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Jon and Lisa's Courtship story
An Epic Love Story:
First Sight:
Lisa: It was a Wednesday night in February 2003... as I was leaving church a friend, Dan Doyle, introduced me to this fine looking man,
Jon Shaffer. I learned that he was in the Air Force and thought to myself, "too bad". At the time my focus was on graduation, living in China
for a year after I graduated, and not at all on men--particularly not on military men!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jon: It was my first time visiting the college class, and I remember seeing this beautiful girl walk in the door of the darkened classroom.
My first thought was, "She is gorgeous," and my second thought was, "She has to be married or at least seriously dating someone." After
church I walked up to Dan, who I had just met at church the Sunday before, to say hello, and he introduced me to Lisa Harris, whom I
immediately recognized as the stunning girl I saw walk into class earlier in the evening. When he introduced us, Dan said that Lisa was
going to China for a year to be a missionary, and I remember being very impressed that she had a heart for missions. As I left church that
evening, I was determined to find out more about this girl and get to know her better.
"Just Friends"
Lisa: Jon and I attended the same Sunday evening Bible study, and through this I grew to respect and enjoy his comments on Scripture
and how a righteous person should strive to live. I also noticed that he was attentive and kind to everyone, especially those on the outside
of social circles. I knew that Jon was a quality guy, but my mind was miles away from searching for MY quality guy...it was a busy time for
me!
When Jon called to "talk", I was thrilled but very surprised. We talked about all sorts of things, and when he finally got around to asking if I'd
like to go out and do something sometime, I didn't hold back. I told him all about my committment to holding high standards in my
relationships and that I did not want to "date" a young man until I thought that he was serious potential marriage material. This position
and committment to a form of courtship had saved me so much trouble and heartache over the years! I was serious about waiting on the
Lord's best for my love life. Jon laughed as he responded that he was very familiar with courtship principles and was interested in
pursuing that in his own life. Our conversation deepened to all kinds of similar convictions, and I remember being so encouraged by Jon's
pure and Christ-like standards.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jon: I was thrilled when I found out the following Sunday that Lisa and I were in the same Bible study. Through that study I too became very
impressed with Lisa's heart for God and her conviction. I also learned that she is a very passionate person who does not do anything
half-heartedly. One of the first times we talked, I remember Lisa laughingly telling me that one of her goals in life was to be the first
woman president. This statement caught me off guard, but I remember thinking, "This girl is serious in her goals."
I became Lisa's biggest fan. I distinctly remember looking forward to group activities with the college group, hoping that Lisa would be
there so that I could get to know her better. I most definitely wanted to be friends, but I also hoped and prayed that the Lord would work it
out to have something more than just a friendship. In talking with Dan, I found out that there were several guys in the college group who
were interested in Lisa. I remained undaunted. I knew that if she gave me a chance, I could win her heart.
However, the the first time I asked Lisa out for coffee on a Sunday afternoon before Bible study, her response was, "I'm sorry; I have to
study." I'm sure it was very true, she probably did have to study, but I just about gave up right there. Fortunately, I persisted. When she said
she did not "date" and was committed to the the ideals of courtship, I was also very impressed with that maturity in romantic relationships.
First Outings
Lisa: Because I wanted our friendship to be just that, a friendship, without the pressure or confusion of more, I asked Jon if we could do
things in groups. He graciously agreed and took the initiative in inviting my friends, along with me, out for all kinds of fun. He held
cookouts; we went out to dinner, out for coffee, and to a Disney on Ice performance with several of our friends. I always felt so relaxed and
comfortable and grateful for Jon's understanding. He always helped me uphold my own standards and desires.
On the night after my last final exam and the week before my graduation from Faulkner University, Jon took me out for the first time alone.
We rode his motorcycle to Emerald Mountain where Jon confessed his developing interest in me. He told me he thought that I was a very
special girl, and he knew that I was leaving for China and we just needed to continue to be friends, but he wanted to keep in touch. I was
honored but did not want to defraud him in any way and said that I would like to keep up a friendship with him just like many of my other
friendships with my guy friends. Looking back I think, "Wow...I was tough!"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jon: I knew that the time was short before Lisa graduated and moved away from Montgomery, and I wanted to continue getting to know her
better, so I decided that I needed to spend time with her outside of church activities. When I asked her out and she accepted, I was thrilled!
Later in the week she asked if we could make it a double date with two of her friends, and I said, "Sure, let's make it a triple date with two
of my friends as well." We all had a good time together, but Lisa was a very "cool cat". I could never tell if she was interested in me as
anything more than just a friend. When we spent time together, I always had fun and thoroughly enjoyed Lisa's company, but I became
frustrated because I could never tell if she was interested in the same way I was. It wasn't until much later in our relationship that I found
she really was very focused on graduation and China and quite oblivious to my desire for anything more than just a friendship.
I was ecstatic that she accepted my invitation for a motorcycle ride, but again I felt like my expression of interest was not returned in the
same way. The Sunday after Lisa's graduation we had a final college group Bible study, and I gave Lisa a graduation gift - "Runaway
Bride" - her favorite movie (at that time). When I left that night, I did not know if I would ever see Lisa again. I again placed our friendship in
the Lord's hands and said, "Lord, if this is Your will, then You are going to have to work it out, because I don't see anything happening."
Well, the next weekend I was shocked when Lisa called me (for the first time ever) and asked if I had any boxes for her to pack her school
things in to go home. Then the next morning she called again and asked if I could come over and help pack her car with everything from
her apartment (on the third floor). I was walking on air! I remember lugging a lot of boxes down those stairs, but I didn't care--Lisa had
actually called me to ask for my help in her move! I still knew that she was very focused on China and I just needed to be a supportive
friend while she was gone, but I also had a glimmer of hope that there might be a little bit of interest on her part. Looking back, I am
grateful that Lisa was guarding her heart, and that the Lord was working it all out in His perfect timing.
Halfway Around the World:
Lisa: This was an amazing experience. I lived in Hengyang, Hunan, China for almost one full year. I taught English at Nan Hua University.
My highest purpose in being there was to share Christ with those who had never heard His name, and there were many! The Chinese
people are beautiful, very generous, and desperate for Ultimate Truth. I could tell you of this experience for hours if not days....but back to
Jon.
While I was in China, Jon was very faithful in e-mailing and calling, and our friendship grew and deepened. After several months, I realized
that I eagerly awaited his letters and thoughts, and that I loved sharing my daily experiences and bad and good "China moments" with
him. Because of China's communist government, we could not write openly about our faith in God or religious activities. So Jon and I
became quite creative in talking in code and discovering each other's love for and knowledge and faith in our Heavenly Father. We learned
how to communicate on deeper levels over great distances (A skill we will greatly use as a military family). This was such a comfortable
and fun time of discovery.
After almost nine months of this, Jon decided that a visit was in order. I hinted that my birthday was April 11th, and so he came in early
April for nearly two weeks and helped to celebrate my birthday royally! During this visit it became very clear to me that I was interested in
seeing if Jon was potential husband material. I was still concerned about the Air Force factor, but my opinions and thoughts on this and
many other things were being shaped, and I wanted to be open to the Lord's leading and direction in our friendship. Through the counsel
of our families, we decided to wait on pursuing an official courtship until we were both back in the United States. My parents counseled us
to keep our friendship open but not to commit to anything further, because my heart's focus needed to be in China so that I could finish
strongly the work that I had been called to do there. I could not have agreed more. It was such an important time.
I am grateful beyond words that Jon was able to experience that part of my life. One of the moments I cherish the most about his trip was
when we were studying the Bible together with two young men desperately seeking for Truth. It was so awesome to tag team and allow
the Spirit to work through us in reaching those souls! When I wrote to tell my Chinese friends and students of our engagement, they were
thrilled and sent back the cutest emails. Here are just a few excerpts:
Dear Jon and Lisa:
I'm so glad to hear from you!And Jon,I admired that you can marry a beautiful girl,treat her sincerely. Enjoy your days and be happy!
Your Ben
Dear Lisa,
I'll congratulations to you at first. I'm very happy to hear that. I can imagine you will be the most beautiful bride in the world and happiness
on that day. God bless you and jon. Of cours, the wife is the best in his heart.
The coming next is honeymoon. Where you are going to stay. Hawaii, Paris or other placese. I think china is the best choise . At last wish
you and Jon happiness. I'll always miss you!
Bill
Dear Sister Lisa,
Since you are the very good example for all of us ,I am confident that you can do very well in acting as a wife just as you are a good friend
ans sister.I do hope your that you two will get along very well in the fouture,and your love grow stonger and stonger as the love for our
father gains its powerr in our hearts.May everything goes well in your coming wedding and marriage as well.
Best wishes for you ,your family and your future husband .
yours ever
Tracy
Dear Lisa:
It's so wonderful to hear your good news!
You are going to be married!I will ask every good things come to you and Jon.
Charlie
Wow, So lovely news!
Dear Mrs. Jon Shaffer:
I'm very very glad to receive your letter again and hear your wonderful news, and I have to tell my classmates your lovely news (Could I do
that?)and I'm sure they will feel amazing. Now, I can imagine the scene that you showed us at a speech about American marriage. An
arch decorated by a lot of flowers, the bride wears beautiful wedding sha, oh! Thats very very beautiful! I bless you happy and happily
loyally. I hope I can see you and your handsome husband someday, in a warm family in America. This day is coming, right?
Yours
Peter
I have many more stored away and it delights me to read them and share them with Jon. I love that he understands and connects to this
place and people that have so captured my heart!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jon: Over the summer before Lisa left for China, it was my pleasure to hear about all of her preparations and fears. I also was privileged
to get to help both her and Jan (one of her best friends from school) financially in getting to China. What a treat! On Aug 23rd Lisa left for
China, and on Aug 24th I deployed to the country of Kyrgyzstan for Operation Enduring Freedom. Over the next nine months I enjoyed
keeping in touch with Lisa through the phone and e-mail. It definitely was a valuable time of growing deeper in our friendship and learning
more about each other in a no pressure environment. While Lisa was in China, I made three separate trips to Kyrgyzstan and spent a total
of about six months there flying troops and supplies into and out of Afghanistan. It was a good time to focus on reading and growing
deeper in my relationship with the Lord, when I wasn't flying. While I was deployed, it was one of my greatest pleasures to go to the
morale tent to read Lisa's e-mails or to write to her.
The country of Kyrgyzstan used to be part of the Soviet Union. It sits just below Russia and just to the east of China. In fact, it shares a
border with China. While I was deployed, I was about 2,000 miles from Hengyang, where Lisa was in China, and when I visited in April, I
had to travel the long way around. I covered twenty-one time zones in ten days and was ecstatic to be able to visit Lisa. I had an incredible
time there visiting the people that she had grown to love so much and having the opportunity to share the gospel with two hungry seekers.
What a blessing! In China I finally shared my true feelings towards Lisa and my desire to see if the Lord might take our relationship
beyond a friendship. Lisa reciprocated my feelings, and it was quite exciting to hear after pursuing her for over a year. Since we wanted to
respect both of our parents wishes and seek their counsel, we waited to begin an official courtship until we were both back on US soil.
Courtship:
Lisa: I got back to the US two weeks before Jon returned from Kyrgyzstan. It was a good time of readjusting and facing the reverse culture
shock. My heart had done so much changing and shaping under the skillful hands of the Lord and I had begun to desire a relationship
with Jon unlike any other! He had become one of my closest friends and I was intriqued by this man and eager to know him more and be
known by him! On July 17th, 2004, I stood among other dear friends as we met Jon and others who returned from Operation Enduring
Freedom on the runway in Montgomery, AL. Later that night, after dinner with friends, we went for a ride once again on his motorcycle up to
Emerald Mountain. There he told me that he had asked for my father's permission to begin a courtship with me, and now he was asking
for my permission. I'll spare you the details of the other wonderful things that he said that night! And so our courtship had officially begun.
Jon and I were serious in our desire to save our best for the person that the Lord had for each of us to marry. In our desire to seek purity,
we had decided to save our kisses for the person we were going to marry, That's right, neither of us had ever been kissed! I am so
grateful for the commitment to purity that I feel like the Lord asked of me when I was 12 years old. I felt so protected and free to be in love
with Christ and Him only until He brought His best to me. In courtship, our goals were to get to know each other on a deeper level as we
determined along with our families and friends if this relationship should proceed towards marriage. Until we knew for sure, we continued
to guard our own and each other's hearts and save our kisses. This time of waiting was very, very special and well worth the wait!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jon: I was more than a little excited to see Lisa along with all my other friends waiting for me on the ramp at Maxwell when we arrived
home. On our trip home from Kyrgyzstan, we spent the night in St. John's, New Foundland, Canada, and the night before we were to arrive
in Montgomery, I called Lisa's dad to ask his permission to court Lisa. To my great thrill he said, "Yes," and on July 17th, 2004, I took Lisa
back to Emerald Mountain to ask if she would like to pursue a courtship and see if the Lord led us to marriage. And so our beautiful
courtship began.
I have always felt that I wanted to save my first kiss for the woman that I was going to marry, so I had never kissed a girl. Early in our
friendship Lisa and I had discussed our desire for complete purity, and how we both desired to save our first kiss for the person we were
to marry. So we agreed to save our first kiss for our engagement if the Lord led us to that point. Throughout this past fall I have been
fortunate to not deploy again, and I have lived in Alabama while Lisa has lived with her family in South Carolina. We have logged many
miles traveling between Montgomery and Columbia (nearly every weekend), and have many stories to tell of our adventures. We grew
closer and closer together and found that our views on God, family, and life seemed to naturally mesh together. Through a lot of prayer
and advice from our parents, we both felt the Lord was leading us to begin a life together.
On December 4th, 2004, I took Lisa on one more motorcycle ride to Emerald Mountain, and at about 9:30 in the evening I asked her to
marry me. She said, "Yes", and we shared our first kiss-- and it was AMAZING! Read our "Proposal" to hear the rest of the story. . . .
First Sight:
Lisa: It was a Wednesday night in February 2003... as I was leaving church a friend, Dan Doyle, introduced me to this fine looking man,
Jon Shaffer. I learned that he was in the Air Force and thought to myself, "too bad". At the time my focus was on graduation, living in China
for a year after I graduated, and not at all on men--particularly not on military men!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jon: It was my first time visiting the college class, and I remember seeing this beautiful girl walk in the door of the darkened classroom.
My first thought was, "She is gorgeous," and my second thought was, "She has to be married or at least seriously dating someone." After
church I walked up to Dan, who I had just met at church the Sunday before, to say hello, and he introduced me to Lisa Harris, whom I
immediately recognized as the stunning girl I saw walk into class earlier in the evening. When he introduced us, Dan said that Lisa was
going to China for a year to be a missionary, and I remember being very impressed that she had a heart for missions. As I left church that
evening, I was determined to find out more about this girl and get to know her better.
"Just Friends"
Lisa: Jon and I attended the same Sunday evening Bible study, and through this I grew to respect and enjoy his comments on Scripture
and how a righteous person should strive to live. I also noticed that he was attentive and kind to everyone, especially those on the outside
of social circles. I knew that Jon was a quality guy, but my mind was miles away from searching for MY quality guy...it was a busy time for
me!
When Jon called to "talk", I was thrilled but very surprised. We talked about all sorts of things, and when he finally got around to asking if I'd
like to go out and do something sometime, I didn't hold back. I told him all about my committment to holding high standards in my
relationships and that I did not want to "date" a young man until I thought that he was serious potential marriage material. This position
and committment to a form of courtship had saved me so much trouble and heartache over the years! I was serious about waiting on the
Lord's best for my love life. Jon laughed as he responded that he was very familiar with courtship principles and was interested in
pursuing that in his own life. Our conversation deepened to all kinds of similar convictions, and I remember being so encouraged by Jon's
pure and Christ-like standards.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jon: I was thrilled when I found out the following Sunday that Lisa and I were in the same Bible study. Through that study I too became very
impressed with Lisa's heart for God and her conviction. I also learned that she is a very passionate person who does not do anything
half-heartedly. One of the first times we talked, I remember Lisa laughingly telling me that one of her goals in life was to be the first
woman president. This statement caught me off guard, but I remember thinking, "This girl is serious in her goals."
I became Lisa's biggest fan. I distinctly remember looking forward to group activities with the college group, hoping that Lisa would be
there so that I could get to know her better. I most definitely wanted to be friends, but I also hoped and prayed that the Lord would work it
out to have something more than just a friendship. In talking with Dan, I found out that there were several guys in the college group who
were interested in Lisa. I remained undaunted. I knew that if she gave me a chance, I could win her heart.
However, the the first time I asked Lisa out for coffee on a Sunday afternoon before Bible study, her response was, "I'm sorry; I have to
study." I'm sure it was very true, she probably did have to study, but I just about gave up right there. Fortunately, I persisted. When she said
she did not "date" and was committed to the the ideals of courtship, I was also very impressed with that maturity in romantic relationships.
First Outings
Lisa: Because I wanted our friendship to be just that, a friendship, without the pressure or confusion of more, I asked Jon if we could do
things in groups. He graciously agreed and took the initiative in inviting my friends, along with me, out for all kinds of fun. He held
cookouts; we went out to dinner, out for coffee, and to a Disney on Ice performance with several of our friends. I always felt so relaxed and
comfortable and grateful for Jon's understanding. He always helped me uphold my own standards and desires.
On the night after my last final exam and the week before my graduation from Faulkner University, Jon took me out for the first time alone.
We rode his motorcycle to Emerald Mountain where Jon confessed his developing interest in me. He told me he thought that I was a very
special girl, and he knew that I was leaving for China and we just needed to continue to be friends, but he wanted to keep in touch. I was
honored but did not want to defraud him in any way and said that I would like to keep up a friendship with him just like many of my other
friendships with my guy friends. Looking back I think, "Wow...I was tough!"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jon: I knew that the time was short before Lisa graduated and moved away from Montgomery, and I wanted to continue getting to know her
better, so I decided that I needed to spend time with her outside of church activities. When I asked her out and she accepted, I was thrilled!
Later in the week she asked if we could make it a double date with two of her friends, and I said, "Sure, let's make it a triple date with two
of my friends as well." We all had a good time together, but Lisa was a very "cool cat". I could never tell if she was interested in me as
anything more than just a friend. When we spent time together, I always had fun and thoroughly enjoyed Lisa's company, but I became
frustrated because I could never tell if she was interested in the same way I was. It wasn't until much later in our relationship that I found
she really was very focused on graduation and China and quite oblivious to my desire for anything more than just a friendship.
I was ecstatic that she accepted my invitation for a motorcycle ride, but again I felt like my expression of interest was not returned in the
same way. The Sunday after Lisa's graduation we had a final college group Bible study, and I gave Lisa a graduation gift - "Runaway
Bride" - her favorite movie (at that time). When I left that night, I did not know if I would ever see Lisa again. I again placed our friendship in
the Lord's hands and said, "Lord, if this is Your will, then You are going to have to work it out, because I don't see anything happening."
Well, the next weekend I was shocked when Lisa called me (for the first time ever) and asked if I had any boxes for her to pack her school
things in to go home. Then the next morning she called again and asked if I could come over and help pack her car with everything from
her apartment (on the third floor). I was walking on air! I remember lugging a lot of boxes down those stairs, but I didn't care--Lisa had
actually called me to ask for my help in her move! I still knew that she was very focused on China and I just needed to be a supportive
friend while she was gone, but I also had a glimmer of hope that there might be a little bit of interest on her part. Looking back, I am
grateful that Lisa was guarding her heart, and that the Lord was working it all out in His perfect timing.
Halfway Around the World:
Lisa: This was an amazing experience. I lived in Hengyang, Hunan, China for almost one full year. I taught English at Nan Hua University.
My highest purpose in being there was to share Christ with those who had never heard His name, and there were many! The Chinese
people are beautiful, very generous, and desperate for Ultimate Truth. I could tell you of this experience for hours if not days....but back to
Jon.
While I was in China, Jon was very faithful in e-mailing and calling, and our friendship grew and deepened. After several months, I realized
that I eagerly awaited his letters and thoughts, and that I loved sharing my daily experiences and bad and good "China moments" with
him. Because of China's communist government, we could not write openly about our faith in God or religious activities. So Jon and I
became quite creative in talking in code and discovering each other's love for and knowledge and faith in our Heavenly Father. We learned
how to communicate on deeper levels over great distances (A skill we will greatly use as a military family). This was such a comfortable
and fun time of discovery.
After almost nine months of this, Jon decided that a visit was in order. I hinted that my birthday was April 11th, and so he came in early
April for nearly two weeks and helped to celebrate my birthday royally! During this visit it became very clear to me that I was interested in
seeing if Jon was potential husband material. I was still concerned about the Air Force factor, but my opinions and thoughts on this and
many other things were being shaped, and I wanted to be open to the Lord's leading and direction in our friendship. Through the counsel
of our families, we decided to wait on pursuing an official courtship until we were both back in the United States. My parents counseled us
to keep our friendship open but not to commit to anything further, because my heart's focus needed to be in China so that I could finish
strongly the work that I had been called to do there. I could not have agreed more. It was such an important time.
I am grateful beyond words that Jon was able to experience that part of my life. One of the moments I cherish the most about his trip was
when we were studying the Bible together with two young men desperately seeking for Truth. It was so awesome to tag team and allow
the Spirit to work through us in reaching those souls! When I wrote to tell my Chinese friends and students of our engagement, they were
thrilled and sent back the cutest emails. Here are just a few excerpts:
Dear Jon and Lisa:
I'm so glad to hear from you!And Jon,I admired that you can marry a beautiful girl,treat her sincerely. Enjoy your days and be happy!
Your Ben
Dear Lisa,
I'll congratulations to you at first. I'm very happy to hear that. I can imagine you will be the most beautiful bride in the world and happiness
on that day. God bless you and jon. Of cours, the wife is the best in his heart.
The coming next is honeymoon. Where you are going to stay. Hawaii, Paris or other placese. I think china is the best choise . At last wish
you and Jon happiness. I'll always miss you!
Bill
Dear Sister Lisa,
Since you are the very good example for all of us ,I am confident that you can do very well in acting as a wife just as you are a good friend
ans sister.I do hope your that you two will get along very well in the fouture,and your love grow stonger and stonger as the love for our
father gains its powerr in our hearts.May everything goes well in your coming wedding and marriage as well.
Best wishes for you ,your family and your future husband .
yours ever
Tracy
Dear Lisa:
It's so wonderful to hear your good news!
You are going to be married!I will ask every good things come to you and Jon.
Charlie
Wow, So lovely news!
Dear Mrs. Jon Shaffer:
I'm very very glad to receive your letter again and hear your wonderful news, and I have to tell my classmates your lovely news (Could I do
that?)and I'm sure they will feel amazing. Now, I can imagine the scene that you showed us at a speech about American marriage. An
arch decorated by a lot of flowers, the bride wears beautiful wedding sha, oh! Thats very very beautiful! I bless you happy and happily
loyally. I hope I can see you and your handsome husband someday, in a warm family in America. This day is coming, right?
Yours
Peter
I have many more stored away and it delights me to read them and share them with Jon. I love that he understands and connects to this
place and people that have so captured my heart!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jon: Over the summer before Lisa left for China, it was my pleasure to hear about all of her preparations and fears. I also was privileged
to get to help both her and Jan (one of her best friends from school) financially in getting to China. What a treat! On Aug 23rd Lisa left for
China, and on Aug 24th I deployed to the country of Kyrgyzstan for Operation Enduring Freedom. Over the next nine months I enjoyed
keeping in touch with Lisa through the phone and e-mail. It definitely was a valuable time of growing deeper in our friendship and learning
more about each other in a no pressure environment. While Lisa was in China, I made three separate trips to Kyrgyzstan and spent a total
of about six months there flying troops and supplies into and out of Afghanistan. It was a good time to focus on reading and growing
deeper in my relationship with the Lord, when I wasn't flying. While I was deployed, it was one of my greatest pleasures to go to the
morale tent to read Lisa's e-mails or to write to her.
The country of Kyrgyzstan used to be part of the Soviet Union. It sits just below Russia and just to the east of China. In fact, it shares a
border with China. While I was deployed, I was about 2,000 miles from Hengyang, where Lisa was in China, and when I visited in April, I
had to travel the long way around. I covered twenty-one time zones in ten days and was ecstatic to be able to visit Lisa. I had an incredible
time there visiting the people that she had grown to love so much and having the opportunity to share the gospel with two hungry seekers.
What a blessing! In China I finally shared my true feelings towards Lisa and my desire to see if the Lord might take our relationship
beyond a friendship. Lisa reciprocated my feelings, and it was quite exciting to hear after pursuing her for over a year. Since we wanted to
respect both of our parents wishes and seek their counsel, we waited to begin an official courtship until we were both back on US soil.
Courtship:
Lisa: I got back to the US two weeks before Jon returned from Kyrgyzstan. It was a good time of readjusting and facing the reverse culture
shock. My heart had done so much changing and shaping under the skillful hands of the Lord and I had begun to desire a relationship
with Jon unlike any other! He had become one of my closest friends and I was intriqued by this man and eager to know him more and be
known by him! On July 17th, 2004, I stood among other dear friends as we met Jon and others who returned from Operation Enduring
Freedom on the runway in Montgomery, AL. Later that night, after dinner with friends, we went for a ride once again on his motorcycle up to
Emerald Mountain. There he told me that he had asked for my father's permission to begin a courtship with me, and now he was asking
for my permission. I'll spare you the details of the other wonderful things that he said that night! And so our courtship had officially begun.
Jon and I were serious in our desire to save our best for the person that the Lord had for each of us to marry. In our desire to seek purity,
we had decided to save our kisses for the person we were going to marry, That's right, neither of us had ever been kissed! I am so
grateful for the commitment to purity that I feel like the Lord asked of me when I was 12 years old. I felt so protected and free to be in love
with Christ and Him only until He brought His best to me. In courtship, our goals were to get to know each other on a deeper level as we
determined along with our families and friends if this relationship should proceed towards marriage. Until we knew for sure, we continued
to guard our own and each other's hearts and save our kisses. This time of waiting was very, very special and well worth the wait!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jon: I was more than a little excited to see Lisa along with all my other friends waiting for me on the ramp at Maxwell when we arrived
home. On our trip home from Kyrgyzstan, we spent the night in St. John's, New Foundland, Canada, and the night before we were to arrive
in Montgomery, I called Lisa's dad to ask his permission to court Lisa. To my great thrill he said, "Yes," and on July 17th, 2004, I took Lisa
back to Emerald Mountain to ask if she would like to pursue a courtship and see if the Lord led us to marriage. And so our beautiful
courtship began.
I have always felt that I wanted to save my first kiss for the woman that I was going to marry, so I had never kissed a girl. Early in our
friendship Lisa and I had discussed our desire for complete purity, and how we both desired to save our first kiss for the person we were
to marry. So we agreed to save our first kiss for our engagement if the Lord led us to that point. Throughout this past fall I have been
fortunate to not deploy again, and I have lived in Alabama while Lisa has lived with her family in South Carolina. We have logged many
miles traveling between Montgomery and Columbia (nearly every weekend), and have many stories to tell of our adventures. We grew
closer and closer together and found that our views on God, family, and life seemed to naturally mesh together. Through a lot of prayer
and advice from our parents, we both felt the Lord was leading us to begin a life together.
On December 4th, 2004, I took Lisa on one more motorcycle ride to Emerald Mountain, and at about 9:30 in the evening I asked her to
marry me. She said, "Yes", and we shared our first kiss-- and it was AMAZING! Read our "Proposal" to hear the rest of the story. . . .
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