To Plan a Wedding, or Not?

Finally! I couldn't believe that I was getting married to this handsome man of God! I called all my family and friends to let them know the awesome news. I was excited and praised the Lord for putting this union together. I was all set to plan my wedding for September, 2014.

On that Sunday, I left Omaha to go back to Virginia. I had a layover in Chicago. While I was in Uno's talking to my girlfriend about the proposal, someone said "Excuse me." I looked up and it was an older caucasian man. He said, "I overheard you say that you got engaged? Congratulations." I said, thank you, and trying to figure out who this man was. He said, "I also heard you were a Christian and I would like to be the first person to bless your marriage." He put something in my hand, closed it and said, "God Bless you." I looked down, opened my hand, and it was a $100 bill! Before I could say thank you, he was gone. I cried like a baby! I couldn't believe a complete stranger just gave me this amount of money. I knew that the Lord was truly with us. I called Larnell and he was amazed, but not surprised. He said that as long as we are in the Lord's will and obedient, he promises to bless us, whether it be from someone we know or a stranger. Amen to that!

Later on in September, I reached out to Pastor Lewis and asked him if he would do our pre-marital counseling. He said he would love to and we planned to travel to Texas in November. Our plan was to receive our counseling from him, and with his approval, we would marry while we were there, have our wedding in September of 2014 in Virginia, and move to Texas together in October of that same year.  We didn't know how it was all going to play out, but we were determined to get it done. I told Larnell I really wasn't interested in moving to Omaha, and he didn't want me to do it either. We just hoped that once we share this with Pastor, everything will go smoothly....so we thought...

In November, we both flew out to Texas for our pre-marital counseling. We shared our plans with Pastor, and he looked at us like we were crazy. He laughed and said, "Before I say anything, let's pray." After we prayed, he told us that if that was our plan, then he won't marry us. Larnell and I looked at each other in shock. But then he shared with us something that we didn't even think of or consider. He said that if we marry and live separate from each other, I will be uncovered and that will give way to the enemy. He asked us could we really live apart from each each other like that? We had to be honest....we couldn't! He said either we just stay engaged until the wedding, or marry now and I will have to move to Omaha. All kinds of things came to my mind: Am I really ready to leave everything I know in VA? My family, friends, my career?! I don't know anyone in Omaha! I knew I wanted to be with him, but I wasn't totally sure if I was ready to make this huge step. After our counseling, we went out to eat and we discussed what Pastor had told us. Larnell said that he knows this will be a big decision for me, but he didn't want to live another day without me. That provided some reassurance to me, and showed me that he really loved me. At that point, my trust level increased with him. I knew that I would be in good hands, and he promised to take care of me. So, we called Pastor and told him our decision. He said that we are doing the right thing. On November 22, 2013, we made it official. I was now a Marion and Pastor had the honor of marrying us. I was nervous, but excited about my new chapter in my life. Now, it is time to do things the right way. I know it was going to be hard leaving everything I know behind, but I had to cleave to my husband and become the wife that the Lord wants me to be. Our marriage will be blessed because we are doing things God's way. Our plans have changed: I was now moving to Omaha in January 2014.