First Year Married

Today, July 31st, 2011, marks our one year anniversary. Many want to tell you bad things about marriage... that the first year is the hardest or that it gets worse the older you get. Keeli and I share a heart to see others excel. Our vision, our work, and our ministry is to help effectively position others to succeed and live an abundant life, both in the home, school, and workplace.

One of the key principles we live by is Matthew 6:10: Your kingdom come, your will be done... on earth as it is in heaven.

In heaven, there isn't a recession, lack, poverty, sickness, pain, or depression. We seek to go from glory to glory, together with the Holy Spirit and with each other. Our heart is for the nations to know Jesus Christ through a demonstration of His abundant love and tangible power. Because we have said, "Yes!" to Jesus, He is opening doors for us to go from great to greater.

Proverbs 18:22: A man who finds a wife has found a good thing and receives favor from God.
A year ago, I was unemployed. Today, I work for an amazing non-profit organization that aids people around the world with disasters. When we had no insurance for Keeli's pregnancy, the insurance came in a promotion that took affect soon after. He is the God who is more than enough. God's plan covers us and His will for our lives is good. Saying, "Yes," to Jesus positions you for blessing as you go where He sends you.

The last place we know Jesus told us to be was at Appalachian State to plant Immersion Church. This is where we will be until Jesus says to move elsewhere.

I take my vows to Keeli seriously. I love her to no end and she loves me. I never doubt it, nor do I fear that her words aren't to be trusted. The fruit we have seen in one year is for God's glory as we search out the treasures he has for us together.

We didn't move in with out parents (Never do that when getting married!) and we didn't have but a little money saved from working for the 2010 Census. Most of our savings went towards our honeymoon and deposits for our "cute" round home by the river. But God opens doors that no man can close and, in doing so, we had some amazing experiences...

-Honeymoon in Charleston, a cruise from Tampa, FL to the Cayman Islands and Cozumel, ending with a night in Savannah, GA.
-Moved into our first home.
-Continued equipping students of Immersion Church on Appalachian State's campus.
-We received wonderful jobs we enjoy.
-Keeli's first NFL game (Carolina Panthers vs. the San Fransisco 49ers) which happened to be one of two victories the Panthers had that season.
-Our first NHL game (Nashville Predators vs. St. Louis Blues).
-Our first holidays and birthdays together were full of traveling and great people.
-Ignite Ivy Conference at the C.S. Lewis College in Northfield, MA. This was the beginning of something friends who had poured into Boston for over 20 years had never seen: Ivy League students from several schools baptized in the Holy Spirit and united in Christ's love and power.
-Closer Conference in Boston, MA with Rolland and Heidi Baker, Bob Johnson, Kris Valloton, and Lance Wallnau.
-Disneyland in Anaheim, CA is where we rode our first roller coaster married... Space Mountain.
-San Diego Zoo and the Pacific Ocean.
-Promotion to full time with benefits
-Moved into our second home... an upgrade from the first!
-Montego Bay, Jamaica to equip a team from Georgia for evangelism and ministered in the nation to people in the streets, disabled children in an orphanage, and a local church.
-Of all the amazing things, the most exciting news of our lives was May 27, 2011 when we learned we were going to be parents!

When you're with someone you love unconditionally and you share a vision, the Lord will see it through. Saying, "Yes," to Jesus and Keeli was the best thing I ever did!