Janet and Seth - you are an example to the watching world! Thank you!
When I was driving to their house yesterday, I was listening to (what else?) country, and Alan Jackson's "Small Town Southern Man" came on. I know that Seth is not a farmer, and that they don't live in the country, but I love the way this song talks about a hard-working man!
"And he bowed his head to Jesus
And he stood for Uncle Sam"
"And he only loved one woman
Was always proud of what he had"
"He said his greatest contribution
Is the ones you leave behind"
"Raised on the ways and gentle kindness
Of a small town Southern man"
Janet and Seth are QUITE the little lovebirds - its very sweet :)
Carrying his bride over the threshold!
"You can break the back
But you can't break the spirit
Of a small town Southern man"
Because forehead kisses are the best...?
We just had to take some pictures inside their lovely first home. They are doing an amazing job in it! It looks soooo good!
And one last outside one:
You guys were wonderful! I had a really great time with you :)
And, Congratulations!
Here's the letter:
What could I say about this man who has changed my life so much?
I guess I should start in the beginning (so you might here some of our story with this, bear with me. I hope you like love stories). When I first knew of Seth, we hadn't even met. I was too proud to talk to him and he thought I was "too good" to talk to him (he was prob right). Yet in spite of my resistance, I was always drawn to the way that he cared for people. I loved to watch him from a distance and as time went on I wanted to know more about this guy. How he took the time to stop. To ask questions and to listen. To really take an interest. I'll never forget the many occasions I would go in the Flower Hill Starbucks and watch him share the Gospel with this guy and talk to him for hours. I'll also never forget watching him passionately pray for people after church on Sundays down front so faithfully. I'll never forget seeing his smile and his joy. I'll never forget wanting to know him more because of his love for Jesus. I'll never forget his love for and desire to serve God's people. And this was all before he became "my love."
In spite of being drawn to him, Seth was a surprise. I didn't really "like" him (or so I told myself, I always thought he was super cute!). It grew out of a friendship and it grew out of another thing that I would honor him for: he is a servant. About 1.5 years ago, we were out with friends on the weekend and one of our friends side swipped my car that we both happened to be in. Seeing the damage he offered to fix it for me. I was rejoicing that it was going to be taken care of, but I didn't expect him to call me so soon. It was a Monday and I was working and he called saying he could fix it that night (I almost didn't go over because I was getting sick) and we ended up going out to dinner together and started talking, and we haven't stopped since. We both weren't looking to get into a relationship and God blessed it anyways. It was never about us. God had a plan and he was writing our story!
Since being with Seth, life with him has only gotten happier, my love for Jesus and my passion for his kingdom has only grown deeper, and experiencing his love has only been sweeter. Now every rosy picture has a rough side. I'm the passionate one, he's the patient one and he is always so faithful to care for my soul when we don't agree or when I am struggling. And I can say with confidence that walking through those things together, there is no other person I would rather have stand by me in the hard times. I'm so grateful for him and God's perfect timing in bringing Seth into my life. We have been through it all together. It is the hard times when the "whats really in there" comes out. He has trusted God, loved me, and encouraged me when it just seemed like it was only going to get worse. Never did I see Him question Gods character or doubt that God was going to be faithful and deliver us through it all.
He is worthy of much honor not just in those ways, but in how he takes his role as a husband, leader and provider seriously. He works so hard for our family. Working for ARI(he fixes cars) he works outside every day, come heat or cold, he is there fixing bumpers, painting doors, and often putting in many 12 hour +days with the commute to and from. But he has NEVER complained and he always greets me upon his return home with joy in his heart and always asks me how he can serve me even though he is so tired! He is a faithful man. Faithful to his job and to his church. Every Tuesday he comes home, tired. Instead of leading our family in a way of comfort and leisure, he loves Gods people and we get to serve a group of singles and be their leaders. It isn't always the easiest, but he loves to serve for and care for God's people so much that he lays down his life to do it.
All of the things that I got to see from afar before God drew us together, I have only gotten to see more of. Its real. It wasn't just a facade and the list of things that I love and respect about him has only gotten longer. The story of God's unending faithfulness to him and to us has only been sweeter to both of us. God is good. He is kind. He has drawn our lives and hearts together for His glory and for His kingdom. That makes the way he loves me so much better.
This is a very short version of a very long story of all the things I could say about the man that God chose for me before there was time. What an amazing blessing he is to me.