We're so excited to celebrate with you!

PRELUDE In the 18th century, the Methodist movement began as an attempt to reform the Anglican Church/Church of England from within. Two centuries later, God called the families of the Bride and Groom to Christ, choosing to do so partially through Methodist churches.

The entire family of Caleb’s father, Bob, was transformed by Christ when he was fourteen. Previously fearful, Bob found boldness in the death-defying love of God and eventually became interested in attending a Methodist seminary. It is quite likely he would not have otherwise attended Spring Arbor University, where he met Tammy. Bob’s father became his Best Man; and this tradition continues, slightly modified, in Caleb and Lydia’s wedding, where Bob is one of the Groomsmen. Campus ministry played a significant role in the faith development of Lydia’s parents and their decisions to follow Christ, whether directly (for Ken) or indirectly (for Cindy). They met while attending Purdue University, became friends, and some time after graduation, married and eventually moved to the area where Ken grew up. There they raised their five children in the Methodist church community where Ken had attended as a child. Thus, Lydia and Caleb were blessed with both fathers and mothers who not only taught the foundations of Christian faith but, more importantly, modeled genuine devotion to God. When it came to systematic education, their mothers invested the most time, teaching them the Scriptures and histories of men and women of faith. Caleb and Lydia also both grew up in Methodist churches and attended, or worked at, Methodist summer camps in Michigan. These were formative experiences for the couple, helping them to encounter Christ for themselves. It is their mutual identification with the Lord that forms the strongest bond between them.

Lydia was four or five years old when she understood that Christ died to take the punishment she deserved, and she decided to live for Him. High school brought an extended time of anxious mental battles, both spiritually and physically based: was she actually willing to follow God, regardless of where He might lead her? That struggle culminated in an evening, praying with her mother, wherein Lydia pictured her short life here on earth in light of standing before God one day, and surrendered her will to Christ. Joyous freedom came with that decision (Note: every struggle with mental health is different, with varying roots). She still struggles with anxiety at times, and rebellion, but God continues to heal and forgive and lead her in His loving ways. Caleb believed God for the forgiveness of his sins through Jesus and committed to obey Him when he was seven. As he grew older and matured, Caleb became increasingly aware of his sinfulness and for this reason in middle school and high school he deeply struggled to trust God’s grace and love. The honest prayers written in the Book of Psalms and the reminders of God’s truth given by pastors plus loved ones were absolutely crucial to Caleb during this period for answering his doubts and overcoming his depression. He still falls prey to twisted thinking at times, and at other times chooses it, but God continues to forgive and lead him in His loving ways.

In approximately 2008, Lydia’s brother John began attending what is now Bridge Community Church (Christian & Missionary Alliance) in Troy, MI, around four years after Caleb’s family first began attending. Caleb was in high school at the time; as was Lydia, back in Amboy, IN. John and the Bruhns got to know each other over several years, and in 2014 Caleb’s sister, Rachel, secured an internship at the company where John works. John and Rachel became good friends, and Rachel began to join Einselen family events, where she met Lydia in 2018. This was the first time Lydia and Caleb had appeared on one another’s radar, ending roughly a decade in which there was only one degree of separation between them without either’s awareness of the other! Yet God’s timing in this, as in everything, was perfect. Lydia and Caleb had needed to grow significantly in relational maturity before they were ready to meet each other.

Caleb had a romantic relationship throughout most of high school, which in his immaturity created some emotional baggage. From 2016 – 2018 he had a second relationship which revealed he was carrying that baggage, as well as practicing some sinful habits, and forced him to deal with those through counseling. Caleb had moved to IL for work in 2015, then to PA in 2017, also for work. God used the connections he had made in IL to lead him back there for graduate school, placing him two hours away from Indianapolis. It is evident that God shepherded Caleb throughout this process to prepare him for Lydia. Lydia became convinced in high school that she should remain unmarried throughout her life. Her father advised her not to make any vow of singleness, but her belief, even without a vow, led her away from any romantic relationships for quite some time. No Mrs. degree for her! It was not until 2016/2017 that she started to wonder if marriage could be a possibility for her, and it was another year of conversations with God on the topic before she actually accepted that it could be so. Over the next couple of years, God gradually prepared her and gave her ideas of what a relationship for her might be like.

Caleb and Lydia finally met in 2019 when Caleb moved to Urbana, IL, and Rachel invited Lydia to help with the move. They gradually became friends, and at the end of October 2020, while they were climbing down from a tree, Caleb asked Lydia if she would go on a date with him. She would and they dated until the beginning of October 2021, when, admiring the river at the Mississinewa 1812 history reenactment, Caleb asked Lydia if she would marry him. She said "yes!" The Rusty Sparrow holds special significance to the couple as it is near the Methodist camp where Lydia worked for a few summers. It is also the home of her dear cousins, Amy and Dan Stuglik. Caleb and Lydia are so grateful for the use of this beautiful venue. We're so excited to start the next phase of our lives together and can't wait to celebrate with you!