God Supplies

It’s been three weeks now since I entered into the covenant of marriage with my best friend and the love of my life. It’s been a whirlwind, to say the least. Most of the wedding details were essentially DIY, which I greatly enjoyed doing, but caused the time before the wedding, and even largely during, to pass insanely quickly. I had so much wonderful help that I cannot even begin to name everyone who played a part in the big day, but I also cannot continue without recognizing the wonderful parents the Lord has blessed me with. My dad was a constant encouragement and helped in whatever way he could. He was always checking on me and making sure I wasn’t too stressed out; and if I was he immediately sought a solution or at least played volleyball with me to get my mind off of everything else, momentarily. My mom is literally a supermom, in every sense of the word. She helped make my dress, she catered the wedding meal, she made and decorated the most beautiful, delicious cake I’ve ever had, she helped with decorations and alterations of the bridesmaid dresses and groomsmen suits. I don’t think I could successfully think of anything about the wedding that she did not at least have a hand in. Dad Nass contributed all of the design and printing of the save-the-date postcards, invitations, programs, favor labels, and dessert napkins. Everything coordinated beautifully and he was so helpful in assisting our decisions in those areas. Mom Nass made all of the girls’ beautiful jewelry for the wedding, including my own. She went above and beyond to make sure we had the look I wanted. I so appreciate each of my parents and the roles they played in the wedding, but also in our lives for 23 years before the wedding took place. Their love, support, discipline, sacrifice, and Christ-like examples have made far more of an impact than I even realize.

Beyond the wedding, Bryan and I shared a wonderfully simple honeymoon in Hocking Hills, Ohio. We had a lovely little cabin in the woods, at the dead-end of a dirt drive. We spent our days hiking and exploring trails, caves, and waterfalls, and after a dinner out at one of the hole-in-the-wall cafés, we were able to relax in our private hot tub. The rest and relaxation was a blessing and much-needed after all of the busyness of the wedding preparations. Upon returning to my parents’ house on Sunday afternoon we spent the evening opening all of our gifts and realizing once again how incredibly blessed we are! I then spent Monday sick in bed, with short times of visiting with out-of-town family. On Tuesday we were off to Iowa, driving the six-hour trip in separate vehicles. On Wednesday we settled into our summer home and began our responsibilities as youth interns. Now after a week and a half of being here and getting to know the staff and students, we are greatly anticipating the rest of this summer of ministry and growth. Is it challenging? Yes, incredibly so. We are newlyweds: learning how to live together, new in town: learning how to make new friends, new to Faith Bible Church: learning our place and our responsibilities. Yet God is continuing to show us His faithfulness and love through simple things like: gifts from the youth on our first night, food from the Newman family, dinner with the Jentink family, sidewalk chalk art on our driveway from some of the students, dinner with the Richard family, and a super great, hilarious boss. God is so faithful, and it is so encouraging and humbling to see His hand at work in so many ways, through so many details. He is a source of encouragement to the discouraged, a light in the darkness, a source of mind-blowing thoughts in the boredom, and a healer in the brokenness.  

Phil 4:19 - And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.