I Don't Remember Registering for This...

Yesterday, I went to the doctor because I haven't been feeling quite right for over a week now. And I learned that I have mono. Good grief! Not good. Fortunately, it is a very mild version (I'm not on bed rest like others I've known). The only real symptom I have is that I don't feel quite right, and I do get really tired in the evenings.

You can imagine, this is sad news since I'm newly engaged. And it is sad because I don't want to be sick all through the coming holiday season. I would appreciate specific prayers that my body can recover quickly from this virus.

Claudia and I have been registering and looking at rent houses. We're having a lot of fun! We also had a fabulous weekend two weeks ago with all of our parents being in town together. One thing Claudia and I will certainly be giving thanks for this week is the wonderful families we have been blessed with.

And don't worry. The mono has not changed my appetite in the least.

My bride to be...(photo: jessicarisingerphotography.com) 

jessicarisingerphotography.com 

Claudia and I had no trouble getting along at Halloween.  

This is the spot where I asked Claudia to marry me yesterday morning at the sunrise. We want all of you to share in our joy together... 

Here's an engagement picture we had taken yesterday afternoon. (photo by Jessica Risinger www.jessicarisingerphotography.com)

This picture was taken earlier this year. 

Allow me to Introduce my Fiance...

For the last year or so, I have been dating a young lady named Claudia. When we first began dating, we asked God to be the Author of our relationship. Though our journey has included many things we never expected, the Lord has been faithfully working to draw us both closer to Him and closer to each other along the way. I am a very different person than I was one year ago. The Lord has used Claudia in my life to transform me more into the image of Christ, and I’m so grateful. I believe I am a better man. And I believe I am a better minister.

Yesterday, a new chapter in our stories began. I asked her to marry me, and she said yes! So now that she’s committed, I’m free to brag about her on my blog! :o) Ha! It has been so difficult not to write about her over the last year, but neither of us wanted our dating relationship to be advertised on the internet—especially since we were just dating. But now she’s wearing the ring I gave her, and I’m ready to show her off!

Claudia is an absolute dream. She has a heart for other people—especially those who are overlooked. She has an adorable and joyous personality, and she is loved and admired by everyone who knows her. We love to minister together, cook, eat (she’s the one for me!), take walks together, travel, attend musical theatre, and be goofy. You should also know that Claudia drives a special car with extra dark window tint. This is because her physical beauty is so stunning that she causes traffic accidents. She is a very talented actress, having starred in a number of musicals while in college. Currently, she is a speech and language therapist for a local elementary school in Memphis.

It’s amazing to realize this is the woman that my family and I have been praying for my entire life. And it’s amazing to realize that her family has been praying for me all along. God has truly equipped us for life and ministry together. She is a gift from Him, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life saying thank you.

Claudia and I want to say thank you to those of you who have prayed for us over the last year. We pray our relationship will always bring honor and glory to our Maker. We now invite you to pray for my sweet parents. Both of their children are getting married within two months (Claudia and I in March, and Kami and Brandon in May)!! Fun times at the Porche house!