My Mark

Hey all…

I’ve been encouraged by several of you to update everyone on the happenings in my life since the summer. Thanks again for walking with me through the summer and praying for me. I’m sure you’ll be encouraged as I have been with how the Lord has worked since then. No, this stuff isn’t on my blog yet….not much has happened there in a while…oh well.

As you may remember, mid summer I shut down all my online dating profiles mid-summer and took at break from the online scene. It was good for my heart. When I got home during the first week of August eharmony sent me new matches. I didn’t bother to look at them...because I was “done”. One decided to initiate with me...(basically said they are interested and wanted to communicate with me)which is rare…so I gave him the courtesy of looking at his profile. Few strikes against him from the get-go. #1 no picture….#2 atrocious spelling and #3 Lives in Amarillo. Not a good start. I was delighted to see that he loved football—especially the Texas Longhorns. I like that he was masculine and apparently 6’2”….and there was just something that endeared him to me…can’t explain it.

Well, since I had closed my account with eharmony I could see my matches but could not communicate with them unless I paid up again for another month or something. In light of the necessary additional financial investment required and my past experiences online I prayed/hesitated for a few days. Although I was fearful of yet another rejection I paid my pennies to communicate with this guy- Mark- hoping he wouldn’t shut it down immediately.

Well, long story short. We’ve been dating since August...yes, I said dating….and I’m not wetting my pants anymore from excitement!!! Go ahead….I know….I never thought it would happen either.

More about my Mark---

Widowed- wife passed away from Leukemia at 31. He is 37.

Two kids—Kyler (boy) 7, and Addison 3.

He’s been to Austin twice for real dates…but we have daily phone dates. He has been so easy to get to know and he has clearly pursued me and the Lord in our relationship. He doesn’t let me wig out about the future but always reminds me that the Lord is bigger than whatever obstacle is ahead. I have met Kyler…he came with Mark last time he was in Austin. He’s a great kid…so cute and sweet. Apparently he likes me too….he called me Halloween night to tell me all about his ninja costume and his “girlfriend”. So so cute. I have not met Addison yet…but will the first week of December when I go to Amarillo for the first time.

Mark works for the state with Child Protective Services….he’s been with them for a while in a variety of roles. He has some crazy stories. He as such a soft, caring heart for kids; he is very kind but strong with folks when he needs to be. Seems, to me anyway, that he has really healthy boundaries….and has dealt with the death of his wife very well. He’s shared with me about how he walked through the grieving process and continues to do so. He is very open with me. All I know is that he has walked through more hard doses of life at 37 than most of us will in a lifetime…and is loving Jesus…and very joyful. I really admire him for his attitude.

I could go on and on……I really love him. He loves me really well too…never thought I’d share this kind of relationship with a man.

Yes, love him. I said it…and he knows it too. He is coming to meet my family after Thanksgiving and I’ll be meeting his just after Christmas. So, as you can imagine…we are talking about a future together.

FAQs:

1. Would you move to Amarillo? Yes, I will. It just makes the most sense. The kids and Mark’s community and roots are there….I’m much more portable than they are. I want the best for the kids emotionally as they get used to me being in their life.
2. Stay on staff? Possibly/probably- we’ll see how my support raising goes… and, I’d have to be approved for an exception. I would like to simply because it would help me transition. I flip out a little when I think of all that will change for me…and my identity as I’ve known it. To stay w/CCC in a different admin role (not conferences) will allow me to keep CCC relationships and identity for a season at least. The Lord is in control
3. When would you get married? Don’t know yet. We want to wait and see how the kids are when we’re all together…and don’t want to force them into anything they are not ready for at this point. We’re waiting on the Lord to give us the green light.

Thanks for praying for me and for your continued prayers for our relationship and the kids. (so crazy to even type this)

I love you guys…thanks for letting me gush and share.