TONYA:
In January of this year (2000), I was on the internet and an advertisement for http://www.Shiningstarsingles.com went across my screen. I clicked on it and submitted my personal information. I then did a search of current members. James’ picture and profile caught my eye. I wrote to him, not expecting anything in reply.
JAMES:
In October of 1999 I submitted my dating life over to God after another disappointing relationship. Three years ago I submitted my profile to Shining Star Singles ( a web site run by an Adventist couple). During this time, I had received a number of E-mails. Some of which turned into lasting pen pal type relationships, but none seemed to offer me what I was looking for in a mate. Then one day in January I received a simple message from Tonya, so I replied. She wrote back and included a picture. I was blown away with her beauty. This began a long series of daily correspondence.
TONYA:
When James and I started corresponding, I started to pray diligently for God’s will. The more I learned of James, the more convinced I was that he was the one God had chosen for me. I could tell James was skeptical. I constantly gave clues about talking to him or meeting in person. I felt that if I could hear his voice, I would know for sure. I asked him his phone number. He joked with me about my southern accent and made excuses, but he eventually gave me his phone numbers. I immediately called him. His voice was so warm and welcoming. My heart filled with Praise and Rejoicing as I spoke with James. I knew from his first words that he was the one.
JAMES:
I liked everything about Tonya, but with her living in Texas, and me in California, I was concerned about getting into a long distance relationship. I said, “but what if we hit it off? Then what do we do?” She took away all of my excuses when she stated she would move to California. The only challenge left for me was our difference in our understandings in Bible truth. I am the Head Deacon of the La Crescenta Adventist Church, and although Tonya loves the Lord, I would not marry a non-Adventist. God stepped in a powerful way at this point. Our conference had been preparing for Acts 2000, and the “It Is Written” team was about to broadcast over satellite the “Revelation of Hope” seminar. I had been telling Tonya about it, and asked if she could find an Adventist church in her area to view it. Sadly, none of the Adventist churches in her area were participating. I wanted so much for her to know the beautiful truths that I had learned years ago. I wanted her to learn them from someone other than me, so that if she accepted them, I would know that it was because she was hungry for truth, and not just for a husband. I also know how powerful Pastor Mark Finley preaches, and if she could just watch this lecture, she might accept the truths presented. You can’t imagine how excited I was the first night of the lectures when across the bottom of the screen in my church streamed the web site to view the lecture in real video. I ran outside and called her on my cell phone, gave her the web site address, and listened as she squealed “OH, I got it! I’m watching it!”
TONYA:
I was so excited about the Revelation of Hope seminars! I had studied the book of Revelation before, but have always had a hunger for more knowledge and understanding. I told total strangers about the evening broadcasts and found that it gave me a chance to witness. I praised God for bringing James to me and using him to open that door. At this point, I felt James and I had developed a mutual interest and possibly this is why God had introduced me to James. The seminars were intense for me, but then Pastor Finley taught on the Sabbath. I had always celebrated the Sabbath on Sunday. My heart immediately came under conviction and repentence as I felt God working His will in my life. I shared this with James. He has such a great knowledge of the Bible and he expanded on the Sabbath. I felt at peace. I longed to be in a church as he, a place to call “home”. A “family” of Christians to fellowship with. I envied James and the relationship he had with his church. Although I have always actively attended church, I never felt a peace like James expressed. I have floundered and never felt “at home” in the churches I had visited. As my wisdom expanded and James witnessed to me, my heart felt like it was overflowing with love for James. His humor, his wisdom, but most of all, his love for God brought us closer together with each e-mail and with each phone conversation. I had to meet him. I had to know that the love I was feeling for James was real. I had to touch him. So while talking to him late one night in March, I asked if he would come out to Texas to meet me. He said, “yes”, and I booked his flight.
JAMES:
Between the time Tonya booked my flight to come to Texas, and the time I actually left, our love for each other grew and grew. By the time I boarded the plane, I knew without a doubt that this was the woman God had set aside for me. I told the man I sat next to on the plane that I was going to Amarillo to ask Tonya to marry me. He said “but you have never met?” I told him it did not matter, when you know, you know! All the way there, I kept thinking of making sure I found her in the crowd right away when I got off the plane so that she would be certain I find her attractive. As I entered the airport, I scanned from left to right. There she was at my 1:00 position. She was (and is) so beautiful! I am sure the grin on my face wrapped clear around to the back of my head. As I walked forward she approached me. Neither of us said a word. I set down my bags, removed my cowboy hat, and kissed her. We kissed for an eternity totally unaware of anyone around us. Days later, when I returned to California, a woman sitting in the aisle seat said to me: “I know you. You are the young man who flew out here to ask a lady to marry you!” I said, “yes, that is right.” “Well, how did it go?” She asked. I replied, “She said yes!” The whole plane applauded. She said, “When we all got off the plane behind you that day, you two were stuck together, and we had to walk around you." God is good to James.
TONYA:
I planned my escape tactfully. I stood by a huge post and knew I could quickly hide should I need to. There was no need. When James walked off the plane, all I could think was, “Thank you God!” I knew there had to be a physical attraction. We knew each other from the e-mails, telephone conversations and pictures, all was in place except for the physical aspect. I saw James, walked up to him, and he placed his hand on my cheek and pulled my lips up to his. We could not stop looking at each other. God is so amazing! I felt that if I had known that this was the man God had intended for me, I would have waited a lifetime for him. God is so awesome to have brought us together!
JAMES:
I met Tonya’s sons later that day. Daniel, Chad, and Jeremie are three fine young men, and I am so happy to be a part of their lives. They complete another missing element in me. The next day Tonya, Daniel, and I took a ride to Groom, Texas. There is nothing in Groom Texas except the world’s largest cross in the western hemisphere. It is about 5 stories tall, and made of silver metal panels. Around the base are bronze statues depicting the trial and crucifixion of Christ. There was a stone bench at the foot of the cross. I asked Tonya to sit on the bench, and although it was a cold windy day, she complied. I got on one knee, and said “I promise to honor and cherish you for all eternity if you will be my wife. Will you marry me?” I guess you figured out that she said yes. There was something funny about that day…….It was April fools day.
TONYA:
The Texas Panhandle wind was cold and fiercely blowing that day. But my heart was warm and so full of God’s love and love for James, I could have shouted praises from the top of that cross! James and I went to my church that night. We took our first communion together, too! The day was perfect! God was so much a part of that day! That evening, we went to the mall and selected matching wedding rings. Sunday came and it was time for James to leave. Although he was getting on that plane, I felt no emptiness. I knew what God had brought together was His will, not my own. I had no doubt James and I would be together forever. James made all the wedding arrangements at the Excalibur hotel in Las Vegas. He took all the burden and worry of planning a wedding away. All I had to deal with was a dress and preparing my boys to be a part of the ceremony. James planned not only the wedding, but he made menu selections and arrangements for a wedding reception dinner. On April 27th, my boys and my maid of honor flew into Las Vegas. James had even prepared an itinerary so there would be a schedule of events. It all worked out wonderfully!
JAMES:
Tonya and I have just spent the remainder of our honeymoon at my home in Los Angeles. The plan is for me to fly out to Texas at the end of May when the boys finish school, load up a U-haul, and move them out to our new home in California. We are currently looking to buy a home, and Tonya’s job situation is still not settled yet, but we are not worried. God has provided perfectly so far, and we trust He will carry us through all of the challenges that come our way.
We are very grateful to The “It Is Written” team, and ‘Shining Star Singles” for the part each has played in bringing about the fullness of God’s plan. Most of all, we are grateful to God for bringing the two of us together.
Yours in Christ
James and Tonya Wieck
