The Story of Us

So, in my Women's Ministry Newsletter - I said that I would have this on my website...and I totally forgot!! Oops!  So, its later than it should have been in getting on here...but if you're still interested, here it is! 

The Story of Us! :)

It really started over two years ago…
There were the initial thoughts as we first met each other – none of them overly positive.

But then there were second and third and fourth encounters….

There was the ballroom dancing night when Jon couldn’t stop dancing and Robyn couldn’t stop laughing.

There was the time that Jon co-preached a sermon at Tuesday Night Worship, and suddenly he seemed a lot more intriguing to Robyn.

And then there was Mission Trip ’07. That’s when we both really took notice of each other. Jon was such a servant-leader, which definitely caught Robyn’s attention. And in spite of her girliness, Robyn continued to work diligently on the projects at hand.

But neither of us said anything…for many months.

Over that summer (‘07), there were facebook messages and random times of hangout through the Campus House…large-group hiking and camping trips and such.

Things really started to change after Robyn started meeting with Connie (Surface) Steinman for accountability. After the first few meetings, Robyn confessed her attraction to Jon. And Connie JUST SO happened to be dating one of Jon’s good friends, Eric Steinman. You can about guess where things are going from here. ;)
 
Eric asked for permission from Robyn to investigate whether or not her feelings for Jon were mutual. And, nervously, permission was granted.

Not too long later, Connie gushed the news – Jon was indeed VERY interested in Robyn! With that news an emotional roller coaster started…Now what to do?!?! Jon was a student; Robyn a staff member. Conclusion: talk to Travis.

Robyn gave Travis and Cheryl the heads up, and Jon soon had a one-on-one meeting with Travis to formulate a plan-of-action. During this time, Robyn realized that she probably shouldn’t have allowed her friends to get involved in the middle of the situation and felt God convict her for not letting Jon initiate and lead the relationship. (Come to find out later that Jon had had a conversation with the Lord that he would need to be knocked upside the head if a girl was interested in him…so maybe it was an answer to prayer? ;))

Travis advised waiting for six months (as in not talking to each other for six months) to give the emotional rollercoaster a chance to slow down and to really seek out the Lord’s Will.
The next six months were filled with prayers and petitions to the Lord - and of course many uncertainties…BUT God was faithful and both Robyn and Jon as they used the time to draw closer to the Lord and place all of their cares and worries at His feet.

The six month time period was nearing its end while Jon and Robyn were on the 2008 mission trip. Jon felt led to continue to wait before approaching Robyn. It wasn’t until the end of that spring semester that Jon met with Travis for another plan-of-action. (Which, by-the-way, means that Robyn and Jon didn’t talk for another two months…for a total of 8 months of rather ignoring each other).

Travis suggested two alternatives: 1) wait until after Jon graduated in December before approaching Robyn or 2) re-open the lines of communication over the summer to get to know each other…and then return to “ignoring” each other over the fall so as to use the time to effectively minister to those on campus.

Jon prayed about this, seeking the Lord’s wisdom, and decided on option 2. (In the meantime, Robyn – not knowing ANYTHING that was going on with Jon or Travis – was daily surrendering her heart to Jesus, asking Him to lead Jon in the direction that they should go – if they were to go anywhere at all. She was at peace, resting in the assurance that whatever God allowed to happen was His Will.)

After commencement, Jon asked Robyn to meet him at the park, where they talked, and then took a walk where Jon explained how the summer and fall would work. Robyn, having spent so much time praying for God’s direction, readily agreed…to Jon’s utter surprise. Over the summer, Robyn and Jon corresponded through letters and the occasional phone call. They steadily began learning about each other, their relationships with the Lord, and about their personalities, likes/dislikes, and families.

When the fall arrived, Robyn and Jon submitted to the Lord and to Travis’ advice to use the fall to minister to students on campus. They would also go for a walk about every two weeks for a “heart-check.” This was usually a pretty lengthy conversation to determine if both of them were guarding the other’s heart over the fall semester.

(Side note: In case you haven’t thought about this too much, this was a VERY growing – and taxing – experience…filled with ups and downs, laughs and tears, knowns and unknowns.)

By the end of the semester, as December slowly approached, both Robyn and Jon were chomping at the bit to finally, officially begin their courtship. As the semester wound down, Jon spent more and more time hanging out around the CCH office. ;) Finally, on the Saturday after finals…and after speaking with Robyn’s dad, Jon and Robyn had their official DTR (defining the relationship) conversation. It was during this conversation that we laid out the rules…the boundaries, two of the most important physical and emotional boundaries being no kissing until marriage and not saying “I love you” flippantly. It would be at Jon’s discretion to determine when the best time to first say “I love you” would be.

We didn’t waste time from then on out. ;) We spent much of Christmas break getting to meet and know each other’s families, asking each other deeper, more personal questions, and just plain getting serious … okay, MORE serious, about the relationship.

The relationship continued to pick up speed through discussions and Bible studies that Jon and Robyn did together, going to church together, asking questions about thoughts and desires concerning the future, hammering out things in which we held differing opinions. You know, that sort of fun stuff. ;)

As spring approached, we talked more and more about marriage, and even went to look at rings together one day. (This, all before we ever said “I love you”…which, in a jewelry store, can be pretty awkward!)

Spring Break Mission Trip ’09…Robyn went…without Jon…to Virginia where there is no cell phone service! ;) lol. It was a difficult week, but both Jon and Robyn knew that this is what the Lord had called them to…and it was a week. After spending SOOO many months waiting, being apart for a week shouldn’t be that bad.

As soon as Robyn got home, she unpacked her bag…and repacked it again to drive down to Ft. Wayne to see Jon. Robyn’s niece lives a few blocks from Jon’s house, so she stays with her niece overnight when she visits Jon.

Sunday, March 15, 2009. A BEAUTIFUL spring day. The sun was shining brightly. The birds were chirping like crazy. The temperature was finally high enough Robyn didn’t need to wear a parka outside! ;) So what else would Jon and Robyn do on such a fine day than go on a walk?!

That’s just what they did. They walked from Jon’s house to Foster Park – a few blocks away. After recent flooding, it was an adventure hopping over puddles and sludging through the muddy grass. On such a beautiful day, the park was packed with people enjoying God’s creation…. And then, Robyn spotted a foot-bridge that crossed the swollen river!

“Jon? Can we go to the bridge?!?!” He was pretty glad Robyn spotted that bridge…a little more privacy. “Sure!” he said.

Once Robyn and Jon safely made their way onto the bridge, they stood and talked as they watched the water rush by under their feet. And Robyn happened to notice that Jon’s heart was beating rather quickly. (This wasn’t completely unusual, but being the curious person she is, she decided to investigate further.) She asked for Jon’s phone and tried to find the “tools” section, but failed. So Jon opened up the tools for her, from which she headed to the “stopwatch” application. Then, placing her hand over Jon’s heart, she ATTEMPTED to count the beats for fifteen seconds. However, Jon would not stop talking.

“Jon! I can’t count while you’re talking! I can’t count and listen at the same time! Be quiet for 15 seconds! Geesh!” Robyn said with a smile and a roll of her eyes.

Finally, Jon relented and was quiet. Robyn did her calculations: 140 beats per minute!!!!!! “JON!! That is NOT healthy! What is wrong with you?!?!”

He asked if she wanted to know why his heart was beating so fast, which of course she did. And he said, “Robyn, I love you.”

*Smile* To which, Robyn replied, “I love you too!!”

They stood on the bridge hugging for a while. And then Jon said, “Oh, and there’s one more thing.” (To which Robyn’s eyebrow quirked, in question to what it might be).

Jon got down on one knee and said, “Robyn Michelle Hinkle, will you marry me?”

*Bigger smile* To which, Robyn replied, “YES!!”

More hugging (blah, blah…you don’t need to know all that – but there was NO kissing). Then Jon said, “I have the ring in my pocket; I’m just scared to get it out. I don’t want to drop it in the river.” He soon got it out of his pocket and placed it on Robyn’s ring finger – successfully, without dropping it in the river. ;)

So, folks, that’s our story. We’re getting married on July 18th of this year. It’s been a fun journey so far, and we are SOOOOOOO blessed by God – with each other, with our families, and with you – our friends. :)

Now you know…the story of US. (So far ;)…there’s more to come, of course ;))

P.S…..as if this weren’t information overload, you can ask either of us for more detail at any point in time…because, believe you me, there are a LOT more details that we just couldn’t fit in here!!!

Prayer Request

Hey!  I hope you have all enjoyed a wonderful break.  I know I did!!!

However, I'm writing to ask you to pray for my family.  It's nothing life-threatening, but it definitely affects a lot of people in my family.  I don't want to go into details here.  Just pray for wisdom and strength and a quick return to normal health. ;)  Thanks.

Where's my brain??

I just don't understand why I am the way that I am...

It was a non-stop day...from the second I left the house until I left the office at 5:30...

And I totally got completely overwhelmed at the end of the work day.  I just wanted to cry...I was mad, I was trying to make myself cry...and it just wouldn't come out.  There is SO much to be done...even just this weekend... *sigh*

So I came home and was making supper and washing the dishes and thinking...and then the song "God Bless the Broken Road" by Selah came on the radio...and I just lost it.  Totally bawling as I'm washing dishes.  And poor Laura comes downstairs in the middle of my tear-fest and thinks I'm upset with her.  I wasn't.  I felt so bad for her seeing me like that.  I couldn't even speak clearly enough to tell her what was going on.  I tried though...after I called myself down.  It was just one of those days where I just needed to cry...and these tears have been storing themselves up for over a week now.  It was due time.

Anyway...so WHY I don't understand the why I am the way that I am....

Yeah, I needed to cry.

BUT GOD TOTALLY SHOWERED BLESSINGS ON ME TODAY.

There are students who come and clean the office for me, and - oh my word - if they didn't bless me in that way, I don't want to think about what a mess I would be - week after week.  They are SUCH a blessing and I am SO grateful that they so generously server the ministry and me by cleaning the office every week.  It's amazing.

And then I had a really great meeting with Sarah.  We totally shed tears together and realized some stuff about her life and she let me pray for her situation.  God is totally working in her life and on her heart.  That was AMAZING.

And there are like a MILLION students working on all kinds of projects that are doing such a great job and are taking things so seriously.  I mean, we are blessed to have such great students in our ministry!!!

And YET...at the end of the day, I came home feeling sorry for myself and cried.

Ridiculous.

There was no need for that.

Jesus is SO GOOD to me...and I ungratefully cried about it.

*sigh*

So :)

That was my day.

How was yours?

Currently Watching The Sound of Music (Two-Disc 40th Anniversary Special Edition) By Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Richard Haydn, Peggy Wood, Anna Lee see related

Update...I guess :)

So, it has been requested that I blog some more... :)  I will attempt to oblige.

I don't even know where to begin.  It has been an INSANE fall semester.  It has been wonderful.  The freshmen are very fun and are so excited about getting involved, which is pretty much the most amazing blessing EVER :)  Ministry stuff in general is going really well.  Praise the Lord for that.  It has definitely had nothing to do with me.  I'm so all over the place that I've got nothing of my own to give.  It has been so so busy.  I STILL really need to work on balancing my time...personal time, time with family, time with the Lord, time for the ministry, time for maintaining my house... I don't know how "grown-ups" do it! :)

Um...*noise of unknowingness* I don't even know what to talk about!!

I sent my grandparents a letter this week thanking them for a generous gift they gave to help me with my college debt...and I included in the second portion of the note pleading with them to think about Jesus... They are not Christians... and it's really hard to talk to them about Jesus.  They just aren't at a point where they're interested in hearing it.  So I tried to write it down.  I want them to know that I care about their spiritual lives.  It's a hard subject.

And my mom may have to sell her Christian bookstore.  My parents have lost TONS of money on it.  It's really, really sad.  Like, all of their retirement money is pretty much gone.  I wish there was something I could do. :(  So, what I can do, I try to do - like pay them back for anything they pay for for me...like car repairs, car insurance... stuff like that.  I try to be responsible to help them as much as possible.  And when I get done paying the government back with my student loan stuff, I'm going to pay my parents back for the couple thousand they helped with my school stuff.  It's like a drop in the pool of their debt, but every little bit helps!  Right?

Let's see...oh!  yeah, so my little brother got married!  That's like really awesome and weird all at the same time.  I was pretty worried about the wedding before it actually took place.  It was just really unorganized compared to all the other weddings I was in this summer (and there were a few!).  It was stressful at times, but whenever the sanctuary doors opened and the bride walked down the aisle - it was worth it all!!  And Chris and Jess's wedding was so special to me.  My brother has grown up so much in the last couple of years.  And I can totally see the Holy Spirit working in his life since he's become a Christian.  (I had the privilege of baptizing him back in like August, I think).  That was pretty stinking awesome!!!

And some other little blessings...God has totally provided for me as I have need with the company of different people - girls especially.  I have a new hug-giver...all of my original huggers have left (and gotten married) - Katie, Connie, Laura.  But I've got some new girls who like hugs - that's VERY exciting.  Sometimes my hug-o-meter gets pretty low...  It's sad.

Speaking of the original huggers - ladies, if you read this - I am SOOOO grateful for you!!  You guys mean the world to me.  I know that we haven't been friends that long...but just the way you have accepted and embraced me is so amazing.  And the love we share for one another is something so special.  I hope you know how much you mean to me!

And from the original huggers to my Cincy people.... I got to go visit them earlier this month (MAN time is FLYING by!!!).  That was pretty fun. Reuniting with the old Travel Team, old roommates, old choir pals, old professors... oh, college.  What a wonderful time in life!  Wait a minute- I totally did see EVERY ONE of my roommates on my trip!  Crazy!  I just realized that :) haha!  *sigh*  I am so grateful for the people God has blessed me with.  What wonderful friends!!  I love you all!!

And I've been missing some other girls like CRAZY: my two neices - Ash and Brooke.  we're all pretty excited to see each other at Thanksgiving!  Girl time!  I can't believe Ash is a senior in college!  Craziness.  And Brooke is a freshmen in college.  Wow.

When did I get so old?? :)

Ah well.

On some deeper notes, the Lord has certainly been teaching and training me recently.  I'm in like a constant state of humility (well, probably not since I'm often BEING humbled...).  Golly...But it's good...though unpleasant, of course.  I have GOT to work on my schedule, though, and spend more time with the Lord.  I don't neglect Him, but I don't give Him as much time as I would like to.  There's so much more He wants of me....so much more that I could give.

Well, I hope that is a satisfactory update.  I don't know how often I'll be able to do this, but I thought, for the good of my dear friends, I ought to give it a whirl.  :)

How I miss you all!!  Let's get together soon, girls!  If you're one of my girls and you're reading this - that means YOU!!!

I'm so grateful for you all! :)

Psalm 13

How long, O Lord?  Will you forget me forever?

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts

and every day have sorrow in my heart?

How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Look on me and answer, O Lord my God.

Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death.

my enemy will say, "I have overcome him,"

and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

But I trust in your unfailing love,

my heart rejoices in your salvation.

I will sing to the Lord,

for he has been good to me.