A different kind of love story

Once upon a long time ago, there was a young American man who fell deeply in love with the Lord and wanted to serve Him wherever the Lord might lead. He joined Youth with a Mission while still a teenager and left his home in the Midwest to travel the world, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ in 17 countries, visiting far off places like Switzerland, Lebanon, Thailand and Turkey. He endured days without food, was thrown in jail, threatened for his faith, and saw many, many miraculous signs and wonders, doing amazing things for the Lord and loving every single moment of his live given in service to his Savior.

His travels eventually took him to New Zealand, where he was put to work fixing a ship that would sail to the numerous small islands in the South Pacific, spreading the Good News. It was only a short stay, 6 weeks to be exact, but during this time something important happened. He was offered a temporary home to stay in by an elder in a local church, an elder who just happened to have a lovely young daughter who also loved the Lord.

The young man and young woman shyly became friends, and when it was time for the young man to return to his home in the States he asked the elder's daughter if he could write to her when he was gone. This he did, and she wrote back, and they continued on until 9 months had passed and he made a bold move and proposed to her in a letter. He had to wait for her to write back her response, which was a YES, and their entire wedding and future was then planned via written correspondence, until he traveled back to New Zealand two weeks before the ceremony and they were married.

The brave young woman then traveled with her new husband half way around the world to a brand new country and family and life, far away from all that she knew and loved. She encountered the harsh Midwest winter snows, drove on the opposite side of the road, and learned what it was like to live in a culture different from her own, all while getting to know and truly love the man she had started this new life with.

After a year and a half in the States they set out on another new adventure, returning to New Zealand to attend bible college and become pastors. This they did, and the young man was ordained a pastor at the ripe age of 21* 26 years old, with a new baby in his young wife's arms.

Another year and a half later I was born. The daughter of two amazing people whom I love and admire and am thankful for every single day.

And I love their different kind of love story.

The youngest picture I have of my parents - the day I was born. 

* Okay so I didn't have all my facts straight at midnight last night when I was writing this... but you get the point - the guy was young. :)