Can’t wait to see you for our wedding at 4:30pm!

On the 16th of August 2020, Michelle returned to Flagstaff from a summer in Alaska and sat down to a regular Sunday lunch with her dear friends Mark and Chris Miller. Before they could even sit all the way down, Mark was blurting out to Michelle, "I KNOW WHO YOUR HUSBAND IS!" To which Michelle replied with hardy laugh at this funny joke. And so began the many months of listening to endless things about this Isaac who lived in Washington. Meanwhile, in September, Mark casually mentioned Michelle to Isaac over the phone one day while saying “There’s this girl coming with us to visit the farm, you should really meet her.” Unfortunately, she was unable to go with them on that trip. And so began the stories about this girl who was moving to Turkey for two months (which was entirely incorrect because she was planning to move to Montenegro for 2 years) and how he needed to marry her to keep her from going… or to protect her there.

After a few failed attempts to get Michelle to Washington and countless offers for free plane tickets, Mark Miller succeeded in getting Isaac to Flagstaff to meet Michelle (even though Isaac was more interested in meeting another girl his friends were also trying to set him up with). Isaac almost didn't make it to Flagstaff as he was detained at the airport for "trying to smuggle" a handgun through security. Upon arriving in Flagstaff, Mark quickly managed to make the introduction happen at one very awkward coffee/lunch. Upon setting eyes on Isaac, Michelle immediately thought to herself that this was never going to go anywhere. Isaac was along for a good laugh, but ultimately only wanted to meet her to get Mark off his back. Mark managed to get Isaac and Michelle together several more times that weekend during which a mutual love for chai tea is discovered...

Isaac got Michelle's phone number so he could send her an apology text for everything she had to unceasingly listen to about him. She saved his name in her phone as “Isaac Washington Miller’s Friend” because she didn’t think she would be texting him enough to remember who he was and she didn’t know his last name. He proceeded to tell her how Michelle was the most popular person in Washington because she was all anyone could talk about around him. Unfortunately for Isaac, meeting Michelle didn't stop the constant conversations about her, it only enhanced them. He decided, instead of getting annoyed, he would sit back at laugh at everyone creating stories and starting rumors about the two liking each other. Then he had an idea… what if they pretended they liked each other to trick everyone. And so the plotting began. Isaac and Michelle started planting seeds like, "someone special was coming to visit," and "I am so excited to see you soon!!" to convince everyone she was coming. Michelle took a selfie in front of an airline gate going to Portland to send showing she was on her way (even though she was really flying to San Diego), and Isaac had plans to drive to the airport to "pick her up" so that his friends would see his shared location and believe she was coming. A great surprise was all lined up when suddenly... friends started getting sick... with Covid. Consequently the airport part was shut down, although people still believed she was coming without that part of the prank. When Isaac came down with Covid too, Michelle started texting Isaac to keep him company while he was sick in bed for 3 weeks. And so began the real friendship and Isaac began to think that maybe he really should take a shot to see if it could go further. As Michelle flew off to Montenegro to begin her life there, the daily text messages began to slow into weekly check ins for how Isaac could be praying for Michelle and the team until…

Michelle had to unexpectedly return to America to retrieve some necessary documents. Isaac wanted Michelle to try the best chai tea his friend makes, but it wasn’t available until the last minute before her return plane ticket. He realized it was cheaper to drive it down to Michelle then to ship it overnight to which she replied with, “Bummer! I guess I’ll just have to try it next time!” Isaac knew this was his only chance to see her, but he didn't have an invitation to come visit Michelle. Not to worry, his sister Andrea decided she wanted to give love a chance and announced that she and Isaac were driving down to California the next day no matter if they could visit Michelle or not. And so, one awkward evening, Michelle somewhat reluctantly (and with encouragement from her family) let Isaac come visit. Michelle and Isaac saw each other for the 2nd time in front of Michelle's entire family before she jumped on the plane and headed back to Montenegro.

Once again, Michelle had to return to America unexpectedly, and since they had been texting and talking quite often, she decided to visit Isaac in Washington to see if he was really boyfriend material. She was filled with fear because she couldn't see how it would be able to work out and she still didn’t know if she really liked him as more than friends, so she resolved that she would tell him they just needed to be friends. Then, one day walking on the beach God made clear to her that she needed to give him a chance. She decided in her heart that if he asked her to be his girlfriend, she would say yes. Then, that evening, Michelle's grandpa had a heart attack. Plans suddenly changed as it became evident that Michelle needed to rush to CA. Isaac selflessly drove Michelle down, and God gave her the opportunity to have a final ‘see you later’ conversation on this earth before gramps went to his forever home. Michelle got to see a bit of Isaac's heart as he stepped into grieving with Michelle's family (somewhat awkwardly since they weren't dating yet and didn’t know each other that well). When he was preparing to drive home, Isaac knew, however bad the the timing looked, that this was the opportunity God had given him so he asked Michelle to be his girlfriend. Michelle and Isaac took a step of faith, to trust that God would guide them and make his will clear against all the odds that seemed to be glaring them in the face. Isaac drove home that Christmas Eve (the last car let through before the road closed with snow) a happy man, unable to stop smiling. And so, they began the long distance...

During Michelle’s time in America, the couple enjoyed a few visits with each other and soaked in endless FaceTime calls while being in the same timezone. While Michelle was visiting Isaac in WA, late one night, with a shaky voice, sweaty palms, and no expectation of returned sentiment, Isaac told her that he loved her. She promptly told him not to say that because she thought it wasn't real... or because she was scared... So again, they surrendered their relationship to the Lord to guide them as Michelle prepared to move back to Montenegro once again.

On March 24, Michelle flew back to Montenegro and they began what they started calling ocean distance. Michelle and Isaac had to get creative on how to have special dates via FaceTime; cooking/eating the same meals, taking each other on hikes/walks, playing games, watching movies, etc... With a quick visit when she returned for her cousin’s wedding, Michelle began to see who Isaac really was. After a couple of weeks back in Montenegro, she made him very happy by telling him that she loved him back. Still unsure how God was going to move, they continued to trust him to guide them.

By October, Isaac was seriously thinking about asking Michelle to marry him when he went to visit her in Montenegro in December, but there was something holding him back… he was looking for a sign that Michelle was to that point as well before buying the ring. Then, when Michelle was once again unexpectedly back in the US for doctor’s appointments…. he got it. The day before Thanksgiving, he noticed that something was off with the texting and calls but Michelle told him that she was working on a surprise for him. As he was cleaning his house thinking it sure would be nice if her surprise was showing up here… his sister asked him to “help” her get the surprise out of the car. And there she was! That was the moment he knew it was time to buy the ring. Isaac was taking some time off to go to visit Michelle in Montenegro and help with an outreach concert for Christmas. The first few weeks were very busy so Isaac knew it wasn’t the right time to ask the important question he wanted to ask Michelle. On their first free day, Michelle couldn’t figure out why Isaac was so excited to go on this specific hike, but she didn’t think much about it. They headed out, on the first rainy day after many sunny days (to which Michelle was rather grumpy about because she wanted Isaac to see all of the views along the scenic route they were taking). They made it to the trailhead and the rain began to lift. While hiking, they ate wild pomegranates and stumbled upon an old 16th century church. Walking in, they noticed the barrier that is normally present which divides the main room from the Holy of Holies was missing. They stood in awe of God’s goodness for sending his Son to come and die for them, to tear the vail so that they could have direct access and a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe! Isaac decided this was the moment. So he gave Michelle a hug and then started digging in his pocket…. For his phone to take a selfie…. Or so Michelle thought. All of the sudden, Isaac was down on one knee asking Michelle if she would marry him to which she answered yes! Taking her right hand, he proceeded to place the ring on her finger until Michelle corrected him. They began to talk about how all through their relationship, they have taken steps to trust in God. Once again, they submitted their relationship to the Lord to guide them and took the next step forward in trusting him for his guidance.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story. We love each of you so much!! Here is how we see God is leading us moving forward. Directly after getting married, if it’s the Lord’s will, we will live in southern Washington to finish building the house Isaac is currently building on his land. We want to continue serving God wherever he leads and putting his will first in our lives. If you feel led, please pray with us as we continue to ask God about how he wants us to be involved in missions in Montenegro in the future and as we prepare for a short missions trip back to Montenegro in December.