We were on our way to get coffee before church on Sunday, September 24th, 2006. On our way Aaron said that he had an “early” birthday present for me and wanted me to sit in the chair while he went in the other room to get it. He had me close my eyes and when I opened them, I was surprised with an iPod. Now I had been wanting an IPod for quite some time, so needless to say I was pretty excited, but was kinda bummed because I thought this might be “the moment”.
He had me hold the iPod while it played a slideshow of videos and pictures of us from when we first started dating. The slideshow was played with sweet lovey music and at the end it said “Turn Me Over”. When I turned the iPod over, I was amazed to see the engraving of “Will You Marry Me?” Aaron got down on his knee and said “Will You Marry Me, Nichole?” I don’t remember much after that but it was one of the happiest and sweetest memories.
Video of our Engagment
The “New” Wedding Band
Because of where we are wanting to serve in Africa, I decided that it would be best to leave my engagement ring here with a family member.
Aaron surprised me at 5am a couple of days ago with a black velvet box. I had to rub the sleepers out of my eyes to take a good look at it. Inside was a beautiful antique silver band. It was very simple yet absolutely gorgeous. I took off my engagement ring and wedding band to put on this “new” ring. I was so excited but overwhelmed with sadness and started to cry.
Though it was beautiful, I realized that it was not my favorite ring. Memories of when Aaron and I got engaged flooded in, and I felt the sting from letting go of my most prized earthly possession.
Lesson from God
What I learned from this whole experience is that God is stripping me of material things. I realize it’s ok to have sentimental emotions and memories of certain material things, but God is showing me much more beyond that. He is teaching me to find value and worth in Him and in Him alone. We have been getting rid of almost everything we own and I realized that this was the last material thing that I have been holding on to. I pray that God’s glory will be shown through the Gospel and not because of the things of this world.
I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved I will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved
As I was listening to these words from Natalie Grant’s new song “I will not be moved”, I felt even more affirmed that the Lord is my rock and my protection from all evil. Since my husband and I have decided to move to South Africa, it’s like Satan is continually feeding me lies specifically about being inadequate to share the Gospel with others. I know this is NOT true, simply because as a believer, God calls us to go and spread His name to all the nations. Jesus said in Matthew 28;19 “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
Christ the Solid Rock I Stand
I know I may stumble and may even fall, but at the end of the day, it’s grace that I am standing on. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other grounds are sinking and I will NOT be moved for anything other than Him.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the Lord, who is worth of praise, and he saved me from my enemies. Psalm 18:2-3
I am blessed with amazing parents, two sisters, a sister-in-law, three brother-in-laws, mother-in-law, father-in-law, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and almost eight nieces and nephews. I am so grateful for our family and the amazing presence of all of them.
Even with the family expanding and growing larger, I still feel that yearning for a “bigger” family. As God is calling Aaron and I to do full-time missions overseas, he is putting a burden on my heart for the people of Africa. I am anticipating and longing for those deep relationships that will form while we are there.
Global Families for the Glory of God
John R. Stott said,” I pray that these words, the families of the earth, may be written on our hearts.” And I pray the same thing. I know our God is a missionary God and He wants us to make family with all of our brothers and sisters of Christ, even if we are of a different race, social class, ethnicity, political group, etc. The point is that we are all here to serve one purpose; that is to bring glory to God.
I am excited to leave for Africa with my husband in just five and a half months! God has been stripping me from earthly things and opening my eyes to what is really important. And one of those important things is to build a bigger family.
As my husband and I were walking the other night around our apartment complex, I realized that I want a new cookie cutter. Growing up I dreamed of the Cinderella fairy tale; getting married, having children, living in a nice large home with comfort and stability, and living happily ever after. There is only one problem with that scenario. God does not call us or me to a life of comfort and stability. God calls us to live radically. And the more I realize that, the less I want to live the typical American “Cookie Cutter” life.
Finding My Value in Christ, Not in Material Things
As Aaron and I are preparing for Africa, I am realizing the things in life that matter the most to me. The small things that I used to idolize are slowly fading away, and the closer I am growing towards Christ. We have been literally giving away almost everything that we own, and it has honestly been the most humbling and rewarding thing that I have ever done. As much as I thought that I was not a materialistic person, I still placed value and meaning in my life through these material things that I have had for so many years. As I was giving things away, I realized that I could give everything away and still have peace and contentedness because I have Christ in my heart.
I know that Africa is going to change my heart and that is exactly what I want. I yearn to be more Christ-like in a way that I never thought possible.
Aaron and I have felt led to do missions overseas since we first started dating. He has been talking about Africa since the day I met him. We were not sure what all that entailed and what God was calling us to do.
After nine months of being married, Aaron and I started discussing possibilities of where we wanted to move to meet adventures and to also someday start a family. Colorado was the main topic of discussion, mainly because of recreation and the endless outdoor activities.
As we pondered on this seemingly wonderful idea, our hearts ached as we thought “What are we doing?” We had just heard a sermon talking about the atrocities in Sudan and Ethiopia. Africa popped into my husband’s head and when he brought it to my attention I knew immediately that God was calling us to Africa.
A Change of Heart
We originally were going to go to South Africa and find jobs primarily to support ourselves and then also do missions. My husband went to Perspectives, a missions preparation course, and was given a referral to Floyd and Sally McClung. After researching this couple and All Nations, our heart drew towards serving with this organization in Capetown, South Africa. They have the vision of planting simple churches and spreading the love of Christ, which is very similar to the church we attend at Sojourn Community Church in Louisville. The more we prayed about it, the more we felt led to do full-time missions and raising support.
A Call to South Africa
Around this time I was having direct visions from God. He kept telling me “Sell all of your earthly possessions and come follow Me”. When I told Aaron this, immediately things were clear and we knew exactly what God was telling us to do. It clarified that God was calling us to South Africa and serve with All Nations to do church planting.
God is BIG
At this point we were and are still VERY excited to go to South Africa and serve God’s people and bring them to Christ. Although there are definately some fears that come along with it, just like anything else. How are we going to raise enough support? How can we leave our family and everything we know behind? How long does God want us in South Africa? Will we start having children while we are over there? Basically, we do not even know the full extent of what God has planned for us. What we do know is that our God is BIG and He loves us unconditionally. And He will ALWAYS take care of us wherever we are.
This is what a calling to World Missions feels and looks like for Aaron and I.
