Stealth

Twas Friday evening, August 1. The place - under a porch of a cabin at Table Rock Lake. The time - 6:45 pm. The people - Greg Werner, Brandon Werner, Roger Strader and me - the oldest yet best looking of the group (I can say that because this is my blog and my story) - We sat quietly waiting the arrival of Britt Clay and Lauren Werner as they would enter the cove where we were carefully hidden. Though at times being attacked by ants and also concerned for the snake population that could be in the area, we sat scrunched in the most uncomfortable of positions. The temperature was hot, the humidity was high, but we were determined to take pictures of the event that was about to happen. The excitement was building, we struggled to stay quiet - and then - it happened. On our right two men, one with only one arm (this is true), and neither with shirts on got in a paddle boat and started across the cove. They had spotted us and I am sure they were wandering what 4 young men(?????) like us were doing hiding under their neighbor's porch. But though we were discovered, they did not reveal our position. Then in the quiet stillness of the cove, as these two men were out on their paddle boat ride, comes a massive speed boat ( well, maybe more like a fishing boat that had been used for skiing that week). In it the charming couple of Britt and Lauren came calmly into the cove and looked oddly at the pair in the paddle boat. But, not to be denied, stopped the boat, turned off the engine, but forgot to set the anchor. Lauren looked so beautiful I would have probably forgot to set the anchor myself. They talked for awhile, and we watched, and took pictures. And the two men kept paddling in their paddle boat. Then, Britt stood up, pulled out a ring, went down to one knee and proposed to the love of his life. Lauren said yes (praise the Lord) and gave Britt a big hug. Then they stood up and gave each other a hug again. One of the guys in the paddle boat yelled, "Hey, you all fishing over there" to which Britt replied a resounding "no". Then Britt pointed out to Lauren that she was on "candid camera" and the 4 good looking young men (yes, I mean us) came out from under the porch into the open to reveal our camera and our video recorder. The two fathers, with tears in their eyes (this is my blog and I'll cry if I want to), had their picture taken together with the newly engaged couple in the background. As for the men in the paddle boat, well, they must have decided that enough was enough. They paddled back over to their dock and wnet inside their cabin. As for the stealth crew, we loaded in our vehicle, retrurned to the loading dock where Britt and Lauren were waiting. The happily engaged couple went back to the cabin where the entire family greeted them with hugs and kisses and yes, more pictures. Soon, facebook was filling the internet with news of the couple's engagement, and calls were being made and received overflowing with congratulations at the announcement of the joyous news (which one Brooke Clay did announce a lttle earlier while the couple was on the lake). An evening of laughter, thanksgiving, blessing the couple from the fathers, mothers and others in attendance, and praise to our heavenly Father made this a most memorable time indeed. Sola Deo Gloria! This is one excited and grateful father. God is good!!!!!

PS - The descriptions and accounts of this blessed event are true and not embellished (too much)! For actual photos - view the facebook of Lauren Werner. Can we say "Praise the Lord - Hallelujah" - Amen!!!!!