A month and a half!

Man, life is flying by for Jena and I. It's only been a month and a half since the big day, but it seems so much longer ago. I am amazed at how you can amp up for one day, have it pass, and time actually go faster than that one day you were waiting for.

Jena and I are finally settled down in Marion in our little apartment, and are in the swing of things in our jobs.

My wonderful wife works in the Administration Building, AKA the big wig building, on the 4th story with Advancement Services, which helps every other aspect of the Advancement department. So they try to better the college and raise money for stuff and all that jazz. She loves the ladies she works with, and just got back from a retreat with her whole building on Wednesday. God has given us amazing insurance coverage, free school, and countless other blessings through her employment with the University. We both see now why IWU was voted the #1 Christian Workplace in the US. At least I think that is the right fact. If not, it should be.

We both work out 3 times a week, with the school's wellness program, which pays us to stay in shape. It is wonderful, and we both love doing it. She has been walking a lot, and I've been playing racquetball with my friend Dustin.

My job isn't nearly as awesome as Jena's, but I like it a lot. I have my own desk, responsibility, and it's a great mix of physical work and mental labor. Basically everything we sell at the IWU bookstore I open up, put in our system, and give to someone to display. I also ship out anything that someone orders from our website. I've been trying to get our website improved, so we'll see where that goes. But I'm happy where I am, it's a good job, and I like to work hard, so it's all good.

We've made some good friends in Tammy and Dustin, they are wonderful people, and though they're older than us we get along awesome. That may have something to do with our maturity, but that doesn't really matter. We love them, and we take turns cooking meals every Tuesday night. Tammy and Jena work out together and so do Dustin and I as I said before.

Jena and I have been growing closer and closer since we've been married, and though we're working through some little stuff, I feel that our love has been breathed straight into us from our God. There is no way I could do anything right to make Jena love me the way she does. We are both anxious to begin our ministry, wherever that may be.

It was so cute the other day, she was telling me how she knew when she was young that she would marry a minister, and that she never told me that when we were dating or anything. She showed me a letter to her future husband in her diary, and it did say she was sure that I, her future husband was going to be in the ministry. The letter was so sweet, and it meant so much, because everything that she promised in the letter, like love and complete devotion, has been exactly what I've gotten from my wonderful wife.

It made me think though. I didn't ever play to be a minister until 3 years into our relationship. God not only perfected our relationship that we would be married, but he was fulfilling her dream of having a husband be in the ministry by changing my heart not to follow my desires but his. He changed my heart to want to live for him, and as a result he blessed me with a wonderful wife, and a future full of purpose and joy living for him. What a wonderful savior, who does immeasurably more than just saving me from my own sins, but gives me such rich blessings.

I would rather have my life with Jena and God than ever making millions or being famous, or any of those earthly things. I trust that my Lord knows best, that his purpose is greater than mine, and that is the way Jena and I will live out our lives.

Just so you know.

We love you all, and miss everyone back in Illinois.