My first memory of Joe is at the annual Labor Day picnic. It was the first day that I was alone in California. My mom was in the Denver airport heading home when she called me to ask about my plans for the day. I told her I did not want to go to the picnic as I knew no one there, but she insisted I go. So I went, but I was on the first bus out to go back to my room. I sat on the front row by myself and was very confused by the guys chanting for someone named “Joe Moates” to preach. Why on earth would someone preach on a bus? I thought. Joe Moates stood up and began preaching like I was at my Papa’s cow auction. I’d never heard anything like it. As the rest of the bus roared with amens, I rolled my eyes and thought “typical Bible college”. A couple months into my freshman year, Brother Alvin Martinez began to joke about Joe being interested in me. My response was always, “I will NEVER date much less marry Joe Moates” I began making jokes about it to my friends. I'd come into my room at night and tell my roommates, “Guess who I got to see tonight…?!” I was joking thinking that I would never give him the time of day. I was so wrong. Summer 2023, Joe came to my church as he traveled with the tour group as the preacher. We got to talk a little bit after the service, and I was shocked at how easy I could talk (maybe even flirt a little) to him. He messaged me a couple times through social media about energy drinks (because if you know Joe, he loves his energy drinks), but that was really all it was. At this point, I wanted to finish college and come home to teach at my Christian school. Sophomore year, I began to notice Joe coming through my serving line at the college cafeteria every meal. He rarely if ever ate vegetables, and my momma raised me that you always have vegetables on your dinner plate, so whether he wanted them or not, I always gave him vegetables. We would have short conversation as he made his way through my serving line but other than that, we still did not really talk much. But I kept my eye on him. I spent my lunch breaks and any free time I had in our college courtyard, and there he began to find me and bring me an energy drink and have a bit more conversation. I could not get over how easy it was to connect with Joe, and our talks become my favorite! He finally asked me out on a college activity to the rodeo, but I turned him down. Yes, I indeed said no, but not because of him, but because I had already made plans, and I did not want to go to a rodeo as a date. I began seriously praying and fasting about pursuing this relationship. I was not looking to be in a relationship, but it seemed that God had other plans. I remember the exact moment God gave me peace about a relationship with Joe. As I stood up from praying at the altar surrendering my plan for His, I looked up to see Joe kneeling at the altar. I knew he was different from any man I had ever met, and I knew that if he asked me again on a date, I had my answer. October 2023, Joe asked me to the DelOsso activity where we made our way through the corn maze, and ate good food, and truly had the best time. I’ve said yes to Joe ever since. On April 20, 2024, Joe asked me to be his girlfriend, and I said yes. We dated long distance for the summer and though I was a skeptic of long distance, Joe was confident that we would be okay! We dated for a year and three months, and on July 26, 2025, Joe asked me to marry him, and of course, I said yes. I truly am so honored to become Joe’s wife. Though I had my life all planned out, God truly had plans for my life that I could have never even imagined. I did not always understand what He was doing, but looking back, the decisions I made as I followed the Lord’s leading brought me to the west coast where I would meet the preacher from the east coast. I’m so thankful to the Lord that He would allow me the honor of spending my life with Joe as we serve the Lord together.

The first time I ever saw Emma, I was standing in the Atlanta airport. I was headed to California for my junior year of Bible College, and she was just starting out as a freshman there. In that moment I whispered a prayer to the Lord and said “I sure would like to date that girl sometime”. From time to time we caught glimpses of one another, and I would nervously exchange words here and there. I honestly thought there was no way in the world I would be able to date her. During the summer of 2023 I preached at her Church with our tour group. After the service we talked for just a little bit, but I walked away praying that I would get to spend forever with her. That next semester, I finally worked up the courage to ask her on an activity. Surprisingly, she said no!! But my best character trait is my stubbornness, so I asked her out on another one, and she said yes! And as they say in the movies — the rest is history. Knowing Emma Page has been the greatest experience and privilege of my life. You look at how God sovereignly brought us together — and it’s a story only eternity could write! As a young preacher, I prayed fervently God would send me the right spouse for me, and He did more than that — He sent me the best He made! I can’t help but feel He has been better to me than anyone. To say I’m excited is a gross understatement. I cannot wait to journey through life with you Emma Page!