We’re getting married!

We’ve made the difficult decision to postpone our reception and move forward with God as our guide to a much smaller, June 20th wedding ceremony. This was a difficult decision. However, due to the current restrictions, we are canceling our reception and downsizing our ceremony. We do hope that you would celebrate with us virtually (link to ceremony will be posted) AND send a message to our videographer who will include you in our wedding video, (link will be added to this site). In the meantime, may the peace, joy, and understanding in Christ be strong in you through these times. Be safe and well.

The last 10 years of my life have been a journey. A journey I could not have completed, without the light of Christ to make clear my way. Despite obvious challenges coupled with fears and self doubts of my abilites to successfully raise, nurture and provide for my young daughter , I was able with my prayers and trust in God to make it through. God answers prayers. After nearly losing my son ten years ago, I made a commitment and a promise to God that I would give Him more than just some of me, I would give Him all of me. I was guided to a house of the Lord called Bridgeway Communuty Church. That Sunday morning, though already a believer I dived into a one on one relationship with Christ. My promise was to lead my daughter to the Lord and I’ve raised her in the Church. Nearly eight years later, while my daughter was singing her heart out for the Lord, I suddenly noticed her choir director-Patrise. Although my daughter had been in this choir for some time, it was not until this moment that I felt compelled, by the spirit, to simply let her know how grateful I was for the excellent job she was doing with our children. Little did I know that I had met someone who loved Christ as much as I do and places Him first and foremost. She is a faithful and loyal servant, a loving daughter of God. She is a dedicated, sacrificing. A wonderful and inspiring mother, daughter, sister, friend, and a teacher as well. She loves to serve others. I have been blessed to know her heart which belongs to Christ. We are about to be a larger family and I'm excited about that too. I'm grateful to God to have someone to love and to hold, to share life with and to bare in all things with, someone to sit with, to worship with, to praise with, to watch sunrises and sunsets with, to go on long walks with God with, and someone to climb those steps to heaven with. Someone to just do nothing with, also. Okay. That’s enough. Maybe I should save a little for the wedding day.

Having two beautiful, kind, independent, well-spoken daughters has been a blessing. Two supportive and loving parents has made me stronger. Spending a few years of introspection, exercise, and time with God, alone, has been invaluable. Then I noticed Eugene’s thoughtfulness. Thoughtfulness was what caught my attention: small acts of kindness towards others, my daughters, and me. After two years, his motives remain consistent. I like consistency and I love him. Surprises are also a constant, if that’s possible. After pulling into a parking space in Annapolis, he proposed, in the car! Elated, I said “YES” and “Let’s wait to tell.” I loved him enough to speak my heart and he loved me enough to hear my heart and wait. I knew that God loved me and I needed to forgive myself the way God forgave me. We’ve laughed, eaten, prayed, danced, excercised, and worshipped together. My prayer is for a life of surprises lined with that kind of consistency, surrounded by family and friends.

Our story is not "Our" story for it belongs to the author and the finisher of our faith, Jesus Christ. As caterpillars transform into butterflies, God shattered our old form into pieces and created something wonderful beautiful and new. He penetrates us, like sunshine through the multicolored pieces of stained glass church windows, He breathes life into dry bones. It was when we were near the end of a long, scary, unsure, and sometimes painful stage of change in our independant lives. When we had already developed and found a deeper more complete trust, thirst, peace, and contentment in just seeking and serving the will of God all alone, that we discovered one another. Matthew 6:33 reads: but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all things will be added unto you. Maya Angelo writes "A womans heart should be so well hidden in her love of God that only a man seeking Him with all his heart would able to see her.” While beauty and being handsome are okay, for us, godliness was essential. In Patrise, I found someone like myself, who denied herself and was focused on loving God and others. She is a person who bases her life on obedience to God’s Word, who is growing in the fruit of the Spirit. She is humble, kind, generous, and very wise. Because Rebekah had a servant’s heart, she found Isaac. If she had thought, “Who is this old man asking me for water?” and had gone on her way, she wouldn’t have met Isaac. If Patrise weren't serving the Lord as a volunteer with the children at church and if I hadn't answered the will of God to simply let Patrise know how impressive and inspiring the light of Christ I saw in her was, two years ago, I dont think we would have ever discovered each other's heart. To God be the Glory!

You call me out upon the waters The great unknown where feet may fail And there I find You in the mystery In oceans deep My faith will stand And I will call upon Your name And keep my eyes above the waves When oceans rise My soul will rest in Your embrace For I am Yours and You are mine