I still had a lot to learn. In my spiritual immaturity, I didn’t always walk wisely. I battled an eating disorder through high school, and equated morality with spiritual maturity. I had dreams of becoming educated, successful, and wealthy (all by the world's standards).
On November 8, 2002, while junior in high school, I met Stephen Powell. I will never forget the two things that first drew me to him: he wore a true love waits ring and could sing! As I got to know him, I quickly fell head-over-heels.
During the summer of 2005, Stephen and I went on a mission trip to Montana. We worked with at-risk youth and helped with construction. It was on this trip, doing ministry beside my future husband, that I knew THIS was what God had planned for me. God wanted me to give up my big dreams and devote everything to his work. So, we both moved to Graceville to attend the Baptist College of Florida in the spring of 2006. We planned to get married in 2008, after college, but couldn't wait. We were engaged the spring break of 2006 and married on August 4, 2006.
That first year of marriage was so wonderful we did not even realize how absurd it was for two full-time college students to be married with only one part-time job income. We lived three and a half hours from parents, so we learned A LOT on our own. I remember doing laundry in our tub and washing and reusing Ziploc baggies to save money! God grew us in that first year; we learned so much. It was perfect.
In 2007, Stephen began his first position at a nearby church. He was the part-time music minister. He served there for 2 years. Our time there was a big learning experience for both of us. With a heavy heart, Stephen resigned from this church in January of 2009. We entered into a time of waiting on our next ministry opportunity.
In May 2009, God bought us to First Baptist Church of Vidalia. We moved here on May 18, it was such an exciting day. Our ministry here has been so sweet. We love serving this church and community!
I am currently teaching 6th grade math at a local Title 1 School. So, if you see me write about "my kids" these are the ones I am referring to!
In 2010, Stephen and I felt it was time to add children to our family. We conceived in September, but experienced the pain and grief of a miscarriage in November.(Read about it here.) We experienced two more miscarriages in May of 2011 and September of 2011. We pray the God will grace us with children in His timing.
I pray you stay tuned to read the rest of the story. I know God will do exceedingly greater things in us and through us than I can even imagine. Through this blog, I will be honest and open about my failures and struggles, and I will do my best to challenge and motivate you as together we strive to be more like our Savior.
