Back to the Future...part two

I could start writing to you all about current things going on right now, but I think a lot of you need to catch up on how this all came to be in the first place, so we'll start with how Randy and I met. I went to Clear Creek Baptist Bible College, and I firmly believe that God not only called me there to learn more about Himself, but also because it would turn out to be how I would meet my future husband...in kind of a round-a-bout sort of way. My first roommate and one of my very best friends in the world was from Prince of Wales Island, Alaska, which I thought was completely awesome (and it IS!!!). She showed me pictures and told me stories, and my desire to see it for myself began to grow. At her graduation, I was blessed to meet a whole crew of people from Alaska who had come to celebrate with and support her new adventure she would begin, as she is now a missionary in Southeast Asia. I got to meet her parents (who are now the pastor/pastor's wife of my current church), and some close friends of the family (who are now my most excellant in-laws!). I later learned that my roommate's father went back to Alaska, and told Randy that there was a girl down south he needed to meet. Isn't it funny how the Lord works? But wait...there's more! The next year I was so lonely because practically everyone I was close to had graduated and left me, but thankfully, I met Melissa (who is now my best friend and sister). Well, I shouldn't say I just met her, because I knew her before, but this was when we really became friends. Hey, and guess where she's from? Yep. Prince of Wales Island, Alaska. She and I actually began to plan a trip up for an entire summer, and I couldn't wait. Meanwhile, she's telling me about her entire family, and let me tell you something- they are outstanding. I never thought anyone could  live up to the way she talked about them, but I've met most of them now, and they honestly do. I could never have dreamed of being so fortunate as to be a part of a family as wonderful as this one...but that's another story for another time. Anyways, Melissa got it into her head that her brother and I should meet because, "You guys are perfect for each other!!! I'm going to make him call you, and I'm going to make you talk to him, and you guys are going to get married." I knew that it would never work out, because for one, I wasn't all that interested in dating at the time. I thought I knew the way my life was going, and I thought I knew that I would never be with a guy from Alaska. I mean, how crazy is that? I honestly don't think it could have been anymore opposite of the plan I already had layed out for myself. Regardless of the way I thought, when we started talking, that little sucker pulled me in somehow. We talked for hours, everyday, and it never got boring. My mom would ask me every couple weeks, "So Taylor...you're not bored yet??" And everytime, it surprised me, because he was by far the most interesting person I had ever talked to, and BELIEVE ME, it is extremely difficult for me not to get bored on the phone. I hate phones. They're so awkward. We started talking in September of 2010, and he flew down to meet me in March 2011. We got married on September 23rd, 2011. Who would've thought?? I certainly wouldn't have, but isn't it comforting to know that, when you belong to the Lord and you put your life in His hands, it always turns out perfect? I guess I shouldn't be that surprised...after all, He flat out tells you, "I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you- plans to give you hope and a future." And that goes for all of you too. He has a most excellant plan for your life, and He's just waiting for you to stop trying to control it yourself. His plan is what you were created for- he made you with a specific purpose in mind, and nothing else can bring you the same satisfaction as following that plan. And I don't mean that in a "He's the boss, do what He says kind of way," even though He so is the boss. I mean, how on earth do you plan on finding something that can be anywhere near as fulfilling as what you were created to do? That's like a watch wanting to try to be an oven and bake a cake. Maybe there is someway that could happen, but it would be so much more fulfilling to tell the time. Don't you think? There's something wonderful about living like you have a purpose in life...I'm not exactly sure what mine is yet, but I am sure that meeting Randy brought me one step closer to it.