The best present of all...

...really wasn't meant to be a Christmas present at all. When I walked into my parents house this afternoon, my sister grabbed a few things off the counter and said, "These are for you." In the pile was a few random pieces of mail and a small box. In curiosity, I opened the box to find the Bible from Cal and Marian's wedding. It was dated September 27th, 1955 and was signed by the entire wedding party. As I thought about it, I realized that this year would have been their 50th wedding anniversary. The story of how they met is great. Marian had been a missionary in India for 4 years. Cal had just arrived in India to begin language school before going to Bangladesh, and was invited to the Bihar province in India for a conference. During the conference, a fellow missionary approached Cal advising him that the single missionary life would be very difficult for him. He then proceeded to tell Cal that there were several young missionary ladies at the conference and Cal should choose one. It was at this conference that Cal and Marian met for the first time. Because of the culture, their only communication thus far had been a mere introduction. The only acceptable form of courting was via mail. Over the next several months, they exchanged letters back and forth until by chance, they happened to meet again at another conference. During this conference, a few of the missionaries devised a plot for Cal and Marian to be able to spend some time together. Thanksgiving was right around the corner and the two gentlemen decided to go hunting for a peacock in the jungle. They invited Cal and Marian along for ride and for the first time, they had the opportunity to be alone. It was during this rendezvous in the jungle that Cal proposed. Shortly thereafter, Cal left for Bangladesh. They spent virtually their entire engagement apart from eachother with letters being their only means of communication. Marian used to tell me that she pretty much married a stranger. Seeing Cal and Marian together after 35 years of service in Bangladesh, it was evident that God had brought them together. They were very much in love and it showed in so many ways. It was wonderful to receive a little piece of their history, a remembrance that God has His own way of bringing people together to accomplish His purpose and plan for their lives. And by far, one of the best Christmas presents I could ever ask for.