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Newlyweds for 605 days!
ABOUT JAMALA
I was born and raised outside of Forrest City, AR in the small hometown friendly community of Colt. I graduated from from Forrest City High School in the best year ever ( SR 93!!!). I graduated from University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in 2000 with my BA in Agriculture Economics and 2004 from Webster University with a MA in Human Resource Management. I am now settled in Benton AR, right outside Little Rock where I work in Human Resources for the University of Arkanasas for Medical Sciences ( UAMS).
I love serving the Lord and am known in the blog communtiy as SingleMomForGod. I love sharing with others the beauty of loving and serving God and allowing him to lead your life and enable you to enjoy your singleness in him.
I have two beautiful and brilliant daughters ages 8 and 6 who are just over the moon about this whole wedding thing!!
Those who really know me know that this is it for me,and that I have been patiently waiting on the Lord to prepare me for this man, this life and this day. Our story is not of a traditional nature but of biblical nature that is beautiful and meaningful to us. You can follow more of our story on my blog
http://singlegodlymom.blogspot.com/
ABOUT MARK
I was born & raised in Naples Florida a very nice community surrounded by beaches and nice homes. I graduated from Naples High School the " Home of the Golden Eagles" in 1997." I have left a legacy that only God can purposly trace for the plan of "SALVATION" for my life up until this point that you are reading. JEREMIAH 29:11 states "For I know the thoughts I think toward you saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."
God gave me the ability to play sports specifically football and with that I recieved recognition from colleges outside the area of my home state. I finally move to Missouri where I attended Kemper Military School & College; and while there I truly learned to love people inspite of their unique differences including their, culture, race, styles of attire and list can go on forever. During this time I could see that God was preparing me for something better. I later transfered and recieved a football scholarship at Henderson State University located in Arkadelphia Arkansas.
After my football career was over; I focused on finishing my B.S. in Recreational Therapy and in the process of me completing my degree my daughter , Daphne M. Thomas was born who is my heart & joy given to me from God.
I will again refer to the scripture in JEREMIAH 29: 11 as a reference to how God worked in my life & through my life. Those years at Arkadelphia was wonderful for me but, God saw the plan of "Salvation" for my life. Spiritually, as a Father & one who desired to know more about God I knew my life was not complete. My soul was not right with God & I was searching for a place to worship God in spirit & in truth. God used serveral experiences to get my attention knowing I needed more from Him. God saw the condition of my life & place me strategically with a group of believers under a true Pastor & ministry for His Glory, His Plan, & His Kingdom. The rest is history as they say and as you will read below.
HOW WE MET
Jamala
Well we met at church a little over two years ago. We lived in different cities and at the time were at different stages and places in our lives so we simply just knew each other as Bro. Mark and Sis. Jamala. About a year later I relocated to Little Rock and the Lord led him to relocate shortly after. We spent time in the same circle of fellowship with other church members our age. Over time (about a year) we developed a very sincere and respectful friendship. God saw how we were feeling in our hearts about each other and during that process he was preparing us as singles to grow into the desires that we were both praying for in respect to a spouse. We never casually dated and it wasn't until we had undeniable confirmation from God that it was his will for us to marry that we accepted the calling and moved into a courtship with the mindset of marrige. We knew from God that we were to be husband and wife. No trial test run, but the real thing. I also want to add that we did this with the the counseling and guidance from our pastor. We wanted to make sure that this was by God and from God. Now I will let Mark tell his side of this story.......
I met Jamala at the church we both attend. Our relationship was just as she mention in her testimony of God bringing us together. I found that she was very unselfish seeking to do for others at times they needed help the most. I also saw the wonderful works of "SALVATION" in this women whom I've seen cry, smile, & cook a good meal during fellowship gatherings for the saints. She was always concerned about my spirituall growth . I thank God for her realness with a passion for life that can't be denied.
God was dealing with me after a number of events accured in my life that affected my spiritual growth & my desire to know more about Him. Two very close & loving friends of mind invited me to come to a revival at their church. I really didn't know what to say at the time becuase I was going through difficult times in my life, but I knew God was working with me & speaking to my heart. So I reply yes, "I will come to the revival with you." I was in for the biggest blessing of my life & it was the word that I needed to hear from God. I was attending a few churches with close friends, but what I needed was missing. The word that was preached was regarding the suffering of Jesus Christ before He died. "THE CUP" as Jesus refered to God stating " If all possible that this cup pass me never the less not my will, but your will."
I had a portion of suffering to go through with in order to one day be able to say to Jamala will you marry me; not knowing that almost 3 years later I would be in the position to marry the women that God has spicificly given to me. God's plan for both of our lives will always be based on our salvation.
WHEN WE GOT ENGAGED
February 1, 2008
HOW IT HAPPENED
Jamala
As I stated earlier, we begin our relationship as a courship with marrige always at the center focus. We both held to the belief that once God shows you something or someone you know that's it, and there is no mistakes or hasty decisions.
On January 15, 2008 Mark called me and told me that God showed him that I was his wife and would I pray and fast with him so that we would both know for certian that this was God's will. Of course I said YES, because I was in love with him.
January 21, 2008 we met with our pastor to share scriptures that God had given us individually that this was his will. We shared them with each other so that we would both know and could see how God dealt with use indvidually.
February 1, 2008 we were on our first date alone. During dinner Mark looked over and proposed. We had talked about it on the phone a few days earlier and I said yes then, but this time it was official and face to face. Nothing huge and spectacular, just simple, and sentimentallyintimate just like our relationship. Now its his turn.....
Mark
The proposal was very special in the sense that God's thoughts & plans for my life was unraveling through the scripture JEREMIAH 29:11 and my love for her was overwhelming. I was emotional & I will always be emotional because I am greatful unto God for what He has done for the both of us. The best thing we have in common in our courtship/ enagagment is that we are both "SAVED" & LOVE GOD. The scripture that confirmed she was my wife I will express that June 14, 2008 for the Glory of God. -Mark
WHEN & WHERE
June 14, 2008
Benton, AR 72019, AR
ABOUT THE BIG DAY
Our wedding will be a very special day for us. We chose June 14, 2008, this has a very sentimental value to me because my birthday is 5 days later. My mom and dad have the exact same arrangement. She married him 5days befor her birthday. They will be married 35 years in November. Our situation was not planned that way, but God worked it out that I will have the same experience as my mom and dad.
We will be married at Spring Creek Baptist Church in Benton, AR wich is a very central location from where our guest live. It's the middle point for almost everyone.
JAMALA'S ATTENDANTS
Maisha
Wade
,
Maid Of Honor
Brandy
Ishmon
,
Matron of Honor
Tamika
Woodfork
,
Bridesmaid
Shontel
Wilson
,
Bridesmaid
Madalyn
Bellamy
,
Bridesmaid
Sherwanda
Boston
,
Bridesmaid
Marion
Wade
,
Bridesmaid
Erin
Wade
,
Flower Girl
-- Bride's Daughter
Daphnne
Thomas
,
Flower Girl
-- Groom's Daughter
Sydnee
Wade
,
Other
-- Jr Bridesmaid/Bride's Daughter
MARK'S ATTENDANTS
Carlos
Bellamy
,
Best Man
Billy
Francis
,
Groomsman
Christopher
Ishmon
,
Groomsman
Ivory
Daniels
,
Groomsman
Kevin
Henderson
,
Groomsman
Nathaniel
Mohn
,
Groomsman
Willie
Wade III
,
Groomsman
Brad
Jarrett
,
Groomsman
Arthur
Willis
,
Usher
Damond
Watson II
,
Usher
Bryant
Wade
,
Other
-- Vow/Bible Bearer
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