Life Log

Having celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary, I took the opportunity to write a continuation of the poem I wrote for our wedding. I posted both of them because one doesn't make as much sense without the other. Seth assures me people would want to read the second "edition" so I decided to post it on my blog.

And Then He Gave Me You
by Charity Schofield

One day my life was altered and would never be the same.

A man was introduced to me, yet I didn't know his name.

"He wants to get to know you," is what my daddy said.

I thought that he was teasing and was messing with my head.

"I've never even met him!" His intentions weren't quite clear.

With thoughts of what could happen, I answered "no" in fear.

My dad conveyed the message. "Whew! I'm glad that's done!"

But little did I know that this had only just begun!

A month or two went by then and my family met for lunch.

My dad said, "Guess who called me," but I didn't have a hunch.

He told me it was him again - this man I'd never met.

I knew I had some school to do, and I wasn't ready yet.

This second try surprised me. I was secretly impressed.

The man who'd share my future was in my prayers now greatly stressed.

More time went by and once again another call was made.

On Monday with my dad a certain visit would be paid.

Quite stunned by now at his attempts to get to know me better,

My daddy asked if I would let him write to me a letter.

I thought and prayed to see if this would be the way to go,

And decided in a letter I could always just say no.

So my dad gave him permission to communicate with me.

It seemed like quite some time before a letter I did see.

This man I'd never met conveyed the desires of his heart.

His intentions he well stated in his letter at the start.

He told me of himself and of his heart for God above,

And then signed off his letter saying, "Adios," not love.

I worte him back and told him things about me - just a few,

But found out little birds exist, and he already knew.

Thus began the "process" of making a new friend.

With each new letter that he'd send, I prayed it'd never end.

Then came the day that we would finally both talk face to face.

He had come to "visit family" and now my mind did race.

It was on a Sunday afternoon, and church just finished then.

The time we both spent talking was, in minutes, probably ten.

We went our separate ways and I would see him here and there -

At church, my graduation, and on weekdays, only rare.

Every time we'd meet it seemed my fondness for him grew.

How strange to think that this was once the man I never knew!

The time then came for me to do a little bit more school.

I went to college to fulfill my parents' one-year rule.

Although at times I did not care to be a college student,

I praise the Lord for the year I had. My parents' rule was prudent.

February came and brought with it the yearly Valentine Formal.

Everything was fancy and was very far from normal.

I showed up at the door and in amazement I did see,

That this man somehow arrived there to be there just for me.

We brought him home that weekend, - my sister, her friend, and I.

He had made me feel so special. I felt like I could cry.

At home my dad decided they could meet as they had before.

Once again, behind the scenes they were planning something more.

He left for home and I for school and I started now to find

That it was very hard to see him go. He was always on my mind.

A month went by and he came back to visit me again.

By the time he got there to my house it was almost nearly ten.

We went downstairs to watch a movie before heading off to sleep.

When everyone else decided to leave, our places we did keep.

We sat a while and then we talked about just anything.

And then he all of a sudden asked about my left-hand ring.

I explained to him it's meaning of a promise to stay pure.

I had thought he'd already heard that, but I wasn't really sure.

He then showed me a ring he had been holding in his hand.

It took a minute for me to see it was an engagement band.

I sat there stunned as he said to me, "I too have a ring for you."

My heart was beating fast and I could not believe it was true.

He asked if he could take my hand and replace his ring as mine.

The first word that I said was, "Yes!" and nodded that it was fine.

We took some time to pray about what all would lie ahead,

And with our first, "I love you's," we both went to our beds.

Sleep did not come easy; there was so much on my mind.

The man I'd just been given was a very special kind.

When morning came we both worked on a puzzle just for fun.

My family saw my ring and spread the news to everyone.

Again we went our seperate ways. Our goodbye's were bitter-sweet,

For we knew that it would be so long before again we'd meet.

School came to an end and it was time to sing and travel.

While I was busy doing that, he worked with grass and gravel.

The time we spent apart was quite a struggle to endure.

To be apart for a ten week tour is not what we'd prefer.

But by God's grace we made it through that interesting trial,

And with the tour's completion, we'd be wed in just a while.

The planning's done and now it's time to begin a brand new life,

For to the man I never knew, I now will be your wife.

And Still He Gives Me You

by Charity Streblow

"One day my life was altered and would never be the same."

A line of poetry I wrote before your wife I became.

Five years have past since that glad day I vowed to be your wife.

How much we've learned in that brief time of joyfulness and strife!

We left the church and ventured out upon our honeymoon,

Enraptured by each other and the time we had to croon.

Our new home then awaited us as we returned from our long drive.

I praised my God for giving me such joys while I'm alive.

Too soon it seemed began the days of business and work.

A learning curve for me, I'd say - you aren't a man to shirk!

We weren't home long before you went to the cities to build fence,

And decided we should find a temporary residence.

Those days in that apartment are still favorite memories yet.

While many thought it hard, I thought, "How better could it get?"

Better still I was to find while getting rather sleepy.

For I found out one Sunday morn, I was to have a baby.

You held me close as I cried in your arms with tears of joy and wonder.

To have our child's life in me was almost too much to ponder.

The fencing job progressed and to make things somewhat handy,

We rented a Waconia house to share with Josh and Randi.

St. Cloud and then Grand Rapids towards the ending of the fall.

Our baby's birth was getting close. I was no longer small.

We stayed near home now that the time was very close at hand.

The day then came and it was just two days passed when was planned.

That afternoon contractions came. That night we both awoke.

For somewhat anxious I told you, "I think my water broke!"

Off to the hospital we went which wasn't very far.

While on our drive we smiled because we saw a shooting star.

Our child was born, our Kevin Charles, that morning, November fourth.

How amazed we were to hold our son now that I'd given birth!

His heartbeat was erratic, and it caused uncertain fear.

The doctor had to take him, which we didn't want to hear.

You drove him in the ambulance to his helicopter ride,

And we left for Sioux Falls so we could be there by his side.

It was a strange uncomfortable time, but we were all together.

We knew that our God's will is good no matter what the weather.

Within a week his heart was strong and steadily was beating.

That Sunday we walked to our truck and heard the steeples ringing.

So life progressed to parents and child - our family line begun.

From time to time we'd go with you to job bids you had won.

Kevin was now growing fast and upstairs felt much smaller.

We moved down to the main floor where the rooms were slightly larger.

It wasn't long in our new home before you heard me say

That I found out that baby number two was on the way.

How blessed we were to celebrate this second life within.
To comprehend this marvel, oh, where does one begin!

The months went by with you at work and me at home with Kevin
While 'Little One' was growing strong - our precious gift from Heaven.

It was July the twenty-sixth, and church met at the river.
We were at the hospital, our baby to deliver.

There she was, Makayla Katherine - her eyes a stunning feature.
You made a phone call so the church could hear it from the preacher.

From three to four our family grew and business would be turning.
Work for you and home for me - all lessons we've been learning.

Our 'Sweetie' only five months old and much to our surprise,
Another test read, "Yes," and I could not believe my eyes!

With this new child it meant that life would really now be hopping,
And silly me was overwhelmed with thoughts of grocery shopping!

A week before the due date we went to Granite Falls,
But had to drive to Monte - our doctor gone on calls.

There was no need to hurry. This baby took its time.
But after walks and pacing, relief turned on a dime.

September twenty-sixth our little Brennan Lee was born.
And once again it happened right upon a Sunday morn.

Thanks be to God for such an act of life, and love, and joy!
How good He was to bless us with another little boy!

The moments have been sweet as our children learn and grow
As they sing and play with Papa, and help Mama cook and sew.

I never would have thought that five years ago today
Would cause my eyes to swell with tears from all that I could say.

Through all the joys and all the pains you've been there by my side.
You are the one who makes me laugh, and in whom I confide.

When wavering, you point me to the God who's over all.
You're always there to love me - even times when I may fall.

My love, it seems I love you more each day than those before,
And pray our love grows deeper and will grow much more and more.

Though once the man I never knew before I was your wife,
You are the man with whom I want to spend all of my life!