| | Well, it's been awhile since I've posted anything. Mainly because I've been incredibly busy. I've been coaching, organizing homecoming, teaching, and....spending time with Tom. I guess that's another reason I haven't been posting-- I'm not sure how to write about what has been going on lately and the issue that is forefront on my mind. Dating my best friend. That one definitely came out of the blue for both of us...but was a long time coming for everyone who knows us. Honestly, this is the first time I've been in a relationship where it really wasn't a decision to enter into it or not--- it's just another step in obedience for what God has planned for me-- no matter what ends up happening. It's been mind-blowing to see the things that have happened since we started dating and it is clear that God has been orchestrating this thing for a LOOOOONNNNG time. I'll post a story that I sent a few people that just confirmed a lot of things for me. It's pretty long and I wrote it out pretty quickly, but if you can fumble your way through it...the story is amazing.
Ok....so this is a long and complex story that I seriously couldn't concoct, even if I wanted to. It's too intricate and God worked out soooo many of the minute details for His unbelievable plan that I can't even fathom it. So here it goes:
Before I went to Peru, I had to get some counseling done. I knew that problems here would be magnified in the mission field and I wanted to make sure that nothing of my own would keep me from doing the work and ministry that I was certain God was calling me to. So I went to the Hyde Park Counseling center and they connected me with a volunteer counselor. As hesitant and difficult as I was to open up to the woman they placed me with, she patiently met with me for eight sessions to work through some very intimate and personal issues. She met my challenges with love and grace and understanding and though I did not realize it at the time, God used her to change my life and open my heart.
Seemingly unrelated to this story is the fact that Tom, who at the time was one of my close friends, had taken an afternoon class with a professor at UT by the name of Dr. Andrews. He chose the class because of the time of day it was offerred.
Fast forward to Peru. God changes my life. Biggest understatement of all time. I am transformed. And return to the United States and feel like I am supposed to stay in Austin for a few years.
Seemingly unrelated again, Tom and I begin running together to train for a half marathon and our close friendship of the past three years becomes even closer.
Then in March of this past year, Tom comes to a crossroads. He must decide where he is going to go to graduate school. He has opportunities in California, Colorado, and Texas. However, he is unsure that Texas will offer him the same benefits and scholarship that Colorado has made available. While we are in Monterrey, he is wrestling with the decision of where to go. One month later, God makes it very clear that Tom is supposed to stay in Texas. Dr. Andrews was impressed with Tom (because he IS a genius) and wants Tom to not only stay at UT, but to also be a grad student in his research group. Tom's grad school is completely paid for.
Again, fast forward three months. After awhile, I realize that I am in love with my best friend but I don't say anything. I am barely brave enough to pray about it and hope. But because God is the One in control of this story, Tom begins to feel the same way and everything falls into place. Tom came to the realization of his feelings for me one evening when he invited me to a dinner that was in honor of engineering grad students who had received scholarships. Tom is one of four recipients of the Ernest Cockrell scholarships. Not only did he get in to UT grad school, but he received this amazing privilege that few can attain. So while we are still just friends, I go to this dinner with him.
At the dinner, I am seated next to him and on the other side of me, I meet Dr. John Haltom. Dr. Haltom turns out to be one of the deans of the school of engineering at UT. He is also a Christian. I talk to him about my experience in Peru among many things. This night proved important for two things that will come up later: 1. It was a turning point for Tom in his feelings for me. 2. We were seated next to Dr. Haltom
Tom and I have several long discussions and begin dating. Now all the pieces are falling into place and my story, which began about four years ago when Tom and I met, is making sense. Friday night, Tom and I go on a date. During that time he tells me that he had gone to a Bible study on campus for engineering grad students and Dr. Haltom had been there. Dr. Haltom had told Tom that in two weeks there will be a formal dedication dinner to celebrate and dedicate the renaming of the engineering school at UT in honor of the Cockrells. The Cockrell Foundation has donated some money (well, enough to have a school renamed after them!!!!) to the engineering school and also given scholarships to engineers, one of those engineers being Tom. As Tom learns later from Dr. Haltom, the Cockrell family is not only influential in the community, but they are also very strong Christians.
Dr. Haltom told Tom he remembered talking to us and had been impressed with us at the scholarship dinner and wanted to know if we would join them at the dedication dinner, a black tie event at the Four Seasons. Of course, when Tom tells me all of this, I am in shock. Are you kidding me? We are going to the dedication dinner for the UT engineering school in honor of the people who are paying for Tom's school? Who am I to go to this dinner?
God's blessing becomes very clear. Then, last night I decide to get onto the website for the Cockrell Foundation. If we were going to a dinner in honor of a very important family, I wanted to know some more about them. And as I was on the website, I began to see pictures of the founding Cockrell family memebers. I scrolled down to see pictures of the next generation of the family, the heirs and benefactors that would be honored at this dinner. I was stunned and picked up to call Tom.
First let me say, I wouldn't be able to be in a relationship were it not for the counseling I received and I would not have been able to go to Peru. And Tom would not be able to stay in Austin had he not received this scholarship. And if that class of Dr. Andrews had been at any other time besides 12:30 in the afternoon. Therefore, we would probably not be dating if all of these things hadn't been put into place way in advance.
But what I saw on the website just tied it all together. On the foundation website, I found a picture of Carol Cockrell Curran. She is the woman who counseled me. She is also the woman who founded the Hyde Park Counseling center. Her family is the one who is paying for Tom's school. Her family is the one that we will be honoring next week. All I can say is-- God is in the details. God is in control. God has a perfect plan. God has engineered Tom's life. God has orchestrated mine. It is Him.
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| | Posted 10/29/2007 11:53 PM - 65 Views - 2 eProps - 1 Comment
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