11.08.08

November, 08th, 2008.  This was the day I prayed and fasted for what seems like forever!  It was the day my God delivered me in holy matrimony to the man whom I not only wanted but needed.  I remember when my friend Monica talked on and on to me about a fellow by the name of "Shaun Tan".  He was a Singaporean engineer new to our church.  She would tell me about how she wanted me to meet him.  She shared of how he served in the Singaporean army, of how smart he was, and other impressive facts.  Just writing about it makes me nostalgic.  I can feel that "feeling" all over again. At first I was not wanting to meet "Shaun Tan".  I had had enough of the wrong relationships.  Plus, Singaporean? I was waiting for a Hispanic, someone who knew my roots.    I can still remember the cool weather of the fall season.  After some convincing, I finally gave in and attended the 9am service. I was happily and conveniently attending the 11am service and of course this Singaporean was happily and efficiently attending the 9am service.  I was as easy going and phlegmatic as he was productive & efficient!  :) After seeing him I thought, "Hmmm...he's cute! I like!"  I then decided to become a little more "productive & efficient" with my Sunday mornings and began attending the 9am service. ;)  I remember one service he just so happened to sit in the pew infront of me.  He came in late during the worship part of the service. Luckily the lights were dim so I could take a couple of glances without him knowing.  I thought it was so cute how he continuously tugged at his not so ironed long sleeve buttoned shirt.  I thought, "poor guy, he doesn't have anyone to iron his clothes".  Little did I know his idea of ironing was taking his clothes right out of the dryer after the timer went off and then laying his clothes neatly on the bed and then pressing each item on top of one another.  It was during this service that I took my 3 inch heels off so that when it came time for the 2 minutes of "meet & greet" with those around you, "Shaun Tan" would see that I was at a nice compatible height, in any case he was to be stunned by my beauty.  Unfortunately, Shaun Tan never turned my way.  A few Sundays later I just so happened to be sitting in front of him!  This time his parents & brother accompanied him.  I thought, "Hmm..these could be my future in laws!! He He  Better make a good impression with the MIL".  Don't think I ever really got  shake any of their hands.  Sigh... In the mean time, I was having fun girl conversations with my girlfriends about "Shaun Tan".  We never called him Shaun.  It was always "Shaun Tan".  I really liked the sound of that! "Shaun Tan!"  It sounded very foreign!  Finally within the next month I met this very mysterious and very impressive "Shaun Tan".  After several failed manipulated attempts we finally met at a church fellowship for young adults.  Boy, did I like "Shaun Tan".  =)  There was so much about him that I found attractive.  He was smart, his perspective was refreshing and different from mine.  He encouraged me to question my perspective on things. I loved his smile!  There was this one time after church when no one else was available to have lunch so it ended up being just him & I at Luby's. We sat by a window as we ate and talked about our personal plans & ambitions.  The more time I spent with Shaun the more and more I was growing so fond of his company. It was both exciting and yet scary.  From the beginning Shaun expressed his intent was to stay in Brownsville for a short season. This guy didn't want to stay in Brownsville forever.  Neither did I, not entirely anyway.  Part of me wanted to go abroad and serve the other part of me wanted to stay near the familiar and comfortable.  As time passed the Lord presented these wonderful little outings for Shaun and I to get to know one another.  From playing golf, to watching a movie, the zoo followed by a hearty hamburger & a milk shake. It was wonderful! As wonderful as wonderful could be! I immediately began to pray and fast about my friendship with Shaun.  In due time the Lord began to confirm His will for my life.  The next thing I knew was I was in his bathroom texting two of my girlfriends that Shaun Tan had declared his love for me!!! Two years later I sit typing as the perfect little combination of my darling husband and mine attempts to wiggle himself to sleep in his crib in front of me.  We now reside in Houston, Texas no longer Brownsville, Texas.  We find ourselves in the midst of His provisional placement.  We attend a wonderful church filled with beautiful people.  There's no other place I'd rather be than here with Him, him & him...

ML

Down below are some pictures of the last year in no specific order.  In fact, there is no time to arrange them in any fancy order or to add any caption.  :)