Life Update: I am Engaged!!!
For those new here, you may not know much about my life story – so I invite you to read about how my first marriage ended in Part 1 >> here and then what the last 6 years have looked like in Part 2 >> here.
After my marriage of 19 years ended, I had no plans to start dating. I was focusing on raising my children and content with being single, enjoying my girl friendships and serving here on-line. I had told friends and family that I would not go seeking out a man to date BUT if God brought a godly man and dropped him in my lap, I would not turn him away.
And that is just what God did!
In 2020, I watched as this beautiful family that always sat in the row in front of me in church suffered a devastating loss. The wife and mother of 2 daughters unexpectedly went home to be with the Lord and I watched as this family continued to be in church every Sunday worshipping God and trusting in him, through this tragedy.
I admired the father from afar and watched him out of the corner of my eye, as he sang songs of worship, opened his Bible to listen to the preaching of the Word and visited with the people around him. He seemed warm and very friendly.
Though we have all attended the same church for 15 years and this family sat just one row in front of me (but on opposite ends of the row) I did not know the wife and mother and had never spoken to my now fiancé – before the first phone call, where he asked me out on a date.
BUT my sister and her family sat directly behind their family and so…they all knew each other. My sister’s husband – who is a pastor at our church – knew him well and it is through him that we connected.
Oh friends – I cannot wait for you all to meet him and get to know him more! His first name is ironically – Keith. If you are one of my long-time blog followers, you would know that my children’s father’s name is also Keith. That is just one of many unique “coincidences” that we share.
Another sad commonality that we share is the date that his wife passed away is also the same date on the calendar, that years ago, my husband left me. And though we have both grieved in different ways, we grieve with hope. Hope for a new beginning and a second chance at love and marriage.
Neither of us ever dreamt that we would be single and have to date again at this age…but here we are. And so, on a warm summer day, I was surprised by a phone call from him. I had been single for almost 6 years and neither of us had dated anyone else since the loss of our spouses.
He was talkative on the phone, which put me at ease. We talked about 20 minutes and then he asked me out on a date, but I was on my way to Florida for vacation, so we decided we’d get back in touch when I returned from vacation.
During that week away, I had some heart-to-heart conversations with my children about the possibility of me dating and I had some heart-to-heart conversations with Jesus about the possibility of me dating!
Once my plane touched ground, I was headed to the kennel to get my dog and my phone rang and it was Keith. He wasted no time getting back in touch with me – I think we both thought about each other all week long! And so, he asked if we could go to dinner that evening and I said yes, and the rest is history!
We went to dinner for a few hours and then he brought me home and it was good – really really…really good. And so that first date led to a second date and a third date and from there, I began introducing him to my friends and family and not only did we fall in love, but we have been so loved and supported by everyone around us.
There is a lot to both of our stories that I wish I could share. Both of our families have been through a lot of heartache, but I’m saving those stories for another day.
For now, you can know this. Keith is a very strong, godly, hardworking, and servant hearted man. He was happily married and faithful to his wife for 28 years. He is very close to his two adult daughters and son-in-law. They are all just as kind and godly as their father.
Our children knew of each other but since there is an age gap, they had not officially met. We waited a few months before they all met. It is not easy for children to see their parent with someone new and so that will be their story to tell as they wrestle through their different emotions, but they all know I am posting this today and gave me their blessing.
As for me, after the repeated infidelity of my first husband, I was not sure I would be able to trust again (or would even want to trust again) but God has been gracious to me in bringing me a man who is very steady, trustworthy and known by many around me.
As always, my blog is not about me – it’s about Jesus and his word but I had to share the Ephesians 3:20 that God has been doing in my life!
This past summer I spoke at an event where I talked about my divorce and how – by the grace of God – I am still standing. Here is a clip from that day:
Friends, what I said in that video is true! God is the rock at the bottom when the bottom falls out!
If you are going through the worst season of your life – I want you to know that I feel your pain. I know how scary it can be to face the unknown.
Trust God.
Even when the darkness does not lift.
Trust God.
David declared: “He is my refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
God’s grip on you is tight – let him be your refuge and strength and a help in your time of trouble.
Keep walking with the King.
Can I ask for a favor?
Just because I have fallen in love that does not mean all of our problems have disappeared. Satan is a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.
(1 Peter 5:8)
Spiritual warfare is real.
Please pray for us.
Courtney
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Oh Courtney, I have tears of joy for you!!!!! You have been a faithful woman through all of life’s heartbreak – six years is a long time. I have admired you for that and prayed for happiness some day…whatever that would be. I will be praying for you and Keith and your families!! I am thankful for your joy as I can see in your smile and your writing. God bless you!
Dear Courtney
This has touched my heart so much. I see such happiness in your eyes and it’s so beautiful. I have been following you for years and been where you have been. I am divorced now for the same reasons. This is a real testimony of God’s faithfulness and love for his children. May God Bless you and your family and new husband to be . Your faithfulness has touched my life and I am so grateful for all your teachings. May the Lord guide you always.
I’m so happy to see this! You both are Godly faithful souls and God has blessed you both. Much love and prayers to you both.
I’m new to your story. I’m in the midst of the roller coaster ride you were talking about. Its not over yet but I’m in the fight of my life with my marriage right now. This gives me hope that no matter what happens, God will take care of me. I need to trust him. Your story brings me a lot of hope. Thank you for sharing.
SO very, very happy for you sweet friend! Love you!! (((Hugs))) ❤️
Congratulations! I’m so happy for you.
Love and prayers. I love your bible studies. ❤
Eek!! So happy and excited for you!! God is so good!!❤️❤️
I’ve been following your blog for years. What a wonderful testimony to God’s faithfulness in your life!! So very happy for you both!
Oh Courtney! I’m so thrilled for you! I have been a long time follower for many years & have seen your faith grow through the good & the bad times of life. I’m so happy God has blessed you with love as I know you have so much to share! I will pray for your engagement ? & upcoming marriage. May God greatly bless you both! Lots of love & best wishes!
I have followed your bible studies and have learned so much from you over the years. I am so excited for your new journey that God has prepared for you and your fiancé. Blessings!
Sweet Courtney, I am over the top ecstatic for you! What a joy.
I have followed you for years, our kids are similar in age, I homeschool, etc which is how I found you so many years ago. The same month your marriage fell apart years ago, I also found my husband was being unfaithful to our marriage. Through counseling and much work our marriage was saved, and we are in a much better place today. But I know the emotions you faced and I rejoice that God has given you the gift of a new love. I wish you all the blessings .
Amen!! Praying for your family and your new soon to be family. I’m so happy that you have your spirit mate! God is Faithful
So this is what happens when you’ve been praying for someone’s healing and happiness!! Girl, God is so good. Thank you for sharing your testimony!!
What a beautiful story Courtney! ❤️ I am so very happy for you! I have followed your updates throughout the years and I’ve done a bunch of your Bible studies and your course on people pleasing. You have helped me so much and I’m praying that the Lord will bless you and your relationship! Thank you for all you do and for sharing your story!
What wonderful news. I am beyond happy for you and wish you and Keith the best! You certainly deserve happiness and peace and it sounds as though Keith does also. Keeping you both in prayer and wishing nothing but blissful peace!
Congratulations!! I have been following you for years and am so happy for you! What a blessing from the Lord! I will certainly keep you both and both your families in my prayers! ❤️
Congratulations!! God Bless you! My husband divorced me about the same time your marriage ended. We had a LONG separation before that. I have told my family that I am not going to pursue another marriage unless God brings the man to my doorstep. Hasn’t happened yet and it may never, I am a bit older than you are. But I too am still standing because of GOD! He has blessed this hard time more than I deserve.
Congratulations! So happy for you both.
I am so very happy for you. I was so sad for you when you went through your hard times. You were an example of a woman that kept walking with God and glorifying Him. May God bless you in your marriage and in the years to come.
Congratulations! I will continue to pray for both of you and your children as you embark on this adventure to God’s glory!
Congratulations. God is Good, I will continue the prayers.
So very excited and happy for you Courtney. God is good and faithful. You have blessed so many with your kindness and generosity. On behalf of myself and the “Fellowship Without Birders” group a big congratulations! May God continue to protect and may you as a couple along with your families be blessed above and beyond. Love in Christ Jesus, Charlie Opperman
Congratulations!!! I’m so happy for you! May God bless you and your new life journey and shine His light on you both! God is good!
Dear Courtney,
I am so very happy for you! You have been a true inspiration since I found you many years ago. I’m sure things haven’t been easy the past few years however you weathered the storm with grace. I will continue to pray for you all as you journey through this next chapter in your lives. So excited for you all!
Blessings,
Jamileh
Oh Courtney! I am SO excited and happy for you & Keith! May the Lord bless you and Keith.
Lots of love and excitement,
Rachel Waggoner
Congratulations, Courtney! I am so happy for you and your families. God’s Word promises us that He works all things together for our good to those who love him and are called according to His purpose! You have remained steadfast and God has used you numerous times to minister to me and bring words of hope and encouragement! May He richly bless your “new beginning” and your Ephesians 3:20 miracle!
Congratulations to you both, Courtney!! I am so happy for you! I have been a long time follower and was so sad when you shared about your marriage ending and had prayed so much for reconciliation.
I know God brings beauty from ashes and what the enemy intends for evil, God turns around for good! May God continue to bless you, Keith and your children above and beyond what you could ever hope for. ❤️
Hey Courtney, first time here! I saw your post on Facebook. Congratulations! God has made your life a living testimony. We go through trials to show others how to do it, to bring glory to God and to be moulded in the process. May your union continue to bring hope to many who are wondering where God is.
Congratulations! I am very happy for you. Long story short ending. Although I have never been married, my last relationship was what broke the camels back. I’m over it. But I don’t intend to ever date again and keep getting hurt, not at my old age of 60. Praying for you and Keith.
What a beautiful testimony of God’s faithfulness to you and you to Him! Congratulations!
Congratulations Courtney! Couldn’t be happier for all of you (children included). You deserve so much happiness, joy, peace and love in your life. Looks like God answered your mom’s prayers in a mighty way. Enjoy your new life together. And what God brings together let no man separate! God bless you all.
Congratulations to you both! I have been doing your studies and following your story for a while and I have cried with you and laughed with you. We share a similar story and the way that God orchestrated everything still amazes me after almost 17 years of marriage to my second husband! Keep God right in the middle and keep smiling! You are beautiful and wish you all the best! I also understand the attacks and spiritual aspect and yes, you will be prayed for! All of you! ?
I am so happy for you Courtney..I’ve been following you since the time of the videos on the bath tub! I was a GMG leader many years back too and have gained so much from your teachings.I cried for you as you shared your story of your marriage breakdown and prayed alongside hundreds of others for restoration of that marriage ,but God had a far bigger plan for you!You have been a huge part of my fellowship and faith and I’m so blessed to have found you.May God bless you both and your families so much.what a fabulous beautiful testimony! X
Over here with tears in my eyes. What a beautiful testimony God continues to hand to you. I am so happy for you and Keith and I wish you both so much love and happiness. May God continue to bless your relationship. Keeping you and your kids in my prayers xx
I am so very, very happy for you❤️
I wish from the bottom of my heart that you live happily.
Glory to God!
What a beautiful testimony, Only God can do just beautiful things. Will be in our prayers. Yes the Devil is lair seeking to dismantle the plans of God but God is the foundation who will continue to do His Greater will. Jeremiah 29:11
Happy tears for you both!
Yay, Courtney! I’m so incredibly happy for you both and praying for you & your families!
So happy for you both. Congratulations.
Congratulations! God redeems what the locusts eat. Beauty for ashes. ?
Hi Courtney,
I’m so very happy that God has moved in such a way in your life. I’ve been following you for a long time and was heartbroken when you shared about your marriage ending.
But God.. yes He is an amazing God who loves us unconditionally! Thank you for being faithful when I’m sure it wasn’t easy and for sharing your life with us all
Congratulations! And many blessings to you and your family!
Congratulations!! I have been a “follower” for a long time & I am so happy for you! I will be praying for y’all because I know all too well how difficult blended families can be. But when you trust in God and let him guide you, I think even the disappointment of our children somehow sting far less.
Wow! God does give us second chances. It is so wonderful to see you happy again with someone you love who is a Godly man. I have been a faithful follower of your blog for a long time. I have found that I read my bible more because of your bible studies. I remember when you first posted about your divorce, I was in shock, I never expected it because I thought you and your husband was so faithful to the Lord, we just you. I am so very happy for you that you God brought you someone to spend the rest of your days with. Yes, Satan comes roaring like a lion seeking whoever he may devour, he especially likes to go after us faithful Christians, I can attest to that. I almost lost my marriage too, but my husband and I have stuck it out. We realized we were under attack by the enemy seeking to destroy our marriage and our children’s lives. We are always on guard of Satan sly schemes now and always praying for one another. Well, God bless Courtney and Congratulations on the engagement. I can’t wait to see post about your upcoming wedding.
So, but so very happy for you!! Goose pimples and all, I’m jumping for joy, may the Lord Bless you both! Love, and hugs
Antonieta
I am so very happy for you. He sounds like a wonderful person and you guys make a great looking couple! Congratulations!
Congratulations! I’m a long time follower, and couldn’t be happier for you! What a great way to start my day, hearing this news. Praise God!!
Courtney:
I have been following you since BEFORE the divorce and I felt your devastation and your heartbreak–I’ve been there too! However, it has been a joy to see you continue to flourish, to watch those precious children grow up, and now to see you engaged! I pray for you and your new life, and ask God to bless all that you are doing, all that you are!
Korbi
Oh this is so AWESOME! God is so good! Praise the LORD… this is so exciting. Congratulations! All that you have walked through! It’s amazing what God is doing for you! I’m filled with Joy for you!
Rejoicing with you! Praying for you! ❤️ God is faithful and so, so good.
You both look very happy! Congratulations xo
Hello Courtney,
I am so very happy for you both! I remember when you shared how your marriage ended some time ago. We don’t always know or understand God’s plan for us. I will be lifting you in prayer. May God bless you as you continue to be a blessing! May God continue to bless and keep you & yours, woman of God!
Hi Courtney, just waking up and saw your thrilling news in my email. CONGRATULATIONS!! I had tears of joy reading your update, and of course our family will be praying for yours. Funny how we have never met, but you hold such a dear place in my heart, as you got me studying the Bible again. I am excited to see how God will use you and Keith to share Him together. You look so wonderful together, and what a rock he gave you!! You bring Psalm 37:4 a whole new meaning…God bless you..sending huge hugs and love❤❤❤❤??☝️
Blessings to both of you! So happy for you. I will be praying for both of your families!! Congratulations.
Congratulations Courtney! I’m so excited for you and your family!
I’m thrilled to read this, what a beautiful story the two of you have. Blessings all the way from New Zealand for this engagement and marriage.
I am crying. Wow, I am so happy for you. I used to see your old content and think how badly I wanted to have your life. When you announced your divorce I was heartbroken for you. And now this–engaged to a man who was meant to come into your life after the storm. Thank God for his grace and love. Congratulations! I am so very glad to see you happy. If you feel comfortable I’m sure I’m not the only one who would love to hear about wedding planning and such. ?❤
I ma so happy for both of you!! How Exciting ? God is so good ?
That is just the best news ever! So excited for you. I have followed you for many years. This is just so God. Many congrats to you both!!
Congratulations! I pray your future is a true blessing!
Three years ago my marriage of 26 years fell apart due to repeated infidelity, and it seems as though no one knows how much I grieve to this day. Your words give me hope.
Congratulations! So happy for you! I’ll be praying for you!
Congratulations! I am so happy for you and Keith and will be praying for God’s blessings on your marriage. So happy anniversary that the two of you were led to each other.
Congratulations, Courtney! I am so happy for you. ❤️
Congratulations!! What a blessing to see what God is doing in your life…He is amazing. I will keep you in prayer, my heart does hurt I am in a difficult marriage and we have had our share of trouble in our 18 years together…God gives the strength to go on, for whatever tomorrow holds. Praise God!
So happy for you!! Truly praising God for your engagement and how he has worked in your life! ?
Congratulations Courtney. I was so touched by your story. Thank you for sharing this blessed message. Blessings.
So very happy for you. Thankful your momma prayed for you. Keeping you in my prayers also.
So happy for you! You are absolutely glowing! Wishing you all the very best!!
Blessings for such a Beautiful Couple! I’m Happy for you.
Wonderful, happy news!
Courtney, I just came to your site to find an article you had written years ago and I found this news. I know it is old now, but I can’t tell you have much seeing this makes me happy. I’m so thankful for God’s good gifts in your life and for the way you wear His presence and beauty. Celebrating His goodness with you!!
Courtney, I haven’t followed your channel in quite awhile although I think of you and your family from time to time. I was overjoyed to read of your marriage. God is indeed good. I’ll be praying for your family as well. God bless you and yours.