Hitched!

We did it! We are married and we are the Brantley's!

Like everyone warned, the wedding day flew by and we wished it could have lasted longer! We wanted so badly to visit with everyone who came to share in the day. It's the first and last time all of those people were in that one place at one time, to support you and recognize God's beautiful purpose in the love commitment of marriages. We enjoyed the smiling faces and presence of our incredible friends and family, and we were (and still are) overwhelmed with the kind words of encouragement and generous gifts.

Mexico was a blast, and life here in Atlanta is treating us well. God blessed me with a teaching job several weeks ago, and AJ is still enjoying his new job very much. We are thankful for His provision in a time of newness and transition.

We look forward to feeling "settled" and establishing routines that will become "us". As we seek purpose in daily life together, we're praying for a home church and for relationships around us and in our work places that will allow us to share the love of God. I think some things that will mark these first few months together are: cereal suppers, coupon clipping, watching seasons of "Lost" in our evenings together, and enjoying the discovery of how silly we both are, in ways we never knew until we shared a home.

I just want to brag on my incredible husband for a moment. I was diagnosed with mono a few weeks ago and it hit a hard point this last weekend. He has taken such great care of me- he's cooked, cleaned, taken me to the doctor, gone out looking for Tylenol 3 (which isn't everywhere) and heating pads for my neck (which are $40 at Walgreens, $20 at Target, just FYI...) He has truly laid down his life and desires to serve me in a time of "sickness". I couldn't ask for a better care taker and friend. I'm now the "snorer" (I hope it goes away when the mono goes away!) and he sleeps sound with earplugs.

He is the best.

Lindsey

Being Brantley

Nearly two years ago there were a lot of things going on in my life. God was bringing me out of some hurts that would eventually prove to teach me foundational truths about my identity in Christ and my identity as a man folliwing Christ.

In the midst of all this was my good friend Lindsey. Lindsey was constant in my life but in a random way. We had a great friendship that was very dear to both of us. It was honest, revealing, and comforting while maintaining a sense of guarded protection. Although I often times considered pursuing Lindsey, I was able to refrain in Godly respect. I truly saw Lindsey as a sister of the Kingdom and never felt that I had the 100 percent go ahead to pursue. So I refrained. During this process for reasons other than me (and maybe because she had a slight crush) Lindsey greatly considered moving to the Atlanta area. In the time that followed, she had experiences that filled her with joy but also had experiences that caused great pain.

Although Lindsey never moved to Atlanta that summer two years ago, she is now less than 2 months away from moving to Atlanta as my wife. There is this beautiful story that God was weaving between the two of us. When we almost started dating two years ago God showed us that He was not ready and that His timing was not set. In the time that we waited, God taught us a few things before drawing our hearts together in a beautiful, romantic, divine romance. He has done that very thing in us. The people closest to us will agree that it hasn't been the easiest road but it is the beautiful road of joyful grace that God has gracefully invited us to be a part of. God has been teaching us beautiful lessons and is stripping us of baggage and selfishness so that we can choose to love each other as Christ has loved the church.

I invite you in to following our lives together, but more than that I hope you see the story of Gods love for his people. The way Jesus lived and died speaks deeply to the human heart in ways that no earthly experience can truly grasp. I believe marriage is the closest earthly experience that we partake in that allows us to understand the way Christ passionately loves and pursues his bride. My hope and my life’s prayer is this: may Lindsey and I love one another in way that Christ’s love and jealousy for his bride is made plain so that others desire to taste and see the glorious riches of Christ Jesus.