I Like This Story...

Here we are again, folks. I have nothing interesting to write to you, but I do want to post this amazing story about this guy who went through a six year wait for the one that God told him that he would marry. Its amazing, inspiring, and just so so so special. ;)

Enjoy!

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"A Nice Story For You"

by Steven Foster

When I was about 10 yrs old, I went to NY city for a weekend (from Cleveland, OH) and we visited a small church. We joined their church group for the day to visit the Statue of Liberty, and some other sites. When we got into a group for a photo, I noticed a little girl on the opposite side, who was bundled up just as I was, because it must have been late fall. After I saw her, I thought to myself-this is going to be my wife. (I was saved and had a very strong relationship with the Lord)

We left NY and went back home to Cleveland. I prayed that God would let me have her for a wife when the time came. I also felt that it was His will. From the first time I saw her and the first time I prayed; I didn't even have a doubt in my mind. I still didn't know her name or even if I would even recognize her out of a lineup, since I only saw part of her face and never even heard her voice, but God gave me assurance about the matter.

Soon after this; our church became affiliated with this church in NY, and the two churches would plan summer activities for the youth, and the churches. (Don't know the details of how this worked.)

About two years later, our church along with some others, planned a gathering and I was very interested in seeing if I was going to have my future bride show up. I was looking around the cafeteria really confused; when I noticed a little girl across the table from staring into my eyes. Sure enough it was her; but, she was way too pretty for me. I was one of the oddest looking kids, and I never thought I would be able to get anyone to like me. (Was small, skinny, way too mature for my age, hung out with old people, large broken glasses with only one side hanging to my ears, and dressed like it was still 1959. Even my cousins and my brother made fun of me. And for my serious love for the Lord-they would call me little Jesus. Which I didn't mind.)

Very shortly I found out she wasn't looking into my eyes but rather looking at my odd looking glasses. She spoke to me very nicely (she was very talkative) and asked me some questions. I found out a little later that she liked a boy and was very serious about him. (We were 12) Well, the boy wasn't me; it was someone from her school, which was no surprise to me. But I thought to myself-she must not yet be saved, because if she was; God would have told her who her husband is going to be-ME.

That was the extent of our conversation. All the boys circled her, but I thought to myself-"they just don't know." I was never worried or jealous, but just trusted in the Lord. After this trip, I did wonder if I will ever hit a growth spurt and if my looks will improve a bit; I wanted her to one day be very happy and comfortable with my looks, and be happy, and like the person God gives her- all around.

Well, some time passed again-about a year that I saw her again (13). She had changed so much, and I was about the same. I remember that she was already hanging out with some older kids, some even had cars. I didn't get to speak with her much during this time; but she was already my wife, except she didn't know it. I didn't have to spend time with her, or even talk to her to reassure me-because God was already doing that. Ever since I saw her for the first time, I had probably prayed for her almost everyday. I always prayed for her salvation and her physical well being.

I saw her once more about a year later, (we were about 14) and I got to talk to her for about two minutes; and she told me that she has a serious boyfriend, and he is 16. She seemed like she was real popular with everyone, and she was much like a young woman. I can't say I was really happy that she was dating a cool 16 year old-but I knew that the God who measured out the Universe with the span of His hand, had everything under control.

After this last time that I saw her; and the next time I would see her again, about 2 years passed. I was nearly 16, and we were actually going to move to the deep south, which would mean that these visits would stop. There were also other changes in my life that I would like to mention. Back when I was about 6 years old, an eye doctor told my mom that I would most likely loose my eyesight by the age of 14. I have to say that through the years, my parents would take me to change the lens in my glasses about two times a year for my eyes were getting gradually worse. It was two weeks before my 14th birthday, the last week of school, and I was sitting in class looking at the board when I noticed that I was having a hard time seeing again. Just like many times before. (It was probably time to change my glasses again.) By the end of the day I was getting light headed, and as I got home I couldn’t wait to take off my glasses and just close my eyes. When I took my glasses off I noticed that I could see everything just perfectly. GOD HAD HEALED MY EYES.

During the two years that I did not see her; my eyes had been healed. Not only that but I grew about 9 inches in the 2 yrs and put on about 50 pounds. I kid you not; I became a super athlete, with amazing strength and speed, my voice changed and I would have been unrecognizable to most people who didn't see me every six months, let alone two years. And yes, most girls would have wanted to date me if I weren't so serious. (I became what some called, eye candy.) It was an interesting two years, but I was still as serious as before. I was fascinated by my changes, but not overcome by them.

So, right before my sixteenth birthday our youth group and the youth group of the church she attended, went to a youth conference held in another city. I had not seen her the first day that we were there, but the second night we went to eat pizza and there she sat facing me with her two friends about 3 or 4 tables down. I sat with one of my cousins, and with as many girls that could fit at the table. (Most of these girls who sat down didn't even recognize me from years past, and thought I was someone who they never met before-so they were all eager to talk with me.)

I noticed that my future bride was feeling sad, and I would occasionally see her lay her head on her friend. I had no idea what was going on, but I was praying for her. I wanted to go over to say something but I just wasn't sure what to tell her. There were too many people around her, and even though between God and I, she was my wife- I just didn’t know what I was going to say.

A few minutes of this and someone came to our table and started chatting with me. After a couple of minutes he asked me if I would go outside for a minute. I said sure, and as we walked towards the door, I noticed that my bride was no longer at her table either. I was a bit nervous because even though I prayed about her; I just wasn't sure if would say the right things.

Sure enough as I stepped out the door, there she was with her friend. I stopped about two steps away from her and looked straight into her eyes- and couldn't say a single word. We just stared at each other, and I was just fine with that. Than her friend said-"well, aren't you going to say anything to her!" The first thing I said, was for her and the guy who asked me to come outside to leave. After they went inside, she just broke down and started crying- as I was still just staring at her. The first thing she told me was that she gave her heart to Christ about six months ago. Then she told me that she couldn't stop thinking about me for the last six months, and that she believes that God wants her to become my bride one day! The girl who could talk to anyone, had a really hard time talking to me. (We were both just before our 16th B-days.)

My response to that was, "I am not surprised!" As conceited as that sounded, I told her that I have been praying for her for about six years, and I knew she was my gift from God. As you could imagine, she was very happy, and shocked at the same time.

After that night we shared addresses, and we decided that we would write, and wait for further instruction from God. I moved to the South that summer, so I didn't see her much for the next four years, until when we got married at the age of 20.

Those four years were not as hard to bear as many would think. God's peace was with us, and He was with us. He was and is the centerpiece of our lives. When my friends would ask me; what does she looked like; I couldn't even describe her. I wasn't sure how tall she was, or any of her physical features, because I only remembered her eyes. Not even the color of her eyes; but what I saw in them.

God has blessed our marriage, and our lives. We have four children; and are serving the Lord to this day!!

God Bless!!!

-Steven Fanto