Thu 12 Mar 2009
Dear blog readers,
It may come as a surprise to you what I am about to say. But it is mostly a surprise because I have kept from blogging most things romantic-relationship related. I just don’t pour out those kinds of feelings on this blog. However, I have dropped hints here and there, I think.
I am happily engaged to my best friend, Porter Doran. I met him last year online at a forum and have gotten a chance to meet him in person, finally, after hundreds of emails, and dozens of phone calls. We both have felt that God is calling us to this engagement. He is the most wonderful man. I have been asked what I like about him, and while I could come up with a list quite long, I can sum up what I love the most about him in two things; his heart and his trueness. He is a true lover of Christ.
I wrote up a paragraph not long ago (before I was engaged) about Porter, and I will share it here.
Porter is a genuine seeker of the truth. There is no doubt in my mind that Porter has been drawn by God himself - and Porter is answering that call, by the power of God. He is a remarkable person and I see that evidenced not only in his own life, but in the lives of people that he touches. He has encouraged me greatly in my own walk with Christ. He encourages me to draw closer to God, and to pray and read his word, and to follow Christ. Though he has probably the biggest vocabulary of any of my acquaintances, and is remarkably versed with a wide variety of literature and histories, he remains one of the most humble of all my acquaintances as well. He is kind and caring, and truly believes in love. He is always looking for good but shunning evil. He has proved to be honest and sincere, and I would trust him with my life. Probably most important of all, I believe Porter to be compassionate and loving. He is distressed to tears with the results of the fallen world. All of the things I have seen in Porter have led me to believe that he is truly a follower of Christ - a heart made new in Christ.
I love you, Porter.
Posted by Bonnie under Uncategorized
March 12th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
I love you, Bonnie bright.
It is *thousands* of e-mail, beloved — Thunderbird tells me so.
March 13th, 2009 at 3:23 am
This is certainly one of the most beautiful miracles that I have ever witnessed, from afar, and I have seen a few that I knew were improbable outcomes full of blessings. Indeed, to me, this is second only to the miracle of life itself. It is rare, but wonderful; normal obstacles cannot stand in the way of something this powerful.
I love the love you two have found in each other, since I know what it is, and have even been allowed to glimpse it for myself. Seeing, without any eyes at all, is not the easiest thing to do.
I would say you have been very wise in choosing to reveal this commitment to each other carefully and slowly, without all the fanfare and excitement, and you have truly honored just a few of us with the hints you did provide.
I should probably tell you the story of Billy and Lydia, but they never told me their last names, so I think I will forget about them. Instead, I have this story now, which does not seem to include shunning the weird old man from Oregon. That’s how lots of other stories have ended, and not happily. This story goes differently than all those other ones did, every step of the way.
–g♥
March 13th, 2009 at 9:09 am
Congratulations,
I am glad you have found such a good godly man to love. Or did he find you? 
You probably don’t remember me but I came to hear you sing once,I think it was in Keene NH, and my family and I helped you bring stuff out to your bus afterward. I think it was the summer of 07. But you have probably met so many people that it would be impossible to remember most of them. Anyway, congrats on your engagement and I am sure you and everyone who knows you is vary excited! My older sister just got engaged a month or so ago and we are very busy planning a wedding for August! Do you know yet when the date is? I understand if you haven’t gotten that far in your planning yet.
March 13th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Congratulations Bonnie and Porter! Phil and I are very happy for you. Thanks for sharing your good news with all of us.
See you in June!
March 13th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Hi Bonnie
Well written. Porter should be very proud of you, as are we, to be able to write about
what will be one of the most important decisions
of your life. Having so many opinions and advice must be a strain on your mind.
You are a very talented and wonderful person with a good head.
You have loving parents that have given you all the tools and training to
prepare you for this next step in your life.
Being the first to leave the nest is very hard for any parent, Being a girl, I assume, is
even harder.
So keep your spirit up and keep your faith on the top of your list.
We hope to meet Porter some day.
Ed & Ruby
March 14th, 2009 at 8:34 am
Bonnie,
Well we here at the Denny ranch are just wonderfully exuberant!! May God richly bless your engagement and marriage! Congratulations to you both!!
Blessings,
Rhonda
p.s. Does he also play and sing?
March 14th, 2009 at 9:07 am
I am truly and profoundly happy for you and Porter. Your relationship is rare but appropriate for two wonderful people. You deserve the best and apparently you have found it with God’s help. You and Porter have set a new standard for others to follow in a God fearing relationship. All the best to both of you.
March 14th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Oh my gosh!!
I am so happy for you two! May God bless you both to have a long, happy life together.
March 14th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Congratulations Bonnie!
Our family will be praying for you as you follow the Lord in this new chapter of both of your lives! May He bless you both!
A fellow sister in the Lord,
Megan
ps- You might not remember me but we met briefly at your concert at the Dortignac’s about a month ago. I love reading your blog. It is very full of life, the Lord and encouragement.
March 16th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Congratulations Bonnie!
Post pics soon.
March 17th, 2009 at 10:40 am
Congratulations, Bonnie! I’m sure Porter has dozens of wonderful things to admire about you, as well! I’m so excited that you will be loved and protected by a worthy man! : )