// As we approach the "month of love," I thought it would be a perfect time to share a little of my husband and I's love story with you! :)

I think it's pretty great. And a testament of God's faithfulness in our lives.

But I don't want to give away too much too soon.

Let's start at the beginning, shall we?

It was the fall semester of 2005 when I first stepped foot on a college campus. Bible college. After fighting with God on going, I finally surrendered to His call on my life for ministry (there was a lot of back and forth struggle on this that I am purposely leaving out of this post to focus on the amazingness of meeting my husband). I had been warned that boys walked around on their knees there. That girls were known for going to bible college just to get their "MRS" degrees. So I was persistent on making sure that did. not. happen. to me. I was going to avoid guys like the plague. At least single guys. Specifically eye contact, none of that.

For the first couple months weeks, I really tried. I spent lots of time with my new dorm girlfriends. Staying up too late, watching chick flicks in our 20x20 foot room. Or even going out to play a little guitar by the beautiful lake on campus. All girls. All the time. It was loads of fun.

Until I met my husband.

Well, okay... to be honest, I didn't really, actually notice him the first time I met him (I told you guys, I was avoiding eye contact). I was just shooting some hoops in the gym (okay, not the best place to be if you are trying to avoid guys) and he walked up beside me and started complimenting me on my shot and telling me I should be in the "WNBA." Seriously, funny guy. (I mean, I know I'm good and everything... but I gave up on my basketball dreams a long time ago when I stopped growing past 5'3''). I didn't tell him all that. No, in fact, I gave him the cold shoulder! Yep. Didn't even respond.

To be honest with you guys, I don't know why. Because, I am naturally an overly-friendly person. Some guys often mistook me as flirty (unfortunately). This is one of those times I look back on as a testament to God really opening my heart for my husband when it was the right time.

And it came. It sure did. About two months later, while playing a game of very competitive flag football. I was one of two girls (okay, okay... I had given up on completely avoiding guys by this point!) on my team called "The Temptations" and we were playing Josh's team, the "Cheeky Monkeys."

It was love at first sight this time.

I literally felt myself drawn to him. This guy, that could catch the football like it was nothing, who walked around making jokes and hiking his pants up to his chest. Yes, this guy was my dream man.

I made myself more available over the next few days. Just hanging out on campus a little longer, eating in the student center, actually going to the library (because I needed to study he was there). And believe it or not, he noticed me back. (It wasn't until later that I knew he had already noticed me, much sooner). It wasn't too long and we were spending time together in group outings. The great thing about a small campus is we already had mutual friends, so that was fun.

It only took a couple weeks of these group outings, before he finally asked me out on a date. Okay, he didn't call it that. And we're probably the only two people in the world who spent their first date at a high school football game (besides, well, high schoolers). But that's what he wanted to do on his friday night. Attend a football game, two hours away, to cheer on students in his youth group (he was already a part-time student pastor at 21). And he wanted me to come.

Uhhh... like I said, dream man.

(continue reading...)

Last week I had one of the most inspiring talks with my husband over dinner. He encouraged me, spurred me on and ignited a desire in my heart that honestly, hasn't been there in awhile.

He said I needed to stop limiting God.

We both have a huge passion for encouraging people. It's one of the main reasons we blog. And while there is little that can discourage him from this passion, a lot of times I get discouraged very easily. "I'm not going to write that. I don't want to annoy people. Who cares what I have to say anyway?" And I tell him all of my discouraging thoughts. Frequently. About blogging, about music, about being a mom. I struggle with defeating myself before I even try sometimes.

But he keeps encouraging me. Telling me that what I'm doing matters. And that words like that, limit God and what He can do. And after our talk last week, I finally believed it!

I  know there are at least a few of you out there who read what I write. But who you are and what you think about it, I don't always know. I want to know.  I want to know what you are going through, how God is working in your life, if you feel far from Him and how I can encourage you more. Because I've been there. I have shared so many of my struggles on this blog and some I haven't even touched. Because I'm scared. Because I don't think it matters.

But He reminds me that it does. And through the voice of my husband tells me not to give up.

Just wanted to share a recent message that Josh gave at Source (our student ministry at Church @ the Springs). Even though it was intended for students, I felt like I needed this reminder as well! Hope you enjoy. :)

*The video blacks out after the bumper (from :44-1:23) so feel free to skip ahead or grab something to eat. :)

Doin Work Series - "Faith Works" from Source Student Ministries on Vimeo.

Main Point: Show your faith by helping someone in need.

“What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions?” James 2:14. The big question for the night was, “If you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” Sometimes we know just the right “Christian” thing to say, don’t we? Our prayers sound fancy, but they lack a humble heart. We wear the Christian T-shirts that says, “Jesus is my homeboy” or “God answers Knee-mail!” Maybe even a Jesus fish on your bumper. What are we doing to show our faith to people in need? We learned that we cannot earn salvation (Ephesians 2:8-10). We are not saved by good works but saved FOR good works! If you are a follower of Christ, it should be completely obvious! Students were encouraged to find practical ways to serve others this week!