October 16, 1965 was an especially beautiful fall day. It was also our wedding day. Was I nervous? When I think back to that day, I am sure I was more nervous than I let on. Next to getting saved, picking a wife was the next biggest decision in my life and it was nervewracking. I had been on the road in evangelism with my brother Lowell and his wife Connie for four years. I had met young ladies from all over the US and Canada and of course, yes…I was "on the hunt" for my life's mate. Think about it-who would want to marry someone who literally had nothing, owned nothing but a horse and was called to full-time ministry. Then because of the popularity of the Lundstroms in the 1960's who I traveled with as a bass player and singer, bus driver, mechanic, I also had the fear and concern that someone would want to marry me because of what I did, who we were at that time and that I was "on stage". Were they dazzled by the limelight rather than in love with me? Where could I go where I could find the right one…the one God had for me. I was saved at 13 and knew I was called into ministry. I knew I needed someone who had the same calling who would be willing to have nothing, be without a home, extras, finances, and move into an old beat up 35' Flexible bus without heat, air, bathroom, refrigerator, electricity….and to top it off be willing to live arm to arm with another couple and two little children. Who would be willing to be with me, stand with me, support me in marriage AND ministry and be willing to work hard behind the scenes with little or no applause? Where was she? Where would I look for such a gem? I was scared and frustrated. I was totally dependent on God-because only God knew who in their right mind, called of God could love and support me in that often-crazy on the road lifestyle for eleven months out of each year.
After traveling for 2 ½ years, meeting dozens of options, I know that I hadn't met "the one" yet. I was desperate to know God's will and for Him to lead me to my life's mate. Coming back home off a five month tour, we attended our little home Assembly of God church in Sisseton, SD, where we had all come to Christ. After the morning service, we all walked out and my brother, Lowell and his wife Connie and I were in his blue Rambler station wagon. This Gloria Brooks (who was now 19 years old) walked up to the car and began to visit. When she walked away, Lowell said to me, "Larry, why don't you take out that Brooks girl?" I am thinking, "You've got to be kidding…a girl from my home town and home church. My rival in youth group growing up. God, surely after I've traveled all over, you have a multi-talented girl from a big city chosen for me." I decided with God's prompting and Lowell's to take her out just for the fun of it. We did. After talking for hours, we found that we both had the same calling to evangelism and ministry. I sat in awe as it felt like a missing piece to the puzzle of my life was being placed in my hand. The next two years were very intense as we both sought God's will for our lives and futures. We grew in love (as falling in love implies a stumbling affair). The more we prayed and sought God, the more I fell in love with her and the clearer it became that God had a special plan for our lives…together.
The rest is history! I am so grateful and thankful that He brought us together. I love her so much and appreciate her love and dedication to me, our family and ministry. Most of all, I love her unwavering faith and trust in God. God joined the right two pieces together.