Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale.

Since I'm sure to be bombarded with TONS of questions, here is everything I know thus far...Carrie, I hope this eventually answers your question about "Would the family approve?"..

This tale starts about a year or so ago when Jocelyn asked 2 other prayer warriors to help her pray for several dump truck drivers that work for the same company she works for. 6 months ago, she asked these same two ladies, plus her Sunday school class to start praying especially about introducing one of these drivers with a certain member of the church.... ME! (I had NO CLUE this was going on.)

Approx. 3 weeks ago: I was approached by Joce and was asked if I would be interested in meeting this certain guy. I hesitantly said "Ok", and everything was put into place. The Sunday school class would have a pitch-in dinner the Sunday we were to meet. I was told he was looking forward to meeting me yadda yadda.

Two whole weeks before: I prayed NONSTOP that if this wasn't God's will he would slam the door shut, and not even allow me to waste my time with this meeting.

Today: I drive to church praying that if this isn't God's will to please don't let him show up. I walk into the church and one of the ladies came up to me and our conversation went like this....
Rose: "So are you excited?"
Me: "Um... More like nervous. You KNOW about this?"
Rose: "Of course. The WHOLE Sunday school class knows, and has been praying about this for months."
Me: SHOCKED silence.

I walk to my Sunday school class wondering how in the world I would be able to keep my mind on teaching kids, when my brain was nervously elsewhere. Somehow I get through the lesson, and it's time to meet this guy.....

He was standing in the foyer looking scared to death (My mom can verify the scared look). One thing I noticed was his DEEP brown almost black eyes, and his balding/brownish/blondish/reddish tinted receding hairline. (His hairline reminds me of Robert's. Which there's NOTHING wrong with). I instantly thought.... "Okay, he looks quite a bit older than what I was told, but that's ok. Oh, and reddish hair.... That would keep up with the red headed in-law trend that Aaron and Ashley have set"... Yes, I actually thought that last part.

After being introduced, I explained to Matt that "I normally sit with my mom, but he could pick the seat." Thanks to Ashley's advice, she helped me figure out that tricky situation. I didn't know how awkward it would be for him to sit with my mom. He picked the seat, and the service started shortly after.....

After church the adult Sunday school class, which only consisted of 8 adults and 6 kids went over to the fellowship hall for lunch.. It was really hard to carry on a conversation with a 6 year old constantly wanting to talk to me. At one point during the meal, Matt had to go to the bathroom. While he was gone all the ladies flocked around me. Some giving me thumbs up, others to say "He's a keeper". That was coming from a lady that Matt held the door open for her, which I didn't even see him do." It was also impressive that he helped clean up afterwards.

He has the seal of approval from all the people from the Sunday school class. Not to mention the fact that the pastor and his wife likes him.

After everyone left, Matt and I stood outside till 4:45 talking... Here's what I discovered.(besides that the hot sun reflecting off blacktop can sunburn your face HORRIBLY).......

Physical traits:
He's 29 years old (looks late 30s early 40s.. Prefer a little older, but hey at least he's not Ashley or Austin's age.), his birthday is June 13, and he's an inch or two taller than me.

Family:
His sister is 4 years older, and his brother is 1 year younger (both married). He has AT LEAST 1 niece Chelsie 14, a nephew Jared 6,(names sound familiar?) and another niece? Nephew? Just learning to walk. He has a pretty good sized extended family with aunts, uncles, and cousins on both sides that all live close by. His grandparents live in Nbville in a log cabin on a farm which includes 4 horses, 3 indoor dogs, 5? outdoor dogs, 3 indoor cats, and OODLES of outdoor cats. He lives with his parents (not sure what I think about that), and is extremely close to his dad...

Pastimes:
When he's not out rounding up bulls, driving a dump truck, driving tractors in tractor pulls with his dad, or getting his ATV 4 wheeler stuck in mud, he's watching movies, doing yard work, or hanging out with his dad.

Pluses:
He's a hard worker, he's always early (was at church 20 mins early), be willing to give the shirt off his back to someone in need (coming from Joce), very tenderhearted, eager to please, regardless how badly he might get into trouble, he's always honest... He wrecked a dump truck awhile back, and instead of hiding it, he came straight up to Joce and told her everything. She told me she had other drivers hide accidents and tickets. He don't have many friends (could be a minus), NEVER had a girlfriend. (Joce said that he told her that he's never even kissed a girl before).

Downfalls:
It's a couple biggies..... He's not a Christian, nor is anyone in his family (I was told with a little "push" it wouldn't take him long at all to become one) .. He drinks a couple times a year (Joce agrees with that. Said he tells her if he drinks. Not often at all, but again could be changed with a little persuasion.).

I'm not "falling into stupid" as Aunt Carol would say.. Just starting as friends, and going to be doing a bunch of praying for guidance. Wonder what I'll learn Sat when we go out. LOL.