Shannon here: Historical romance author, Miralee Ferrell shares her first two dates with her husband and a chance to win a copy of Love Finds You in Sundance Wyoming. Comment on any post dated Sept 7 – 9 for a chance to win the drawing. Deadline: Sept 10, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Miralee:
Our first two dates
I met my husband Allen during our senior year of high school and he asked me at least a couple of times a week for two months to go out with him, but I repeatedly told him no, since he wasn’t a Christian (I wasn’t shy about telling him the reason, either). After I discovered his older brother was a committed Christian in seminary who’d been witnessing to Allen, and that Allen was open to the gospel, I decided to go out with him. Our first date was uneventful, but the second almost convinced him to run. Fast.
Let me back up a bit. When I agreed to go out Allen was thrilled, and assured me we could do anything I wanted and he’d be the perfect gentleman. He’d mostly hung out with girls at parties or at friends’ houses, and that didn’t interest me, so I suggested bowling. We had a blast. We took a walk afterwards, and when he took me home he told me it was the most unusual and fun date he’d had, then immediately asked if I’d be willing to try it again the next week. I said yes, but only if he’d go to church with me, and only if the second date could be a Christian concert I wanted to attend an hour’s drive away in Portland, Oregon. He said sure, why not.
Fast forward to the concert. He’d rarely been to church, let alone a place where a few hundred people (a large church setting) were on their feet clapping, worshiping, and singing with a Christian band. It kind of freaked him out, but he held it together until the drive home.
He was beat. He’d been working after school and having trouble staying awake, so I offered to drive. I thought he was taking a short catnap, so I turned up the radio (Christian of course) and sang along, occasionally raising one hand in the air in worship (I was still floating from the concert, LOL!). What I didn’t know was he was very much awake (eyes close) listening and occasionally peeking, and wondering if he should drop me at my house, cut his losses and not come back, or hope I didn’t get any weirder. Hope won and we went out again the following week, after attending church in-between. The poor guy didn’t stand a chance. He got saved a couple of months later and we got engaged the following year. And it wasn’t until we were engaged that he told me how close he’d come to running away on that second date, and how thankful he was that he’d stayed. I’m blessed that he did, and thankful I had the strength to stand up for my convictions which allowed him to see the Lord through me. We’ve been married 39 years now, so I guess we did something right!
About Miralee: Miralee and her husband Allen have been married 39 yrs. They live on 11 acres in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge in southern Washington State. Miralee enjoys riding her horse on the wooded trails near their home with her grown daughter who lives nearby. She’s an avid reader and has six inspirational books in print, two contemporary women’s fiction and four historical romances. She speaks at women’s groups, libraries, and churches about her writing journey. Connect with Miralee online – Facebook: www.facebook.com/miralee, Web site: www.miraleeferrell.com (you can find pictures of our research trips to the historical locations, my journey into writing, family pics and info about my books here), and Blog: www.miraleesdesk.blogspot.com.
About the book: Angel Ramirez is tired of living a lie. But can she learn to live like a lady?
On the run from a dangerous outlaw, Angel works her way across several states disguised as a boy and working as a varmint tracker and horse wrangler. After taking a job on a Wyoming ranch owned by a bachelor and his widowed sister, she finally reveals her true identity and must fight to prove her worth as a ranch hand while somehow discovering her role as woman.Hiring a woman doesn’t sit well with Travis Morgan, and the dark-haired beauty is causing a ruckus among his cowboys. Just as Angel decides she’ll never be able to please her boss, an unexpected surprise arrives from across the ocean and makes trouble on the ranch. Will Angel leave with the person who’s come so far to claim her?
Come back Sept 9 for an excerpt from Love Finds You in Sundance Wyoming.
I would love to win. Thank You for the chance.
thank you for sharing this… Miralee’s book sounds wonderful…. I can’t wait to read it 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing this story of your courtship with your now husband! I think it is wonderful that he was brought to Christ partly through your Christian influence and convictions. The book sounds right up my alley and I would love to win a copy of it!
What a wonderful testimony, Miralee! You’re right…he never had a chance. 🙂
Congrats on being married 39 years! My parents are at 42 years, and I’m so thankful for such a great legacy.
Would love to be entered for the book giveaway as well. Thanks for the opportunity!
I met you at a PNACL conference in Yakima, WA & got to hear your story of the latest book you put out about a young girl showing up on a doorstep who was the daughter of her husbands & how that happened in your real life. It was a very good presentation and I’ve enjoyed your book as well, so I would be delighted to read another of your books!
Miralee, I love your story. I am glad that he stuck to it also and did not run away. Congratulations on your 39 years of marriage.
Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks for the chance to win.
Wonderful romance story.
Luv the dress. 🙂
Gals, thank you SO much for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment. I know it takes time out of your busy day to do so, and I really appreciate it. Dawnymae, I remember meeting you at the librarians conference and I’m thrilled to see you here!
Blessings to you all….I wish you could all win a book. But if you don’t win, I do hope you’ll consider picking up a copy. I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Miralee
Ha! Your hubby meeting story sounds a bit like mine. I wouldn’t say yes to the man not being a Christian, but said he could come with me to church, and he agreed (poor desperate man:) Then he asked if we could eat afterward, and I said yes without thinking–I often went out to eat with people after church, and then I realized–gasp–he’d view that as a date! I was so flustered that I accidentally agreed to go out with him. Long story short–he didn’t have a chance either. 🙂
I loved reading about your courtship with your hubby. So romantic!
Thank you for the opportunity of winning your book. I have enjoyed reading the books of yours that I have.
Blessings,
Jo
Miralee,
What a sweet testimony~~Blessings as you and Allen continue your on your journey, and your love story! Cute retro pic. 🙂
I love that you felt free to worship with him sitting next to you. Awesome.
Melissa, I love your story! And yes, so similar to mine. What fun to remember what the Lord has done in our personal lives.
Kacy and Jo…I so appreciate you stopping by, and thank you for your sweet comments!
What a beautiful story, Miralee! I love how God has blessed you and your husband! And love the dress – what fun!
I’d love a chance to win Miralee’s book. Enjoyed your story and your dress. Thanks for the entry.
Blessings,
Sandee61