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New for You! John and Gemma
Categories: Dating, Pen Pals, Friends: Success Stories
This Post has been viewed 15570 times.
Submitted by: Nannette | View Member Profile | View Other Posts
Created: 12/28/2004
John and Gemma's Web Site
Wow. I can not tell you how blessed I am. Blessed to have waited, to have seen God work in such an amazing way in this relationship.
It’s a long story, but I’ve already proposed and she’s already accepted.
Wow. I wondered if this service would work. 99.99999% of the communication I got was from those I wasn’t even close to interested in. But that 0.00001%... ;-)
In Christ,
John M Powell
John's story...
I (John) had been toying with the idea of an online dating service for a while. It still seemed like such a weird concept to me, even as involved with computers as I am. "Can God actually use such a medium," I asked? I was about to find out.
I had signed up at ChristianSinglesDating.com on 7/26/2003. "Online dating," I thought... what a funny concept. Also keep in mind I don't care for the whole 'dating' idea anyway. I've always felt it did more to prepare you for divorce than marriage. Nevertheless, here I was.
On 4/14/2004, I became a paying member. I'd made a couple friends, but what I was hoping for hadn't happened yet. I wasn't having much success. I had no real response from those I'd contacted, and the ones who sent me email were NOTHING like what I was looking/praying for. "Ok," I thought... "this isn't working."
On 5/12/2004, I received an email from Gemma Jo. "Hmm... possibilities". God probably got a chuckle out of that.
My biggest dream and desire in life has always been to be a husband and father, next only to my desire to serve God. I joked with friends that I would have loved a rock if it would have loved me back. It wasn't that I was 'desperate', but... well, I was trying to make things happen on my own, instead of trusting God. In my impatience, I thought God had forgotten, or worse yet, ignored my plea. I could not have been further from the truth.
For four months, Gemma and I emailed and instant messaged. Most of our conversations were light, just letting the friendship develop. It wasn't that I had no interest in Gemma during this time... I did. Not only did I think she was beautiful, but there was much more... her personality, character, and love for God were all equally attractive. I really thought a relationship with her had serious possibilities, but for once in my life, I wasn't pushing things. I had tried to make things happen in the past, and every time, God made sure to shut things down. With Gemma, in the back of my mind I thought something could be there, but I knew I had to trust Him... let Him show me if/when/where the relationship was going. So, I kept praying... and waiting...
Towards the end of September 2004, I visited Colorado Springs on business. One evening, I had dinner with a couple I know. Gemma is from the Philippines. My friend, also from the Philippines, was interested to hear more about Gemma. She was asking questions like "what's her last name?" and "what is she looking for in a husband?"... all good questions... questions I had not yet asked.
I came back from Colorado Springs thinking maybe it was time to see where the relationship might lead. I had been praying about her for some time, patiently trying to seek God's leading. I knew my heart wanted more with her. And now I was feeling like God had said it was time.
Over a very short period of time, it became clear to me that Gemma was the one I had been searching for all my life. All the years and tears spent before God, praying He would grant my hearts desire to be a godly husband was beginning to happen. EVERY SINGLE DAY that I am with Gemma, my love for her grows. She is everything I'd ever dreamed of and prayed for, and so much more. I love her so much. I realize people say "I love you" these days with little conviction, truth, or feeling behind those words. But I do love her with everything that I am. I do speak with conviction, truth, and deep felt feeling from my heart. And 40 years from now, people will look back and agree, that without a doubt, those words were true.
Gemma, next only to my relationship with Christ, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me... ever possibly could happen. I am so blessed to have you by my side as my wife. I love you...
Gemma's story...
In 1997, a year after our graduation, my colleagues were into one of the fave pastimes of our generation -- information gateway (popularly called internet). Since we worked in an information technology department, we got the opportunity to use the internet. Four years later, my brother got me started meeting people on a Christian site. I made one friend only cuz I was picky, lol.
Three years later, I've learned stuff and had communication with Christian men. I was still picky because I was mainly looking for a man who puts God first in his life. I've befriended some of them. At times, I had to tell them that we could only be friends. I was waiting for God to give me discernment of whatever He wanted me to do. I knew people had wondered why I should wait that long or how I would know that.
On May 12th, 2004, I saw John's profile and was amazed (I am thankful to God). I immediately contacted him. He replied quick, lol.
From that time on, I was just hoping and praying that God would always be the One who should will what He wants for each of us.
We talked on IMs but no romantic talks whatsoever. There was a point that I thought that he wasn't for me. Plus, his friends were helping him meet women.
Well, I just let God decide for me because I knew, for a fact, that John is in Kansas, US and I'm in Manila, Philippines. Anything could happen.
Barely four months after I first contacted John, he suddenly sent me an instant message. His message was, "You rang a few days ago?". LOL. I remembered I had just said "hi" and forgot all about it.
The rest is history. I love you John!!
See more on John and Gemma's Web Site
Incidentally, on a technical side, I was impressed with your site’s functionality. I’d tried a couple others and they were slow, cumbersome, or horrendously ineffective. As a web developer myself, I wanted to pass on some kudos!
Thanks…
John M Powell
Iwillbefree.com
John provides a little diary in regard to meeting Gemma and the Immigration process... Click Here
John and Gemma (update photos)
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