Monday, October 11, 2010

Engaged... by the grace of God!

Well, our son, Garrett, FINALLY got back from Iraq on Tuesday. He came home for the weekend and brought a female person with him. She had flown down from Chicago the day before and was coming to "meet the family". They met when she was assigned to his office as an interpreter and were pretty much twitterpated. Anyone know where that word comes from?

I knew he was going to pop the question, the big one, and was trying to help him think of a way that both would remember for a lifetime. I came up with this: I was having a photography exhibition in the main gallery of our local art gallery. The Emma Kelly Theater is the building beside it. I arranged with the director to have WILL YOU MARRY ME LINDA put on the marquee outside.

It all went beautifully, but because I was inside making a speech while he was outside making his, I didn't get to see it. There are pictures (thanks, Charlotte) that I'll post later.

She said, "Yes!" So in order to show her what kind of family she was marrying into, everyone but me got up at 5:00 the next morning and went dove hunting. She borrowed some shoes and a jacket from Darcie and a camo shirt from Gayle (her future father-in-law). I'll have to say that she's a good sport!

I said, "Engaged...by the grace of God" in the title because when Garrett left for Iraq he said, "How am I going to be able to find a wife in Iraq? I AM NOT marrying anyone in the army!" I said, "Well, you never know how God is going to work things out. I just know that it'll be at the right time and it'll be good."

I knew he was very skeptical and doubtful, but finding a wife there anyway, who wasn't in the army, has been a big boost to his faith. God can do in abundance more than we can ever imagine.

More pics later as they become available. No wedding date has been set yet, but since soldier son has to be in Ft. Sill, OK in May, it'll be before then...and in Chicago...and an Eastern Orthodox Assyrian affair. I'll bet she'll have lots to teach this southern family.

6 comments:

Jeannette said...

Debbie, I enjoy your blog. I don't think I have ever been bored by what you decide to share and the spectrum is full and varied. I appreciate your vulnerability and your boundaries.

Praise God for each and every service person who acquits themselves well.

This is a lovely story.
I feel truly happy for your son, for Linda, for your whole family.
Please thank Garret again for his service.

GretchenJoanna said...

Oh, Happy News! Thank God, yes.

Leslie said...

What a fun way to propose! Congratulations to all of you. And I love the fact you stayed in bed! :)

Leslie said...

I went outside to spread mulch in my flowerbeds and remembered that you used the word "twitterpated". That is a long favorite word of mine and my husbands. Was it from the movie Bambi? Flower the skunk? What was the other skunks name? Well anyway....
Happy Day!

Pom Pom said...

WONDERFUL! I can't wait to see pictures of the wedding. She's a keeper! I can tell! I'm so happy for you!

grannimcd said...

How exciting for y'all! God is indeed an awesome God and can do far more than we can ever ask or imagine!

It seems like only a couple of years ago that he was sleeping in my blanket chest (with the lid open, of course!)

God be praised.