The biggest news would be my wonderful boyfriend, Norman Trotter. We met at GA Camp over the summer. I was going with a group from my church and he was on staff as the lifeguard. My fourth grade girls were obsessed with him! All week long they were telling me how cute he was and how they wish he would sit with them at all our meals or would come to the pool when we were there. Finally, on the last day of camp, we were sitting quietly eating our breakfast when all of the sudden all my 4th graders get up and start running across the cafeteria for find "the lifeguard". They asked him for his number and he replied, "If Miss Emily wants my number, she needs to come and get it herself". I was far too embarrassed to go back into the mess hall, so when my girls found me, they stole my phone and ran back into the cafeteria, with me chasing after them. By the time I reached the group of girls, basically the entire camp staff and the lifeguard, he already had my phone in his hands. I stole it from him and retreated back to my safe hiding place outside. We were trying to get the girls to take some pictures, this being the last day of camp, but they kept going to the window and torturing him, begging for his number. I went to get the girls away from the glass, in doing so, I ran into a pole. The next thing I know, the girls are screaming! He had written his number on a napkin and stuck it out the door. They went CRAZY!
My plan was to quietly place the napkin in my purse and not ever think about it again, but my 4th graders had another plan! They would not be quiet until I text him. They were already planning our wedding and naming our children. So, I text him apologizing for the embarrassing display, and the rest is history. This is our ninth month together, and we couldn't be happier! We are complete opposites! For example, Norman grew up a country boy, perfecting the art of living the rugged cowboy life with the boots, hat, belt buckle and torn jeans. I, on the other hand, had never spent the night outside, made a smore or taken the four wheeler out for a spin on the dried up lake bottom. Norman's best friend is truly his dog, Remi. My best friend is my iphone. I enjoy staying in and watching tv on my days off. Norman likes to fish and hunt. The list goes on and on! One of the things we do have in common, is we both prefer our birthday cakes to be strawberry with strawberry icing! Norman is so patient and so kind. He truly loves me for who I am, not what I look like or what I do or will do. He's quietly brilliant and hilariously funny. He takes care of me. He knows exactly how to push all over my buttons and give me a hard time, but he also knows exactly how to make me laugh and how to encourage me. I am truly blessed to have him!
The Lord has blessed our relationship in ways we never thought possible. We had our first date on a Sunday, then I left for Romania on the next Wednesday. Both of us were unsure of how things would go from there. When I asked him what he thought of our relationship he replied with, "We'll pray about it and leave it in God's hands. Where He leads, I'll follow. I just pray He leads me to you". Now, 9 months later, we are embarking on the greatest adventure yet...
Here's the exciting part! Ever since we started dating, we have joked about fleeing to Alaska and starting a new life up there. We were recently invited to join a team from FBC Florence Texas to venture out into our own backyard.. kind of! We will be going to Anchorage, Alaska July 31-August 6. We are beyond excited to not only see how God uses us in Anchorage, but to see how God strengthens our relationship. I finally get to teach Norman something! This is his very first mission trip!! I'm excited to show him the ropes as we prepare to go, you know, the little secrets you don't figure out until your second or third trip.
This trip will be an exciting one! We'll be participating in backyard Bible clubs, VBS, working in nursing homes, food pantries and really anything we can get our hands on! Won't you pray for us and our team! Details about the trip will follow as we receive them! If you would like more information regarding our trip, and how you can help support us, please feel free to email me at eklingsick@yahoo.com
We are so excited to be Christ's hands and feet in Anchorage, Alaska! We love you all more than you know!
Forever His,
Norman and Emily Jo
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