Several years ago and unbeknownst to me, God put Harold into my life. At that time, I belonged to Ebenezer MB Church in LaGrange. Due to other life circumstances, my children were going to Liberty Grove MB Church. When they first joined Liberty Grove, I visited occasionally to support them, but then I began visiting more often. It wasn’t that I had my eye on the pastor, but little did I know how soon our life paths would cross.
I still remained connected with Ebenezer MB Church and was helping to prepare for an upcoming retreat to be held at our church. Several pastors were chatting, and one asked Harold if he would be interested in talking to me. Harold was the lead Pastor at Liberty Grove MB Church, so I had seen him when I visited along with my children. To be honest, Harold hadn’t really crossed my mind in a romantic way. He was, after all, my children’s pastor. After a while, he did get enough nerve to ask me out.
The anniversary of our first date was October 24, 2005. We went to waterfront in New Bern. Because it was drizzling rain, we sat under a gazebo and talked. He asked if I wanted to get something to eat and when I suggested that we could go somewhere, he surprised me by walking back to his car and asking me to get inside. Then, he opened the trunk and brought inside a bag full of glass plates, cloth napkins (with napkin rings!), food (potato salad, chicken drummettes, grapes and watermelon slices). Then, he opened a box that had two champagne glasses monogrammed with October 24, 2005.
Because I was in such awe of the moment, I didn’t think much of the date on the glasses. He opened a bottle of sparkling grape juice and poured some in each glass. Still, I didn’t pay much attention to the date. We enjoyed our lunch and then he asked if I wanted to go to the mall. So, we did, and as we were walking around, we stopped by a jewelry store and stayed there just looking at rings for a while. After leaving, we went saw a movie and then began our drive home.
As we began to exit the car at my house, he stopped to open the trunk. I asked him if he needed any help, and he said no. Once we got inside the house, we sat down and began to watch television and talk. All of a sudden, Harold reaches for his coat, got down on one knee, pulled out this box, opened it, lifted this ring out and proposed. He had a beautiful diamond in his hand and I looked at him with much shock and amazement. He asked me again, and I said “Yes!” It was midnight and too late for me to call anyone, but I was so excited to share the news! When I woke up the next morning, I looked at my hand to make sure it had really happened. That ring was still there. I got to work and I had this wonderful feeling inside. My jaws were tired from grinning so much. People were asking me what was wrong, and I just lifted my hand.
We married on May 13, 2006. I became the wife of a wonderful and humble man of God. As the years went by, we learned more and more about each other. We shared our hearts and kept them safe. I believed that whatever my husband needed, and if I could help him, I would do it.
Most of the Missionary Baptist members were aware that Harold needed a new kidney. He had dealt with kidney issues for over nine years. In February 2013, Harold was officially placed on the national transplant waiting list. Shortly thereafter, I underwent testing to see if I could donate a kidney to him. On March 20, the nurse called me to her office to share that I could donate a kidney to Harold. A few months later, the doctor told us that our labs were so closely matched that we could be brother and sister.
We celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary in May 2013 and just over one month later, on June 25, I was able to be Harold’s living donor. Throughout this process, we were so appreciative of our Lord, for the provision of dialysis and for allowing Harold to be a subject. We feel so blessed!
Because of our experiences together, we truly believe the providence of God will not let anything happen that He does not allow or that He has not prepared us for. Let us being willing vessels to be used. We don’t always realize immediately why God put some people together, but for the past eight years Harold and I are continuing to find out.
We are so truly grateful to the Lord for how He has matched us in His own perfect way. As this story is published, we are doing great. Harold had the most exstensive surgery. He had never had any surgery and here he is getting a new kidney. He was out of work for six months and today, his energy level has increased in an amazing way. As the donor, I had no trouble at all. i was out of work for eight weeks. Two weeks to prepare, mentally, spiritually and physically and the other six weeks to heal and take care of him. We count our story a blessing and as another one of God's miracles.
