Engagement Story- The beginning of a Journey

Memory reflection time ;)...


On Saturday afternoon Andrew strapped his motorboat on top of our car and took me for a surprise trip to Lake Karapiro, the place where we got engaged. It hasn't yet been a year since that monumental night (June 21st 2010) but we just might be in for another surprise about that time with buba due the 24th of June so this was a perfect time for a little romantic revisit.


Last June I stepped foot in New Zealand for the first time to be introduced to Andrew's family. June isn't New Zealand's prime as it's the middle of winter but it still holds its wonders. I've heard it said more than once that in the Waikato you can pass through every season in a single day. This described many of the days last June as I would wake up to a frosty winter morning, be greeted by a warm sun at noon, and find spontaneous showers trickled throughout the afternoon.


On the afternoon of June 21st, 2010 I lay on the sofa in the Living-room of the Dickson's wood-stove heated home with my journal and book while Andrew was out running some errands. He popped in about four and asked if I was up for an adventure. The adventures I'd been on with Andrew thus far in Tanzania, Uganda, Ohio, Maryland, and New Zealand have been tops. I jumped up, we scrambled around for warm clothes, gear and headed out the door. It was windy out and the sky looked as if it couldn't decide if it wanted to rain or be sunny. Andrew was pondering whether he should take his boat or his bro-inlaw Graeme's Canadian canoe, for time's sake he decided on the canoe so we drove his Dad's truck (called a 'ute' here) down through the farm to Graeme & Lyndas and loaded up. The trip was about an hour with one stop for Andrew to fill up on gas while I ordered a to-go pizza from across the road. It drizzled lightly while we drove but once we got out it stopped. I questioned which seat to occupy, Andrew handed me a paddle, ordered me to the front of the canoe and pushed us off. Hot pizza got the second seat and Andrew steered from the rear. I didn't realize it then but later that week I was struck with awe to find this very scene described in my journal in the form of a prayer that Todd Roberts (pastor at our wedding) shared with me the last week of Insight.


Nearly a month earlier Kelly and I sat at Open Doors coffee shop for our last gathering with Todd. It was May 11th and we each shared prayer requests...I was feeling a bit overwhelmed and unsure of all that would unfold before me as I left the nurturing and encouraging environment of Stony Glen Campus. Todd looked at me and his words spoke directly to my heart, I scribbled down what I could as he spoke: "you think this leads to a time of disaster but it doesn't, it's leading to a time of revelation. I see you sitting in the front seat of a canoe. For me, that signifies entering a time of rest. Just walk it out. Enjoy this next part of the journey. Enjoy the ride. Always a journey with Him. His grace poured out. Going to a new place, first time down the river, enjoy the sights and sounds... It will propel you into the next season of the journey."


I found encouragement and comfort from his words of counsel but I didn't see any relevance in the canoe picture or what was meant by 'a time of rest.' So I tucked the words away in my journal and forgot about them until a week after our engagement. That night in the canoe under the stars as Andrew asked me to marry him it did begin a journey and I am enjoying the ride with all the new sights and sounds. I never thought it would be restful getting married and jumping continents but in the last year God has given me so much rest. I'm learning to rest spiritually and emotionally as well as in body. Knowing that God designed this phase for me and desires me to rest has helped me to trust him for the future and not be anxious about what lies ahead with job, living situation, family, etc.


As for the rest of our engagement story. We paddled through a gorge up a side stream and then climbed onto shore, enjoyed what was left of our pizza and waited for it to get dark. Andrew had brought TimTams (a chocolate coated cookie) which are now one of my favorite New Zealand treats. As the sun disappeared and stars started to poke out, Andrew took out a slip of paper with a poem he'd written, he lit a lighter to read it to me in it's glow. My heart warmed and my throat welled up as I felt the significance of the occasion. Andrew was on his knee before me asking if I would be his wife! I fell over on him with a 'yes!' and we embraced. He pulled out a wee box and presented me with a gold band, three diamond ring. It fit perfectly! (though he never knew my size :) I couldn't find words but I felt so excited and as if I had found home. No more wondering and questioning - this man would be my husband! We whispered and Andrew prayed, I remember his prayer started 'Lord, protect this love...' The lake was now cloaked in darkness with only the light of the moon. We put our life jackets in the center of the canoe and laid on them with our heads on the seat as we floated down stream through the gorge. The glow worms lining the walls lit up the passage way like stars.


This Saturday the glow worms put on an even more spectacular show as the moon was not out to steal their glory. ;) Another highlight of our latest trip was I took a turn steering the motor boat. ;) As wonderful as it was last June to venture out into a starry night and come back with a ring on my finger....I feel so much more settled now 10 months later, at peace in Andrew's love, content in God's care and happy to have a little boy on the way. God is so good!

Andrew's allowed me to add a poem he etched after our latest trip to see the glo-worms. Enjoy ;)


Ring It Up Again!


Ting ting ting

Sounds our boat

Its 2-stroke note

And we float

Down a way.

Wing wing wing

Swans now flapping

We caught napping

Are gapping

Up away.

Cling cling cling

Too fast; she bucks

To tip out sucks

Scares the ducks

Away.

Bring bring bring

Her in by oar

Rocks’n'weed a bore

I nearly swore

Away.

King King King

Triune God’s terms

Created glo-worms

Tiny star germs

Up away.

Ring ring Thing

Love you so

Drifting we go

Through grotto

Down a way.

;~pikipikipoet