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| On the steps of the Billy Graham Center looking out on the campus of Wheaton College. |
| Erica began her life in Queens, NY,
after which her family moved to Long Island, NY and then
to Endwell, NY, where Erica attended Maine-Endwell
public schools from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Erica always liked academics, and developed a particular
affinity for math. This led her to study math at Union
College in Schenectady, NY, where she stayed to also
earn a Masters in Teaching. Since that time, Erica has
been teaching at Bethlehem High School in Delmar, NY,
actively participating as a member of Crossroads Baptist
Church, lovingly raising two wonderful cats, and
prayerfully asking God to make her into the the kind of
person who would attract the kind of Godly man that she
has found in Larry! |
Larry has had many job titles in his
life, but none have been so precious and prayed over as
husband. Even as a child it was clear that Larry has a
special calling toward ministry on his life. He has
served both as pastor and lay minister in various
churches throughout Illinois, Wisconsin and
Pennsylvania. Youth/Children, Camping/Backpacking, Small
Groups, and Single Adult Ministries have been some of
his favorite. It was in a Small Group ministry that God
made it abundantly clear that Larry’s future ministries
would be in Asia. God’s providential addition of Erica
to his life makes the prospects of current and future
ministries seem that much more possible and even more
enjoyable.
In faith and by the grace of God, they
know that the best is yet to come, and they are in it
together!
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There were many different events that God
used to get each of us ready to finally meet via eHarmony.com on September
13, 2002.
For Erica, after participating in an
eye-opening study of Song of Solomon during graduate school
and then reading Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot
shortly thereafter, she decided to pray and wait for God's
best in terms of a husband. One of Erica's repeated assurances
to those who thought she should be out "looking" for someone
was "God knows where I am...and God knows where he (her future
husband) is too!" Erica's six year waiting period came to an
end when her friend Andrea told her about a Focus on the
Family radio broadcast about eHarmony, after which Erica heard
the actual broadcast herself. She prayed and checked out the
site, and then decided to give it a try. Larry was not the
first person Erica talked to, but he was the first (and only)
match who asked if he could pray with her. That pattern of
shared prayer has only grown over time. A shared interest in
overseas missions further drew them together, as did a common
interest in reading and learning. In so many wonderful ways,
God continues to graciously weave their hearts and lives
together in an undeniably divine manner.
For Larry it
was regular encouragement by Barbara Stidham (his pastor's
wife) to consider God's leading ("not waiting too long"), and
a Christian radio broadcast shared with his mom in early July.
After considering the web site and further discussions with
Barbara, He took the two to three hour long survey to obtain
the free personality and strengths/weaknesses portion of the
service. Not feeling ready to be looking for a wife or having
the budget to pay for the service, he did not request to be
matched with anyone. About a month latter he received an email
with an offer for a free month's worth of matching. Still not
sure of God’s leading he held onto it for a few weeks until on
August 13th, 2002 he entered the code to start accepting
matches with women all over the United States and Canada. 68
“matches” later and on the final day of his free membership
God brought Erica along. It reminds them both that “God is
rarely ever early, but He is never late.”
One of their
favorite sayings is that “God is in the details!”, and their
meeting, friendship, romance, engagement, and soon to be
marriage is one miraculous detail after another.
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20-Feb-03
Before the moment
Larry met Erica for the first time in Albany, NY on November
27th, 2002 he had started to fall in love with her as he
learned first hand what a godly and precious woman she is, but
it would not be until that day before Thanksgiving that he
would see with his own eyes how absolutely gorgeous she really
is. He knew that if God was going to be so gracious as to give
him a wife like Erica that He needed to express his thanks by
getting engaged in a special and romantic way. So, he hatched
a "Top Secret Plan" that would involve the giving of 12 roses
that lead up to asking her to be his wife.
Rose #1 -
December 17, 2002
At a Women's Christmas Party at the
Hardage’s in Albany, NY (Erica’s church and Bible study
friends).
Rose #2 - December 25, 2002
At the
home of Jerry and Sarah Hughes in Tolono, IL (Larry’s high
school and Urbana church friends).
Rose #3 -
December 27, 2002
At Mary Potter’s home (Larry's
grandmother) in Camanche, Iowa.
Rose #4 - January 1,
2003
At breakfast at the Red Apple Restaurant in
Wheaton, IL with Ted and Willow Myhre (good and long standing
friends of Larry’s) and Linda (Larry's mom).
Before
being "officially" engaged, but after meeting both of their
separate worlds, they chose a date and started to plan their
wedding in full force. Desiring God’s will for their lives and
believing that includes each other, Erica and Larry are
working hard to bring their worlds and lives together in a way
that honors their Savior Jesus Christ and the gift that He has
given them in each other.
Rose #5 - January 24,
2003
The day before Erica's birthday delivered to her
work at Bethlehem Central High School in Delmar,
NY.
Rose #6 - February 01, 2003
In the
Albany-Rensselear, NY Amtrak Station, delivered in person by
Larry on a surprise one day visit.
Rose #7 -
February 14, 2003
At Bethlehem Central High School on a
very surprise visit by Larry on St. Valentine's Day. It was
the start of their adventure driving between Albany and
Wheaton with a stop off at Niagara Falls.
Rose #8 -
February 15, 2003
At Maury and Pat Potter's home
(Larry's Dad and Step-mom) in Royal Oak, Michigan. They had
the rose in a very special crystal engagement vase (a family
tradition).
Rose #9 - February 16, 2003
At
Chicago International Evangelical Free Church after the
morning service With a little help from James
Bardwell.
Rose #10 - February 17, 2003
At the
home of Martin and Barbara Stidham (Larry's Pastor) before a
fun meal with the entire family including their children
Christina and Matthew.
Rose #11 - February 18,
2003
At Wheaton College in the President's Suite with
the secretaries of the President, Provost and Sr. Vice
President, all wonderful praying friends.
Rose #12 -
Februrary 20, 2003
After a wonderful lunch at Mason
Sabika in Naperville, IL, we toured the Billy Graham Center
Museum at Wheaton College. After praying together about
furture involvement in world evangelism and minitsry, Larry
took Erica into the Chapel where the final rose was waiting,
along with a gift and the ring.
This is the day we gave to one another the
official titles of fiancé. We see each other as God's special
gifts to each other. How we live our lives together will be
our gift of thanks back to Him.
Our Wedding Countdown:
Time flies when you are
having fun!
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Bethlehem
Community
Church
Delmar, NY
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201
Elm Avenue, Delmar, NY 12054
(518) 439-3135
A Simple
and Beautiful Celebration of God's Gifts of Love and Each
Other.
The church will be decorated in a motif of flowers,
hearts and balloons in white, pink and silver. A cake reception will
immediately follow the private
ceremony.
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Henry Hudson
Park
Cedar Hill NY
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The celebration will continue and expand into a
gathering open to the public at Henry Hudson Town Park starting at
5:00 pm. Grills will be provided and a shelter is reserved, but it
will be a bring your own Pot-Luck Picnic.
Henry Hudson
Park
Off Route 144 in Cedar Hill
Barent Winne Road,
Selkirk, NY 12158
(518) 439-4131
About 8 miles
away.
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Andrea Robinson: Erica's Friend
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Jean Armstrong - Erica's Friend
Melanie Hardage
- Erica's Friend
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Ted A. Myhre - Larry's Friend
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James Bardwell - Elder at Larry's Church
Jim M.
Potter - Larry's Brother
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Flower Girls - Abigail Bemis, Danielle
Potter
Ring Bearer - Matthew Stidham
Program Distributors -
Lydia Ford, Sam Ford
Officiants - Steve Ford, Martin
Stidham
Guest Book By Barbara Bemis
Favors By Kim
Krause | |
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Top Secret! | |
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Quiet, Beautiful, Romantic Get-Away
(Before
moving Erica, her cats and stuff to Wheaton,
IL)
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For the time being, Wheaton, IL will be our home,
but the hope is to visit Asia as soon as the doors are opened in
order to see what God has for us there. While still in Wheaton (a
suburb of Chicago, IL) we will be doing everything we can to follow
God’s leading each day as He prepares us for what is ahead. Part of
that preparation will be to involve ourselves as active members of
Chicago International Evangelical
Free Church.
OUR SHARED LIFE'S MISSION
- To
Pray Effectively and Powerfully
- To Honor and Serve Each Other
in Love
- To Pursue Godliness, Wisdom and Knowledge
- To Share
Christ Through Worship, Teaching, and Hospitality
- To Live
Meaningfully, Simply and Beautifully with Thanksgiving
- To Be
Spirit-Led Stewards of Our Bodies, Minds and Resources
OUR
NEW ADDRESS
306 Western Avenue, Apt. 6
Wheaton, IL
60187-4004
Phone: (630) 752-0150
mailto:Larica@myfreei.com
PLEASE
JOIN US IN PRAYING...
- About shared adjustments and
transition.
THANKS FOR PRAYING!!!
Both answered on
the same day - Wednesday, May 21, 2003
- We found a suitable
apartment in Wheaton.
- Erica is certified as a high school math
teacher in the state of Illinois.
Another answer to prayer - July
24, 2003
- Eric is very close to getting what maybe an offer for
a part-time teaching at a Christian High
School
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The following are links to helpful information.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Regency Hotel / Formerly –
Howard Johnson
416 Southern Boulevard,
Albany, NY 12209
(800)
562-7253
$70.00 per night (if reserved by June
20th)
Pat Sanderson, Group Reservations
Manager
Quality
Inn of Albany / Formerly – Days Inn.
37 US Route 9W, Glenmont, NY 12077
(518)
465-8811
Amanda, Assistant
Manager
$65-$75
Econo Lodge /
Formerly – Stone Ends Motel
15 Frontage
Road, South Glenmont, NY 12077
(518)
449-5181
$55-$65
REGISTRIES, ETC.
JCPenney
Wedding Registry
We are registry number
00665034.
Christian
Book Distributors
A wish list of books for
starting our new life together
Amazon.com
Books not available at Christian Book Distributors
Wheaton
College Bookstore
We get a 20%
discount
Wedding
Solutions
Honeymoon
Registry
FAVORITE MAGAZINES
Marriage
Partnership
Discipleship Journal
Prayer!
Christianity
Today
Moody
Monthly
MARRIAGE WEBSITES
Marriage
Alive
with David and Claudia Arp
EMERGE
Ministries
with Dr. Richard D.
Dobbins
Marriage
Builders
with Dr. Willard F. Harley,
Jr.
Family Life Today and
HomeBuilders
with Dennis and Barbara
Rainey
Focus on the
Family
with Dr. James Dobson
The Center for Relationship
Development
with Les and Leslie
Parrott
The Five Love
Language
with Gary Chapman
Intimate
Issues
with Linda Dillow and Lorraine
Pintus
Sexual
Wholeness
with Rosenau, McCluskey, Sytsma
& Taylor
Smalley
Relationship Center
with Gary
Smalley
The Path Less
Chosen
with Dr. Dan B. Allender
Passionate
Commitment
with Clifford L. and Joyce J.
Penner
The Power of a
Praying...
with Stormie Omartian
Narramore
Christian Foundation
with Bruce
Narramore
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