My earliest impressions of Emmanuel were formed long before relationships were a subject-matter for my thoughts. I particularly remember one day, during free time at camp meeting, seeing him sitting down outside the meeting hall, eagerly reading his Bible. He was just a young boy, I guess about 12 years of age. While others were engaged in camp recreation and socialisation, it impressed me deeply that here was a boy who truly valued and obviously loved his Bible. As time passed, these observations were only verified.
One of the next times I particularly remember noticing him was when he was about 16. He was taking an evening youth program. His chosen subject matter dealt with the joy we as young people can experience in Christ. While he enthusiastically spoke, his face seemed lit up with a heavenly-inspired smile. Such joy in Christ expressed in the countenance seemed indeed a rare and beautiful sight—a sight which I knew only springs forth from the heart of one who has himself tasted that God’s promises are true… that those who put Christ first and last and best in everything are indeed the happiest people in the world!
While relationships were distant from my mind, such impressions were seeds—seeds which would one day shoot, and in God’s own perfect time, blossom :)
My earliest recollections of Liesl were when we attended an Autumn Leaves Bible camp in 2006. We attended yearly for the next 5 years or so. I noticed something different about her and her family. Perhaps it was their radiant happiness and peace, musical talents, keenness for mission, modest demeanour or love of spiritual conversations that stuck in my mind at that time.
As a boy and teen I had little desire or interest in relationships. When I was about 14 years old, I remember a conversation my sisters had while travelling in the car. They were discussing something about the day when they would be married. Perhaps sensing my disinterest, they exclaimed, “One day Eman, it will happen to you. You’ll meet a girl that will find a place in your heart!”. I replied adamantly, “No! I’m never going to get married.” Little did I realize how times would change, just as they had accurately pointed out :)
I believe it is good to give little attention to the thoughts of romance and relationships while in our teens and pre-teens. Life has many other things to focus on, especially during this time.
When around 15 years old, I had opportunities to be involved in ministry/mission work. To me, I found that being able to make a difference to people and advance God’s work is a thrilling and exciting prospect. I discovered that I could actually do something for God with the talents He had given. So God continued to lead through my mid and late-teen years.
I was familiar with this quote:
“A youth not out of his teens is a poor judge of the fitness of a person as young as himself to be his companion for life.” AH 79
Once I was out of my teens, I started observing and thinking about the subject of marriage more seriously.
In mid-2013, while attending an AYC prayer summit at Adelaide I was earnestly praying about what priority relationships should have in my life and what God’s will was. My journal entry of surrender at that time reads:
“While at AYC, prayed about God's leading in my life, regarding marriage. Opened Bible to Psalms 128:3
"Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. "
Then read
Psalms 130:5 "I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope."
God really spoke to me, and I will truly leave this matter now in the Lord's hands, and wait for him and hope in his word.”
What a blessing to be able to rest in the promises of God’s word. Even if I never got married, I was content to trust my life in His hands.
I used to be very shy interacting with a girl that I felt attracted to, and found talking to them a most difficult thing to do. At that prayer conference I saw Liesl and some of her friends a few times. I wrote “I am so nervous and hopeless at talking to these girls... esp. Liesl”
I would think about Liesl from time to time during 2013 and 2014, but in my busyness I continued putting thoughts of a relationship aside. I also felt inadequate for Liesl…
In 2014, I had the privilege of joining the literature evangelism work for the first time. I rose early that morning to spend extra time with God, seeking His special blessing on this exciting new venture. As providence had it, Emmanuel was chosen as my first canvassing teacher. We got a mixture of responses on those first few doors, from disinterest to tears of gratitude. More books than I had anticipated went out, and I was blessed by Emmanuel’s gentle and patient training as he gave me opportunity to speak on the doors too. The experiences of that day fired in me a lasting passion for this work.
The more I saw of his priceless character and devotion to God, the more I valued and admired. It wasn’t until around this time that thoughts of the possibility of a relationship with him began to be impressed more deeply on my mind, requiring a new level of sweet surrender to my loving Saviour :) At a family camp in early January 2015, I decided to open my mind to my kind father. Though my Dad was naturally very busy, I praise God for the man he is—someone to always be there when I need fatherly guidance. We quietly slipped outside together one evening for some father-daughter time. As he had many other times as I grew, he prayed with me. How precious are a father’s prayers! Little did I realise that at the very same time that evening, I was on Emmanuel’s mind :)
Early January 2015 while attending a camp-meeting I observed more closely and thought more seriously about Liesl. I observed her energy, cheerfulness, talents and devotion to God more than I had before. Liesl was very helpful, friendly and open to chatting.
At the end of that camp-meeting, in the evening I went for a walk to pray and think about the future and what God’s will was with regard to relationships. While walking I saw Liesl and her father who were spending some father-daughter time, also walking on the beautiful warm summer night. I remember the thought coming to mind, “I wonder if they are talking about me?” :) I kept walking and praying and earnestly seeking God for wisdom and guidance.
That year was a year that taught me more of the beauty of trust. I felt more convinced than before that there was no one else I had ever met in all of Australia who could win my heart, because I had never met someone whose heart-pulse was so akin to my personal desires in a passion for ministry and desire to know God personally as a Friend. Beyond this, his seemingly endless patience in various situations, his tact, his diligence and his humility, were traits I valued deeply. However, as I had always been determined to be a girl who wouldn’t initiate anything myself in these lines, but leave such matters in the hands of God, I joyfully chose to place the matter in His hands, to be given or taken as He saw fit. That year, 2015, was a year like never before to me. Unnumbered cherished hours on my knees not only increased my love for God, but also increased my desire to trust Him in all such areas of my life. What was more, I was valuing more and more the priceless privilege of active ministry. The joys of public evangelism, Bible studies, canvassing, music ministry and prayer ministry were only becoming more precious to me, and my resolve was strengthening, that my greatest desire was not to get married or anything else, but to live to serve God in whatever capacity I could. As evangelism seemed to increasingly be my passion, I had purposed to move overseas to study at an evangelism college. As the year progressed, thoughts of relationships were growing increasingly distant to my mind… distant until one day in November :)
In March 2015, my friends Tim and Andy, along with my brother Henry and I, spent a few nights at the Scheman home while we were involved in some filming at 3ABN. It was another opportunity to observe Liesl and her family. I especially noticed and appreciated Liesl’s helpfulness around the home and even the little things she did to help us guys while we prepared for the filming.
Also at the end of March, Tim, Andy, Henry and I were invited to help with music at an AYC iMPACT program being run by the youth at Dora Creek Church. Liesl asked if I could help conduct the choir for one of the items, which was also a blessing. It was another opportunity to spend some time with the Scheman family and to observe Liesl. She was one of the speakers for the evangelistic campaign, and it was a blessing to see her zeal and heart for mission and evangelism. On the last night of the program, my brother and I were going to travel back with the Scheman’s to their home. As it turned out :), their family Tarrago was full. So I waited in the parking lot for Chanel and Henry. Liesl also had to wait, giving us the opportunity of talking. We spoke for 15 minutes or so until the others came. It was just a little thing, but it was one of the first times I remember speaking one-on-one with her.
Between Music camp, July 2015 and November 2015 I was praying more and more earnestly about my future direction in regard to relationships and purposed to seek God’s will more. I spoke with my Dad and Mum quite a few times, and opened my heart to them for advice and counsel. I always said to them that I wanted their approval before pursuing a relationship.
I also believed that it was ideal to not show interest in Liesl or make anything public until I had done as many things as possible to determine if this was best and a direction that God would bless. Starting a relationship was a responsibility I didn’t take lightly.
One day in November, a lady who I admired off-handedly spoke to me glowingly about what a blessing her husband and children were to her, and that it was her great desire that I, too, would experience the joy of this someday. I smiled, thinking how sweet it is to see a wife who valued her husband so much, little realising what was just around the corner for me in God’s perfect planning ;) It must have only been a week or so later, on November 27, that Emmanuel made a very memorable visit to ask my Dad’s permission & blessing on pursuing my friendship.
In mid-November 2015, I was thinking and praying even more earnestly about what direction to take in regard to relationships and marriage.
I realise that one doesn’t start a relationship just for the excitement of it, but that this path leads to marriage, a huge decision and commitment. So I wanted to be very cautious and think seriously before taking the very first steps in that direction.
I felt though, that I needed to come to a point of decision, and so prayed earnestly about it, and talked with my Mum and Dad some more.
The decision (that I should speak with Dr. Scheman and ask permission to start a relationship with Liesl,) came when I was travelling back from Melbourne to Eastward (near Port Macquarie NSW). I wanted someone to talk to on the long drive, and so called my older brother Henry to have a chat. I think we must have talked for a couple of hours! It was a great catch-up. We shared what we had each been doing in our lives. Then I brought up the subject of relationships and shared with him what I had been thinking about and how I was seriously thinking of starting a relationship with Liesl, but still was hesitant to do so.
Then Henry shared something that helped spur me on and reach a decision to move forward. He shared that Liesl had been seriously considering taking up studies in America. This came to me as a surprise! Wow, if that was the case, and if I wanted to pursue her friendship then I should do something about that soon. He also informed me of some other things that further encouraged me to move forward.
After hanging up on that phone call with Henry, I prayed and thought for many more hours while driving North. I reached the point of decision that, Yes! I would take the first step forward and contact Dr. Scheman, to arrange a time when we could speak together. I found that first step very difficult…
It was by this time, late in the day, about 7pm. I was driving north of Sydney, and stopped as the sun was setting at a rest area (at that time of year the sun sets late). I paced back and forth in the car-park thinking and praying about making this call. I stayed there for about 45 minutes, walking around until finally I returned to the car, having made up my mind. I reached for my phone and found the right contact. Yet still I hesitated. Where would this one phone call lead? Would I be able to say the right things? Was this the first little step that would ultimately lead to a committed relationship? Many more questions and thoughts flooded through my mind. I waited for quite a few more minutes… my fingers hovering over the call button. Finally, rising above my nervousness, I called that number. To my combined relief and disappointment, it rang through to the answering machine!
Starting the car again, I continued driving north. After about 20 minutes, I repeated the above process. Stopped at a rest area, deliberated about calling for a few minutes, called the Scheman’s home number, and went through to the answering machine! I did this once more 20 minutes later with the same result.
Finally, just before 9pm, I decided to make one final attempt of calling for that day :). After ringing a couple of times, Dr. Scheman answered the phone. After exchanging some pleasantries, I asked if I could visit on my way back down South in a week’s time. He kindly said yes, that would be fine. Then I said that I had something I wanted to chat with him about, and asked if he would have time for that. Again he said, yes that would be fine, and we ended the call.
What a sigh of relief! The wheels of change had begun to turn, and a journey was about to begin.
Speaking with Dr. Scheman a week later (27th Nov, 2015) was one of the most difficult things for me. I was very nervous. But he put me well at ease, and we had a good discussion about Liesl and relationships. He said he wouldn’t say no to me pursuing her friendship, which I was very happy and relieved about! :)
I was not present the evening he spoke to my father, but shortly after his visit to my family's farm, he sent me an email. He presented his request to me: “Liesl would you be willing to consider this possibility, and pray about it?” What was my surprise to discover that he had been praying about me and quietly observing for years! Seeing his restraint increased my respect for him. My mind was racing as I read and re-read the email. It was a still night, and I went up to the roof to lay the matter in prayer. Over the next day and a half, I re-prioritised my time, spending several hours on my knees and several more hours on the phone to my family. I also re-looked at the first section of “Adventist Home.” Upon being reminded of the words, “Let woman give herself to Christ before giving herself to any earthly friend,” I decided now was the time for personal recommittal, writing in my journal “…and so this moment I renew my commitment to Thee.”
On December 2, I sent my reply:
“ Some time back, I had laid the concept of a deeper friendship with you in the hands of Him Who knows me better than I know myself, to be given up or back as He should see best. Of late, thoughts of any relationships have been quite distant from my mind, content that He could and would do all things well, whatever that might be :)
On reading your last email, I've spent many hours in prayer & in counsel with both my dear parents and Chanel individually, and feel at perfect peace with pursuing a deeper friendship and letting Him guide, wherever that may lead.
I will continue to pray for His guidance and wisdom in this matter. May His will be done...
"For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide" "
And thus, a new leaf was turned: the commencement of a new and precious chapter in the journey of our lives.
Seeing the nervousness and courage it took to speak with Dr. Scheman, I thought of an easier approach in asking Liesl initially. An email :)! And I thought it would give her more time to think about things and reply, rather than putting her on the spot.
After sending the email, it was a nervous 24 hours waiting for her response :)Š. I was jubilant, happy and feeling very honoured by her response, and willingness to begin a relationship.
The following weekends, our paths crossed for various ministry commitments across NSW-QLD, from the AMEN conference, to Kingscliff church for canvassing and then family camp. After flying into QLD for the canvassing program, Emmanuel and I had the opportunity for some precious time to talk and pray together, committing our lives and our friendship together to God. It was a moving moment for me.
Just over a week later, he joined my family for a sweet time in NNSW hiking and enjoying getting to know each other better. From rainforest walks to finding an octopus in a rock-pool at the beach, it was a special time I valued very much. I don’t think I can ever forget a particularly memorable conversation on a waterfall/rainforest walk, where he led our conversation to times when God grew particularly dear. The more time I spent with him, the more convinced I was that he was a man of God, and one who naturally arrested my respect and admiration.
The first time we saw each other, after those communications via email was at the AMEN conference. I was quite nervous and unsure what to say at times. Early one of the mornings, I walked down to the beach and then sent her a text asking if she would like to come for a walk on the beach. She replied with a happy yes! And we went for our first walk together :)
New Year’s Day arrived, and with it, a sweet message from the top of Mt. Warning :) While I was unsure what the future held, my heart was full of gratitude for the blessings I was already experiencing, and I was grateful to be able to commit this year into those faithful Hands that had guided so far :)
The 29th of January brought with it one of the most successful surprise plans in our relationship :) It was Friday afternoon. I was in the kitchen putting some fresh bread dough into the oven. I had wanted to invite a lady friend to join us for Sabbath lunch, and was surprised by my mother’s lack of interest in the idea. She is a very generous and hospitable lady, which made her disinterest surprising to me. Little did I realise what was going on ;) I went to talk to Dad, but had only begun when there was a knock on the door. He promptly sent me to answer the door. Thinking it was my cousin, I went and opened the door… What was my surprise to realise it was Emmanuel! I felt nearly speechless with amazement. Dad soon came to the door, reminding me to invite him in ;) As Emmanuel lived 4 hours away, and in our conversations each day that week, he had given me absolutely no indication that we would meet up, it came as a complete surprise. In fact, he had other plans which he cancelled so that he could visit. Upon arriving, Emmanuel invited me to go for a walk together to my prayer spot. What a beautiful season that was! When he left, he gave me a hand-made origami envelope. Upon opening it after he left, I read two very precious letters. Amongst the other sweet things he wrote, he said, “I believe that plant of heavenly growth sprouted a couple of new leaves this weekend. :)” The sweet concept of the growing plant was based on the thought in the inspired quote: “Love is a plant of heavenly origin”. This thought became a theme for our relationship’s growth. During our courtship, he gave me a collection of hand-made envelopes, the first of which had a picture printed on it of a seed with a little shoot, progressively growing with each new envelope until our engagement bud :) Over the months which followed, I was delighted by the new-found joys of growing together. Through his love, I learnt more about the depth of God’s love.
As we began to grow closer together, I often tried to think of special things and surprises that I could do to show my love. There is a line of a hymn that I really like:
“I love thee, I love thee, and that thou dost know. But how much I love thee my actions will show.”
This is so true with our relationship with God, and also our relationships with each other. While visiting one weekend at the Scheman home, I said to Liesl that I wouldn’t be able to see her the following weekend because I had commitments. During the week however, I was able to cancel those commitments and thought I would come up as a special surprise. The look on her face as she opened the door and saw me was priceless!!! I will never forget it. :)
That weekend, I said those three words, “I love you” and gave her a special envelope with some notes. I have never said those words to any other young woman, and it was sweet to have reserved them for the one who I believe God had intended for me.
My journal entries from around this time express some of the joy this dear man brought to me: :)
February 3: (referring to our daily phone calls) ~ “I have an exhausting amount of things to do in my days… But I work through my days with motivation, because I have an incentive :) I can push through the day better when I think of the ‘reward’ at the end of the day: Emmanuel time :) How I love the time to pour over Ephesians together! How I love the time of prayer together! And how I love the opportunity to share together!
"This life is often exhausting… But if I keep my mind on the ‘reward’ at the end, I have an incentive - an incentive dearer than all the incentives in the world!
“Sweet Jesus, as I onward press, keep my mind on heaven and the bright hereafter with You.”
During early 2016 while Liesl continued studies at the Sydney Conservatorium, every Sabbath we would meet either at the SAN Wahroonga ready to go together to church, or in the afternoon at a park or some botanical gardens where we could spend time together. I have many sweet memories of these times and afternoons sharing with each other.
While Liesl was in Sydney, we wrote a lot of notes to each other. It was a sweet coincidence the first time we wrote a note for each day of the week for each other! At exactly the same time on Friday evening, unbeknown to each other we were busily writing these notes. The next Sabbath Liesl told me, “I have a special envelope for you with a note for each day of the week.” I replied with surprise, “So do I!!” :)
That envelope he gave had lots of tiny colourful hand-made envelopes inside :) How sweet to be greeted the next morning: “Good morning sweet princess!! I’m thinking of you… Apply yourself to your studies today. Love you a lot ‘…His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is thy faithfulness. … therefore will I hope in Him.’”
Through many letters, many poems and daily phone calls to talk, pray and memorize together, we learnt much about each other as the priceless plant of love which God had planted grew :) He also spent much time travelling to visit me on weekends as I worked towards finishing my studies.
Accepting an invitation to work where he was at Cedarvale, I joyfully looked forward to the time when we could see each other more! My journal entries from this time of waiting express best my thoughts:
“I live in sweet anticipation, awaiting the time I can move to where he is. I’m in the city, but it’s only a little while :) … The thought of the planned ‘hereafter’ gives me a new joy and motivation in things that would ordinarily seem somewhat mundane. And thinking about these thoughts this evening, I’m reminded of the keynote that gives pulse and joy to our pilgrim hearts ~ in a little while we’re going home… home to be with our Beloved: sweet Jesus. It’s a thought so full of sweetness to while away the time here in Sydney, that it’s only for a little longer. And it’s a thought so full of everything to while away the time here in our pilgrim journey, that it’s only for a little longer. Ah! may heaven ever be my motivation & joy throughout the remainder of my time here! For I’m living in sweet anticipation ~ the sweet anticipation of when I shall be with my Beloved Saviour forevermore in that land of endless delight!"
Finding that Cedarvale had a position available in the Kitchen, was an opportunity for us to be closer together. I was delighted when she said she would be happy to come, and when Cedarvale accepted her for the position.
We are both so blessed and privileged to work at this beautiful place and share the special time in our lives here.
Moving to Cedarvale Health and Lifestyle Retreat was a privilege which I am grateful for & which I am continuing to be blessed by :). It facilitated the deepening of our friendship. Living 10 minutes walking distance away from my sweetheart is a delight (not to mention what a joy and blessing it has been to me working with this precious ministry and learning new kitchen skills ;).
I was considering proposing to Liesl on her birthday, which was the 1st of July, but due to being so busy, I didn’t get the chance to ask Dr. Scheman or plan anything.
Right after Music Camp, I asked Dr. Scheman again if I could speak with him. Again I was very nervous (although not as much as the first time). I was so happy and relieved when he gave me permission to propose to Liesl. I felt like the happiest man on earth!
The 23rd of July will always have a special place in my mind. Liesl didn’t suspect anything when I suggested that we go to the Australian Botanic Gardens at Campbelltown after church on Sabbath. We had done that many times before, and had some sweet memories shared there. After a beautiful picnic lunch, we walked up a little hill overlooking the gardens to our favourite spot. There we talked, read and prayed together until the sun was low and Sabbath almost spent. After finishing prayer, we were kneeling together and I said that I had something special for her. I pulled out an envelope which had printed on the front, the latest development of our ‘plant’. A rose had begun to bud on the top. In the envelope was a letter in which I expressed how precious she had become to me and how much she meant to me. At the end, I wrote a P.S., I’ve got something I want to ask you.
I was very nervous, and it took still what seemed like a long time for me to pluck up the courage to ask that life-changing question. So much was racing through my mind. So much hangs upon this one question. Happiness, and eternal consequences are here involved…
Eventually, looking into her eyes, I asked, “Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” was her quick reply.
At that point I was quite overwhelmed and the only thing I could say over and over was, “Thank you sweetheart! Thank you!”
On July 23, Emmanuel and I decided to have a picnic lunch and afternoon together at the Australian Botanic Gardens. After lunch by the lake, we spent time reading “Adventist Home” and talking together. With the afternoon cheerfully progressing, he drove me to another place in the gardens where we could go for a walk. I had suggested we go to a special spot on one of the grassy hills which had sweet memories for us from a visit earlier in our relationship. After walking to the top, we spent more time reading together, followed by a sweet season of prayer. The gradually setting sun was making the panoramic view one of rich beauty. As I prayed, I again committed our relationship to God, seeking His continued guidance and blessing. As we knelt side by side, at the conclusion of our prayer time he gave me an envelope. For the first time, the plant printed on the front had a little red rose bud on it. Written beside it were the words: “To My Princess”. Guessing what was happening, I hastily opened the envelope and read the message inside:
“Dearest Sweetheart, Oh how my love for you has grown the last (almost) 8 months! You are so precious and dear to me. Thank you for your love, affection, and sweetness. You truly are my Princess!! honey, you are my closest earthly friend… I pray that our friendship will only deepen. There is a great work for us to do for God. Let us put our shoulders to that work, & never look back!! Sunny-shine, Sweetheart, Possum, Honey, Darling, Sweetie, Blossom, Gem, Treasure, Princess, and every other sweet name that I could think of Liesl, I Love You! And… I would like to ask you something <3"
Upon being asked that precious four-word question which changes the course of life, my joyful, honoured reply was, “Yes!”
Truly, God makes all things beautiful in His perfect time! What a blessing to be able to pledge my love and life to this man I have grown to love and respect as a man of God and dearest earthly friend! How joyful the anticipation that fills my heart, as I look forward to the 27th of November - exactly one year since that memorable visit gaining my father’s permission and blessing on our relationship :) To me, the calling to become his helpmeet someday soon is one of the highest honours I could be asked. I feel like one of the most blessed girls in all the world… Through the deepest earthly ties my heart has known, I am growing to see deeper glimpses of God’s wondrous love.
We serve a wonderful and beautiful God - a God who loves us with an everlasting and tender love. I have learnt much about His love, through my relationship with Liesl.
I have been overwhelmed and surprised by the sweetness of our friendship. It is beyond what I ever could have imagined. It has made me think… What a beautiful God we serve! God designed humans to experience love for each other in this way. I have gained a new appreciation and love for our Creator.
I am indebted to my Saviour and Creator. He created me and gave me a mind to think and strength to work. And now I have a new priceless gift for which to thank Him: my beautiful fiancé.
Our hearts are filled with gratitude to the Giver of all. We rejoice to commit our lives anew to Him—together. Looking back on God's leading and the precious lessons of trust and sweet surrender over the years leading up to this point, we rejoin with the Psalmist in the sweet refrain of our hearts, “I will sing unto the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me."
