Just an update on the relationship, and a heart-felt thanks to all of you who offered prayers and words of encouragement.

Lt. Schormann and I have been blessed by your prayers, in conjunction with the prayers of those local to us. We have enjoyed the grace of openly sharing our fears/thoughts, honest communication of our feelings, and fully dedicating ourselves to growing our future with each other.

We both agree that it is too soon to say that we will marry, but we both have admitted that we are dating each other to find out if we should. To paraphrase Daniel, all signs direct us to a sacramental life together. He is courting me Biblically, and catechetically, and he doesn't even realize it. He attends Mass with me every Sunday...charmingly asking me if he can each time...and tells me that Mass is the time we share that he loves the most. By his actions, and his spirituality, he is only Missouri Synod Lutheran in word only. His beliefs and attitudes are fully Catholic. And we both believe that God gave us to each other. As he said on Monday, "we" are all God's doing, but what did I do to deserve you? I said the same, but suggested that perhaps God felt that we had both put up with enough, and now we were gifted to each other for time served. I have never had a Christian boyfriend before Daniel. It is truly a blessing.

"Sis" is still an issue, so keep us in your prayers from time to time. We, Daniel and I, have already begun to plan for a future together, but we know we will have family doubts to overcome along the way.

The truly amazing thing...he has vowed that he will only seek sexual advances with the woman he makes his wife. Can I just tell you how this promise makes me rest easy? To know I need not worry about fighting off a man and his advances, and still having faith he will be there the next day...where did this man come from?

And as an aside, I never wanted to be in a relationship, never wanted to be married. I felt this way because I had the worst luck with men. I felt there would never be any hope of finding a good man, based on my past history. For anyone who feels like finding love is like winning the largest lottery prize, I say...

Don't give up. I set about building a wall for five years, then tried to seal it shut by punctuating the effort through the thought of becoming a religious sister. When you last imagine it, when all roads seem to be nothing but a dead end cul-de-sac resolution, just keep living. God is faithful. He knows what you wish for, and when you are prepared to handle what you wish for, it begins to make it's way to your door. I began to wish for a meaningful relationship around November. I didn't recognize it straight away, but when Daniel re-entered my life, I could see God's hand in Daniel seeking me out after ten months from our first meeting.

I know I am gushing all that which would spur many of you to gag. Sorry. I want to tell you all that I am in utter appreciation to have your prayers. Thank you, from the core of my soul, thank you. I am sure that your intercessions are part of why Daniel and I have been able to persevere through the challenges. Please keep us in your prayers when you think of it. And know that you are all inmy prayers for your kind words and support.

Was it Lennon who said, "Love is the answer, and you know it for sure"?

-- Melissa Wilson (holy_rhodes@earthlink.net), May 29, 2002

Answers

Um I'm not sure but I do know it was Pat Benatar that said love is a battlefield. :) Well fought. Well won, Melissa. Your declaration of love is inspiring. It does my heart good to see how happy this young man has made you. And the power of prayer at work. Many blessings to you and your Daniel.

Katharine Lee Bates (1859-1929)~

For a Golden Wedding

Dawn love is silver, Wait for the west: Old love is gold love-Old love is best.

I pray your course is a true one, Melissa and that you grow old together.

God Bless~

-- Jackiea (sorry@dontlikespam.com), May 30, 2002.

Hi Melissa,

I was on a self-imposed sabbatical when you first posted your initial thread about the current circumstances in your life. I am slowly catching up.

You and Daniel are of course in my prayers. I am not going to gag, but rather be somewhat envious! (no offense to my dear loving husband of course!)

My only advice, dear, though it is unsolicited I know, is to pray, pray, pray. Pray on your own, and just as important, pray WITH Daniel. I know that you probably already are doing both, but I guess that I feel called to stress this. Prayer with someone else brings clear direction and guidance. And strangely enough, it is not easy to pray so closely with someone, because it requires true transparency.

I have a Bible verse that I want to share with you. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have fore you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Sounds like you had made plans, but God had better plans for you!

May God bless you and Daniel both and may His will always be done.

cksunshine

-- cksunshine (ck_sunshine@hotmail.com), May 30, 2002.

I'll keep you in my prayers, Melissa and Daniel.

-- -- (unknown@a.nonymouse), May 30, 2002.

Melissa,

Your story just warmed my heart this morning. :-)

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. Jude 2

God Bless,

-- Kathy (sorry@nomail.com), May 30, 2002.

Melissa - Let us not forget the gift you have offered the young man of yourself. A woman who trusts and is brave enough to take a chance once again. As is known when broken bones knit they are stronger.

-- Jean Bouchard (jeanb@cwk.imag.net), May 30, 2002.

Mel~ Hey Girl. I got bored, so I looked up "Melissa and Daniel" in the search Engine (I'm in love with a 'Daniel', so That's how I got that far :) I think it's truly great that you and Daniel are very in love. I know how that feels =) Melissa and Daniels should just...be together. hehe no..i'm kidding, But honestly- It's awesome and SO cool that you've got the Lord as the foundation in your relationship. As long as that's where He stays, your life and future together will be so blessed, and You'll find it much easlier to find a path in life. Email me if you wanna talk about it more, I need advice, personally, on My daniel and I...anywho, Talk with you later =) ~melissa

-- Melissa Evans (Superchickanf@aol.com), December 08, 2002.