It’s happening!

Some people get lucky and just walk next door to find their soul mate, while others have to go halfway around the world. Sometimes it’s the idea that a person is about to go halfway around the world that brings two people together. Traveling was always a part of Emilee’s life. Her family traveled for vacations from time to time but for as long as she could remember, they traveled for work. In April 2016, they happened upon a precious little church in Kerman, California— Pentecostal Tabernacle. They were only able to make a few visits there before another job swooped them away to Arizona, but right before Emilee was about to leave for her mission trip to Malawi (in Africa), God saw fit to bring the family back to California. Upon their return the pastor was thrilled to learn that Emilee had plans to take a mission trip to Africa. He offered to support her by allowing her to set up a mission table to raise the last of the funds she needed for her to go. It was on that day that James and Emilee spoke their first words to each other. Like everyone else, James made his way to the table to talk with Emilee about her trip, but he had a deeper interest than the others who stopped by. Missions had been on his mind lately. Though people chided him later that his interest had been more about “the girl”, that hadn’t actually been true. He wanted to know as much as he could about her experience with AYC mission trips because he was considering the possibility of taking one in the near future. As he spoke to her though, he soon realized she was not like the other girls he’d met in school, at college, or in the work place. Her love for God was evident. Her passion for missions was strong. Her kindness and patience, moved him in a way he’d never expected. He walked away with a little bit more than the possibility of a mission trip in his future. He had feelings he couldn’t shake. Little did he know, Emilee did, too. We believe it was God who brought these two together that day.

Getting together with the youth on a regular basis, brought James and Emilee time for more conversations. Later, when small groups started, several of the young people attended the same group at the Tipton home, giving James and Emilee even more time together. In one of the first meetings, Emilee showed the young people her room and her book collection. James laid eyes on a particular book and it gave him an idea. When Emilee turned her back, he swiped The Book Thief, then later told Emilee that if she could guess what book was missing, he’d give it back. She didn’t immediately guess, so on the next group meeting, for a little revenge, she got together with some of the others in the group and wrapped his vehicle with plastic wrap. James decided then that he should return the book. It was in that moment when both James and Emilee admitted, he had not only stolen her book but had also stolen her heart! James and Emilee began to hang out more and more, with supervision of Julia and Shawnee of course. Their friendship soon turned into something kin to courtship. Later they found themselves carving pumpkins together, exploring abandon places, going for coffee, taking long walks, hitting the trail in the mountains, and walking in the park together. There were dinners, ugly sweaters, and fake proposals! Life was fun, but it took a few roller coaster rides (literally) before they ever held hands. Once locked into their harnesses and hand in hand for the first time, James looked at Emilee, and announced with enthusiasm, “It’s Happening!”  Shawnee and Julia grinned. This was the moment everyone had been waiting for and it was in fact happening!

Between their times hanging out and preparing for their upcoming mission trips, his to Ukraine and hers to Tanzania, they grew even closer. Later came their first date. They had pasta at Olive Garden and then took a stroll in Old Town Clovis for rolled ice cream. The official “ask” didn’t come till a couple of months later, though. This was at Youth Convention. James presented Emilee with a cute little scrapbook of memories from all their fun times. There were small notes on every page and ended with a final page that said “Will you be my girlfriend? Check Yes or No.” The whole youth group was ecstatic when she checked “Yes!”

The next official “ask” was in historic Jackson Square in New Orleans, LA. James took Emilee’s hands in front of the beautiful backdrop of St. Louis Cathedral and professed his love for her. Next thing you know, family and a park full of onlookers saw him go down on one knee for the proposal. It was a sunny day, the birds were singing, and all seemed right in the world. It was a such a beautiful and perfect moment that will never be forgotten and, of course, She said, “Yes!”