Once upon a time back in 2012 there was a music camp in Oregon. Boohers were hosting there annual camp and the Sterland and Germonds happened to be attending. But... since nothing happens by chance it is left as a general understanding that God had a grand design♡

- Danielle

I remember meeting a Danielle and that she was friends with my sister and pretty cool, but I was only 14. So I was too busy playing frisbee and catching crawdads.

John

Fastforward...

December 2019 Danielle moves to ID

February 2020 John moves to ID

Through the following years we never really hung out in the same circles but I knew of John and had several friends try to suggest him to me as a possibility. I knew he was a good guy, God-centered, and solid... but nothing ever happened. This was pretty much the same for John.

Yet God still had a plan... on September 7th, 2024 a group of us went for a fun excursion of paddleboarding/pizza on the water with friends, which John happened to be attending. That following day he visited the church I had been attending and we had a great conversation about health and life in general. Neither of us really thinking much of anything.

I started hosting bonfires and included John because (a) He had a truck (b) I was trying to set him up with a friend and (c) he was a cool guy!

As we spent time together that first drive I was like... why am I trying to set him up with someone else? Hes a lot of fun and and I hadnt realized how much we shared in common, hes a total country boy, and he offered to sharpen my hunting knives...not necessarily the way to a girls heart but it worked for me.

I got them to him the next drive we all did... I am still laughing... I ended up going hunting 2 days after Id given him my knives and got a bull elk. He texted me two hours after I got my elk down and said your knives are ready. I promptly texted him a picture of my elk. Internally wishing I could just ask him to come help pack it out. Yes, you could say similar interests!

Danielle

Meanwhile I (John) was not really in a hurry, had just bought property and was focused on developing the land. Also, at the time living in a wall tent and not really looking for a wife.

But I enjoyed the time that day:)

We did more drives in the mountains with dinner, then I started noticing this amazing woman who was good with people, adventurous, and as we had conversations, I got to see more of her depth and that we had common values. I started bringing up conversations ranging from hunting to church structure and feminism. The more we interacted, the more I appreciated the friendship and her worldview.

I started thinking, “living by myself in a tent might not be so exciting after all. I probably needed to hurry up and make more progress building a house and ask this girl out on a date”

John

This guy is the real deal, was my thought. He has character, he is kind, thoughtful, others focused, passionate for Christ and His kingdom, a leader, strong in his convictions, a country boy, good work ethic, and he makes me laugh. One time we were headed down the mountains and he was relating a story about something to do with being stuck in the mud, pouring rain, and flannel pjs... I was laughing so hard!

November came, he attended my 32nd birthday dinner with friends. December brought a fun excursion to the mountains for a Christmas tree and pouring rain. (Thank you to all who went and endured the pouring rain and cold wind chill (Katelynn and Julia) ;)

He still hadn't said anything but God was teaching me to place my hope in Him for love and a possible interest. I had peace to keep building a friendship in the little ways that I could. I made him soup and brownies and meatballs and tried to bump into him when I could without being too forward 😉 but I truly enjoyed John as my friend ♡

Around New Years Eve of this year I was really struggling to surrender the desire for a relationship with John to the Lord. I wanted to be more than friends and he still hadn't said anything which in hindsight it wasn't like Id waited that long, but still. I fought to hold on to the hope for a relationship for a couple days. Then New Years Day I said ok Lord I give up, he is yours, I'm yours, I trust you, whatever You decide. It was a beautiful decision and peace followed.

Danielle

Meanwhile I (John) at around the same time, felt the Lord had showed me that I needed to either ask this girl out on a date or back away from being so close. It sort of hit me like an epiphany. I really enjoyed her, it seemed we had very similar life foundations, we had talked a bit about worldview, and it was time to make the next move and be more intentional. I decided to look for the next good opportunity to ask Danielle on a date. That Sunday at church I was headed out to my truck to leave and noticed a container next to my truck. She had heard I was getting over a cold and had made me chicken soup. I turned around to go find her and say thank you and she was just getting ready to head out too. So I thanked her for the chicken soup and asked her if I could take her out bowling that week.

I was so excited and kinda pinching myself to make sure the moment was real. I remember texting my younger sister and being like he asked me out!!! The next 2 days I kept looking back at the text I sent to Emma to make sure it was real. lol

We went bowling January 8th and I really enjoyed the conversation. John is deep, he loves theological discussions, I appreciate his views, we see eye to eye on so many things and it was a good time. Bowling was good too and I beat him by a couple points both games haha!! We ran to the local grocery store and had gelato afterwards and talked more. A lull came in the conversation and John started off So............... so............so......... I loved getting to spend time with you and your family on New years eve and Id like to be doing that in 10 years whether we end up being together or just friends. It was a sweet moment. We then started talking more about where God was taking us as far as our individual walk with Him and if this relationship would be something that would glorify Him.

I was rather surprised but also had always liked the direct approach! God is so good to give us the desires of our heart.

Danielle

Since January 8th we have had so many fun adventures! Here are few of our favorites, but look through the picture gallery to get a better idea!

~Valentines Day we went ice fishing with his North ID niece and nephews.

~In February we tried skijoring with my mare, definitely doing that again! (pulling a skier behind the horse with a long rope. We also attended a skijoring event in Wallace.

~Working on John's place putting in fruit trees (he bought me a Asian pear tree just because I really love Asian pears. He is the best!)

~Double dates with friends and family

~Hiking with my mare to vantage points

~Doing a Kid One camp together

~Home Depot dates

~Travelled over to WA to visit Johns family

~Small group on Sunday nights

~Dirt biking with my family for Mothers and Fathers day

~Sandpoint in the 50s (old car show)

~Pre-marital counseling

~Drives in the mountains with a picnic dinner

~Paddleboarding with friends

~Camping with friends over the 4th of July

~Shooting guns and climbing trees together

~Learning how to cut his hair(havent butchered it yet, and he hasnt fired me lol

~Camp Dwight in Or

~Working on my parents place together

~He fixes things on my fifth wheel which I thought were broken, I'm so grateful he takes care of me!

This has been us the past 8+ months as we have dated and gotten to know each other better. Its been fun, so peaceful, some work, some crazy and I have loved getting to know this amazing man.

I now wish John and I could have gotten to know each sooner than we had because even though I knew he was a good guy, I never knew how good until we had the opportunity to spend time with each other last fall/winter.

Its only getting better, sweeter, deeper, and Im a blessed girl.

But... Gods timing is perfect!

I have been trusting in the Lord with all my heart through this process, leaning not on my own understanding. In all my ways acknowledging Him, and He has directed my path. My life verse Proverbs 3:5-6 personalized yet Gods wonderful gift to me.

We could keep going, because our story is so beautiful and precious to us, but for now this is enough!

We cant wait to share our wedding day with you!

We love you all!

J+D