mention his lack of Christian friends so I thought I could drop a line. When talking through emails I kept it strict. I didn't know him and he didn't know me so I was careful. I often shared Pastor's sermons with him and my devotions and other weekly advents that linked with some sort of spiritual conviction. After meeting him well... things changed. I got to know Paul on a different friendship level and we started going out for coffee. He was only home for 3 weeks so only a better friendship was developed. Over time through emails we got to know each other better and knew that we were interested. I right away got my parents involved. I wanted their wisdom in all of this. In October of '05 Paul came home again for another couple of weeks and we took things a little bit furthur. Dad finally agreed for us to have our offical first date. Still in all of this my parents, friends, me and Paul were careful but it was at this time when dad gave us permission to be a "couple". Paul came home again in Jan and things continued to grow. Paul and I have continued to be careful considering the lack of time we have spent in actual presence but through letter writing, emailing and phone calls we have continued our "relationship" and have seen it grown. Recently.... Paul wrote a letter to dad of his "intentions". In this letter it included Paul's intentions of asking my dad for my hand in marriage when he came home this Christmas. He also talked about how he wanted to join the Coast Guard as a medic once leaving the Army. I'm sure you know what dad was thinking... "You want to take my baby girl to the coast away from me? Without getting to know me or me getting to know you?" Dad (and I) have prayed about this situation a lot. Plus dad has asked many trusted christian brothers for their advice. Dad finally has a letter ready to go in the mail as a response to Paul's letter. Its a long letter but positive and I can see that my dad is a Godly man who is doing his christian duty as a father in the response he gave Paul. It boiled down to getting to know Paul better, wanting Paul to be a strong Christian man, what he expected from Paul now until he came home and what he expected of Paul during his last year in the Army. Dad did say at the end of the letter.., "I don't plan on saying no, Paul. At least I don't have a reason. However it depends on what happens between now and until you come home."

So pray for Paul as he is in Iraq and prepares to come home and pray for Paul and I to seek and listen to both God and our parent's wisdom.

*Additional comments just email them to me.
icpinkbutaflies@aol.com

Thanks!!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Barb,

I appreciate the transparent post. You can be sure that Jennie and I will both be praying for you and Paul.

Pastor

Anonymous said...

You are so responsible and definitely have your ears tuned to God's will! I hope everything works out.