Wednesday, December 10, 2008

CHRISTMAS JOY 100 FOLD!


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If you have been to Jessa's blog you already know this but for those that haven't ... Levi Stephens proposed to Jessa today. Sunday night he asked Brother Nowling for his permission to marry his daughter. Though they had talked of it, set the date, started the wedding planning, he still wanted to be sure he had our approval. Brother Nowling kept telling him he needed to have his "last supper" as Brother Dupre called it. So finally Sunday night, while the youth were having their practice, we took Levi to Village Inn. Though there were serious moments, like when Brother Nowling told Levi, his main request was that Levi does his part in making sure she makes it to heaven and that he doesn't break her heart which was very precious ~It was kind of backwards because Levi hadn't asked him yet ~ giggle. I was trying to make it difficult for him but Brother Nowling wouldn't let me. We talked a little but we all knew the youth were going to be meeting up with us and time was getting away and he still hadn't asked. Then suddenly we see Josh and I told him "Levi just ask". He quickly says "can I marry your daughter." And Brother Nowling laughed and then said "yes, Levi, you have my blessing and permission." We knew they didn't need it but it was great that they still wanted it. He then wanted to do an official proposal so what better place than in the winter wonderland of Alyeska (go to Jessa's blog godcanIgohomenow.blogspot.com for the story and pictures).

We are so thrilled that God has brought these two precious young people together. God is already using them. Best of all is HE IS MOVING TO ALASKA. Though we know we won't have our daughters with us forever, the longer the better and we are so grateful that God has led them to each other and they will be here to work with us for Him.

Now the next neat thing is there wedding date...JUNE 13, 2009, Heritage Day. This means the weekend following camp. Though it'll make for a hectic week for me, we will be blessed with possibly visitors to Alaska camp and the next best thing is Sister Sharon Griffin will be our evangelist for camp AND she, Tim and Victoria will be staying for the wedding and she has agreed to be their pianist.

God has shown Jessa and Levi that faithfulness to Him will bring them their hearts desire. It is so good to see Jessa happy. He leaves out tomorrow and I'm not sure when they'll be able to see each other again, but God will sustain them and each conversation and moment they do have together will make that June 13th date even more special.

9 comments:

Amy Anders said...

I really respect them both for talking to you guys first! They both really are such a blessing, I hate that their going to be staying in Alaska though :( we certainly will miss them!

I loved the picture that you guys took of the family, that's beautiful!!!! You guys have a wonderful family!!!

~Jess~ said...

Sister Nowling,

That post brought me to tears. I'm sitting at work trying NOT to cry and blink back the tears.

I'm so happy for them both.

Levi said...

Its true.... Sis. Nowling did try to make it hard for me! And yes if it hadnt been for Bro. Nowling she would have had fun with it tooooo!!!!

Amy Anders said...

Levi she must've had you scared to wait till the last minute to ask Bro. Nowling if you could marry Jessa. :)

J Nowling said...

That actually poses a good question for Levi, after all he'd been here several days before we were able to find the time alone. So Levi, were you scared or nervous?

Levi said...

I wasnt to scared or nervous untill about Sunday afternoon. I kept wandering if anything would be said about already setting a wedding date. So i was relived alot when you said we are going to pretend that a date hasnt been set!! It felt like mercy was all of a sudden extended to me!!

Amy Anders said...

LOL. Poor Levi ;) I have this awful fear that when the right one comes along for me my Daddy's going to be 10 times worse, so Levi I think you had easy. :)

J Nowling said...

He had it so easy. In all honesty Brother Nowling wanted to be sure he had enough time to have his say...the most important thing to us that our girls make heaven. We, as parents have invested our lives in service to the Lord and the girls have been a part of that service every step of the way. We have led them and guided them the best we knew how. The thought of turning them over to a man for the rest of their lives and them losing out is the worst nightmare we could have.

The second was that he not break her heart. That pain is so real to the parents as well.

We are confident that Levi will fulfill both his requests.

But I'm glad Levi experience a little nervousness, to add to his book of memories ~ smile.

Jessa Stephens said...

dad and levi look kinda sorta alike...in a way.....mmmmmm......I know they are similer in personality.....!!!