One morning, Emma journaled this verse during devotions of her junior year at college and asked that God would do just that for her-if she were ever to get married. Then, she went on with her schooling. She was a student at Baptist College of Ministry studying to be a teacher. Across the college campus, Matthew was praying through the same verse and asking God to do the same thing for him. Little did they know that the often-unseen hand of God was already doing just that. Matthew went about his years of college, working diligently on his classes and constantly finding ways to serve others. He really enjoyed his education classes, as he too was preparing to be a teacher as well as a missionary. In a particular education class, he was in the same group as a girl named Emma. He noticed that Emma lived on mission and was focused and intentional, which really stuck out to him. Through a variety of prayer meetings and ministry assignments during her college years, Emma had been challenged by Matthew’s walk with God, but she didn’t think twice about him until her brother George was assigned to stay in Matthew’s room. Emma was thankful that her brother would have a room leader who would consistently pray for him and give him godly counsel. In May of 2022, Matthew was asked to assist with the Falls Baptist Academy end-of-the-year field trip. He agreed and joined the group, which included the new first and second grade teacher, Miss Hadley, in hiking around the lake. It was during this hike that God spoke to him for the first time about Emma, though there were several factors he needed to pray and wrestle through before he would become convinced that God’s hand was at work. Completely oblivious to the thoughts and prayers of Matthew at this time, Emma continued teaching first and second grade and seeking opportunities to serve others. She grew to love her busy, independent lifestyle. However, there was a prayer and a name that now repeatedly appeared in her prayer journal. She spoke with mentors and parents about him. They confirmed the potential that God was working but challenged her to stay focused on her current responsibilities. She desperately tried to follow that advice in the months that followed. By the fall of 2023, God had clearly shown her that she would one day marry Matthew Austin. While the previous year’s field trip had brought questions to Matthew’s mind regarding Emma, this year found him seeking God’s direction about her and talking about her often to his parents. In May of 2023, Matthew was again asked to come on the elementary field trip. He gladly agreed to accompany the group and thoroughly enjoyed his time with the kids…and with Emma. Interestingly enough, it was just two weeks later that God told him that he would marry Emma Hadley. That summer flew by as he and Emma worked once again in the summer day camp program at Falls Baptist Church. They each tried to conceal their feelings for the other person and to focus on the development of the children around them. By the end of the summer, both sets of parents were convinced of God’s leading and began to plan a time for a courtship relationship to begin. Over Thanksgiving break, Matthew drove through the night to Ohio to meet with Emma’s dad. The conversation ended by making plans for Matthew to come and visit Emma over Christmas break. Once again, completely obliviously to what was happening, Emma flew home for Christmas Break with this thought on her mind, “I wonder if this will be my last Christmas at home.”

Emma’s parents picked her up from the airport and took her out for lunch on the way home. Before she had any opportunity to enjoy the locally-famous Doug’s Fish Fry, her dad told her about Matthew’s interests. Emma was surprised at the timing of this conversation but was very ready to begin a relationship with Matthew. In fact, her dad told her that Matthew would be coming to see her in just 10 days. So much for enjoying lunch! We officially started courting on December 30, the day before Emma’s birthday. Matthew succeeded in making that birthday her best one yet! We returned to our responsibilities in Wisconsin and the semester progressed with a full schedule of teaching, seminary classes, and conversations together in Matthew’s classroom and at local libraries. Victory Conference was a special highlight as our families were able to enjoy a meal together, packed into the Williams’ house! We both looked forward to Spring Break, which we spent with the Austin family in Michigan, joined for a few days by the Hadley’s. We enjoyed walks in the snow, playing games with siblings and talking together. On Wednesday, Matthew reminded Emma that they were planning to go down to the river and look at the stars after church. “It is cold,” he said, “So we won’t stay out too long.” Emma decided to wear her boots, just in case we stayed out longer than anticipated. It was cold that night! We walked across the dam together, enjoying the stillness of the night (except for a couple of sneaky siblings in the bushes). All of a sudden, there was some movement behind one of the pillars and the next moment Matthew had a bouquet of roses and a small box in his hand. “I love you Emma,” he said. “Will you marry me?” And the only possible answer to that question was Emma’s emphatic “Yes!”