Many of you have likely heard our story....filled with love, loss, pain and joy. And every emotion in between. Angela has been single most of her life - and praying for a man that would choose Jesus first, and then her. Living on several intense mission fields serving the Lord abroad and in the US, her heart beat for the nations and to see those far from Christ come near. She continued after the death of her husband to cancer....facing her own cancer battle some years later (that ended in victory!) Deep wells of trust would be formed once again through another life-changing loss that left her broken beyond what she could ever imagine. Yet, Romans 8:28 would prevail: He works all things together for good for those who love Him! The Lord would teach and train her what it meant for Him to be her ONLY Source. Her ultimate joy and satisfaction was in God alone....but still she prayed for a man that would model Christ's Ephesians 5 love to her. Yet, the years kept passing and many days it did not look like God would answer that request. Ted was faithfully serving in his own right: marrying his beloved Amy and growing a family of four incredible children: Caroline, Sam, Nate and Abigail. Their adventures also led them to the mission field of Russia early on in their marriage...and then back to the banking world where Ted continued to flourish and grow. From High Point and Greensboro NC, to Richmond, Virginia and finally Charlotte....their family loved well and grew with one another. Garrett Briggs was also joyfully added to the clan as Caroline's husband. In 2020, Amy was re-diagnosed with breast cancer and fought valiantly for four and half years. She loved and served her family and friends until the end - and will never be forgotten as to the mark she has left in so many lives. Amy will always hold a place in our hearts that can't be replaced. Ted did not know how he would move forward, but he knew God would be with him. A year after Amy's death, he decided to go on a personal retreat with the Lord and seek Him about his future. Ted yearned to be married again, but wasn't sure how the Lord would answer that prayer. His dear friend James had an idea though! Maybe Ted should try e-Harmony! :) Ted was not a fan of this idea....but reluctantly signed up for it right before he left for his personal retreat. Of all things....Angela was also on e-Harmony!! As Ted read the words of her heart she had shared about living out of her identity in Christ, calling that out in others, living in deep Christian community, and filling her house in a love for hospitality, he felt she was speaking his language! He asked Angela if she would meet him for coffee (which she agreed to!) just a few days later. He walked the beach that week...praying to the Lord with the desires of his heart. And he prayed over this meeting with Angela, wondering if she could be "the one". Disclosure: Angela was not at ALL interested in Ted, and agreed to go to coffee solely as an encouragement to him - assuming she would be his first date as a widower (which she was!) She told herself as she drove to the coffee shop that this was an elderly (8 years older), overly tall gentleman that she would politely talk with for an hour. Then explain she needed to go home and feed her kittens. :) Four and a half hours later.....something had sparked in both Ted and Angela's hearts for each other!! They made plans to see each other again and FaceTime in between. The Lord moved surely and swiftly in their hearts to draw them together and confirmed that from those around them this was indeed the answer to both their prayers! For those of you whom have walked alongside each of us these years, we deeply appreciate every prayer you have prayed, every call and text you have sent, and every meal you have shared. We can't thank you enough for your love and support. We are in this together and look forward to this next season the Lord has brought us to! To God be the glory!!