Awesome. Well, welcome to another edition of Love Story, last year's single. We're so
excited to be here tonight. I'm going to apologize in advance. Y'all have been very sick since
last Friday. And so if I cough, I'm going to probably mute and pass it either over to
my husband. Well, I guess I won't mute if he's talking or I'll pass it back to one of
the couples, but we're going to kick off. We're going to have a lot of fun. We have
three amazing couples here with us tonight, and they have all been on incredible journeys
to find each other. And God has done a great work. And for those of you that don't know,
I'm Bethany Cooper. I'm one of the team members in last year's single. One of the hard work
coaches. This is my amazing husband, Brian, for those of you that haven't met him before.
And then the couples we do have joining us tonight are Jeremy and Carla Johnson, Skyler
and Samantha Simpson, excuse me. And then David and Jenny, is it Lydon or Lydon? How
do you say it?
Lydon. Yeah, Lydon.
Okay, awesome. I love that accent. Yeah. So that's who's joining us tonight. And the way
that we're going to kick this off for all the couples, just as a reminder, is I'm going
to go ahead and pick one of you to start. And we're going to kind of do what I'm going
to call a round robin. Each person in the couple is going to take five minutes to share
from your perspective, what God did in your lives before he brought you together. You know,
that's including what, what did God lead you to do in heartwork? And for those that weren't
a part of maybe the last year single community, similar to Brian and I, I came through the last
year single community, but he didn't, but he had done his heartwork before he came in.
And he was able to share from that perspective. So don't feel like you have to share or that you
don't have something to share. If you didn't come through our program, you want to share whatever
God did in you before God brought you together as a couple to prepare you to meet the person
that you're now with. And then whatever else you feel led to share, you know, the highlights
and all the things along the way that brought you together, but each person in the couple is
going to share that. And then what we're going to do from there is I'm going to ask additional
questions based on what I know about the couples and the things that you share to really continue
that dialogue. We're going to even open it up possibly for those joining us tonight to ask
questions. We have three families tonight. Well, actually four, Brian and I are a blended family
as well, but four couples here that are all blended families. I thought that was super cool.
That wasn't even on purpose. And lots of other incredible aspects we're going to pull out tonight.
So without further ado, the way we'll kind of do the round robin is I'll start with
Jeremy and Carla, then we'll go to Skylar and Samantha, and then David and Jenny, and we'll kind
of stay in that rotation to make it easy for you all. So I'm going to go ahead and turn it over
to Jeremy and Carla for you all to share your testimony and journey, how God brought you together.
Awesome. Okay, great. Thank you so much. All right. So good to see everybody. I see a lot of familiar
faces. So it's so happy. I'm so blessed as always to be able to share a bit of my story, our story
with the community as it's been such an amazing blessing to me. So many of you that know me
know that I came in to this program at the very beginning in 2020. And so I had been doing my
heartwork for, it felt like forever. And so I met my husband. And in fact, I was at a point where
it was in 2022. And that was the year that I was like, man, this is the year I'm going to be the
bride. This is our year. It's kind of what we prophetically spoke over the community
for the year 2022. And it was nearing the end of the year. And I was just at a crossroads. I was
just, I mean, very much discouraged and was just like, okay, like, if it's not going to happen,
it's not going to happen. And so, you know, I had a lot of conversations with a lot of the women in
the community, and even Jackie. We were such a smaller group. So I did have more time with Jackie
and she had reached out to me and she was just very real with me and was like, look, you're the
bride. She gave me a word of knowledge. She really poured into me. She really highlighted to me this
idea of being open to relocating because I was living in Florida. And ladies and gentlemen,
one of my non-negotiables was the man was going to relocate to me in Florida because I was
gung-ho about living in Florida. And, you know, Jackie just, you know, spoke to my heart of this
idea of, you know, maybe my husband wasn't near my location.
And so she's like, doesn't mean that you're leaving Florida, but you just need to be open to it.
And so, because I was just at a point where I'm like, you know what, I can't keep operating the
way that I'm operating and trying to control and be in the driver's seat. And so I was just like,
well, if it's going to happen, God's going to have to just do something. And, and I remember
specifically, I mean, just being very, very candid with her and having a very emotional
conversation with her. I remember just breaking down into tears because I was just like, I just
don't know if I can do this. I feel like I was failing as a mom and dating was taking a toll
on me at the time. And she's like, look, borrow my faith, you know? And so I really held onto that.
I was like, okay, if she believes it, then I'm just going to believe it. But I really had to
surrender the pen and just release whatever God was going to do. And, you know, having been in
the program for over two years and really working on heartwork after that conversation, it was a
breaking point. Like it was the tipping point, like something shifted in the spirit. And a week
later, my husband dropped into my DMs because one of the sisters here in the community was in another
Facebook single Christian group or something. And she saw his profile and was like, hey,
what do you think of this guy? And I was like, yeah, he's okay. Like, sure. Like, whatever.
Because that had happened to me before where people were trying to set me up. And so I was
like, okay, sure. And then the guy never really did anything. And so never reached out, whatever.
And so I was kind of in that mentality. But she reached out to him and he did. He dropped in my
DMs. And I was like, okay. I thought he lived in Florida. And I found out fairly quickly, he's like,
oh, no, I don't live in Florida. I live in Texas. And I remember saying to him, being like, well,
my mentor says I need to be open to long distance. So I guess we can try this out.
And so we chatted for about three weeks or so. We were long distance, obviously.
And yeah. And then he came out to visit me. He had worked out in Florida. And then, yeah. So
that's kind of how we met. And ladies, I wanted to cut and run. I will tell you that. Like, I had
several times where I was like, I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. And he knows the story.
But I had to really surrender the pen and I had to be open and getting myself out of my comfort
zone to really allow God to start moving and shifting. And, you know, God did miraculous
things and really showed and confirmed a lot of words and just a lot of things that the Lord had
been speaking to my heart over several years. And God was able to show that. So that's inevitably,
you know, how we kind of got introduced. But I'll let I'll let him kind of share his side.
We can't hear we can't hear you very well. Can you speak closer to your microphone?
Yes, because you don't hear me. Yeah. I just think the microphone is pointed towards you.
I know he's been sick, too. You know, we've both been so sick.
Um, no, I, um, I was a wheeler. My little wife passed away. And it was just me. It was my son.
My daughter. And so, you know, for the next four years or so, you know, obviously, we've been going
to counseling and things like that, you know, not only for that situation, but, you know, also
to just, you know, for me to build on myself, right. You know, there were several different
things that I need to work on personally. And so, you know, I kind of went through that particular
part of my life. And, you know, throughout that time, there was dating and, you know,
I finally just got to a point where I was like, you know, I can't.
I can't continue to try to pick out a bad picker. So I'm like, you know what,
God, you're going to have to figure this out. I can't do it. And so, you know, once I did that,
you know, it was probably, you know, three to four months later, you know, I'm in this
Christian group, and I get this random message from somebody, I don't know who the heck they
are. And they're like, you know, hey, I got a
friend that, you know, you may be interested in. I'm like, you know, you know, you will
you reach out or whatever. And I'm like, I told God, it has to be a pretty bizarre situation,
the confirmation for me, because I don't want to play as if though I'm coming up with this
confirmation and, you know, kind of look and find the right thing. And oh, that's, that's
God. I wanted something crazy or something weird, you know, so and that was pretty weird.
And so I, you know, I reached out through Messenger, you know, and then she got back
to me after that. And we talked for about three weeks. And, you know, then I flew out
there because I was working in Clearwater, Florida, went back and forth every two months
and, you know, went and met her for the first time on our first date. And more or less the
rest was history. But, you know, that was kind of the biggest thing for me was I was
tired of being in the whole dating thing and choosing myself. And, you know, finally just
told God, like, look, I'm done choosing, you're gonna have to figure it out for me. You're
gonna have to choose for me because I'm tired of dating the wrong people. And he did something
weird. So that made it happen for me.
I love that. So just curious, Jeremy, can you, I related to when you said you felt like
you had a bad picker. That's something I used to say a lot. Do you agree with that
statement?
I think I said it too.
Yeah. So when God brought Brian and I together, that was something we actually had in
common. That's how we felt before God brought us together. And I think I saw somebody
else say in the chat, they have said that before. And so I just want to kind of draw
that out a little bit. Like, I know that you were asking God to do something, you know,
different to bring this person to your attention. But in meeting Carla that first time, or
the second time, I'm sure it was multiple times and getting to know her. What through
this process has helped you to know that, you know, God was defending you and protecting
you and providing for you, the easier he had been preparing for you. And that maybe it
wasn't so much that the picker was wrong, but maybe the healing that needed to happen
from what you went through, you know, as you shared, you know, you lost your former
spouse and the healing that needed to happen to bring a healthy person into your life.
So what do you think a couple of those things were for you?
So, I mean, I can tell you that, number one, I think, you know, it was more of a
conflict, to your point, thinking that my picker was bad. But I think throughout that
journey, God was really doing something in my heart, because, you know, you attract as
healthy as you are, from what I understand, right? So, you know, he kind of put me in a
different place, and just the different areas of confirmation just was helping me better
understand that, you know, that this was God. I mean, there were things that I had prayed
to him several years prior, that she was, you know, exactly. So, you know, I think that
at the end of the day, he really ministered to me in knowing that, you know, because at
some point, you know, I kind of felt like, you know, it's just never going to happen for
me. And then, you know, out of nowhere, he kind of brings, you know, Carla in front of
me. And so that was, you know, number one, him showing me that he loved me, that he saw
me, that he thought that I was worthy, you know, of love, especially with, you know, some
of the history that I had. So, you know, that in itself, I think, you know, God kind of
dealt with me personally, in my heart. And I can tell you that through Carla, you know,
he has used her as also a vessel to help kind of heal those areas as well, alongside
other people such as pastors and counselors and so on and so forth.
That's so good. Thank you so much for sharing that. And as you were sharing, you know, that
you really felt like God was showing you how much he loved you and how much he saw you.
We talk about that a lot in this community.
And so I don't think it's a coincidence that you shared that tonight as well.
Thank you all for kicking us off and sharing the beginning of your story.
We're going to come back to you here in just a little bit.
Samantha and Skylar, if you all can share your story and kind of how God brought you
together, we'd love for you all to go.
Yeah, sorry.
Our house is so chaotic because we have so many small people living here.
So sorry about that.
But yeah, so I guess I'll start.
I was a part of the M12M group and met Jackie and Carla, you look familiar.
And it's probably because I was in the same group with you.
So so fun to see you again.
Um, yeah, so I had left, um, I had two small children. I, uh, had been married for seven years,
um, to, uh, one, when I got pregnant with my first, um, my, my then husband, um, uh, began
drinking too much and I think he just couldn't really handle fatherhood well. And so addiction
became kind of this, this new battle in our life. And, uh, he got sober for a short time and I had
my daughter who was just beautiful. Um, and then with that pregnancy, uh, he, he slipped right back
into the pills and the, and the alcohol and all of, all of the things to, to help him cope. Um,
and so that was really hard. So when I chose to leave with my two kids, um, my son was three and
a half and my, no, I guess he was four. He was four. And my daughter was a year and a half.
And I left and man, like I was mad, really mad. Um, and so I had this desire of having this like
God centered marriage, but to me, everything, it just marriage was a prison and, you know,
we got out and I was really fortunate, um, to, you know, have a really great career with the two
kids. So money wasn't really a concern. So I was like, let's go to Disneyland. Let's go to
universal. We ain't need no man, you know? And that was really, you know, the, the life that we
were kind of like living in this dream world. And the moment we would think about, you know,
bringing a dad into this situation, like I was just so angry and I'm like, man, this guy better
be perfect. And, um, I remember going over like this list. I'm like, I don't want to share my,
I was like, well, my ex-husband, obviously this is going to be really surprising. Um, didn't show
up as a co-parenting father. Um, and so to me, I was like, I don't have to share my, like, I,
I don't, he doesn't have to share my kids. Like he gets to have my kids. So I don't want,
you know, so I was like, I don't want someone who has a previous marriage. I don't want someone
that has any issues. I definitely don't want addiction. Just like this long laundry list of
like, I just want this innocent boy to come out. That's like, I've never experienced anything.
And let me adopt your children. And, um, I was in my thirties and apparently that's not realistic.
And so, um, uh, my, and so Jackie would tell, tell me that like, you need to be open for love. So
I tried to online date for a hot five minutes. And I was like, you know what? Like, I don't like
this. I don't like this at all. So I was like, either like somehow supernaturally, I'm just
going to meet someone and I'll know, or I guess I'll worry about it later. But right now we're
going to go have adventure days every Saturday. So that's what we were doing. So we were kind of
living our best life and, um, and not dating. And Jackie would be like, Hey, I want to post
your picture in this group. And I'm like, thinking about it, but I don't know. We're
living a pretty cool life, you know? So, but I had this desire to be married and, you know,
and so I had this like fantasy, but I wasn't quite ready. So I just would pray. Cause she kept saying
like, you need to be expectant of the good. You need to, you know, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
And so I was like, okay, okay. Okay. So I was like praying for this. Like, God, you know,
my desire, you know, I want my kids to have a dad. Um, but I'm also like, want this perfect
package. So, um, anyway, so I did that. And so I get this, like that summer, I got a
Facebook message from this guy that I went to like middle school and high school with
total nerd alert. Okay. Like just, you know, one of those 4.0 students that like,
doesn't really have anything else going on except school. And so I was very frustrated because
had after I had kind of posted that I was divorced or changed my relationship status. I don't,
I don't know if you guys know this, but it like sends a message to everyone you ever knew. And
so I was just getting like all these private messages. We should go to dinner. Let me get
coffee. And I was like, loser, loser, loser, loser, stop. So this guy messages me. And I
remember he was really kind because he was, you know, a total nerd. And so I was like,
Hey, yeah, cool. Thanks. So fun to see you love that you're doing well. Also don't have time.
So that's how I feel. And then I just kept doing that. He'd be like, okay.
yeah, I'll just check in later. And I was like, okay, like what
a dummy. So then two weeks later, he'd like messaged me
again. He's like, Hey, has it slowed down a lot? I just saw
some pictures that you were in Disneyland. Like, how did that
go? Cool. Did you want to hang out? And I was like, actually,
we're living our best life. We're doing fine. Don't have
time. She's like, Okay, cool, cool, cool, cool. Then he'd like
reach out again. He's like, Hey, I saw you went to family camp
looks so fun. So is it slowing down now? Do you want me to
wait? Like he just had no idea that I was blowing him off. It
was so dumb. And so then finally, I was like, Oh, my
gosh, okay, fine. Let's go. Let's go get coffee. So I show
up at this coffee house and I bring my laptop and I set it up
and I'm like, Hey, I'm so sorry. I'm actually so busy and I'm so
important because my job is so important. I have to work while
I get coffee with you. And that was like my attitude because I
was just like, I don't even want to be here. So I hope you know
that I'm choosing work over you. Like that's how unimportant you
are. Um, luckily, he didn't get the message because he's just
went way over his head. So anyways, he's like, Yeah, of
course, like work is important. And I was like, what's wrong
with you? And so anyway, so we chit chat and I'm telling him
like, yeah, I'm in seminary for apologetics and I'm doing all
these things. And he was like, Oh, I love apologetics. And then
that was like, totally weird, right? So like, how do you even
know what apologetics is? And, and so he's like, Oh, like, I
study apologetics. And so now we're like, like talking all
about this stuff. And, and it was it was pretty cool. I'm not
gonna lie, it was really fun. But I was just not into it being
a good time. So we talked for like two hours. And naturally, I
never looked at my computer because I wasn't really as
important as I pretended to be. So I so we go two and a half
hours or whatever. And then I got to go because like, you
know, my kids are gonna show up eventually. And so like, all
right, like I'm out these and so we start walking out and I just
had this like, this just this feeling like he's gonna be your
husband and it's going to be good. And I felt that and I was
so mad. I like we're walking to my car and I was like, Yeah, so
anyway, um, I'm a lesbian. Like, like, so conservative. I'm a
lesbian. It doesn't make any sense. But anyway, so like,
yeah, so just thought I'd let you know. Um, cool. And then I
got in my car and he was like, All right, well, never say
never, whatever. And then we left. And then that whole day I
was like, so mad because I was so curious about that thought of
like, why would I feel like he's gonna be my husband when one
like, I'm have this house being built, we're going on vacation,
like I don't need a man to come in and just like destroy my
lifestyle. And so naturally, I was like, Hey, do you want to go
to Target to buy stuff for my kids camp? And he did. He like
showed up at Target that night. Like I hadn't seen him in 15
years. It was very odd. And then we were talking and we were
talking a lot about apologetics. And so I was talking about the
ministry thing I was a part of. And then I was like, I guess if
you want to, like, I gotta, you know, go back and pack. At the
time, my kid was six, and he was headed off to like, little
boys camp or whatever. I was like, I gotta go pack his bag,
but you can come over and chit chat with me if you want. And
so he's like, Okay, so then we just like kept talking. And
then, and then he eventually left. And then, yeah, and then
every day, we just kept talking. And you know, the world was shut
down. So you can really go anywhere. So we'd come over and
play, you know, and Settlers of Catania. And we just played
games. And we just kind of like hung out. And then yeah, and so
we just did that for a little while, but not super long. He
did eventually leave. He eventually left. Oh, you're
making fun of me. Yeah, he did eventually leave. But anyway, a
few months in, like he's hanging out. And then my little boy, he
says, Hey, you should marry Tyler. And I was like,
flabbergasted. I was like, what? Like, what? Why would you even
say that? And like, I had lots of friends that were boys like
Settlers Catania with every Friday night and like, they were
all boys. It was all you know, like six men that come over and
we play they always want to
hang out, but I didn't really want to go out with them.
So I invited them all at the same time,
every single Friday to play Sailor's Catan,
and they all showed up.
That's so weird.
Yeah, it was really weird for like a year, by the way.
Anyway, so like, you know, he never
said this about anybody else.
And so I was like, where is this coming from?
And I was like, Boris, why would you even say that?
And he goes, well, I think he'd be a really good dad.
And he looks just like me.
And so then I'm like, oh my gosh, he knows he needs a dad.
And he did look just like him.
And so I was like, oh man.
So I'm stressing out, naturally, because I'm just
a very anxious person, as you can probably tell.
And so I'm like, oh my god, oh my gosh,
like am I screwing my kids up for playing Uno
with this stranger in my house?
And so then like the next time Skylar comes over,
he brought dessert.
And he brought dessert for my kids,
because he knew early on that if you bring dessert to someone,
your kids will eat it, because they're terrible.
So he brought cupcakes for them.
And then he brought tiramisu for me.
And my son grabs it and then runs back to his room
where his friend is playing.
And he's like, hey, my dad brought us cupcakes.
And I almost threw up, you know?
I'm like, oh my gosh.
And Skylar's like, are you OK?
And I'm like, yeah, it's fine, it's fine, it's fine, it's fine.
I think I said it like nine times,
to reassure him that I was fine.
And then so very shortly after that, I was like,
we have to get married.
And he was like, oh, really?
Should we?
Meanwhile, Skylar's never dated anyone,
because he actually was all the things
I wanted, like who had never touched a woman, never kissed,
never just like, I waited 35 years for a wife.
That's like he has never seen yet, you know?
And so I'm like, yeah, we have to get married.
And he's like, well, I had heard that you should date,
and I was reading this book, you should date for like a year.
We weren't even dating at that point.
We're just playing Uno, right?
And I was like, oh, well, if you want to date for a year,
you should go after a 24-year-old with no baggage.
She did say that.
I did say that.
Yeah, I'm very too blunt.
And so I was like, yeah, my kids think you're a dad.
Like, I don't know what to do.
But like, we have to get married.
And so I wasn't nervous, because he had never sinned.
So that was really, just kidding.
For all of you guys, I know that everyone has sinned.
So that was, I'm being, I'm just joking.
But he like never looked at porn ever,
has like never kissed a woman, like never got drunk,
like has very, very innocent man, right?
And so I'm just teasing that he's not a sinner.
But anyway, so but I knew that his character was so good
that I was like, I can totally trust your character.
So yeah, we could just get married.
But anyway, probably rushed it pretty fast,
because I was afraid I was screwing up my kids.
And so then he was like, oh, can I think about it?
And I'm like, I guess.
But you got like, I don't know, three weeks.
And then that's it, you know?
So then, but I was still pretty angry.
So I was kind of, I, yeah, it was pretty nuts.
So anyway, then we got married.
OK, so let's hear it.
So Skylar, in this moment, in this moment,
you've got three weeks.
And you know that where she's at,
you know y'all haven't necessarily
dated yet officially.
Tell us like what's going on in your mind at that moment.
I'd love to just kind of hear your thoughts.
Well, since I was a super virgin and has never
dated any girl my entire life, let alone kissed one,
it was a pretty big decision.
The thing about me, though, is I've basically been praying
for a wife since I was like 15.
And my laundry list of what she has to have or not have
was as long as or if longer than hers.
And so I kind of went down that list in my head.
Like, what are the pros and cons to her and us?
And do I enjoy hanging out with her
and all that kind of stuff?
And so nervous, for sure.
Thought about it, I mean, what, for like maybe a day or two
probably?
And then I was like, OK.
I was like, I've been praying for you for 15 to 17 years.
If this is not a God thing, then I don't know what is.
So yeah, that's kind of what was going through my head,
I guess, at that specific time.
moment so good so cool so okay how long have you all been married now um three years and
three months we got married on january 1st my favorite holiday um 2022 okay and you all have
i know you had two children before you got married and now tell us how many children
you all have we have four we have four so um so right after we got married i didn't want to
change my last name until my kids changed their last name and so we filed abandonment immediately
and then we were able to um kind of go through the legal process for him to adopt my two older kids
and so i changed my last name when we changed their last names um and then i had always wanted
four children it had always been just a desire since i was just a little tiny chicken um but
of course you know my family was destroyed and my biggest fear because i saw this a lot with
friends who um divorced and remarried is like the other kids were like the other kids you know
and there was a separation and that really really really really bothered me and so i had kind of
accepted that i would never have any more kids because i never wanted my kids to feel like the
other kids um but i mean skylar was like i mean sky i don't know i don't know how i mean i don't
know if it's just because he's just such a patient like godly man and has been for so long but he just
like loved my kids so much and they loved him so much i mean even my daughter she still i think it
was like last week she asked she was like so dad can you remind me were you there when i was a baby
or was it the other dad like she just doesn't remember um and forest my son who is now 10 um
you know he's the one that wanted me to marry him he just thinks he's the greatest thing in the whole
world and so um it was pretty easy to like well let's go have those four kids like i'm almost 40
let's get this going so now we have two babies um we have this one when he's um six months old
and then we have um fiona and she's the year and a half year old that was that was nursing still
because she wants to be a baby um and then yeah and then felicity is almost seven and then uh
and then forest is 10. okay awesome so when we come back to samantha and skylar
skylar i would love to you for you if you're willing just to share from your perspective
coming into that um you know how did that feel for you coming into a blended family and because
we get this question a lot i've been on in the same shoes that you've actually been in where i've
gone in and loved other people's kids and i love them like they're mine but we have a lot of people
in our community where they really have a hard time comprehending that there are good men out
there that will actually love their kids and i know jeremy will be able to speak to this in a
little bit too but when i circle back i do want to pull that out of the conversation tonight i feel
like that's coming up organically through things that you all are sharing and i think people need
to have their hearts encouraged regarding that whether they have kids already or not whether
they're older and their kids are grown and maybe they have grandkids whatever the scenario is
um that i think people's hearts and spirits can be encouraged through that testimony tonight thank
you all so much for what you've already shared david and jenny would love for you all to share
not sure which one of you wants to to kick it off um but want to hear a little bit of your all story
you want me to go first or yeah go ahead okay um so excuse me i was widowed maybe seven and a half
years ago and um i guess widowing i thought i had done a lot of heart work um over those next four
or five years my kids were all pretty much grown but there was still some some late teenaged kids
at home and and quite a lot of a lot of trauma around my wife's passing so so i didn't date for
maybe four to five years but um we did a lot of a lot of family counseling and a lot of good
good heart work there but it was only once i started dating that i i worked out that there
was a lot more to do um uh i dated i was dating someone from online and and that didn't work out
and i think that was probably a catalyst to to start to go deeper into um dating as a as a widower
but also it was probably the first time i started to think about the type of person
that i was looking for and um what were what were kind of green flag
greens and what were red flags.
And so I think that was probably a turning point.
And about that same time,
I had a word from the Lord about being bold.
And so I jumped back into the online dating,
assuming that that could take a long period of time.
In fact, when I jumped back into the online Christian dating,
there was people who'd been there like a year before.
And so I guess I was thinking,
this could be a long process.
But then a week later, I get a message from Jenny.
And that was kind of freaky
because it was really quick and quicker than I'd assumed.
But also, I guess, continuing to lead into that boldness
that God had said, look, hey, just continue to be bold.
And so, yeah, so that would have been 18 months ago,
I guess, Jen, that we start September.
And I think we'd had our first dates
after maybe a few weeks of texting and chatting.
And the funny bit was that I had to tell her
that I'm doing month-on-month-off work in the USA.
So nice to meet you,
but I'm about to hop on a plane for a month,
which is what I did,
and which is what we did for probably the first nine
or 10 months of our dating was me traveling.
One of the things I think Jenny will probably touch on
is one of the things I say is that I got the benefits
of all of the heart work
and also all of the work that she did through the coaching
because there was things that she would sort of drop
in our conversations that were really helpful to me
that you could see had been working through from her side.
So that made it a lot easier being, I guess,
on the guy end of the community.
So, and we've been married six weeks.
So early days, we're still together.
We're not in the same room.
That's because Jenny's trying to pack up a house in Sydney
and I'm about an hour away at our new house.
So all of that sort of stuff coming together.
Cool.
Yeah, so about the time, can you all hear me?
Is that all good, the sound?
Yeah?
Yep, we can hear you great.
Great, awesome.
I hope our accents aren't too hard to understand.
So about the time David was widowed,
I had been married for 26 years.
We were like a Christian family.
We'd raised our kids in the church
and it just fell apart overnight.
My first husband just left the family
and it was a real valley, a real season.
But even in that season, as we walked that out,
I just, in my spirit, knew
that it wasn't the end of the story.
I knew that God would not leave it that way in that trauma.
And I didn't know what that would look like.
And obviously there's a journey in grieving
that you have to walk out.
And so in that valley, I actually threw myself,
before I even knew of Jackie in the program,
into hard work that I could find.
I did prayer ministry and divorce recovery groups.
And it was amazing.
I benefited a lot.
And through it, I knew it wasn't the end of the story.
There was more for me, that God wouldn't,
as we all here in this, we're built for relationship
and I knew that God would restore that.
And bring it to completion.
So I just continued.
And in that search,
I came across the Last Year Single movement.
And I did jumped into the heart work then.
And so I'd done a lot, the Last Year Single,
the heart work just really, just went deeper,
just tied together all the things
I'd already been working on.
It completely set me free and gave me hope
and encouragement just to pursue marriage.
And so I did,
with the title of the group, Last Year Single,
I started dating, thinking that it was my last year single.
I actually had three last year singles,
which was a really frustrating process,
but in it, I just knew to persevere.
And that like, and all the things we learn,
it doesn't have to be easy.
It has to be worth it.
And I had an actual,
I had a one-on-one with Jackie back in the day.
And what, like the other couple,
she encouraged me,
because my children and now grandchildren,
I was looking local.
She encouraged me to expand my boundaries.
And I sort of,
wasn't quite willing to do that overseas.
So within that, I did expand.
I, and David, who lives, you know,
we now live an hour and a half away from where I was.
And yeah, David was, you know, following that, I just,
yeah, he was one of the people I spoke to that
after Jackie encouraged me to look further afield.
And yeah, I, the heart work was really, I felt ready.
I felt I had a lot to give.
David and I both feel that in all our heart work
and the valleys and things we've been through,
we bring the best of ourselves to each other.
We've grown so much.
And a lot of those rough edges are smoothed over.
And, you know, we were able to bring
the more refined version of ourselves
to our new relationship.
And, you know, in the crazy kingdom of God,
you'd never write the story,
but plan B is so much better than plan A.
And we're both so grateful for that.
I love what you all are sharing.
So Jenny and David, how long,
like how long when y'all met to getting married?
Someone asked about that.
So how long were you all dating before you got married?
We probably knew each other.
It's probably pretty close on a year actually.
And the community, this community,
and a lot of the advice about the timing
was really helpful for me in thinking things in,
like, I just didn't have a framework,
but it gave me the framework.
And our timing was really good.
Like we, you know, we moved through the level two, three,
and it progressed really well.
We naturally, I had a birthday, David met my children.
He invited me to a wedding of his children.
It all fell together really smoothly.
And then one day we were out,
we just started to talk about the future together,
and that would mean marriage.
And we like set a date.
So it was probably, it was really a bit over a year
between when we first met and we were married.
Yeah.
So good.
One other question for you.
So you referenced, you had three last year singles.
I know when you and I chatted briefly today,
one of the things that you mentioned
that you really had to overcome a lot with the Lord
was the discouragement and the frustrations that you faced.
Would you mind to share with our community a little bit
like how God helped you work through that?
Because even David, in a sense, he shared,
and I want to pull this out.
He said, once he started dating people,
that's when it revealed like more heart work,
revealed things that he needed healing in.
And so many times, I think so many people in our community,
when a dating relationship doesn't work out,
they get so frustrated
that the enemy is trying to get them to give up.
And so if we keep showing up,
if we keep letting God use that,
he can change everything on the inside of us
and do so much in the process.
And so Jenny, since you mentioned the last three years
of having that, can you tell us a little bit
of how God helped you navigate
and come out of discouragement
and into an actual place of preparation to receive David?
Yeah.
Yeah, so it was frustrating.
Like I would, and I dated actively in that time,
and you'd meet someone and you think,
oh, like really good men,
but just nothing that sort of stuck and continued.
And I think, you know, I being too fussy, what is it?
And it would be, you know, that kind of,
that part of that spirit rising up,
say, this is not the end.
This is not the end.
And if it's not the end,
if you're going to be married again,
you need to keep dating again.
And that means just, you know, learning and growing.
So I threw myself into that process
of just being okay with what happened.
It was in my, I sort of missed the dating season
as a young person.
And it's like, God took me full circle
and brought me through it and grew me up again.
It's like, I had to learn the things
I didn't learn back then.
And every, you know, I'd learn and I'd grow
and feel more prepared.
And I just learned not to be as precious about it,
that just to try and enjoy.
And so when I met David, it wasn't nice.
We had coffee and we chatted for a couple of hours
and he was going overseas
and we messaged while he was away.
And by that, because I learned to hold it lightly
and go, look, this is nice.
We'll see where it goes.
And he came back really intentional to, like I think,
yeah, he arranged for us to catch up that first day
that he was back in Sydney.
It got rained, he got snowed in the US
and we had to reschedule, but he was really intentional.
And we fell into sort of seeing each other,
getting together each week.
So yeah, I leaned into the community, although the time difference meant I couldn't do this
stuff live, I watched it all on replay. And it's kind of amazing to, you know,
I'd sit on the other end going, Oh, will that ever be me kind of these stories are just so amazing.
And, and I'd watch them on replay when I could in my time and lean into every nugget of wisdom and
add it to my toolkit and, and just, just keep going. And so that was, yeah, that was,
and just continue to believe if God would do it for them, as I sat on the other end of these calls
that he would also do it for me. Yeah. Oh, I felt the Holy Spirit on that. Thank you for
saying that. And I hope that encourages all those that are hearing this live tonight,
as well as those that watch the replay, that we would, you know, the people that are here
sharing their love stories, God is working in all of your lives as well. And there's so many
things that sometimes we don't see that God is working on or moving out of the way so that we
can receive that person that he's preparing for us. One of the other things I want to draw out,
and then I'm going to go back to Jeremy and Carla and want to kind of touch on the blended family
and like, what is it like to love each other's children when you receive, you know, and everyone
can speak to that here, but I will go to them next. But one of the things I want to draw out here,
even when Jenny was just sharing, is David was very intentional in his pursuit there in that
coming back and reconnecting. Skylar was very, very consistently persistent in an intentional,
not in a creepy way, but a kind pursuit, a very gentlemanly pursuit of, you know, Samantha and
getting to know her and showing up. I know a little bit about Jeremy and Carla's story.
I was in their wedding. Yay! So fun. But some of the things that happened there,
Carla mentioned she kind of had the cut and run feeling, but stayed. Excuse me. So,
Jeremy, Carla, let's kind of segue with that first. So, Jeremy, how did God have you showing
up intentionally? And Carla, how did God help you not cut and run? So, I think the very first
time I, so my busy season is typically at the end of the year and it's from October to December. And
so the first time that we ended up having an opportunity to meet, I had to kind of reorganize
my schedule because she had something that she had to go do. I believe her and Bo had gone to,
like, a concert like that they'd already paid for. And so, excuse me. And so,
whenever I reorganized my schedule, I set it up where I would be able to come and see her. And
then after that, I think I came back like a week later because it was the end of my season so I
could see her again. Also, on the very first date that we had, I'm big on, like, permission.
And so, I asked her if I could hold her hand, if that was okay. I also, I asked her at the end of
the night whether I should have or not. I don't know. I didn't go to the artwork like everybody
else. But I, you know, I asked her, you know, if I could kiss her goodnight and she said no. I was
like, okay. And she asked me if, you know, if I wanted an explanation. I said I don't really need
one. But she gave me one anyway, which, you know, I appreciated. But I think whenever it comes to
intentionality, it has to do with not only the pursuit but also the respect aspect of things.
And so, you know, for me personally, you know, I just, I had, you know,
I had a feeling inside the first time I saw her walk into the restaurant,
you know. And so, it was a very powerful, overwhelming feeling. And so, I was obviously
glued. And so, you know, I asked her if she wanted to go out again and so we did. So, I think,
you know, at the end of the day, as long as it's not something creepy, you know, it's a lot of
having to do with respect. And to your point, kind of going back to what you said intentionality like
is, you know, is the guy intentional. And that was, you know, really I wanted her to see that
even though it was like 8 o'clock at night. But it's because, you know, my work, I mean,
I'm working until like 9 o'clock at night during, you know, the Medicare season. So, you know, I had
I actually got off early to be there between eight and nine that early to get off for me and so
yeah I got in trouble for it the next day but you know it is what it is and I told him whatever
you know a year later we ended up getting married so you know whatever but
um but yeah I mean that's that's more or less kind of I guess from my perspective what that was like.
So Carlos, how did God help you not cut and run in this process?
You might have to lean a little closer. I think maybe when y'all switch who's talking
is what's happening. Yeah so yeah um obviously I was in the program and um was still always
showing up and so the three weeks we were getting to know each other before he flew out um I was
I was very intentional and consistent about showing up in community. Like all my sisters
and there's a few of them even here right now they knew like I showed up I let everybody know
the tea like I always gave everybody the tea of what was going on and so um you know people were
just talking me off the ledge especially Jackie she's like just have fun like you don't need to
know all the things like just go and enjoy it and so um that helped I mean again he I think
the big thing was like he mentioned how it was a busy part of the season and the weekend that
he was going to come down to visit he's like can I see you I'm like well of course I'll make
arrangements I have my son that weekend we're actually driving to Orlando which was two hours
away from where I was at in Sarasota and I said you know we're going to go see for king and country
like I'm going on you know a date with him and and somebody even the and people in this community
were actually going with them as well so I was like I'm not not canceling those plans but I'll
manage some time for you and he came back and and changed his his plans so that he went there the
weekend prior and then the weekend after where he originally said and so I thought wow that's
that's pretty bold you know and he even asked me when we were you know on the phone and talking
before and he made a comment like well am I gonna get to see you more than once you know when I meet
you and I was like uh maybe like I don't know I don't know how like we like each other after the
first date like I realized like it depends on how our first date goes like I don't know if I'm going
to see you again because again in my head I'm thinking you know this is I don't work out and uh
and then even when he he made plans come that time and then it made our plans and you know wanted me
to come he says eight I swear it was like closer to nine o'clock and I'm like again I was you know
I was in my late 30s I was a single mom my kid was going to his his dad's house and ladies I was
like the old woman like I was pajamas and in bed nine o'clock you know like I was tired I was a
single mom you know and so when he like playing the date I was just like just so tired I don't
even know if I want to do this and I just had a lot of people were speaking like Carla just give
a shot and one friend at my work was even like we'll just do dinner or don't do dinner like just
you know have dessert or something like that and so I did I was like okay you know again I was
I was committed in this community having been in this community for two years I saw the process I
saw it happened for other people and like Jenny said like you kind of get to a point where like
is it going to happen for me and so I just again I held on to the faith that I'm like I'm going to
just keep moving forward and I'm just going to give it to God and so and that's what I did and I was
like okay I don't really want to go do this but I'm going to do it anyway because I really need
to do it and I was very pleasantly surprised on our first date I was I even it was different
like even like Samantha how she shared like she was walking out and God kind of spoke to her
I remember being at the table talking to him and we had a lot of things in common and he just
and I can keep a conversation with a lot of people but he just really helped carry the conversation
but I remember being even I mean I felt like I was so leaned in over the table when I was
talking to him that I was like it felt like this magnet I was being drawn to him and I was like
this is weird like this guy probably thinks I'm like crawling over the table and I'm like
I don't want to give him the wrong impression so I would have to like
like, okay, just step back and, and we just had a really fun first date. And like, again,
he was very, very gentlemanly and just so respectful, like his heart to be concerned
with how I felt and what was comfortable for me really did mean a lot. And so, and we had,
you know, we had a lot of fun and he asked permission to hold my hand. We ended up crashing
some, um, we, we were like walking around and we had to like go to the restroom. And
so we stopped somewhere that was a theater, like an actual like live play theater. And
we walk in and the entire lobby was filled with like, you know, elderly people. Cause
I mean, I, I've lived in Sarasota Bradenton area. It's, it's, it's an older community
and it was just really weird. Cause I felt like we walked in and everybody was just staring
at us and I was like, we got to go to the bathroom. And so we both go to the bathroom
and we were not even in there for like two or three minutes. We come out and the whole
lobby was cleared out and we just had the best time and we laughed about it. And yeah,
he, he obviously was bold enough to ask if he could kiss me. And I was like, yeah, no.
One of the things, cause something that came up in the chat and I want to make sure that
all of our peeps, the magnet experience can happen sometimes you all, but it is not always
going to be that way. So I want to make sure everyone, all of you, but it's not always
going to be that way.
And even I was still very guarded still. Like I was still like, I don't know. And again,
like it wasn't always, it wasn't even such a physical attraction. And he knows this.
And those of you that have been on my, you know, those of you that don't know, I also
coach in phase two. And so there's a lot of women that probably heard this story. I initially
was not physically attracted to him. Like I thought he was a decent looking guy, you
know?
Hey, he's amazing. I felt the same way. I wasn't sure, but the more time we spend together
and the reason I brought up the magnet aspect, the more she got to know my humor, she just
started swooning.
The dad jokes and the confession of the love for Marvel and Legos on the first date y'all.
He had me with that.
I should have used cupcakes. That was good.
Yeah. The cupcakes are great. But the reason I said that about the magnet wasn't so much
that it was wrong that you said that or felt that, but I just want people, cause some people
get caught up in looking for that. And for me, peace was what led me. I felt so much
immense peace and, and just true, um, contentment and happiness every time I was around Brian.
And I genuinely had never experienced that before.
Yeah.
I want people to understand it's not going to always feel, you know, the same. And so
be encouraged that there's different ways that you're going to experience your spirit
mate and who God is highlighting to you. And I think just even coming from that perspective,
that we're praying that God would highlight, you know, for those of you that are still
looking for your spirit mate, that God would highlight your spirit mate to you and you
to your spirit mate, and you would have that sense of divine peace and that that would
guide you in your decision. And I ultimately think that is what was drawing the two of
you all together, um, in that kind of magnet feel if you will. Um, and so, but I did want
to, cause some people will hear that kind of verbiage and misinterpret it. I think it
could lead some people astray when they might be like, have met somebody really great and
they don't feel all these sparks that society portrays that we're supposed to feel and then
miss somebody, you know, that is amazing. And so thank you for sharing those aspects.
I do want Jeremy to briefly share, and then I'm going to go to Skylar on, you know, which
Carla, I know you've also chose to love his kids too, but I really want, I feel led to
have the men speak to this for a few minutes. And David can even share from his aspect of
coming in with adult children too. But if all of the men, let's go to Jeremy first and
then Skylar and then David, just share from your perspective, like, what is it like? What
has it been like to come in and love their children?
Can you hear me? Okay. Yep. All right. Um, so I think for me that it actually kind of
where my late wife had two children
and I raised one of them from the age of five
until they were 17.
So I had already done this before,
this was not quarantine.
And so he was around that age,
I think he was like seven years old, Bo,
whenever I first met him.
But to me, whenever I look at a child
and I'm bringing them in like that,
it's almost kind of like the way God sees us
and grafting us into his promises, right?
Like it's more or less, and I don't like,
I know people use the word adopt,
but it's more embracing the fusion of two people, right?
So it's no longer like, I say bonus son, right?
Because I don't, I know it may be weird,
some people might not care if you call it stepson,
stepdad, whatever, but that's not really how I see it.
I see it as a child that I get the privilege
to be able to pour into and to love
and to build connection with, right?
And so, for me, whenever it comes to being able
to experience life with a child
that obviously did not come from me,
that's not really something that gets in the way for me.
Because at the end of the day, I love both of them
and God chose her for me
and he also chose me to be in Bo's life.
And by the way, the way that everything kind of happened
was his biological father ended up moving
up north to Michigan and that happened shortly
after we actually started relationship, right?
And so, simple things like that for confirmation,
but at the end of the day,
that just kind of lit it up for me
in terms of understanding that this is something
that's going to happen.
And it was easy, it was easy to be able to connect with him.
And whenever I would go to Florida,
when I'd be putting him down to bed or whatever,
I would do all these silly voices
whenever I was reading a kid's book to him.
And he just got a kick out of it, you know?
And I just, to me, bonding and connection,
it's not a step thing, it's a new family.
It's not viewed as something that has ever been separate,
but something that I think God had created
in the beginning.
And I know this may sound weird
and she may say something to me afterwards about it,
but just like I tell my kids,
if it wasn't, if she was your birth mother,
you'd be the same person, you just look different.
You know what I'm saying?
Same thing with Beau, he looks the way he does
because he didn't come from me.
It's no different, I see them all as my children.
I love that.
Jeremy, thank you for sharing your heart on that.
So many people are being touched by what you're sharing.
That is how I feel about my spiritual daughters.
That's how I feel about Brian's daughters.
Coming over to Skyler,
we'd love to hear your thoughts on this as well,
just from your perspective of coming in
to Samantha's family, as well as extending your family,
but just how has God really spoke to you
about this whole thing?
How has God really spoke to you
about this in your relationship?
Sure, can you guys hear me okay?
Okay, really quick,
wanna clear something up really fast before I go on,
is the whole, I contacted her via Facebook, which is true,
and she blew me off, also true,
but she blew me off in the way of,
I'll be back after I've got to this camp.
When I get back, we can have coffee.
So I only asked her one other time afterwards,
prompted by her, so it wasn't a stocky thing, okay?
And then last thing,
if any of you guys have something similar to her,
she had the tallest walls with a moat and an alligator
on them, so it was not an easy path,
but it was totally worth it.
Okay, so to go on with how I feel about the blended family,
is, so I had never dated anyone, never kissed anyone.
I've been an uncle, right?
I had nieces and nephews,
so I knew how to interact with children in general
and that kind of thing.
So that was really easy for me,
especially because they were around the same ages
as my niece and nephew.
So I think I have,
I think it was really, really easy for me
to see them as mine, if that makes sense.
And the reason I say that is because
I was really, really easy to connect with Forrest
because he wanted to connect with me so badly.
So that was really easy for me to get that connection.
So I'm a boy, I know what boys like,
you know, playing video games and connect with them,
roughhousing with them, shooting with, you know,
Nerf guns, et cetera.
It was a lot harder to connect with Felicity,
which is the other daughter who at the time was three
because she's such a mommy's girl, right?
So I tried to do stuff with her, but she wanted mom.
She'd want mom.
I saw it as when I went into it and I married Sam,
and even before I married Sam, because I knew,
like, I don't know how to explain this,
but she'd probably say the same thing,
but I think she's way out of my league by a lot.
And so I'm usually super nervous around girls
that are way out of my league.
And so, but I felt complete calmness around her.
I was never, ever worried or nervous about anything.
And that's how I felt about the kids too,
is I knew I was gonna marry her
and I knew that these were my kids.
And so I always went into the,
in that mindset is these are my kids,
regardless if I'm, you know, their bio dad.
And they even seem that way.
She even told a story about Felicity, right?
Like, hey dad, were you there when?
And she never, ever, you know,
I probably took her maybe a little bit longer
to call me dad, but I kind of always saw myself as dad
because I was stepping into that role
and I never wanted them to feel different
or that I was there for mom and they were just an add-on
because that's not how I felt, you know?
I went on into it as like,
that's why I brought them cupcakes.
That's why I brought, you know,
I always brought something for everyone,
the kids and mom, not just mom.
Here's a present for mom and you guys are just a second.
So for me, I, it was,
if I'm gonna be completely honest with you,
it was odd to be a dad because I had never dated anyone.
Imagine never dating anyone, being this like innocent boy
and all of a sudden you're a dad.
That was weird.
And in getting that feeling of,
I'm now a dad, like to feel normal,
it took, you know, quite like six months, right?
But after that, I mean,
I've never once thought that I'm not their dad,
if that makes sense.
And I don't know if that's a God thing
or if that's just a personality thing for me or what it is,
but anytime I'm talking about them,
I have like in my mind and in my heart,
it's never been a separation of these are Sam's kids
and now these, sorry, and these new two are my kids.
I've never, ever thought that way.
It's just been our kids.
And when other people say like, what about your step kids?
I'm like, you mean my son and daughter?
You're talking about those two?
You know, so we always like try to correct it
because I don't see them as,
the word step doesn't make sense to me
because not only have I adopted them,
which took nine months, but it was 100% worth it,
so they're like legally mine,
but I am that role, right?
I am the father and I am their dad.
And what's the point of using the word step?
Because that I am the father, right?
And that's kind of the mindset
and the way I went into it.
And like I said, for me, it was weird being a dad,
but I never saw myself not as their dad,
if that makes sense.
It totally makes sense.
And I love the, like even the different layers
of what you just brought, you know,
in addition to what Jeremy had already shared.
One of the things you said is you just viewed them as,
these are my kids and you saw yourself as a dad.
We talk even in this community all the time
that our belief that we're a bride or a groom
long before we become one is a huge like aspect
of walking into that victory.
And so for those of you that have kids
that are looking for a spirit mate
that will love your kids,
I really wanna encourage you to be praying
for your spirit mate now.
Like that they will just really believe
and own it in their heart, not in an overstepping way.
Cause you know, every dynamic's different.
You came in, thankfully, you know, the kids were younger.
It can be a little trickier blending families
as the kids are older.
There's different dynamics that have gone on,
you know, in Jeremy and Carla's case, there was a loss.
You know, Jeremy was a widow when they met.
I don't know, I'm gonna come to David and Jenny here.
Would love to hear, you know, you have,
I wrote it down, hopefully I get it right.
Eight adult children between the two of you all.
Three grandchildren and they're about to have
three more grandchildren in this next year.
So exciting.
But can you tell us from your perspective,
you know, what has that been like for you
as you all are blending families
and you're coming in as, you know, that role in influence.
And again, adult children, it can be different,
but I do think just from my perspective,
we have adult children.
Loving them in the posture of our hearts
is still a huge thing.
actor in all of it. But David, can you share for us from your perspective on this?
Yeah, I think for us, it was important when we were dating, we were very intentional about
wanting our kids to, to your point, Bethany, about peace. And so we were looking for a peaceful
relationship with them. I think too, our youngest are in their early 20s. And so there's not a lot
of like that being at home stuff. And there's probably only been a few occasions where we've
been able to get all of them together with the grandkids. But it means you have to be more
intentional with those smaller, smaller interactions. I guess the bit that I saw straight
up was you could feel the to Jenny's point that that lack of a dad in their life, even though
they're adult kids. And so for my role, it's been not to so much be a dad to little kids or to be
a friend, it's more to kind of be, how do you be that adult mentor without without it being a
heavy handed thing. So it's been really quite deliberate, but but but casual. And and so you
want to be able to kind of speak into their lives and hopefully have some, some intentionality around
that. But but there's no place for being for being a big dad figure. And I think I think Jenny, I
think that's worked well. And I think it's it's built rapport on both sides for our for our kids
that that it is a gentleness to that when they're that bit older. And I think there's just a play
out over that over time to come. I think sorry. I was just gonna say David's been very generous
with my children in his as the posture of his heart is true. Like, I know that he loves them
and wants the best for them and, and seeks wisdom on how to relate to them. He's coming to join me
in Sydney for my son's dinner tonight. So he prioritises those things. And David has a saying
little often in relationships. So he just takes opportunities to build. And I've seen them over
the time, they, David's a crazy, like builder, and they ask his advice on those things. And just
finding points of connection. He says generous with his time. And like my son moved into his
own place and needed a fridge. And David said, let's buy him a fridge. So generous with his
resource and time to just generous posture of heart with my children, which is, you know,
meant so much to all of us. And I think one of the things we also brought to the table was a
very, again, intentionality about co grandparenting, we saw that there's really a privilege that that
at this stage of life, there's going to be grandkids who are very much similar of age and
probably an hour apart. So again, how do how do we keep building that community with them?
And in it in and around them, so we can kind of picture times when we would be taking
our co grandparented grandchildren way together and, and, and building relationship through that.
Yeah, we have a dream, we have a dream of having cousins camp when, when they're old enough to
leave their parents that, that they would have that experience of being cousins with each other.
And I know there's a local grant Christian grandparents conference, and we came to attend
that. So just something that we really do want to do well together is to co grandparents as
Christian grandparents. Yeah. And I love that you just added that Jenny, because I think some of our
older couples, I want I want you all to be thinking about those kind of things as well. Like,
so maybe your kids are grown, but how can you invest in that next generation
and really do it with kingdom excellence. And I just think you all are incredible.
This night has gone so fast, you all I feel like I've blinked and it is 915.
So I have to start to close us up. But for every one of the couples that has been here tonight,
thank you for everything that you've shared from your stories. We're so blessed and honored
to beginning to know you more to see what God has been doing in your lives and your marriages to
hear how God brought you together. And I know it's been a blessing to the people in our community.
I've seen a lot of the people sharing in the chat. But for those of you joining us as well,
you know, want to encourage you to continue to have hope. And the days you feel discouraged,
don't don't let the enemy isolate you turn into community. One of the things that, you know,
Carla and I talk a lot about and you heard her say it even tonight, showing up and posting in
the community, talking about your dates, talking about the people that you're meeting is a really
key aspect. I came into the community all the time I had, and he was PB&J, Pastor Brian and
Jesus. That's what I named him, PB&J. And all the girls in my group knew who PB&J was. And that's
what they call
him in the beginning. And, you know, it just made it really an incredible experience. And I hear
some people say, well, the group is so big now, I don't know anyone. Well, everybody can know
somebody. So if you don't know anybody, you can reach out to one person and get to know them.
And so let's not kind of isolate. Let's come into community and post. Let's see,
like, what are y'all going through? If you're in that discouragement phase,
maybe don't come in and just say, I'm so discouraged over and over and over. But let's
say you're discouraged. But how can you shift out of that in this next season? We love you.
We're praying for you. We believe in your love stories. One of the last things I'm going to
close on is when Samantha was sharing earlier, she said that Jackie said to her, be expectant
of the good. Be expectant of the good. And Carla shared, you know, that Jackie said to her,
I have faith for you. Borrow my faith until you can have faith. And so that's where I wanted to
end tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, be expectant of the good that God wants to bring you. We have
to prepare our hearts to believe with faith before it comes. So be expectant. God has
amazing things in store in 2025 for all of you. Some of you are going to step into amazing jobs
that you've been praying for. And that needs to happen before your spirit mate can come.
So whatever it is, like, let's not look at what's not happening. Let's look at what is happening
and let God build your faith because he has an amazing plan for you. We're here as proof. All
four of us as couples are here saying God has done this for us. He can do it for you too. Keep
taking one step every single day towards God's best for you. And he will see you through. We
love you all. God bless you. And we'll be seeing you again soon to all of our couples. Thank you
again for taking this time to invest in us, in our community. We love you. God bless you. Have
a good night, everyone. Bye.