James 1:17 Every good thing given, and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights Terry here…little did I know that that would be a reality in my life on December 11. I was at Bible Church of Owasso ready to go into the worship service, when in walked Kay Blythe. I had known Kay for many years at Tulsa Bible Church. Kay had recently started attending BCO a few months earlier. In these earlier weeks, I had seen her and even exchanged pleasantries. But on that morning my eyes were opened! As she neared the worship center, I saw the most joyful face and eyes I think I’ve ever seen. My heart was captivated and captured! I thought… “I’m think I'm going to marry that lady!” Now, that’s weird! Especially since I was content being single and had no real interest in marriage. I kept that to myself for several weeks. But I could not stop thinking about her after that morning. A day later, I spoke to friends who know me well. I’d had this conversation before, but I asked them again “should I be married?” Their reply: “Wrong question! Do you want to be married?” Well, that settled it. Yes, I want to be married…to Kay Blythe! Of course, at that point she did not know that! So, a week later, I found the courage to ask her to lunch. With a fair amount of trepidation in her voice, she said yes! But only after the Christmas season, since she had family plans. Bummer! So, on January 2, I asked her again if she was interested in having lunch. Again, she said yes! Charleston’s on January 4 was now scheduled. Kay here… Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. On December 19, when Terry called, I was surprised that I said yes. After that call, I was wondering what I had just done! I wasn't interested or looking for a male relationship and especially if it should lead to something more, like marriage. But I knew that this was something that I needed to prayerfully consider and that I did. God was gracious in giving me Psalm 73:23-24 to calm my nerves. It was as if God said, "Kay, nevertheless, I am continually with you; I have taken hold of your right hand. With My counsel I will guide you, and afterward receive you to glory." Praying earnestly for the next 13 days I noticed that my reluctance to dating and marriage was slowly lifting. When Terry called me on January 2, I was much more eager to say yes to lunch and was excited to spend time with a Christian brother. All I knew was that God would encourage me and this would be time well spent. I was amazed that I was immediately at ease and in the course of our 2 1/2 hour conversation, I was touched by the depth of our sharing. Sharing special things; like how the Lord carried us through the grief of losing our spouses, our testimonies, ministry and yes, laughter! We found great enjoyment in being together. When the time was over and not wanting it to end, I went to the car amazed at God‘s goodness to me and I wanted this to continue. Praise the Lord it did! Terry and I continued to call, text, and date. Already knowing Terry so long and now along with these conversations, I’ve come to know him on a deep level. We sought the Lord’s will for us through His Word and prayer, and we sought godly counsel from many mature saints who know us well. All of this has affirmed and confirmed our relationship which has now led to our engagement to be married. And so, we approach our marriage ceremony on April 27, 2023, with gratefulness in our hearts for the Lord’s overwhelming goodness to give us one another. It is true His thoughts and ways are so much higher and greater than anything we could ever imagine or ask. He gives good gifts and this marriage to each other is, indeed, a gift to us! Please join in praying with us that our marriage will bring great glory to our God.