Next Episode: IMT and the Prelude to Ring By Spring
Being the Media & Design Manager for IMT Student Services has been such a blast this semester. Our techs this year have been such a blessing to my Manager Team and I and I have seen so much growth in them. They all put forth a lot of effort and were simply phenomenal. We had our fair share of snags with our on campus computing this semester, but each problem had to go up against a fantastic team of awesome techs who pummeled the problem as quickly as possible as soon as it arose. Being on this side of the battle was awesome to see, and students on the other side have no idea what we had to go up against, but should know how hard we worked to make sure technology was acting right. If you see a tech around campus, you should definitely thank them for making it possible to continue watching Youtube Videos and to read Amazing Blogs by APU Students.
Ok, now what you have all been waiting for; RING BY SPRING!
So before I went to Yosemite, I decided that it would be the perfect time to critically think about whether or not I wanted to ask Sheley to marry me and if so, was now the right time. I sought help from her father, Dave Price, Pastor of Rolling Hills Church in Danville California, however, I had to do it in a very unconventional way: Facebook Message.
Ok OK OK! I Know, Shush, Hold on! I know it looks bad, but it actually wasn’t! Him and I have had a rather good relationship in the past year and I have had quite a few casual conversation with her parents about marriage before and the attitude towards it was always positive (or in her mom’s case, anxious). So in the message I clearly stated that I assumed I had permission, however, if I didn’t he could just shut me up now and we could be done with this conversation.
The main reason for the message was to ask for support in my prayers about this. His response was overly helpful. He confirmed his blessing, sent me various bible verses to read, and told me that he and Debbie would be praying with me. As soon as I got onto the trail, I began praying, however, it wasn’t very normal.
I have always felt so much closer to God whenever I am out in the wilderness. I ask for answers and I get answers. Responses are usually very quick, but this response was the quickest I had ever gotten. As soon as I began praying, I was slapped in the face with a resounding ‘YES!’ I tried to start over, again and again “YES!” Frustrated, I decided to just try again later.
Just to clarify, I wasn’t frustrated because I didn’t want to, I was frustrated because I wanted to carefully consider all possibilities and analyze everything before making the decision with the Lord, and no offense to the big man on high, but he was being a little rude.
Later on the trip, I decided to try again. This is how I see the conversation playing out.
“Ok Lord… I come before you again to talk about…”
“YES!”
“NO! LET ME FINISH!”
“Haha, I’m just messing with you Staphon. But you don’t have to go through this whole analysis thing, you have already analyzed it, your plan is perfect, your timing, it will work, I promise. Just do it!”
“… Ok Lord.”
“…Is that all?”
“Well… I’m not entirely convinced…. oK… I want to believe you. This is the biggest decision ever! And I know I’m not supposed to ask you to do things like this but… If you really think its a good idea… just drop a star… Just one… wait no… I’m sorry, I shouldn’t ask for things like…”
One Star Fell.
I waited.
No more dropped the whole night.
“Thank you.” I smiled and went to sleep.
The next day I messaged my parents and her parents and asked for help finding a ring.
To Be Continued…
Next up, the exciting conclusion to My Crazy, Busy, Action Packed, Glorious Semester!
