God was good to us on July 21, 2007. That’s when Katy Mills became Katy Nyman by marrying our Hans, and today is her birthday. The Youth With A Mission “match factory” produced another marriage made in heaven for our family as Hans and Katy left their homelands (US and UK) for a six month missions project initiated in New Zealand. God brought them from opposite sides of the world to the bottom of the globe to find each other.

Since the time our children were little, I’ve prayed for their future mates who were simultaneously being raised elsewhere. I prayed for godly upbringings, loving family relationships, commitments to Christ at young ages, protection from life-scars and many other goodies. As I prayed for Hans and his eventual wife, God had his eyes on Katy. Somehow, in a way beyond my understanding, he applied my prayers to her life on the other side of an ocean, and when we met her, we were looking at God’s faithful answer.

Katy and Hans were married in Macclesfield, England, in a 400 year old cathedral-style church just outside the city of Manchester. Although Hans was sure beyond all doubt Katy was “the one” before we even met her, we seconded that vote as we got acquainted from afar. There were pictures, emails, videos, letters, and at long last, a visit when we got to put our arms around the real girl.

Katy has a sparkling personality that attracts others and makes them feel included. With a spirit of optimism and joy, she’s captivated us all. As Hans aptly described her after catching a glimpse of her at an airport gate, “There she was, in all her colorfulness!” Now that we’ve gotten to know her, we understand he meant not just her cheery exterior but her delightful inner persona, too.

Katy has a natural beauty that enables her to “get ready” in a few quick minutes, a young husband’s dream. She’s also an excellent cook and has pulled Hans into meal preparation to the point where I’ve overheard them discussing the benefits of different spices, and I don’t mean salt and pepper. “It’s like art,” Hans told me, “bringing a meal to the table in a joint effort.” This is one of the many gifts Katy has shared with our son.

Giving birth to Nicholas Nyman a year ago, a little guy who looks just like her, is a blessing that benefits us all. And I’ll never forget the day Nate and I, with Linnea, were driving home from yet another radiation treatment, feeling dispirited. The cell phone rang at an opportune moment, bringing Hans and Katy into the car all the way from England. Together they announced they were expecting twins! Our gasps and squeals banished gloom from the car as we received the bright news that two more little Nymans were being readied to join the family. And as for coping with twins, Linnea put it well that day when she said, “If anybody can handle it, Katy can!”

The most significant part of our daughter-in-law, though, is her deep faith in Jesus Christ. I remember trudging upstairs with an armload of clean laundry on a discouraging day in October, when all the medical news was bad. Hearing soft voices in the next room, I peeked through the open door. There sat Katy and Hans, knee-to-knee, heads bowed, deep in prayer. For a Christian parent, there is no greater happiness.

”I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 4)

“Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)