Well, I believe I left you on the edge of your seat yet again...this whole wedding planning process sure has taken up all of my time!...not to mention the other bajillion and one things I've been preoccupied with. Writing blogs has been the furthest thing from my mind, to be honest, but obviously it's still been on all of yours since I've received countless messages asking when the next post will be up!
Haha, You guys are the greatest.
Hopefully this will bring a smile to your face & warm your heart as we embark on the next part of
"Promises Fulfilled"! :)
We'd just finished talking about the words Brandon and I shared in regards to what God was obviously doing between the two of us. Upon Brandon and I sharing, we moved into a time where our parents were able to share what they thought about the whole ordeal. What a beautiful time that soon followed... getting to have each parent who'd raised us and knew everything about us (good AND bad) share their take on the events was truly amazing!
"Promises Fulfilled"! :)
We'd just finished talking about the words Brandon and I shared in regards to what God was obviously doing between the two of us. Upon Brandon and I sharing, we moved into a time where our parents were able to share what they thought about the whole ordeal. What a beautiful time that soon followed... getting to have each parent who'd raised us and knew everything about us (good AND bad) share their take on the events was truly amazing!
First, the mom's spoke. Between the two of them they shared the beauty they saw in everything...
they talked about how they'd watched us (Brandon & Taylor) stand strong against the world with a bigger goal in mind (the goal of true purity!) and how we remained steadfast for we knew our stance would someday pay off. Our Mom's talked about how they felt like the time of "payment" had finally arrived for us... because God had provided each of us someone who stood for the SAME things... we were like minded, passionate and on fire for God.It was so wonderful hearing them talk about how they always knew that God would provide... but they never expected Him to provide as He did! I must say, I never thought that God would do things the way He did, either...but God knows best! Can I get an amen! ;) It's been said once before, in regards to my & Brandon's relationship, that it's as close as you can get to the Garden of Eden experience...where God literally hand made & gave Eve to Adam.
What an amazing thing to be compared to!
Once the mom's finished sharing, the dad's were up... my Dad went first.
I will never forget the moment I'm about to share with each of you for to say it was a "priceless moment" would be an understatement. When my Dad began to share his heart, it didn't take long for emotions to stir... in no time I watched as my Dad cried over the joy and love he felt for Brandon. The reason why this is so moving is because I've only seen my Dad cry a handful of times (maybe four) and to know that one of those moments was over the young man who was pursuing me....Wow...
My Dad said "Brandon, when I look at you I am so proud. I can honestly say that I love you like a son... and I'm grateful to God for you." It's always been extremely important to me that my Dad not only approve, but LOVE the man I would someday marry.. that tender moment spoke more to me than most people know for it confirmed a lot in and of itself...
I think, after reading that quote, it's easy to understand why.
After my Dad concluded his time of sharing, it was Mr. Jon's turn.. which would also prove to be an extremely moving moment. As Mr. Jon began to share he was also drawn to tears as he spoke of being younger, praying and asking God to bring him his wife...shortly after continuously praying that prayer, God answered by bring Mrs. Susan into his life. After sharing that story Mr. Jon spoke of the night Brandon was born, as he wept he replayed going to the hospital, holding Brandon in his arms and dedicating his life to the Lord. In addition to that, Mr. Jon said he prayed for Brandon's future wife...he prayed the prayer he'd prayed which brought him Mrs. Susan.
There, sitting in the middle of a restaurant... it didn't matter, God was moving and there was no stopping it.. Jon began to sob to the point of Brandon consoling his Dad. Fighting through the tears Jon finally looked up at me and said "Taylor, tonight I know that you were the young lady I prayed for so many years ago and have continued to pray for ever since."
As you can all imagine, the power of that story brought us all to tears and we sat in complete amazement as we, once again, watched the Lord reveal a little more of His plan.
(Food for Thought: Now, I know I may be partial to my story because, well... it's the one God gave to me... but I pray that the Lord has and continues to touch your lives through my and Brandon's testimony. When I think about the word "testimony" I think about being tried and tested in order to have something to share...
Brandon and I stood for purity, we were tried, tested and are now able to share because of it. We are not perfect, we fall just like everyone... but we do not allow those brief moments of failure to stop us... we press on. When it gets tough, we draw closer to God! Please, never be afraid to stand strong for the Lord or the things
He calls you to. Never let the failures of yesterday determine the success of your TODAY! No, it may not always be easy... but as you can see throughout this unfolding love story.. the price is VERY small compared to the pay off! "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8)
they talked about how they'd watched us (Brandon & Taylor) stand strong against the world with a bigger goal in mind (the goal of true purity!) and how we remained steadfast for we knew our stance would someday pay off. Our Mom's talked about how they felt like the time of "payment" had finally arrived for us... because God had provided each of us someone who stood for the SAME things... we were like minded, passionate and on fire for God.It was so wonderful hearing them talk about how they always knew that God would provide... but they never expected Him to provide as He did! I must say, I never thought that God would do things the way He did, either...but God knows best! Can I get an amen! ;) It's been said once before, in regards to my & Brandon's relationship, that it's as close as you can get to the Garden of Eden experience...where God literally hand made & gave Eve to Adam.
What an amazing thing to be compared to!
Once the mom's finished sharing, the dad's were up... my Dad went first.
I will never forget the moment I'm about to share with each of you for to say it was a "priceless moment" would be an understatement. When my Dad began to share his heart, it didn't take long for emotions to stir... in no time I watched as my Dad cried over the joy and love he felt for Brandon. The reason why this is so moving is because I've only seen my Dad cry a handful of times (maybe four) and to know that one of those moments was over the young man who was pursuing me....Wow...
My Dad said "Brandon, when I look at you I am so proud. I can honestly say that I love you like a son... and I'm grateful to God for you." It's always been extremely important to me that my Dad not only approve, but LOVE the man I would someday marry.. that tender moment spoke more to me than most people know for it confirmed a lot in and of itself...
I think, after reading that quote, it's easy to understand why.
After my Dad concluded his time of sharing, it was Mr. Jon's turn.. which would also prove to be an extremely moving moment. As Mr. Jon began to share he was also drawn to tears as he spoke of being younger, praying and asking God to bring him his wife...shortly after continuously praying that prayer, God answered by bring Mrs. Susan into his life. After sharing that story Mr. Jon spoke of the night Brandon was born, as he wept he replayed going to the hospital, holding Brandon in his arms and dedicating his life to the Lord. In addition to that, Mr. Jon said he prayed for Brandon's future wife...he prayed the prayer he'd prayed which brought him Mrs. Susan.
There, sitting in the middle of a restaurant... it didn't matter, God was moving and there was no stopping it.. Jon began to sob to the point of Brandon consoling his Dad. Fighting through the tears Jon finally looked up at me and said "Taylor, tonight I know that you were the young lady I prayed for so many years ago and have continued to pray for ever since."
As you can all imagine, the power of that story brought us all to tears and we sat in complete amazement as we, once again, watched the Lord reveal a little more of His plan.
(Food for Thought: Now, I know I may be partial to my story because, well... it's the one God gave to me... but I pray that the Lord has and continues to touch your lives through my and Brandon's testimony. When I think about the word "testimony" I think about being tried and tested in order to have something to share...
Brandon and I stood for purity, we were tried, tested and are now able to share because of it. We are not perfect, we fall just like everyone... but we do not allow those brief moments of failure to stop us... we press on. When it gets tough, we draw closer to God! Please, never be afraid to stand strong for the Lord or the things
He calls you to. Never let the failures of yesterday determine the success of your TODAY! No, it may not always be easy... but as you can see throughout this unfolding love story.. the price is VERY small compared to the pay off! "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8)
We left the restaurant after four lovely hours of eating, talking, praying and making lasting memories. Once we left, Brandon took us all to play Putt-Putt which provided many laughs as I found that Brandon and my Dad are EXACTLY alike- super competitive! Ha! Well, they always tell us ladies that we'll marry someone just like our Dad, right?
(If that's true, I'd be pretty blessed because my Dad is the best!) :)
I will never forget the night I walked to my door and saw Brandon for the first time. I will never forget the honor, respect and kindness he showed me..I will never forget the way he properly pursued and "wooed" me, but most of all I will forever be impressed and in awe of Brandon's amazing love for the Lord. THAT is the most important thing... everything else is just additional blessings... and lemme tell ya- there are a LOT! God is SO good! :)
Be blessed my friends!,
-Taylor
(If that's true, I'd be pretty blessed because my Dad is the best!) :)
I will never forget the night I walked to my door and saw Brandon for the first time. I will never forget the honor, respect and kindness he showed me..I will never forget the way he properly pursued and "wooed" me, but most of all I will forever be impressed and in awe of Brandon's amazing love for the Lord. THAT is the most important thing... everything else is just additional blessings... and lemme tell ya- there are a LOT! God is SO good! :)
Be blessed my friends!,
-Taylor
