It started out pretty much like any other work day. I got up as a single mommy of 2 precious little girls and went to work. At that time I worked at FBC Woodstock as the secretary to the financial counselor, Eddie Hobbs. I loved my job, and I loved my boss. He became like a 2nd dad to me during those months of learning how to have a "real job" after having been a stay-at-home mom for 5 years. (As though being a SAH Mom isn't a "real job.") Eddie was out of town on August 2 and was needing me to fill in for him in the financial class he led on Wednesday evenings at church.
Throughout that day 10 years ago, I picked up on the fact that there was a bit of extra excitement over that evening's planned "House of Prayer." Still, I knew I'd be helping out in the class, so I would have to miss it. It didn't keep me from wondering what all the excitement was about, though.
The day went on, mostly as normal, but the other staff members were all abuzz about House of Prayer. It was hard not to wonder what was up. Then, my then-boyfriend, Stephen asked me to please come to beginning of the prayer time because the focus was on "nearly-weds, newlyweds, and want-to-be-weds." We were in the latter of that group. We wanted to be able to wed, but we were not 100% about the timing. The ministry Stephen works with even today, was at that time in its very early days, and him being single, and unattached gave him the freedom to be available almost 24/7.
I was a bit surprised when he asked me to go to the prayer time with him, but I agreed. Anyone who knows Stephen very well, knows that he has a very tender heart. And with the topic being what it was, I wasn't all that surprised that he'd want us to have that opportunity to pray together and have others pray with us. I was nervous, though. (Being a divorced mother of two tends to make a girl a bit cautious with her privacy.) I barely saw him that day because he told me he had to visit someone in jail. I didn't get to talk to him by cell phone, either, because he told me he wouldn't be able to use his phone while he was at the jail.
Had I known what he had up his sleeve, I would have taken more time fixing my hair, and definitely would have spit out that gum! ;-)
(Turns out, he was off buying a ring that day, so I forgave him for "lying" to me about why he was unavailable the whole day.)
When my first marriage ended the way it did, I tried to get used to the idea that I might be single forever, and to focus on being the best mother I could be to my two girls. God truly did, and continues to do, exceedingly and abundantly above all I could have imagined. It's times like this that I am reminded, as I look back, that God truly is a giver of good gifts!
Stephen Hendrix, thank you so much for asking me to marry you! People have asked me through the years if I was uncomfortable with the fact that you asked me to marry you in such a public setting. How could I have been? You didn't hide our relationship at all--you have always honored me, both in private and in public. I can't thank you enough for the ways you've allowed God to use you in my life. No one has ever demonstrated the love of Christ to me like you have. There's definitely no way I'd be in public ministry today without your strength, perseverance, and constant encouragement to be who God has made me to be, and to do what God has made me to do.
Thank you for the many ways you still show your integrity, faithfulness, and commitment, not only to me, but to those little girls who aren't so little anymore. You will be richly rewarded one day--being a step-parent is no easy responsibility, but you do it so well. Thank you for loving me and Amelia and Macey in such a way as to to make it so easy to trust you with our hearts.
You changed my whole world with that proposal. Thank you, Stephen. 10 years. It's gone by so fast. I guess that's what happens when you get to be married to your very best friend.
I love you so much. So. Very. Much. It is an honor to wear your name.
And, in case you might be wondering...
I STILL can't believe I get to be married to Stephen Hendrix!
