This past fall I kept hearing a new phrase overflow from my lips. It was a phrase that for all my life I had believed to be true, and had experienced it in many simple and beautiful things before, but something in my life changed this past fall, and through that change the phrase “worth the wait” has come to mean so much more to me. (see Nov 29,2007 and Jan 26,2008 posts)
A phrase from Ecclesiastes comes to mind, “And He has set eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.” As I look back on my life I see the faithful work and preparation and provision of my heavenly Father, and that teaches me to rest in His faithfulness as I also look ahead. Truly His work is far greater than I can grasp, and I am so thankful to be a vessel in His hands.
On September 11, 2007, I met the man God created for me to stand alongside as helpmeet, companion, and lover for as many days as Father sees fit to give us together. The Lord has been preparing my heart for this season in my life, and I have never known more full rejoicing in the Lord's timing than I have through the receiving of the gift of Joshua Langemann, my fiance and hero. Let me now share some of the story Father has been writing in our lives.
This summer I came home to visit my family for two weeks, with the intent to return to Chicago again afterwards to continue serving at the IBLP Headquarters until October. At the end of my July visit, while harvesting winter-wheat on our farm together, my Dad shared with me that he sensed it was time for change in my life. He shared a few specific things of how he saw the Lord's preparation and timing in readying me for a marriage relationship, and that the Lord was indeed leading and providing in that direction for me. With awe and wonderment my little heart contentedly received Dad's words. In sincere trust in the Lord, I breathed a thankful prayer of awe and wonderment up to my Heavenly Father.
Dad went on to explain that Albert Langemann, Joshua's Dad, had contacted my Dad about a month earlier and asked towards the possibility of visiting my parents on the farm to “get to know them better.” A mutual and well-loved friend had been instrumentally used of the Lord in connecting our two families, and now it was time for the Langemann's to meet the Collin's and see what the Lord would do! Mr. and Mrs. Langemann, along with several of their children, were to pay a visit to my parents and brothers on the farm the day after I returned to Chicago, where my sisters were also serving.
As I continued to listen to my Dad that day on the combine, I realized more than ever before how blessed I was to have two fathers I could trust – my Heavenly Father, and my earthly one. I could not have imagined anything more precious than for my earthly father to share with me about the leading from my heavenly Father that was being made reality in my life. What was being asked was that a relationship would begin between our family and the Langemann family and that we would earnestly seek the leading of the Lord concerning how the relationship should continue. When Dad talked to me that day it was for the purpose of having me pray about this along with my parents. The sense Father gave me was one of openness and willingness to proceed and see how He would lead.
Several of the Langemann family did indeed visit our home later that week, during which time the children enjoyed getting to know one another and the parents had time to speak together. Joshua was not with his family at the time of this visit. Dad needed to continue with the harvest, and his cab was now open to another rider, Albert Langemann, Josh's Dad. During that visit Dad tells me they did share together concerning our family's getting to know one another better and to seek the Lord as to the possibility of an specific friendship beginning between Joshua and myself. It was agreed that our family would travel to Denver in the fall to visit with the Langemann's in their home. After the visit in July and much time seeking the Lord, Joshua flew up to visit my parents the first weekend in August, so as to further pursue the heart of God on this matter. I was still serving in Chicago, learning to really wait upon the Lord, and to receive everything from Him. This was a prayer I wrote the weekend the Langemann's visited our farm.
“Rest near thy King, o my soul,
Worship Him who's in control;
Lean on Him, the perfect One,
In sweet communion with His Son.
He, the very God of all,
Is very nigh when thou dost call.
Fellowship He made for thee,
The fullness of the Trinity.
Made for moments come and gone,
For where the Lord will lead thee on;
Believe in thy Saviour's mind,
Joy in His tender mercies kind.
Patience' song, having begun
Must now continue to be sung;
Waiting now reality
Walk with thy God in purity.
Thou hast believed the Author,
Thou art His adopted daughter;
Love Him more with all thou art,
He will finish what He did start.
New beginnings welling up,
More of His faithfulness to sup;
Leading from this chosen place
Deeper into His perfect grace.
Grace in trial has made thee true,
Now trust within His mercies new;
Let Him sing rejoicing's song,
Trusting, for to Him you belong.
Grace sufficient will be there,
What joy on Him to cast thy care,
Leaning wholly on His breast,
In newness thou wilt learn to rest.”
- EBC 7-29-07
My Dad is a farmer, and that day in July when we shared together on the combine, Dad nurtured a seedling Father had started in my heart years ago that was now about to bring forth and bud. My Dad was so happy and confident, and that really gave me reason to “trust and obey” because at this point I did not know Josh at all. However, though I did not know Josh, I knew my Father (Heavenly) and Josh knew Father too! Resting in that knowledge carved a road of watchful willingness on which my feet could walk. My Heavenly Father is wise in His dealings with His children, and does not tempt and tease them, but works for their good because it brings Him glory! How precious it is when brethren dwell together in the unity of their King!
Daniel Langemann, Avery Collin, and Amy Langemann
Mrs. Langemann (Lorrie) and Christy
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