***Chaney wrote out this story and made it into a book and gave it to me after an awesome dinner together. We were outside, after sunset, by a historic church.....***
It all started in the little ranching community of Powell Butte Oregon.
There were two families on opposite sides of the highway, both were raising their families to Love the Lord and pursue their dreams. One family had an amazingly gorgeous and smart daughter and the other a dashingly handsome and witty son.
These to young souls grew up only miles apart but only bumped into each other from time to time and continued on with there busy lives hardly giving each other the time of day.
Although the Lord had something more in mind for these two wandering hearts……
In June of 2010 Chaney (the young man) who was back from college for the summer got up in front of the Powell Butte Church and was commissioned as a short term missionary. He would be heading to Siberia in July. Lashae (the beautiful young woman) was in the congregation that day and seeing Chaney surprised her and aroused her curiosity. Within the next few days Lashae’s mother, Jenaysuggested that Lashae should get a hold of Chaney and invite him to their Bible study. For some odd reason she actually had his number and a quick phone call later he was coming to Bible study later that week. (Momma knows best)
After a couple weeks of attending Bible studies together and talking a little throughout the week the two began to build a friendship. This friendship was completely built with Christ as the Foundation.
On the 4thof July their friendship took a step that neither noticed at that point in time. After Bible study Lashae was somehow talked into joining Chaney in the swatherfor the evening. Fortunately there was plenty to be done, giving them hours to talk deeply and openly about their faith in Jesus and what he has and was doing in their hearts.
So they cut hay, talked, and watched the fireworks together……and possibly swathed up a dog?
Once Chaney was back from Siberia the whole dynamics of the relationship began to change more and more each time they were together. During the numerous trips up to check cows or the nighttime tractor rides they started to realize that this was friendship was unlike any before.
Since he had to head back to Montana for college they decided to just continue to build their friendship, while both allowed the Lord to have the reigns to their hearts. These couple months were harder for both of them than they admitted to each other. The Lord did begin to move in their hearts, Lashae being the wonderful God fearing woman she is did not jump ahead even though she felt like Chaney was taking his sweet time deciding what the future held for them as a couple.
Eventually Chaney did decide that it was time that they start praying more about their relationship and seek out the Lord’s will was in all of it.
A series of events that could only be controlled by God led to a trip home for Thanksgiving. Lashae was bursting at the seams and as usual Chaney was taking his sweet time to come see her and her family. Her aunts were more vocal and openly expressed their impatience in the fact that he had not came over yet. That’s all it took, he was over a few minutes later. The whole week nothing was said of where they were relationally until the last night he was there. Lashae was almost ready to go home but it’s a good thing she didn’t leave. A majority vote( God, Lashae, Chaney) in favor of dating decided it, they were officially a couple. Dating with a purpose.
Christmas break finally rolled around after two very long weeks of late night talks and continuous texting. Lashae and Chaney spent nearly every waking minute together either feeding and working cows or just chilling with friends and family. Both were extremely excited about their future together and couldn’t spend enough time with each other. A few days before Christmas they officially went on their first date, it was an amazing night. Fancy Dinner, ice skating, first kiss (once again Chaney’s wit comes in handy), than a movie. Even Lashae’s father gave Chaney credit for smooth moves.
A 6 hour trip to Spokane for Campus Crusade winter conference spent visiting the whole way followed by 3 days of worship, growth, and prayer. Chaney discovered that Lashae crying was not always a bad thing and that worshiping can get a real strong grip on her. This trip was full of deep heartfelt conversations (basically all their time together went this way) and they grew even closer.
Once again though Chaney had to head back to school, this goodbye was harder than either had ever figured it would be.
Surprise trip home! Chaney had been planning his trip home without Lashae having any idea and with every day she was growing more anxious to see him. Luckily for both of them as well as her family he picked the day when Lashae just didn't know how much more missing him she could handle. With the help of Jenayand her sister Charsie, Chaney snuck into the house while she went to the store and was there waiting when she got back. When she saw him sitting there she couldn’t get any words out, just a big gasp of air.
Once again they spent every waking minute together while he was home. While both knew that they loved each other there was no talk of Love until the last night he was there. Lashae knew it was coming but waited patiently to here those three powerful words. Despite his worries that she may not feel as strong for him he eventually worked up the nerve to tell her he loved her. It was received with a smile reaching from ear to ear and a reply, I love you too.
Now these two had been discussing and praying about marriage for quite some time. Over the next couple months, trips back and forth and more praying and discussions with both families about their lives together lead them closer to the true purpose and reason for their relationship.
Now these two had been discussing and praying about marriage for quite some time. Over the next couple months even more praying and discussions with both families about their lives together lead them closer to the true purpose and reason for their relationship. Despite the somewhat short time they had been dating they both felt that the Lord was completely in their relationship and that he was leading them towards marriage.
In early April Lashae made a trip back to Montana with Chaney. Some of Lashae’s favorite times in Montana were getting to pick Chaney up from work , she would try to look her best for him and greet him with a kiss every time. But even though Chaney loved being picked up by his amazingly beautiful future bride their road trip to eastern Montana was incredible. Seeing Lashae getting excited about the country Chaney has fell in love with made him even more excited about their future together.
Now Chaney had been waiting for the night of April 14th(tonight) to come around for quite some time. It was the night that he asked Lashae to marry him. She had been waiting for this night too…..
.....As I (Lashae) finished reading the story, I turned around, Chaney was down on one knee with a ring in hand. With eyes filled with tears, I looked into my sweet man's eyes. He pleged his love to me and asked if I would marry him. Of course I said "yes", in between sobs. And wrapped my arms around my FIANCEE!! I could hardly breathe and was shaking with excitement as Chaney put the sparkly ring on my left hand. It was completely PERFECT!!!
