It all started when we were 4 and 5 years old. James is a missionary kid just like I am. We would see each other every year in August for our annual mission conference. Whenever we saw each other, it was like we always picked up where we left off...like we hadn't been apart for more than a day instead of a whole year.

We had a conference in 1989 at Nipawin Bible Institute. It was there that James, proving a point to another friend (rival?) that "HE WAS GOING TO MARRY ME," walked over to me and kissed me on the cheek!

I was startled and confused and said, "Let's play trucks!" From then on, I was in the business of playing hard-to-get. So much, that it made him think that I didn't like him...BUT I SECRETLY DID!! But he almost gave up (BUT SECRETLY HOPED FOR A CHANCE) and decided to be great friends.

15 years later, we reconnected. I had been going to Nipawin Bible Institute for 2 years, and was planning on going with Venture Teams International (VTI) that coming fall. After a mission picnic, we got together and jammed on our guitars...it was at that point that I realized, I had never sang with anyone quite like him...EVER! I liked it!! But I went off to camp, and he went to Ontario for a family reunion.

When August came around, I just happened to be bringing a gal from camp to church, which strangely enough ended up being James' church! There I convinced him to come to conference again.

During conference, I really noticed something was different between us! But I didn't want any relationships to start, because I was heading off to VTI in 2 weeks.

But after conference was over, I had to do many last minute errands for VTI in town. And it was almost creepy how James and I would run into each other out of the blue, every day, for a whole week! I really began to enjoy it! :)

So, the night before I was going to leave, I was talking to James on the phone. We ended up confessing (kind of awkwardly) that we did indeed like each other. BUT I WAS GOING TO LEAVE IN 8 HOURS! Talk about bummer!!

But God really had His hand on us and our relationship throughout the year. He confirmed and affirmed us in our love. Long distance can be hard, but I'll treasure those emails and letters for years to come!!

Then we got to spend a school year at Nipawin Bible Institute together. That was fun getting to know each other and learn how to interact with each other. We had thought of getting married after school was done, but God told us to wait. James then decided that he should have a year of VTI.

That summer was a blast!! We had fun hanging out, making movies with friends, and going on road trips! The first one to Alberta was to yet another mission conference. It was there that God amazed us by challenging us with a call/purpose for our lives individually...at the same time...and it was the same!

The second road trip to Alberta was to a friend's wedding. That morning, James and I were going to the park to practice a song that we were going to do for the reception. After we played that song and a couple of our favorites, I asked if I could hear the song I was aware that he had written.

He said, "Sure! Uh...can you get my pick from my guitar case please?" So I opened his case, and didn't see it. "It's in the pocket." he said. I opened up the pocket, and there was a Ben Moss Jewelers' box!! I gasped, and thought to my self, "Don't look at it! Don't touch it! Maybe he forgot it was in there!" I quickly closed the pocket and said, "James, I don't see it!"

And at that moment, this wind came from behind me and tossed all my loose hair over my face. I struggled to get it back, and in the time that it took me to do that, James had grabbed the box and brought out the ring box and opened it. He got down on his knee and said, "Karina, will you marry me?" I couldn't say anything for a good 30 seconds, and I watched his hand start to quiver, shake, then convulse!! I grabbed his wrist and said, "Yes! Of course! YES!"

In a sigh of relief, he plopped the ring box into my lap. I looked at it, and said, "Aren't you going to put it on me?" "Oh yeah!!" he said. Then he played me the song that talked about how we need to Keep Our Eyes On Christ.

August 26 was a WONDERFUL day!!

James went on to experience a great year with VTI. He returned at the end of July. I had the privilege of missing him, praying for him, and getting letters and phone calls! We had our ups and downs, but God kept us together with His love.

We had decided return to VTI on their second year team called Encore. At first we were not planning to get married until team was over. But we realized that that would put a lot of strain on us in the month of August (James wants to go back to school). So with peace from God, we have decided to get married this Christmas break.

This will be an interesting year for sure! But I know that God knows what He's doing!! Thanks for your prayers and encouragement!

~written by~
Karina the almost Witherow