The man of my 90's love song dreams

On Spotify, I'm making a playlist of the music I listened to in high school and college just for a nice walk down memory lane. 

Google Images - yes that round thing is called a discman. Where things called CDs were inserted for awesome tunes.



Reminiscing about the sappy love songs I listened to from Mariah Carey, N'Sync, and Backstreet Boys, I suddenly realized that when I listened to those songs, those were like prayers to God for Him to find me a man who would make me feel all sappy inside. 

Even in high school, I didn't just want 'arm candy.' I wanted a boyfriend who would care for me and be genuinely interested in me for me. I thought I wasn't worthy of a boyfriend because I didn't look like the girls on the cover of Seventeen magazine. I wasn't rich and I couldn't buy the latest brand-name clothes or drive a stylish car. At sixteen, I was learning how to ride the bus while my other friends were getting cars. I thought I was too different, too nerdy, to shy, to nearsighted to get a boyfriend. 

Somehow through my teen years, God kept me trusting in Him. Did I crush on guys I thought were cute? Yes. My friends and I spent lots of time giggling about famous guys (like N'Sync) and cute guys in our classes. But somehow I had this idea that God would bring the guy to me when I was ready. 

Enter: BOAZ!!!!!!!!! :) 

That's him! SQUEAK!



Sweet, kind, dorky Boaz!!!!! :) 

Loves me for me, cares genuinely for me, and I make him smile - quirks and all! And I want to love him back for those same reasons :) 

Wow! It's so funny how all those years back when I was laying in bed listening to my discman and wondering if God had a boyfriend for me, God was preparing my Boaz for when we would meet.... 15ish years later! He heard the prayers of my heart as I listened to my 90's love songs so one day my 60's guy (because he was born in 1969) to meet and exceed all of them :) 

Mentor

I just got home from a day at the zoo with Boaz and his son Bobby*. Boaz has Bobby for Spring Break before he goes back to Pennsylvania. Boaz sees Bobby over the summers and school breaks. This is the same boy who may get tested for Asperger Syndrome later. 

*Name changed for purposes of this blog.

As I was preparing to meet Bobby, I did some research on how people come into the role of step-parent. This might become a reality in my life if/when Boaz and I get married. I asked God what He would want for me as a step-parent of a kid with Asperger Syndrome. I knew from my HDFS classes that I wold come alongside Boaz and continue to allow him be the primary parent as far as rule-setting and such. 

One thought that kept coming to me was one word: Mentor 

Image from Google Images

I could be a mentor to Bobby as a) someone who loves Boaz and wants to support him in his parenting and b) as a significant adult in Bobby's life who also happens to have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). I know somewhat about where Bobby is coming from. Of course, I need to know him as a person first, and that will come over time. But even today, I would notice that he really liked this gravel pit with large pebbles. I said, "That feels really cool on your hands, huh?" Because I knew it was a sensory thing. I also asked him, "You can't stop thinking about those chair-lifts, can you?" Because he had a pretty strong one-track mind about that until Boaz took him and I on the chair-lifts over the zoo. 

Bobby let me hold his hand to get off of the chair-lift and let me help him with his ice-cream. He asked Boaz if I was going to be around tomorrow, and Boaz explained that I would be celebrating Easter with my family and they would celebrate with theirs. 

Tonight, I was hit with the reality that God had been preparing my heart to be this eight year old boy's mentor for a long time. I was a nanny to some kids for two summers a while back and I've learned how to bond with kids that were not biologically or legally mine. Finally, I've had a longing to be an example to others on the Autism Spectrum ever since I got my diagnosis and went to two of Temple Grandin's lectures. 

God works in mysterious but awesome ways. I continue to pray that as I grow closer to Boaz and Bobby, that God would continue preparing my heart for the most important mentoring job I will probably have: Helping the man I love parent and show Christ to his son, and show this boy that God allows us to triumph over challenges He has allowed in our lives. 

Where your treasure is...

Woot for getting a lot of homework done today!!!! Well... studying for a test, reading for another class, and writing / editing two short assignments. 

In a way, I'm glad I have a lot assignments to keep my brain busy. 

Otherwise, I'd be sitting around waiting for Boaz to call. He's en route to Colorado from Pennsylvania. For some reason, I can have this fear that 'oh no, something happened!' that is a carryover from growing up with a worry-wort. 

Anyway,  yeah. Suddenly the verse hit me: "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21. In context, the verse is about storing up economic wealth. But I realized that Boaz's out of town-ness made me think about how I trust God with him. 

Do I trust that this relationship is from God and that God is taking care of Boaz in the same way He is taking care of me? 

Or do I worry that God would let both of us down by not caring for Boaz and dissapointing us? 

Furthermore, if Boaz' plane got hit by a stray meteor, would I be crushed because I had placed Boaz  in the position of being my everything in place of God? Or would I trust God and be sad, but know God has life go on (and thank God that I wasn't married so I wouldn't have to worry about dealing with Boaz' probate matters along with my own life). 

But it's interesting to think about. Are there times I just wish his plane would get into DIA and I could see a text or hear him on my phone? Yup! Totally! Not just because, "Ooooh, BOAZ I NEED YOU!!" but because I really am interested in how his trip went. And I also do hope he gets a good rest before he goes to work tomorrow :) 

And I am thankful for this trip because for him, he was able to see his son and God used it to give me a reality check to see if Boaz was where my treasure was, or if I am still putting Christ as my first treasure of my heart :) 

How God used the music of Chris Tomlin then and now

On the last post I mentioned that Boaz and I have "Our CD" instead of merely "our song." (insert the Taylor Swift song stuck into certain readers' heads and commence evil laughter!) 

I giggled to myself realizing that our CD was a Chris Tomlin CD because Chris and I go waaaay back. Like to 2002! (Some readers won't think that's way far back because they were on Noah's ark - but I digress...) 

The songs Forever, Not to Us, Wonderful Maker, Famous One, Enough, Holy is the Lord, and Take My Life were the soundtrack to my first few years of being Christian. The Rock - erm - rocked out to these songs and God spoke foundational Truths of His eternity, His sufficiency, His salvation, His holiness, His awesomeness as Creator etc. through these songs. Some friends that remember me from way the heck back in the day know that I would eek out and geek out about these songs :D 

Other notable songs include: Indescribable, How Great is Our God, Uncreated One, Amazing Grace (My chains are free), Over Me (on 
See the Morning - special edition), and OUR GOD!!!! :D :D :D I really like more, but God really really really (times a lot) taught me about Himself and used these songs to remind me of who He is when I was having hard times. I turned into one giant (5 foot tall) tear-drop when I would listen to these songs sometimes, especially if I was just allowing God to pick through all the pain in my heart and heal it. Oh man. I would cry. A lot. But in a good way. 

So, in a way, Chris Tomlin is sort of God and my artist because I would listen to his stuff to connect with God when I was feeling sad or needed to be reminded of Truth. These songs and CDs would supplement the reading of God's Word :) I already had quite a few of "our songs" with God before He brought Boaz into my life, so I suppose it's only fitting that Boaz and I have a Chris Tomlin CD as 'our CD' so we can worship the God who has used this artist's music to teach us stuff individually and who has brought us together for His purposes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Sing praise!
Sing praise! 

Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever! 

LUDICROUS SPEED! GO!

Boaz and I were having another 2 hour long conversation today after church and he said that we went from 0 - boyfriend in two dates and I laughed. 

That's not entirely accurate though. We became close over messaging through the online dating site. One reason I think we bonded there was that both of us knew the other was straight up about our faith.  On my online profile (that apparently he looked at quite frequently before pondering messaging me :) I was straight up that I wanted a strong Christian and I considered myself growing toward a strong Christian status. His profile indicated a similar sentiment - YAY! - 

Anyway, I honestly think one reason this whole relationship sort of happened at ludicrous speed was because of one word: Genuineness. 

Both of us just wanted to share who we were as the people God had made. That was really cool because I think we didn't as Boaz puts it, "Wear masks and need time to see through our walls." I was able to share what I was thinking aka "My heart" and he was able to share his heart right away. 

So was that a bad idea? I mean, we just met!! Well, it wasn't like we were sharing the deepest parts of ourselves initially. We just geeked out about school and such and I was able to tell him about my career shift and he was able to tell me about work and his degree program as well. It was a progression to discussing our church families and our faith which led into discussions of what God had taught us throughout our lives. 

Both of us say that we began falling for each other during the discussions of our faith journeys. I really liked that he was a solid Christian who wanted to be a good Godly dad to his son and a good Godly husband to whoever he would marry, and I think he liked that I was open and growing in my faith too. So knowing that we both liked each other made it easier to open up even more :) 

So yeah! That explains why to some people, this happened at... ludicrous speed! But with God driving this relationship, He sets the speed at just right for His purposes! :) YAY! :) I just have to keep praying for Boaz to listen to His instructions and lead accordingly :) 

Q and A About this Boaz Guy

What??????!!!!!!!???!! Katie met a Christian guy and is going out with him???? Yup. The Facebook (TwitFace) rumors are true, folks!

So what follows is a Q and A!!

Where did you meet this Boaz guy?

Sometimes we tell people we met online. Other times we tell people Light Rail. It all depends if the listener would get freaked out by the idea of dating on the Internets.

What's he like?

Like Boaz of course!!! No, he's a dork for sure. Totally not afraid to act goofy, but he's genuine about his faith and his life and his relationship with God. Oh, he's not bad looking either. Tall white guy - no like really really tall. Um - God snagged little me a 6 footer. How old is said fly white guy? Um... About 10 + years older.

What stuff does he do?

Well his main passion is singing in choir in his church and helping out with children's choir and children's ministry - SSSSSSQQQQQQQQUUUUUUUUUUEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAK!!!!!!! He has a nice singing voice :):):):):):):) Eeeeek! Oh and he pays the bills by working at a mortgage company.

So how long exactly have you known each other?

Three weeks. One thing is that we both were straight up with each other about our faith and life. Like we didn't play the "impress the other person" game. We have said, "This is who God made me and what He has taught me and what He is teaching me." And apparently we both dug what we saw!! Heeee heeeee!!!

Does he know you're on the autism spectrum?

Yup. He digs and understands thar part of me too!! And I know he's a giant dork. It's great!!!!

What sort of accountability do you both have?

Glad you asked, Summitview peeps!!! I have my Christian friends at Hope Crossing, current and former Summirviewers! On his side he has his choir / Bible study group at his church.

First date?

Starbucks and noodles and co.

Second Date:

Mimi's Cafe!

Do you guys have 'your song' yet???

Um no - maybe? Possibly it's Gangham Style. We did walk Gangham Style across a Light Rail bridge on the first date. Yes, Boaz started it!!!!

Oh, but we have our CD!!!! Burning Lights CD!!! IT WAS SO AWESOME to genuinely worship TOGETHER with that CD and - AAAAAAGH HOW COOL IS THAT?????????????? Worshiping our Creator on the second date!!!!!!

Anything else?

Um no. Oh wait yes! He scored mega awesome Ye Olde Blogger's Mom points by waiting with me at Mimi's Cafe for Access A Ride!! Like Mom thought that was awesome!! And shows his Godly manly character that I had told her about.

How can your Christian friends be praying for you two??

Also glad you asked! That we'd learn how to support each other in school and work. Oh yes, he's going to school to be a counselor. :) um, also just that we'd continue keeping God first, that God would use our (eeek) story to tell others about Himself and ultimately share His Gospel, that I would learn how to support Boaz and Boaz would learn more how to lead like Christ leads the church. He's doing a good job with that by the way I'd you were wondering!!!

Thanks for reading :)

SURPRISE!

Ok, blogsphere! Seems as if I pulled an OOC (Out of Character) move by totally leaving everyone on a cliffhanger on my last post! 

We-ell...... 

A really awesome Christian guy has entered my life and we are on the path to becoming more than friends :) 

That's right! 

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!! I met Boaz (not his real name), about a month ago and we really connected talking about school (he's going for elementary ed and I'm of course going to paralegal school) and our faiths since both of us are involved at our respective churches. 

Last Saturday I went on a first date to Starbucks / Noodles and Co. 

This week Boaz suggested we could go to a nice restaraunt like Mimi's Cafe. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Stuff I dig about Boaz: 

1. He gets so excited talking about being involved in children's ministry and the worship band he's in and he wants to worship God with all his heart and teach the next generation to as well! 

2. I've shared how God has used hard things in my life to teach me about Himself and Boaz shared some things along those lines and he was understanding of how those things have affected my life and walk with God and I was also vice versa with him. And he told me he was looking forward to encouraging me in my faith and told me how much I had encouraged him. 

3. When he began the "I think I like you more than a friend" talk, he asked me what I thought that would look like and we both agreed that the male led which was why Boaz was the one to initiate the, "Wanna go to Starbucks / Noodles as our first - date?" And I was like, HECK YEAH! 

4. He's just a Godly guy and that is cool! 

5. He's also really hilarious and we laugh about stuff like movies we like and just random dorky stuff. 

6. He gets that I'm on the autism spectrum :) and still likes me :) 

7. He's understanding with how I will have to go and help Mom in the middle of our conversation and is cool with calling me back or having the first date not go too long in the evening so my mom wouldn't worry about that. He understands that she is protective and he accommodates accordingly. 

Well..... more on this later and in more up and coming posts! 

Surprise! :)