He Proposed
Christmas Eve has developed a special significance to Alyssa. For the past few years, the day before the celebration of the birth of Jesus has given her an opportunity to see God provide for her in supernatural ways. She periodically shares her testimony with others about how one Christmas Eve she received her acceptance letter to Howard University with a full scholarship, on another she received confirmation of a job offer she was believing for and again in another instance was approved for a brand new apartment on December 24th. Through prayer and unwavering faith paired with the loving kindness of her heavenly Father, she has been a witness of God's unique ability to squeeze in a baby miracle at the end of the calendar.
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Earlier in 2015 Sudan and Alyssa had a conversation over breakfast with one of their pastors in which he asked them where they saw themselves by the end of the year. Both of them had the same answer which was "engaged" but he noticed that he didn't hear them say who they would be engaged to. His response was simply, “You guys are too cool.” At that time he was right, but so were they.
After spending the next six months continuing to grow together while learning about each other’s love languages, reading books, and even travelling on a mission trip to Los Angeles, the picture started clearing by the end of the summer. During the last three Saturdays of August, Sudan and Alyssa attended a surprise 30th birthday that turned into an engagement, an engagement party, and finished with a wedding in which Sudan was a groomsman. At the conclusion of these occasions they began orientation for a ten week marriage prep course offered through their church at Sudan’s suggestion.
About halfway through the course Sudan was convinced Alyssa was God's provision for him as a wife. From everything they had been through as friends to now desiring to approach things in a godly and pure way, it was the Spirit of the Living God that served as the center of their relationship from the very beginning. The same Spirit which led Sudan to initiate Alyssa into courtship and prompted her to respond in faith was guiding him to propose for her hand in marriage.
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Knowing the importance of Christmas Eve, Sudan wanted to be included. He decided to take this time to extend his faith in a new way through purchasing a ring and planning out a 007 themed mission to propose to the love of his life. The ring arrived from New York by the grace of God the morning of the 24th. The plan was set but the rainy weather on the way to the proposal site wasn’t promising. In addition to running an hour late and Alyssa’s hunger, Sudan was determined not to let anything prevent him from pulling off this moment. He pressed into the Lord through worship and began praying the storm would cease. Shortly before their arrival the rain ended and they pulled into a special rest stop on the way to Virginia Beach.
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Proposal plan Sudan drew and emailed to friends.
When they left the visitor’s center the song “Diamonds Are Forever” was playing at distance and there were candles placed in the shape of a heart in front of a six foot sign spelling out the word LOVE seeing how Virginia Is For Lovers. As they approached the sign Sudan walked her into the heart, got down on one knee, and asked if she would marry him. Her answer was YES and the heavens agreed! December 24, 2016 was the first full moon on Christmas Eve in nearly forty years and there was a huge "ring" surrounding the moon called a halo made from light passing through ice crystals high in the atmosphere. It was as if the Lord was in approval of what was taking place and at the same time not to be outdone by the likes of Sudan’s thoughtful jewelry design. This night will be a special memory for Sudan and Alyssa to share forever. Glory be to God!
