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Greg’s version taken from an email sent by Greg on January 20, 2003 (see Beth’s version below)

Since Capitol Hill Baptist Church is in D.C. and seems to draw young people, it also makes the Church very transient, and there are always folks coming and going. Therefore, every summer the church usually gains a few people who are interning in the Washington area. In early June 2002, I happened to meet a beautiful young women named Beth Croft after Sunday service. She introduced herself as Scott’s sister. Scott is an Elder at the Church and a good friend of mine. I had no idea he had a sister, but here she was. Beth was an intern at a hospital in Washington serving as a chaplain and doing crisis counseling to victims of cancer, gun shot wounds, stabbings, etc.  She spent the entire summer seeing the inner-city violence of D.C. up close and personal–quite the experience. Beth grew up in southern Indiana and went to Taylor University in Upland, IN where she played collegiate volleyball.

Over the course of the summer, Beth and I became good friends. We always seemed to be hanging out with the same people from church and going to the same social events. We played volleyball with the same group, went to the beach with the same group, and hung out on many weekends with the same group! Needless to say, we began to find ourselves having wonderful conversations with each other in the midst of our activities with friends. While spending time with her, I was able to observe her commitment to living out her faith in Christ. I knew she had a passion for God’s truth when she told stories of having to stand up to false views of God and religion she encountered by the other hospital chaplains. She loved CHBC and was committed to hearing God’s Word preached and taught all summer. Every time I was at our church services she was there. I was truly attracted to her commitment to godliness. The more I spent time with her, the more I was drawn to her and wanted to be with her. Beth’s outgoing personality, joyful laugh, and care for others is evident and attractive. She loves to have long conversations about anything from theology to sports and puts up with my directness and my lack of style. I began asking other folks in the church about her–mainly our pastor and associate pastor who knew her well since she lived with our associate pastor, Michael, and his family all summer. I was hesitant about getting too excited about Beth, because I knew she was leaving at the end of the summer, and by the time I got to know her the summer was almost over. I figured it was too late to start something and a long distance relationship didn’t seem ideal either.

This mindset would change, however, when I spent several hours installing a new surround-sound stereo system in our pastor Mark’s study. I began discussing Beth with him and his immediate response was… “you and Beth”… “I think you two would be perfect!” I was taken back by Mark’s certainty since he was a man whose judgment I trusted and didn’t think he would have such resolve, but he did. I asked about the distance, but he said it shouldn’t be a factor especially since I had such strong feelings for her. So with my pastor’s approval and the endorsement from several others, I knew I needed to talk to Beth soon about my feelings for her and my desire for us to court. Beth was someone I knew had the potential to be my wife, and I wanted badly to see if she would be willing to begin a relationship.

So on the last Sunday she was in town, Beth and I had a long conversation. I let her know my feelings for her and my desired intentions for us if she was willing. The question was… was she willing? Beth appreciated me coming to her and was shocked in my interest only because she hadn’t seen me be overtly flirtatious during the summer. She said she would need some time to think and pray about it, and I told her she needed to get back to me soon since there wasn’t much time left before she went to Louisville.

The next Wednesday we had dinner and after praying and speaking to several others about me, she was excited to say YES and begin a relationship with me. After that dinner, Beth and I began dating, and the last 5 months have been the most amazing of my life. Beth is truly a gift from the Lord. Every godly characteristic I prayed for and read in the Bible radiates from her. She loves the Lord clearly by her commitment to Church, Bible reading, prayer and journaling. Her passion has taken her to get a master’s degree in Christian counseling where she hopes to use her God given skills to help heal pain through the truth of the Christian gospel. She is athletic and attractive with a perfect smile and gorgeous curly hair. She and I have an amazing ability to communicate and understand one another. Our first date was a 12-hour car ride from D.C. to Louisville where Beth and I talked the whole way. The trip seemed like 5 minutes and we didn’t want the drive to end. I have loved leading a woman who is committed to living her life according to God’s Word and who pours out encouragement and appreciation towards me in everything I do. She is truly amazing and a gift from God. I could not ask for more!!

After 5 months, I knew this was the woman I wanted to marry. The next task was to propose. Beth and I had a trip planned to San Diego for Christmas and New years. We also had a trip planned for her to come out to D.C. on January 16th. I bought a ring and decided I would surprise her by making a surprise trip out to Louisville in between when I got back to D.C. and before she came in mid-January. After a long Christmas and New Year’s vacation in San Diego with my family, we had experienced an amazing few weeks together. We flew back to Louisville together, and Sunday evening she took me to the Louisville airport for my flight to D.C. She shed tears as she told me goodbye thinking she wouldn’t see me again for another few weeks. It was a difficult place for me, because I needed to show I was sorry to go, but really I was so excited to leave because I knew I was coming back to propose, but I couldn’t let her see that in my emotions or else the surprise would be spoiled.

After getting home on Sunday night at 1am and getting to bed at 2am, I woke up at 6:45am the very next morning and was on the road by 8am driving all the way back to Louisville. My friend Brad needed to get to Louisville for a January-term Grad school class and my friend Mathew needed his car driven to Louisville because he was starting at the seminary in the spring and needed a car. So Brad and I, in Mathew’s car, drove from D.C. to Louisville in 9 hours. We got into Louisville at 5:15pm. We went to the jeweler and picked up the ring. I dropped off Brad and went into his room to change into the suit of mine that was Beth’s favorite. My pastor, Mark Dever, was there and he and Brad prayed for me before I left.

I got in the car and headed to her house across the river. I hoped she was home but wasn’t certain. After I exited the freeway I called her on my cell phone. I told her on Sunday night at the airport, that I would be busy at work all day but would call her after work (6:30) and before Bible Study (7:00). It was 6:45pm when I called and I told her I was in the car. I asked if she was home and she said yes, so I proceeded towards her house. Beth and I talked for a bit, but as I pulled up to her house she asked if I needed to let her go so I could go to Bible study. I told her I did, but before we hung up I wanted her to go outside to find a gift I left for her on a bench overlooking the lake near her house and once she found it to call me back.

At this point, I am on the side of the house with a clear view of the benches waiting anxiously for her to come out. She came out very quickly, and she was wearing her pajamas. She looked all around the benches in the dark but then turned around and headed back into the house. I panicked a bit since I wanted her outside, so I began moving towards the benches and called out her name, “Beth!” She seemed startled and jumped at the sound of my voice. I had somehow forgotten that it was pitch black and I was wearing a black trench coat. I was probably scaring her. She responded by saying, “Yes?” as if she had no idea who called her name. In her mind, I was some dark figure walking down the yard towards the lake. As I moved closer she got even more scared and began to run inside!! I knew that she couldn’t see me at that point so I said, “Beth, it’s me…it’s Greg.” She replied “WHAT???!” and was frozen in her steps. As I moved into the light she saw it was me and for the next minute or two she strung together a bunch of jumbled words such as, “WHAT?! It can’t be! You’re in D.C.! I just talked to you! You’re on your way to Bible Study! What in the world? There’s no way! I’m so confused! How did you…what are you doing here?? I just took you to the airport last night! I don’t understand! How did you get here?!” After she finished her words of shock and confusion, I smiled and put my hands on her shoulders to calm her down and assured her I was real and that this was happening.

After I knew she was listening I told her I loved her and wanted to marry her and I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me holding out the engagement ring. Beth was SO SURPRISED, shocked, overwhelmed, and OVERJOYED!! She gave me a very excited, “YES!” She hugged me so tightly still hardly believing what had just happened. She was still in disbelief and kept trying to put 2 and 2 together for about the next 10 minutes. Every bone in her body thought I was in D.C., but now in a matter of seconds she went from “Greg’s in D.C. and probably hasn’t even looked at rings yet”…to…”Oh my Gosh, I’m engaged!” Needless to say the surprise of her life had just taken place!

After things settled down, we went inside and told her Mom and then she showered and got ready since she was in her pajamas and didn’t know I was coming into town to propose and take her out to dinner. We then headed out to Italian food and had a great dinner reliving the moment and telling her how I kept it a secret for so long. Beth is amazing, and I thank the Lord for bringing her into my life. I pray we will serve him well together.

I am SO EXCITED and CAN HARDLY WAIT TO BE MARRIED!!!

Our date is set for June 7th in Louisville-yes, THIS summer!

We plan on settling in Washington D.C. Beth will finish her degree by completing her two semesters of supervised counseling in the D.C. area.

Beth and I would appreciate your prayers for us as we prepare to serve one another as husband and wife in marriage. I’d love to hear from all of you as you have time to send updates!

Beth’s version taken from an email sent by Beth on January 11, 2003

I spent the summer of 2002 living on Capitol Hill with the associate pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church and his family. Capitol Hill is a beautiful and fascinating place by itself, but what made it an amazing experience for me was living right by and attending Capitol Hill Baptist Church. My oldest brother, Scott, and his wife, Rachel, live on Capitol Hill as well (they were less than a block from me all summer!). Scott is an elder at the church, and he and Rachel met there and were married at the church several years ago. I became very involved in the church and absolutely loved it! I met many wonderful, godly Christian young people and began to make some great friends. They were such a fun group! Among those friends was a young man named Greg Spraul….and NOW the story really gets good!!

Greg and I met in June and became friends. We always seemed to be hanging out with the same group of friends from the church. We played volleyball with the same group, went to the beach with the same group, and hung out on many weekends with the same group! Needless to say, we began to find ourselves having wonderful conversations with each other in the midst of our activities with our friends. My curiosity was definitely sparked! I watched him throughout the summer, and I knew he was a man of character that truly loved and served the Lord. BUT-I tried not to get any hopes up, because I knew I was leaving D.C. to go back to grad school in August. After all, who would want to date me knowing I’m leaving in only a few short months????

At the beginning of August, one Sunday evening after church, Greg approached me and asked if he could talk to me. Greg shared with me that he had been observing me throughout the summer, praying about me, and talking to the pastors who knew me well and seeking their counsel. He expressed his feelings for me and asked me to begin a courtship with him. He asked me to think and pray about it. After a few days of praying and seeking the counsel and wisdom from the pastors and other men in the church that knew Greg very well, I told him a very excited, “YES!”

Greg and I began dating at the beginning of August and the past five months have been amazing! When I said “yes” to him in August, I had no idea the joy that would come from knowing him and being in relationship with him! He is such a gift from the Lord. Greg is a man of such godly character and integrity. He loves and serves the Lord and His church, and he has such a humble heart. He is generous, caring, passionate, and a bold and godly leader! One of the pastors described him to me as “a natural-born, strong leader.” I have seen that to be true, and it has been such a joy and a privilege to be led by him. Throughout the last five months, I have seen and experienced in Greg more that I could have imagined in a life companion! I could not ask for more! He has cared for me so well, and he has conducted our relationship in such a God-honoring way. I am so thankful to the Lord for bringing Greg into my life and allowing our relationship to grow and to flourish as it has. I praise the Lord for lavishing His grace on us.

After a long Christmas and New Year’s vacation in San Diego, CA (his hometown) with Greg’s family, we had experienced an amazing few weeks together. We flew back to Louisville together, and Sunday evening I took Greg to the Louisville airport for his flight to D.C. I shed tears as I told him goodbye…I was so sad that he was leaving and I wouldn’t be able to see him again for another few weeks (or so I thought!) Every time he leaves to go back to D.C. it is always quite an adjustment for me. I hate saying goodbye to him even if it’s only for a couple weeks!

The next evening, which was Monday, I received my normal Monday evening phone call from Greg before he goes to Bible Study. I had been unpacking and getting myself ready for a new semester of classes which would start the next morning. He said he was in the car, and I assumed he was on his way to Bible Study. He told me that he has left a “late Christmas present” for me out by the benches by the lake by my house. He told me to go down to the lake and find the gift-when I found it, I was supposed to call him back on his cell phone. Clueless-little-me says, “Okay!” I walked down to the lake with excitement to see what Greg might have left for me. As I looked all around the benches for a gift in the dark, I realized I needed a flashlight to be able to see to find the gift. I turned around to go back to the house to fetch a flashlight. Suddenly I heard a man’s voice call out, “BETH!” It startled me and I jumped. I called out to the night air, “Yes?” I had no idea who had called my name. Just then, I saw a dark figure walking down the yard at the side of my house to the lake. At first I thought it was one of my brothers. But then, the figure started hurrying toward me. I got scared that a strange man was coming toward me quickly in the dark, so I started to run inside!! Then I recognized the voice as it said, “Beth, it’s me…it’s Greg.” I was frozen in my steps. I turned around and looked at the figure in the dark-I was completely confused. “WHAT???!” Then I saw Greg step into some light. He was more handsome than ever–dressed in a suit and his long black dress coat. My jaw fell to the ground. I couldn’t believe it was him. The next minute or two I spent saying a bunch of jumbled words such as, “WHAT?! It can’t be! You’re in D.C.! I just talked to you! You’re on your way to Bible Study! What in the world? There’s no way! I’m so confused! How did you…what are you doing here?? I just took you to the airport last night! I don’t understand! How did you get here?!” (Yes, I know I was a little slow to get it…I was just SO SURPRISED!) After I finished my rantings of shock and confusion. Greg smiled at me and brought me over to him to calm me down. I was so shocked that I thought I was hallucinating, but he assured me it was real

As I realized his presence was reality, Greg looked into my eyes and began to say words to me I will never forget. Hearing his words, I began to realize what was happening! After his words, he got down on his knee and asked me to marry him. I was SO SURPRISED, shocked, overwhelmed, and OVERJOYED!! I gave him a very excited, “YES!” I hugged him so tightly still hardly believing what had just happened. Every bone in my body thought he was in D.C. Never once did I ever think of him coming back to Louisville before my next scheduled visit to D.C at the end of January. Yet, within minutes I went from being convinced he was 12 hours away to being engaged! He knew how much I LOVE to be surprised-really surprised-and this was the best surprise of my life. His goal was to propose at a time where he would completely surprise and shock me. He outdid himself.

Needless to say, we are both thrilled and so excited to be married. Our date is set for June 7th in Louisville-yes, THIS summer! I will, Lord willing, finish my last semester of classes in May. After we’re married in June, we will be living in Washington, D.C. I hope to begin my last two semesters of my counseling internships for my Masters degree in mid-June in D.C and hope to have my degree in hand by December. It has been such a joy to be engaged to Greg and to begin to plan our lives together. I praise the Lord for giving me such an amazing gift in Greg.

Well, if you’re still reading, I’m quite impressed! I wanted to send out an update and a detailed account of all that’s been happening, especially our engagement! I hope this finds all of you doing well and growing in the grace of Christ. I think of you often and am so thankful for the influence and impact you have each had on my life. Greg and I would appreciate your prayers for us as we prepare to serve one another as husband and wife in marriage. I’d love to hear from all of you as you have time to send updates! May the Lord bless you as you seek to honor Him.