(I am really not much of a story writer, when I wrote this originally it didn't have the name Cherie, it was more of an idea and a 'you' type of writing. I hate the whole tense problem that comes to me when I have to write a story. ahaha.)

Her name was Cherie. Her eyes sparkled and when she walked into a room the room was instantly lit. She was a joy to be around and had a heart for people. She enjoyed the simple things in life, like little notes every once in a while and when her dad called her by her childhood nickname, Sundae. She had a heart for God and wanted to follow Him with everything she had. She felt called into the mission field. God even told her where He wanted her to go: Kenya. Everyone around her could see that she would do great things and that she would make a difference.

There was only one problem however that she never told anyone, that she held back even from herself at times. She believed that God would give her a man that would go with her there. She spent countless nights praying to God to send her the man that God made for her. She knew that God would give her the desires of her heart and assured herself that he would give her him before she was called to leave.

One day when she was reading her Bible and searching for something challenging in her walk she got a phone call. It was a woman from her church. She spoke excitedly in the phone on the other end, "Cherie! You will never guess this! I was praying today and you came to my mind. As I was praying for you the phone rang. It was an old friend. We were talking and she told me about how she was going with a group of people in a year on a mission trip. It is one of those mission trips where they don't know how long it will last, so the most devoted ones are supposed to go. And you will never believe where they are going! ...To Kenya!!! Can you believe it? Of course you will have to pray about this, but I just thought it may be God!" Cherie was stunned. She had been praying for God to tell her when she was supposed to go. Was this it? Was this what she was meant for? In the corner of her heart she thought, does this mean my future husband is coming?

She spent weeks, which turned into months praying about it. The answer kept coming back as yes. But something was holding her back. She knew what it was but for a while didn't admit it to even herself. She wanted to wait for her husband. She couldn't understand why God wasn't giving her the desires of her heart! She got angry at times thinking about it. She had her wedding song picked out. She even had the song that her dad and her were going to dance to picked out. What was wrong? All the men in her life were good Christian men, but none of them were for her. What was God doing?

One day as she was praying long and hard about it the thought hit her like a ton of bricks. Who was she? Who was she to be getting angry with her Father, who knew her better than herself? Who was she to second guess the answer that had been given to her? Who was she to be so stubborn? So at that moment she fell to her knees, apologizing for thinking she knew how things were supposed to go more than her Father did. She apologized for getting angry with Him and for doubting Him when her calling was so clear and evident. She got up, wiped the tears from her eyes, pulled herself together and called the lady that had called 4 months ago. She told her that God had told her that she was called to go on this trip and thanked her so much for listening to God's voice. The lady was ecstatic and gave her the number of her friend who was going on the trip, telling her that she had already talked to her about Cherie and her passion for Kenya and God.

So Cherie called the lady who's name was Michelle. After meeting with Michelle and a few other people going it was set. They would leave in 7 1/2 months for Kenya. She spent the next months raising money, but most importantly praying and fasting like she had never done before. She wanted to be emptied out completely so that she would be filled to over flowing with the Holy Spirit. As the time approached she felt assured and confident in who she was and who God called her to be. She told God that she didn't care if she never got married as long as she was doing His will, and she truly meant it. Her friends told her that she shined more now than she had ever shined before. She was a walking glow stick.

The day arrived of her departure of everything comfortable in her life to everything that she could never dream of on her own. Her anxiety was at an all time high, but she was comforted when she thought of how she was in the place that she was meant to be. Michelle and the others that were going all met at the airport and prayed before they got on their plane. Michelle had already explained to her that there would be people there to meet them who had been there for a longer time. She was assured in that and the fact that God would always be with her.

After the longest flight of her life they landed. She was amazed at the plane ride and the view of the clouds and the sun. She felt honored and humbled to be one of God's Children. Once she stepped out of the small airport into the air of Kenya she felt at home. It was breathtaking and awe-inspiring. She was filled with such awe that she didn't even realize the person that had come up to her to shake her hand. She heard a friendly, "It's mind blowing, isn't it?" She snapped out of her awe and looked up, following the voice. There in front of her was a curly headed young man with green eyes and a boyish smile. She smiled at him apologetically. He explained who he was and that he was there to pick them all up and drive them to the village that they lived in. As they were heading to the bus that they would ride in he explained how their village was in the middle of all of the surrounding villages. It was a perfect spot to visit and reach out to surrounding villages. She had to stop when she saw the bus. She wasn't expecting anything amazing but she wasn't expecting what she saw. It looked like wood on wheels. He must of saw her expression because he said, "I know it comes as a shock at first, but you'll get used to all of this soon. You will be so caught up with everything, that you won't even notice the small uncomfortable things."

And he was right. Cherie soon got used to her uncomfortable life in Kenya. She was diving into the people and the culture and the awe of God. She was growing and experiencing more than she would have ever thought. It was the hardest thing she ever had to do. She stepped out of her comfort zones daily and was constantly bombarded with obstacles that came into her and the others way. They became a family. A family that could never be broken. She was closer to these people then she was to anyone else.

As she continued to follow God and grow in Him and pour into others lives her eyes began to be opened, ever so slightly. She began to notice the curly headed green eyed young man who she found to be named Simon. He was a strong brother in Christ to her and everyone else. But ever so slightly God was showing her more clearly her plans. And almost as soon as she found what God wanted for her in the next stages of her life she found that this was where Simon was headed. She didn't know if this was her emotions or if this was really God. So she waited. She focused even more on doing what she was called to do and told God that He would have to make it happen for her to ever get it.

One evening after getting back from a village that they had gone to Cherie was engrossed in the thoughts of that day. She was amazed at all that God had done! It was like a revival took place before her very child-like eyes! She was praising God for all He had done and sat down in excitement. She didn't even realize when someone sat down beside her. Then she heard that familiar voice, "Cherie, do you mind if I talk to you for a minute?" She turned and there was Simon. He took her breath away for a second and then she regained her emotions. This was her brother in Christ after all. "Sure." He began to speak. "I've been praying for a long time. I used to feel that I needed a girl in my life to be happy and to make me complete. Then God took a hold of my life. He showed me that I needed to learn how to be whole in Him and to stop looking for my future wife. He showed me that I needed to wait until He called me to pursue someone. He brought Godly men into my life that helped pour into my life and I realized that I needed to be content without anyone. So from that time on I have been focusing on being a Disciple for Christ as my main goal. I told Him that He would have to open my eyes for me to ever move and pursue a woman." Meanwhile, Cherie was having a near heart attach in her mind and heart. What the heck is he saying? What is this God? Is this You? Is this You? If it's You then I will trust you, but WHAT is this?!?! He continued. "I've started to have feelings for you. I asked God over and over what this meant and if this was for real and God keeps coming back with yes. As soon as God shows me what He has planned for my life I find that this what God is showing you. I believe this is God's. I believe that this is what I've prayed for. I think I love you." He smiled that boyish grin when he saw the fear in her eyes. "I'm sorry for pouring all this on you. Do you know what I mean?" Cherie's mind was racing, But as she closed her eyes closure came to her mind and peace entered her soul. She knew. She opened her newly assured eyes and spoke. "Yes, I do. I think love found us."