We love because He FIRST loved us

My personal desire for more began on a youth mission trip in December of 2016. I had encountered the poorest children I'd ever seen in the slums of Haiti and they were so filled with joy and love for me--a stranger of no consequence to them. I was so bothered by this encounter that I felt empty and restless returning to my comfortable, purposeless life. In search of peace and purpose, I was led by the promptings of the Spirit all the way to Florida. Two years and one formation program later, I discovered my purpose- my call to a life of mission- ready to go anywhere and do whatever the Lord called me to. Shortly after this discernment, just as I had realized my call, I realized that my FRIEND of ten years, had discovered the same call.... and the rest was his(story)!

At the tail end of my undergraduate career, I had an encounter with Christ through the scripture passage where Jesus entreats the rich, young man to sell everything and says, “come follow me.” I felt as if the Lord was speaking directly to my heart. Within a year of that time, I finished grad school, quit my job and moved to Florida for a one year formation program through Amoris Christi. During this year, as I started to fall more in love with the Lord and the prospect of living a missionary life, I started to see one of my very good friends in a COMPLETELY new light. Never had I even considered Monica in any way other than a friend and sister. But as the Lord moved in my heart, I started to see her heart, desire for holiness and beauty in a new way. After the program, full of peace and with the blessing of my formator, I asked her to discern marriage with me, she said yes, and now here we are!

We want to thank God, our family, and friends for being part of the discernment that led us to each other in this beautiful sacrament. We find immense joy, peace, and consolation in the decision to begin our married life in Florida and work closely with the Jesus Youth movement and Amoris Christi. We have chosen to commit our time, energy, and our very lives to accompany young people in the journey of holiness. We want our life to be a witness of the goodness of God, who is so close to each one of us. We desire that our home be a place where anyone and everyone can come, stay, and experience the love of the Father, revealed to us in Jesus Christ, through the workings of the Holy Spirit. Our ultimate desire is holiness...whatever the cost. “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple…So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.” -Jesus (Luke 14:25-26,33) We realize that this means that we will have to say no to many things of the world, which may sometimes include saying no to ourselves, our friends and even family. Throughout history, those who answered Jesus’ call to follow him and seek first the kingdom of God have experienced many hardships and difficulties. We expect nothing less. Where many may see this as “radical decision,” we see this as a natural response to the demand of the Gospels. However, we know this is not an isolated journey. We hope and dream that you, our family and friends, will continue to join us in whatever capacity the Lord allows. Mary, Queen of the Apostles, pray that all the faithful be transformed by the power of Pentecost, and sent forth to be true 'missionary disciples' of your son, Jesus.