Mark has been talking to his pastor

She has matured greatly since meeting Mark. She still acts pretty silly at times and Mark can be a monkey too LOL but there has been a tremendous difference in her since they started dating. Her self esteem has blossomed more than you can ever imagine. If you read any of my other discussions you will find out about a bad experience she had last July. That experience left her badly traumatized and her self esteem and self confidence bottomed out. But meeting Mark has changed all of that. He knows about what happened to her and has been a tremendous support to her. Here is the link to that discussion so you can read it and understand what I'm talking about: http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/1200386.aspx and this is an update on that discussion: http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/1417224.aspx God sent Mark into Amanda's life at a point when she really needed someone, I have no doubt of that whatsoever. God Bless hon!!!

Oh my, that is terrible. Did the man ever spend any time in jail? I sure hope so.

Hi Lucy, unfortunately he hasn't spent any time yet. When she had to go to court the first time we were praying that he would go ahead and plead guilty. If he had at that time he would have only had to spend 90 days in jail. But since he is fighting it the people at the courthouse told us that if this next judge finds him guilty, which we are all pretty sure that he will, that the guy may have to spend up to one year in jail. Please pray for Amanda. She will have to go back to court on August 18th to face him again unless he pleads guilty at the pretrial date on August 8. I'll let you know how that goes.

He does sound like a really great guy and I wish your daughter the best.

Bless you Rozie, I hope and pray that God will send the perfect gentleman into your life that will make you happy!! I know Amanda was probably getting ready to give up herself and Mark has told her and me that he thought God had forgotten about him before he met Amanda. He told me that he had pretty much adjusted to the fact and said "Well Lord, if it isn't your will for me to marry then that is okay." He said then Amanda came along. I told Amanda that the two things about Mark that I like the most are: 1. He loves and cares for her very much. It is very plain to see. 2. He takes mine and my husband's feelings into consideration. For example, before he ever took her to Mississippi to meet his family members he told her "Make sure you ask your Mother and Dad to make sure it is all right with them." Another example, he is wanting to take her to his family reunion in August so she can meet more of his family members. He told her to make sure and check with us first to be sure we don't mind. You just don't meet too many men like him now days. I hope you can meet someone just like him!!! God Bless hon and have a terrific day!!!

I agree with you Gaby, they need to wait at least a year since they have been dating such a short time. But do you think it sounds like he is getting more serious? I'm just curious to your overall feelings about it? Thanks hon!!!

Yes it most certainly does sound like it and I am sure they will be very happy to I am so happy for Amanda she really deserves this

Hi Amber!! Yep it seems that way. Amanda and I were talking some more last night and she said that Mark had apparently been talking about his feelings for her to his pastor when this converation came up. Amanda also told me that Mark told her Friday night "Don't you go and fall in love with another guy when you start to UNA." That is the college where Amanda will be transferring to after she graduates next spring. Amanda told him "That isn't going to happen." When Amanda told me this she burst into tears. She is worried because he is so afraid that he is going to lose her. I told her that he can't help but be insecure. Before he met her he had never had anyone who cared about him and he is just afraid of losing a good thing. I told her that men have insecurities just like we as women do. The only advice I could give her was to just keep assuring him that she loves him whenever he brings that up and one day he will be able to rest easy. Mark is lonely, he is 38 years old and he is getting ready to settle down, I just know that it why he is so concerned. I know Amanda is mine, but I truly believe she is the best thing that has ever happened to him and God is working things out. I don't know when but I firmly believe he will be asking her to marry him and I really don't think he will wait as long as he says he wants to. I'm just having to keep praying myself and leave it in God's hands, because it is their life. My self has to stay out of the way. God Bless hon and please keep praying for them and for me too that I will be able to give Amanda the advice she needs when she needs it. Also pray that Mark will have the wisdom he needs. I don't mind talking to him at all if he wants to talk to me but I don't say anything to him about it because I don't want him to think I'm trying to shove he and Amanda together. I just feel like sometimes he needs a mother figure also to be able to talk to, although his pastor's wife will talk to him too, I'm sure, if he needs her to. Thanks for listening hon!!

It sure seems to be, although Mark still says he wants to wait for 2 or 3 years. I think he is trying to give Amanda time to finish college, but I honestly don't think he will wait that long about asking her to marry him. But he may fool me LOL!! Amanda said she is willing to wait no matter how long it takes. She really loves him!!