|
Marriage Choice at age 19 God Directed in this Decision because I asked |
As a teen  I
prayed many times about whom I should marry. I prayed over every
relationship I had. I wanted Jesus to be the center of everything. My dear
mother was such a great help through this time. She had me read Counsels
to Young People, Adventist Home, and Child Guidance by Ellen White. She
read to me of the faithful women of the Bible and how God helped them
marry the right ones. The story of Rebecca and how she was chosen to be a wife for Isaac was studied carefully. I determined God should help me in
my choice for life. Mom would discuss my questions, patiently answering my
concerns. |
 It
was so important to me that my family like the person I liked. I valued my
parent's counsel. Dad always prayed for each one of his five children
every morning and evening in worship.
A very fine young man was my friend during my time at Laurelwood. I learned a lot from him. When I went to learn to do Bible studies in Roseburg Oregon with 50 other young people, I met many more fine people. It was important to me to find someone who liked giving Bible studies, singing, and wanted to be a missionary doctor. |
 I
prayed that I could find some friends who would enjoy making a trio with
me. God led me to twin girls who enjoyed singing. We were surprised that
we even had clothes of the same material. We went with the Laurelwood
Academy pastor to many churches on weekends and shared our testimonies and
sang trios. It was really fun. |
 A
dream sprung up in my heart that I would like to work in missionary evangelism. Daily
I prayed for training in this. God answered that prayer by sending an
evangelist to Laurelwood looking for 50 youth to train. I was quick to put
my name on his list of candidates to choose from. I was thrilled Elder Don
Gray invited me to his training sessions. I met so many nice young people with
similar goals as mine. |
  One
of these young men asked me to be in his singing group. We got better
acquainted while singing but it was against the rules to date while on
this team. We stayed with the group obeying the rules. I discovered he was
there to learn to give Bible studies, he loved to sing and he wanted to
take pre medicine and a math major in college in the fall. Besides all
this he had a sense of humor that really made him special. He had a rich
base voice and could play the guitar in any key. |
  The
summer was a busy one but he managed to arrange many practice sessions, so
we had to be together. We were in different training groups but practiced
our music often. We sang at the evangelistic meetings Elder Don Gray was
holding. What a great summer we had! When college started in the fall we
were both very busy. I had no serious plans. I needed to study. My room
mate and I both enjoyed Ron's singing group and we decided between us that
neither of us would date him if he asked so we could live peacefully as
room mates. But one day I had fallen asleep at my desk over a GREEK lesson
for Theology class. The phone was on my desk. I heard it ring and picked
it up before I was awake. The young man speaking did not identify himself.
He blurted out that he wanted me to attend a school function with him. In
my sleepy haze, I knew his voice was one from the team who had shared the
summer Bible training with me. I said yes before I was really awake.
Suddenly as I awoke, thoughts raced through my mind. Who was this, had I
broken promise to my room mate? Oh, no, who would I be meeting in the lobby
of the girls dorm? I would have to be embarrassed and just ask who he was.
He started laughing. He told me it had taken him a long time to get the
courage to call me knowing I could turn him down. During the summer one
night when there was a full moon after meetings he had been silly and put
an arm around the girl on both sides of him in the car. I had gently but
firmly taken his arm off of me. He had much respect for me and was afraid
I would turn him down. Now he laughed and laughed because I did not know
who was asking and carelessly had said "yes". Well, he accepted
my explanation and we had a nice evening. He was in a hurry to tell me
that he had decided from watching me all summer that I was the one for him
for always. I was shocked. I told him I would pray about it and wanted to
get to know him better. I was scared. |
| I
assured him God would tell me. All year we found time to read our Bibles
together and discuss our values. Many times after our singing group
practice he would walk me back to the girls dorm. He wanted an answer but
God had not yet told me so I was his friend and that is as far as I would
allow plans to be. Then when summer came again we were in training in
evangelism with the same evangelist in Portland. We still had our singing
group. Then one day, Ron stopped talking to me. I was distressed. I did
not understand but took it to God in prayer. I was out under a little tree
that morning asking God what to do. Why had God waited so long to tell me?
It had been 11 months. What was wrong? What would it sound like when HE
DID TELL ME? I recalled the morning Bible reading we had heard from
our leader. He was discussing different ways God speaks to us. Our parents
are one way God speaks to us, if they love God, read the Bible, and pray.
The Bible is another way He speaks. Well, I thought about my parents. They
liked Ron. But what did they know about the future? Who could know if he
would be faithful? I was afraid to make such a serious choice with out a
directive from God. As I prayed, I did not hear any voice from God, but I
had a peace. It was time for choir practice so I went in for singing.
Ron's eyes avoided me. |
 Forty
five minutes later, I was told my mother was urgently needing to speak
with me. She lived about 45 minutes from where we were training. I was
curious why she was so tense. She urged me to get in the car for she had
something very serious to tell me. Immediately she said what was on her
heart. She said that she and dad had been discussing Ron and I that
morning. They had prayed about us. They both felt strongly that we should
go ahead and get married. Dad wanted to tell me and mom wanted to tell me.
They argued who should do it. She jumped in the car and rushed off first
so she was the one to tell me. I took a deep breath and asked when she
left the house. Somehow, it was important to me to know that detail. It
was the exact time I was under the tree desperately asking God to tell me
if I should get married and help me for my beloved was not speaking to me.
"Mama," I said, "He will never speak to me again. " "Oh," she said, "He is afraid you are just leading him on, hoping for your hand in marriage and then you will leave him for another. He has waited too long for his answer." "Here's what you say." "Ron, since it is Friday and we usually have to haul our things to the laundry mat, lets do something different. Let's go out to Multnomah Falls." On the way, you say, "It would be fun to be his forever." He will say, "It seems like it is so far away. We will never get married." "You, Rose, are to respond with, 'It does not have to be so far, what date would you like?' " Then mama counseled that I let him set the date no matter how soon it would be. She would make the dress and do all the work while I was busy doing Bible studies. |
  Wow!
Can you believe it? It was like mama was prophesying. She and dad knew we
loved and adored each other. Everyone at college knew it too. Elder
Malcolm Maxwell kept asking us to come up front while he spoke of God's
love for HIS people HIS BRIDE.
Everything was said just like she predicted. Ron set the date for my birthday which was a short time away. I started to argue but held my mouth shut as mama had counseled. Wedding bells sounded August 25, 1972 and I was a very happy, lucky girl to get such a handsome tall husband. He had eyes only for me as I walked up the isle to become his bride. I had my prayer answered in such a direct obvious way, there was no doubt any more in my mind that my forever choice was the right one. Psalms 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (Vs.5) Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring [it] to pass. |
  He
has faithfully provided for his family. He has provided me with four
healthy fun loving children. I praise God for the joy he has brought to my
life. He still plays his guitar during the family Bible readings morning
and evening when he is home. He still has such a rich base voice. We
waited a long time for God to provide us with children. Our medical school
training was almost finished. We had gone through nurses training and
doctors training together. Soon all my children will be taller than I. I
will be the midget of the family.
Does God care who you marry? You can be sure He cares. He created the first happy marriage between Adam and Eve. He wants us to keep HIM first in our relationships so there will be an abundance of love and joy in our lives. Many times, Satan has tried to ruin our marriage but we turn to God for help. He answers prayers. He is our help in every trouble. When Satan comes in like a flood, we cry to God and He raises up a standard against the enemy. Isaiah 59:19 When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. Isa. 59:19. My God shall supply all your needs. Phil. 4:19 Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but [when] the desire cometh, [it is] a tree of life. Psalms 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. |