Dani & RJ
Wedding Party
Marisa Runnals
Maid of Honor
Being my only sister, choosing my Maid of Honor was a no-brainer. Ris actually told me that I loved RJ before I even knew it. Throughout this last year, Ris has been traveling and seeking the Lord in mission work around the world. We're thrilled that she'll be home in time to attend and bring the party to the dance floor. She's my other half, an intentional listener where I fill empty space with words. Often mistaken for twins, I can't wait to have her back by my side, especially for this.
Daniel "Doc" Clausing
Best Man
A man of high opinion and iron-clad arguments, he never let me get away with my homegrown ignorance. Daniel was the chisel that God used to break away my many prejudices during my freshman year of college...and the following years of college...and right now. Honestly, it's amazing that we made it out as friends. Whether we're hashing out the differences between Calvinism and Armenianism or loudly stretching out an already too-long joke, my soul never ceases to be refreshed by Daniel. His hobbies include: camping out in Japan and playing the "I'm not a threat" card during a six hour game of Risk, only to come back and win it in a wild blitzkrieg across Asia. He also enjoys camping out in 12 degree weather, guilting his friends into going along. You're welcome, Daniel.
Lexi Moore
Bridesmaid
Best friends since we were 13 years old, Lex was my first friend to visit Holden Beach. From seventh grade spring break to now, she's considered a sister and not a friend. Since living in Manila, I experienced her wedding day through photos and FaceTime, with my sister giving the Maid of Honor speech. I'm so honored and overjoyed that she'll be able to attend ours and we can cherish moments that we missed.
Levi "Guitar" Bailey
Groomsman
Musician, poet, joy-meister. This is the man that brings out my child-like nature like no one else. From practicing parkour behind Jardine to fighting with home-made practice swords, I've never felt more of God's joy than when in Levi's home. He's never too proud to laugh at himself and he's never too meek to laugh at others. Also, he writes songs with the same ease that other people speak. Which is a big deal for me, because speaking is not my best skill. Levi's hobbies include: Being the "Settlers of Catan Rule Nazi" and plaguing me with the 'Thief' while I'm losing worse than the game designers ever imagined possible. Not that it mattered, I guess. "It's not against the rules." Yeah. Okay, Levi. You COULD have plagued Emily's wheat field again, but it's fine.
Megan McCroskey
Bridesmaid
Meg drove a VW Beetle in high school and odds are, if you stopped next to us at a stoplight, we were having a raging dance party and trying to get you to join. With an infectious laugh and the voice of an angel, Meg brings joy to any situation and intentionality to any conversation. Last year, I had the opportunity to stand next to Meg as her Maid of Honor and it is such a gift that she's going to stand by me in ours. She's bound to make a stank face on the dance floor by the end of the night if you're looking for some entertainment.
Chris "The Craftsman" White
Groomsman
Christopher White was basically the first person I met in college. I didn't know then, what a friend I had found. I mean, the guy is steady as a rock (mainly cause he's built like one and on The One). Workouts at 4am? Done. Breakfast crew at 6? He's there. The only thing he's bad at is producing body heat. And in 12 degree weather, that's a biggie. Chris's hobbies include: watching me "accidentally" drop my cellphone in front of a large group of sorority girls in an effort to win some digits, and then racing back to FarmHouse to tell the entire Active Chapter of my idiocy. They also include staying up way too late with me to beat the last level of DarkWatch. A crowing achievement to be sure.
Kimberly Pritchett
Bridesmaid
Kimbo thought I was mean in middle school but somehow we ended up becoming inseparable throughout college. She's the most loyal friend, always puts others before herself and takes concern in every little detail, including this wedding. Stemming from her intentionality is persistence in praying for those she loves. She takes that same concern and offers it to God on other's behalf. It's no wonder that our friendship has lasted so long, and her steadfast friendship is another reminder of God's faithfulness in my life.
Zach "Wilderboss" Holbrook
Groomsman
Imagine a bearded man with broad shoulders in a flannel shirt, starting a fire in the middle of the woods. Nope, that's not a hipster you see, that's Zach. We met working at Inspiration Hills Camp and Retreat Center (aka, summer camp with the longest name ever) and found an instant bond. Which was that our fraternities have the same secret handshake (shhhhh). And THEN we found a LASTING bond in our shared love for Jesus and His Kingdom. I don't know which attribute impresses me more. The calm demeanor with which he grows and wears the best beard I've ever seen, or the way he loves and respects his wife, Kate. Wait..actually I do. Zach's hobbies include: growing and wearing the best beard I've ever seen, and going a little too all-out to win a game of Spike Ball.
Hailey Whitaker
Bridesmaid
Hailey was my roommate and other half in the Philippines. We did everything together, including befriending RJ when he moved to Manila. She's my biggest cheerleader, a steady and solid friend, and genuinely loves when needed most. We sat in our living room countless nights chatting about our future husbands and what we desired in a man, reassuring each other that God had us covered. Meanwhile, my future husband was our friend and coworker. She was much nicer to RJ than I was for a long time and is very similar to him in personality. We joke that our friendship prepared me for him and now she just needs to find a guy with my personality. She may love us more than anyone we know.
Andy "Strategy" Llewellyn
Groomsman
This is the most intentional person I have ever known. We became friends in college, despite the fact that he rarely spoke. He still rarely speaks, but it's worth listening to when he does. Whether we're discussing deep theological matters or the way The Lord of The Rings movies compare to the books, his 'still waters' resonate with the peace and deliberation of the Holy Spirit. The only real down-side to this is that it takes forever to play a board game with him. Seriously, never sit down to play chess. For one thing, you'll definitely lose. For another, you'll spend most of the game watching him think about making a move. Andy's hobbies include: responding to dumb comments with his "I'm-Not-So-Sure-About-That" face and "Murmur of Disagreement". Well said, Andy. Well said.
Becca Marrick
Bridesmaid
Becca has been my soul sister and one of my best friends since the first day we met during our sophomore year of college. She is kind-hearted and a steadfast prayer warrior, who celebrates people in the most thoughtful ways. Whether she's with her patients, special needs friends or besties, Becca is the life of the party and the most intentional one in the room. She's like the friend that we all need. To know her is to genuinely love her.
Garet "The Cowboy" Koester
Groomsman
When people ask "Have you ever been in a fight?", I think of Garet. A friendship forged by fire, we spent most of our college years antagonizing one another. Eventually, good ol' philadelphia took over (brotherly love...not the city). This man has never seen a job that made him quit. Running the family farm over the weekend and earning two college degrees during the week, we all thought he was crazy. Which...he totally is. You should see him after 11pm when he finally finishes homework. Praise God for Hannah...for real... Garet's hobbies include: letting me try chewing tobacco for the first time, but not telling me that I shouldn't swallow it. For the record, it is EXTREMELY unpleasant to swallow it.
Jordan Gore
Bridesmaid
Jordan was my first roommate in college. We've shared over 300 dining hall meals, painted a bathroom a terrible shade of orange and jammed to Tracy Chapman and Shania Twain beyond a healthy amount. She's about as real as it gets, and a conversation with her is one that will fill up your tank. She's a go-getter and a motivator, and can make me laugh until I'm sick. She lightens any mood or room she enters into, essentially a ray of sunshine. Look out for her on the dance floor as well, she'll be there all night.
Josh "The Mitt" Klug
Groomsman
Quiet, reserved, witty. Just a few of the words that best describe Josh. Yet another man that God used to teach me humility. This mostly happened on the basketball/baseball/football court/field. Did I just name all the major sports? Yes. Because he's good at all of them. He also knows basically everything about Kansas State Sports and Major League Baseball. Ever wanted to know who scored the winning touchdown of the last game in the 1993 KSU football season? Or how many strikes the back-up pitchers threw in the 1979 World Series? Maybe not, but if you hang out with him for long enough, he'll probably tell you. Just make sure he's on your intramural softball team. Josh's hobbies include: "little brothering" grown men on the basketball court with the crossover, step-back jumper from 20ft.
Lauren Numedahl
Bridesmaid
Lauren and I met while working at a Young Life camp in Arizona during our sophomore year of college. Both having a passion for people trapped in sex trafficking, God brought us back together in the Philippines, where we worked and volunteered for different organizations. Now we share a similar love for filipino culture and people. We've walked from different pasts into similar struggles, making our friendship one that none can compare. Want to know the Lord more intimately? Talk to this girl for five seconds.