I was ready to can this USS idea, regardless of how unique it looked on paper. It simply didn’t fulfill the basic requirement of a sunset. And the last thing I wanted was to compromise on the twin guidelines. And I had only a couple of days left to rethink and redesign a proposal that promised to be just as memorable.

Before I continue, maybe I should provide some context into the kind of schedule I had that week. My hectic calendar multiplied the level of difficulty I had organising this proposal.

I sat for an exam on Monday morning and spent the bulk of the preceding weekend studying for it.

On Tuesday evening, I led bible study for my cell group and had to prepare the lesson.

On Wednesday evening, I led worship for J333 (a church prayer meeting) and had to rehearse for it.

On Thursday, I celebrated Huiyi’s birthday together with her family over dinner and I planned it.

And Friday was D-Day. Spending the entire Friday together in USS meant that I didn’t have the daytime to plan for the evening’s proposal and the night’s engagement party.

AND… I also planned for a surprise birthday party for Natalina on Saturday evening.

AND… I chaired a youth conference planning meeting on Sunday.

AND… This takes the cake… I preached in BOTH youth services that weekend…

It’s an understatement to say that I was on fire. It’s amazing how efficient I was that week. It must have been the grace of God working in what seemed to be the longest, most challenging yet more eventful week of my life!

Next chapter: the other ideas that were rejected.