Laura’s Point of View:

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t dream of being married. Growing up in a Christian home, I often heard my mom’s gentle prayers for my future husband as she tucked me in at night. At the time, marriage was just a distant idea, something sweet but not yet meaningful to me. That changed when I turned sixteen. God redirected my heart toward Him, and as my relationship with Him deepened, His plans for my life became clearer. I began to feel a strong desire—to be a wife, to create a loving home, and to be a mother. My heart was filled with excitement for the future, and any thoughts of a career faded into the background.

When I was seventeen, I began writing prayers and letters to my future husband in a journal. I didn’t write consistently but when I did, each word felt like planting a seed for the future. After graduating high school, I entered college convinced I would meet him there. But as the first year unfolded, I found myself changed in unexpected ways, and the hope of meeting my future husband grew quieter. Instead, I kept surrendering that desire to God, trusting His timing.

That Christmas, my plans were interrupted when my mom and grandma were in a car accident. I chose to stay home longer than my break allowed and cared for my mom. It was a challenging time, but in the stillness, God placed a new desire in my heart: to serve at a Christian summer camp. My mom, sensing the same nudge, encouraged me, saying, “Laura, I think the Lord wants you to work at a camp this summer.”

I applied to several camps and prayed for direction. When Treasure Mountain Bible Camp in Colorado reached out, I was surprised. I hadn’t even considered it a serious option. Still, I prayed and waited. Soon, the answer became clear: God provided exactly what I needed—a way to get there through unexpected insurance money from helping my mom. It felt like His hand was guiding every step.

The day I left for Colorado, I hugged my parents at the train station, prayed fervently, and asked God to keep me focused on only ministry that summer. I also specifically praying that God would not allow me to meet any guy! Little did I know this journey would change my life forever.

At camp, I didn’t notice Joshua right away. I met his cousin and sister first, and it wasn’t until we played Dutch Blitz that I really met him. At first, he seemed silly—just another guy on staff. But as the summer went on, I saw his heart for God, and that changed everything. We didn’t talk much, but I observed him quietly, appreciating his dedication to the Lord. I never imagined we’d end up together, but God was writing a story I couldn’t yet see.

One crisp morning at the flagpole, Joshua gave a challenge to the campers. As I listened, I heard a still, small voice whisper, “Laura, he’s the one. This is the man you’ll spend your life with.” The certainty startled me. I didn’t even know if he was interested in me! But I held onto that moment and prayed.

Toward the end of the summer, Joshua approached me and shared his intentions: he wanted to wait a year before starting a serious relationship. It wasn’t a “yes” or a “no”—it was a “wait.”

Something else I should mention: during the summer, I gave Joshua a small stick as a playful yet meaningful gift. He carried it with him throughout the entire summer, and when the season ended, he handed it back to me. That little stick became a symbol of our connection, and I cherished it.

After camp, I returned home instead of going back to the college I had previously attended. I had been interested in attending IBCS, the college where Joshua was enrolled. I didn’t want my decision to attend IBCS to be influenced by Joshua, but I couldn’t pursue it right away. My credits wouldn’t transfer that quickly, my family needed me, and I felt led to stay home for a semester.

During that time, I worked two jobs. I often found myself thinking about Joshua. I didn’t have any way to reach him or know how he was doing, but I prayed for him every time I held that little stick in my hands. It reminded me to trust God’s timing.

By the end of that semester, the Lord made it clear that I should attend IBCS. With His direction, I applied, was accepted, and registered for the 2023 spring classes. It felt like another step of faith, not just for my education but for the story God was continuing to write.

When I saw Joshua for the first time in months at college, the air between us was undeniably awkward. For the next couple of months, that awkwardness lingered—we hardly spoke at all. I assumed he wasn’t interested in me anymore and tried to move on. But no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t. The more I observed him from afar, the more certain I became that he was the one God had for me.

By March, I started writing daily prayers for Joshua, pouring out my heart to God. Slowly but surely, those prayers were answered. He began reaching out towards the end of the semester and a friendship blossomed.

That summer, we both signed contracts to return to TMBC. While things between us were still a bit awkward, there was an unspoken understanding: we were waiting, and we both knew we were still interested in each other.

When we arrived at camp, we learned we’d both been assigned to the teen program—and on the same team! I was placed as his co-captain, supporting and encouraging him as he led. Working so closely together brought us closer, as we shared a passion for the teens and a deep love for God.

Midway through the summer, I started writing Joshua daily letters of encouragement, reminding him to trust God and stay strong in his leadership. To my delight, he began writing back. Through these letters, we built each other up in the Lord, growing in faith, trust, dependence in God alone, and in friendship.

By the end of the summer, Joshua asked me to be his girlfriend in the sweetest, most thoughtful way. In that moment, I knew—he was the man I would love for the rest of my life.

Our engagement is still to come, but the story God is writing for us is filled with His love, faithfulness, and perfect timing. Joshua is the answer to so many of my life long prayers, and I’m endlessly grateful for the journey that brought us together. Our love story will always be my favorite.

Travel coming soon!