When 2 Become 1 the gospel is the most powerful and necessary aspect of engagement and wedding planning.  Many people have often said that marriage is the most sanctifying thing that God has instituted and I can see why.  Before marriage selfishness can be disguised under individualism (especially in America where our culture feeds on individualism), but this gets exposed in engagement and preparation for marriage.  It is the most amazing thing, because each day Fatimah and I are learning how real the gospel of the kingdom is in our lives.  With each day of planning, success, failure, challenge, encouragement I am prompted by Jesus to lay all before Him to follow and love God with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength, and experience the deep joy of loving Fatimah more each day in a way that is pleasing to Him.

I am deeply amazed at His provision for us.  Not only does He provide flower girl dresses for a great deal to fit within the budget, not only does He provide the perfect reception hall in Greenboro, not only does he provide through friends and family, but He also provided the grace to walk intimately with Him, loving Him and loving each other through it all.  I guess a lesson that we are learning from the Lord is to always ask for forgiveness to one another and extend forgiveness, based on Christ work on the cross and His resurrection, to one another.  Its good to be loved and to love in a way that is redeemable.  I'm honored to be able to love Fatimah Shahid-El (a woman who knows Jesus Christ) and to receive love and patience from her, because... we'll just say she is patient with me, as Christ is in the process of growth and development.  Grace and Peace for all who are in Christ