In order to give you an idea of how things went for us, I'm posting the unofficial transcript of our wedding intro video. We did something out of the box so that our family and friends would be able to better get the whole story.
Yes folks, I have one good looking fireman!
- We have a amazing story to tell you to day
- Welcome friends and family Judi and I are so grateful that you could join us on this joyful day. This probably seems a little different, me standing here to welcome you. But Judi and I have an amazing story to tell you about how it is that God brought us together to become husband and wife.
To start off, some of you know me and don’t know Judi and others don’t know myself, because of this we would like to tell you about ourselves. - A little about Joel and Judi
- I was born in Huntsville, Al as the 4th child of Ron and Susan. (Baby photos) My parents worked hard to raise me and my brothers and sisters to be hardworking God fearing Christians. The year I turned 3 mom and dad moved us out to a little farm and we started learning how to be country folks. (farm photos) That was a decision has probably shaped me in to the man I am more then any other thing my parents did. I learned to work hard and to be responsible by growing up on a farm. At 13 I started shearing sheep, (sheep/llama photos) first just ours then our friends and by the time I was 19, I had a 5 state circuit shearing over 2000 sheep and 300 llamas a year. But that wasn’t what I was supposed to do full time. After working as a farm manager for 4 year the Lord lead me to quite my job and join the Air Force Reserve as a firefighter. (fire photos?) At the time I had no idea why but I left for basic in January 2010. It took a little time but I finally in July 2012 the Lord moved me to Enterprise to work as a firefighter here at Ft Rucker. That was the move that reconnected me with my beautiful bride.
- I was born in Raleigh, NC as the third child, and oldest daughter to Eugene and Rachel (baby photos) My dad had finished Bible college and our family was preparing to go to Australia as missionaries. When I was 13 months old we made the move. I was very blessed to be raised by parents who sought to love and serve God and raise our family according to God’s principles. (childhood photos) I have many wonderful memories of growing up overseas and have some life-long Aussie friends. In 2007 our family moved back to the US permanently and a few months later I started nursing school. (nursing school photos) After graduation I began working at the medical center and continued to serve with my church. In the years since we moved, I had wondered how and why God has put us in lower AL. I had no idea that He was going to bring an amazing man to me.
- Salvation
- Joel’s testimony
- I would like to tell you about the most important thing to happen to me, the day I became a Christian. I was raised in a godly Christian home, but that is not what make a person a Christian or what gets them in to heaven. The only way to truly have salvation is to have a personally relationship with the savor. I can clearly remember the day that I asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins and to save my soul from the power of death.
It was January 1989, I was on a church basketball team and we had a game that Saturday morning. It was just mom and I in the car and as we drove to the game I was under conviction from the Lord. I had heard that I needed to be saved and that as a sinner I would go to hell and be separated from God forever. And that morning the Lord was bringing it all together so that my young mind could understand it. At 6 years old I knew the verses from Sunday School. Verses like John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that who ever believes on Him should not parish.” Or Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
When we arrived at the church for the game I told mom I couldn’t go in and play till I got saved. So right there in the car mom went over the scriptures with me to make sure that I understood that I was a sinner and there was nothing I could personally do to get into heaven. She showed me that after Romans 3 we are told in Romans 6:23 “but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” And lastly Romans 10:9 which tell us that me must, confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead then we will be saved.
So right there in the car I prayed and asked Jesus to come into my heart and forgive me for my sins and save me.
From that day to this I know I am going to go to heaven when I die, but its more then that it’s a day to day walk with a God who cares enough about me personally to listen to me pray and to spend 27 years growing an amazing woman to be my wife. - Judi’s testimony
- Being raised in a Christian home, I was surrounded by God’s truth. At age 8 I first understood that’s Christ’s death was personal, it was for me. We returned home from church wan evening and I was overcome with conviction that I had not accepted His gift of salvation. I remember talking and praying with my mum and for years felt that was my salvation. As I got older I began to live my life more selfishly. God became less important in my life. I knew that my life was a mess and it seemed that I couldn’t live as Christ had called me to. It felt like an impossible struggle. In July 2012 I attended a Christian conference for single young people. While I was there, I was deeply convicted over my spiritual condition. It seemed that every session and small group always dealt with the issue of salvation. I began to sense the leading that God was showing me that I was not truly His child. I was overcome that He loved me enough to spare me and give me the chance to make my salvation settled. So I sat in my car with the AC turned all the way up (The building AC that weekend was broken so I was desperate to get cool!) and completely surrendered my heart to Him and asked Him to save me and make me His child. I now have a joy and complete peace knowing that my salvation is secure and have sought to live a life pleasing to God.
- Focus on the Lord while single
- Joel’s Ministry
- When I was 15 the Lord used several things to bring me to a personal decision to wait on Him to bring the right girl for me to marry into my life. One verse that he used was 1 Cor. 7:32-33 which says “He that is unmarried careth for the thing of the Lord, how he may please the Lord: But he that is married careth for the things of world … may please his wife.” I knew that at 15 I wasn’t ready to get married so I took that verses to mean I should not be worrying about girls but rather severing the Lord knowing that one day I would have a wife to care for. So for the next 16 years I tried to keep busy serving the Lord anyway I could.
I have been blessed beyond anything I ever imagined that summer day that I said ok Lord I will seek to serve you till you bring the right girl to me. You see I have been able to help out at the different churches in many different ways, I was blessed with the opportunity to spend a summer traveling to 6 different states with a team teaching children about the Lord and how to have godly character. I was able to spend a summer at a camp in Arkansas taking very intense bible classes, which lead to me taking two mission trips to Australia to work with some Aboriginal boys in western Australia. I was able to take some short trips with my church one to Canada and the other to Washington State.
I know guys who refused to take trips to serve the Lord because they couldn’t be away from their girlfriends for that long. I have been on trips were all the guy could think about was his girl back home. As far as I know none of them ended up married to the girl that was hindering their service. I am so thankful to my parents who encouraged me; and the Lord who led me to keep my focus on serving the Savor.
Now I can stand here today and tell Judi that I will spend the rest of my life focused on her and her needs.
Don’t take what I have just said to mean that I plan to stop serving the Lord. That’s not it at all. I just can’t decide to take a month long camping trip in the Australian outback, because now I have someone relying on me to love and provide for her. Instead we now get to join our service and work as a team wherever the Lord needs us. - Judi’s Ministry
I was very fortunate to have been raised in a missionary family. Although my dad was the main one serving, our whole family was involved in helping him at various times and my parents encouraged us to use our talents and gifts in serving with our church. For many years my main area of service and ministry has been through music. My parents graciously put me through many years of violin and flute lessons and instilled in me a love for music that pleased God. But God has also given me other areas of ministry. I have been able to participate in teaching children’s Bible institutes, both here in the US and during our time in Australia. I was part of a leadership team that went to Malaysia to teach the children during their annual home school conference. I also have had the privilege of being a part of the leadership team for a girls camp in TX for three summers. Since finishing nursing school my main outlet of serving has been through my church, in various capacities.
- Our Courtship
- Ok, so now you have gotten to know who we are as people but we haven’t told you the amazing story of how the Lord brought us together and how we fell in love. Which I’m guessing is what you really want to hear about anyway.
So here it goes, This is not the story of love at first sight, or being sure at that first kiss. (good thing its not about the kiss, because that hasn’t happened yet!) No, this is a story of two people who are committed to wait on the Lord to bring his perfect person to their life.
- Joel’s Point of view
- As I mentioned earlier at 15, I committed to wait for the Lord to bring the right girl into my life. So I have spent the last 16 years trying to stay focused on the Lord. That if you haven’t tried it, is much easier to say then do!
Over the years I would cross paths with a nice looking Christian girl and wonder if maybe she is the one. Not sure who suggested it but I started praying for the girl whenever I meet someone I was interested in. You see, if it was Gods timing and plan than I should be praying for her. But if it was Satan trying to distract me I should still pray for her, the difference would be that Satan wouldn’t want me to pray and would stop sending the distractions and I would know that she wasn’t the ONE.
All those years it just got harder and harder to wait on the Lord. But thankfully with His grace I was able to stick to it and keep trusting Him.
Looking back I can see His hand leading me to Judi all the way back to high school. You see, just 3 years after I made the commitment to wait on the Lord, I met Judi. Our family was members at Calvary Baptist in Huntsville and the West family was one of the missionaries that we supported. They happened to be staying in the churches apartment for a few weeks over Christmas. Well my mother was always having missionaries over for dinner and wasn’t about to let them spend Christmas by themselves in a small apartment. So we had them over for Christmas dinner.
Shortly after that they went back to Australia and I kept serving the Lord were I could.
A few years later when I was in Australia for those mission trips, our paths crossed again for a couple of days. Again it was nothing but old friends saying hi, and getting caught up. It would take another 8 years for the Lord to say “ok now you two can fall in love and get married”.
During those 8 years I started working as a farm manager, then the Lord said time to change jobs. So I join the Air Force Reserve to be a firefighter. Why that was what I was supposed to do I had no idea. After Fire school I ended up in Tuscaloosa for a year and a half. During that time I was trying to get hired by a city fire department. Finally after almost 2 years of trying my thing I said ok Lord Ill put in for the Ft Rucker job. I don’t want to move down there but I surrender. So in early 2012 I applied to Ft Rucker Fire. I was told I didn’t get the job but would be considered for future openings. I was like ok, so that’s a no too.
But the week after the 4th of July I got a call asking if I still wanted a job with Ft Rucker Fire. So I moved to Enterprise and started work the last day of July. For the next year I looked for a church that I could serve and worship the Lord. I went to several nice churches but the Lord never gave me peace about any of them.
Then in October of last year I visited Faith Baptist and that first service I knew I had finally found were I was supposed to be. I had no idea that the West were even in this part of the country, let alone members of Faith. (they were out of town that first week)
Over the next few weeks I went out to lunch with the West family and we got caught up on what had been happening with our families over the years. After a few weeks I found that I was looking forward to church for more then one reason. I wanted to see Judi! So like always I started to pray for her, but unlike past girls I had prayed about, I found that I was just thinking about her more and more. I realized that I would choose my seat at church so I could see her as she played her violin.
I kept praying and asking the Lord for guidance. I guess it was about thanksgiving when I really started to pray earnestly about Judi and whether she might be the ONE. I didn’t get an answer till Christmas when I was back home at mom and dads. I hadn’t told them about what I was feeling or praying about but mom kept giving unsolicited advice. (she knew that the Wests went to the same church I did) Telling me how wonderful she thought Judi was, how when they came over for dinner all those years earlier she had prayed about whether Judi was the one for me. The Lord used those conversations to give me peace that He was leading. I was afraid that I was just lost in Judi’s beauty and my need to have someone was making me think it was His will. But after Christmas I had peace and called Mr West and asked if we could meet and talk. So on January 2 we met at McDonald’s for coffee. I think we talked for like 2 hours just about stuff. Finally he said he better get going, I realized it was now or never. So I told him that the real reason I had asked to meet him was I wanted his permission to court Judi. I can still remember the look on his face and I have no idea what went through his mind. But he told me he would have to pray about it and talk to Mrs West and Judi. He promised to call me and we said good-bye.
The Lord gave me total peace from that moment on that this was His will and that one day I would marry Judi West. Of course she still didn’t even know I was interested but I had no intention of letting her get away!
Mr West finally called and said he had talked it over and Judi had said “sure”. He suggested we go to McDonalds for coffee after church and Judi and I could talk. So 5 January 2014 after evening service we had our first date.
Those first few weeks were interesting because none of us knew what the next step was. I had spent all those years waiting for the right one, but had no idea how to move forward in building a relationship. I did know one thing and Judi agreed with me that we wanted the Lord to be the foundation. So over the weeks and months we have made it a point to spend time praying together and reading His word. (when people hear how short our courtship was people wander how we can be sure that this is right. When you spend as much time reading and praying as we did you get to know each other on a deeper, more spiritual level)
Our love developed slowly then all at once. Judi asked me a few weeks ago when I knew I loved her. I had to tell her that I don’t know the exact day because I had guarded my heart for so long that even when I was sure she was the One I had to slowly let her in. And by that I mean it took maybe a couple of weeks.
Only a couple weeks in to our courtship we started doing a Bible study on knowing God. We would work through a chapter by ourselves and then get together and talk about it and what it meant to us and what we believed on the different aspects of know God and his will. About halfway through the book we decided to start reading scripture together. We started with the Proverb of the day. We take turns reading and then just discuss what the Lord showed us, or a verse that had special meaning to us. By doing this from the very beginning we were getting to know each other on a spiritual level. We were able to discus children and salvation, wisdom and right chooses, and other subjects from a spiritual point of view. Because of this we learned about each other and what makes us who we are.
The coolest part was each time either of us would start a discussion we would find that we both agreed. That was when we started to notice how the Lord had so specifically grown us to be perfect for each other. At this point the biggest thing we find that we disagree on is how to make oatmeal or what is real BBQ.
All the things I had asked the Lord for in the woman I was to marry He developed in Judi. He even went as far as to say, “remember that time I caused you to consider this possibility or that one, when you said that you would trust me. Well here is the reason why; Judi needs your support in that matter.”
One of the decisions that I made on day one, or really long before then, was that Judi and our relationship is to important to cheapen it with physical involvement.
We agreed to save the first kiss till the wedding. That being if the Lord allowed us to reach that point. I even choose to take it as far as no toughing at all, till after we were engaged.
I believe that no matter how sure I am that Judi is the one I am going to marry. I should always treat her with the respect that I would treat any other woman. I’m not going to go around kissing or felling up some other guys wife. And until we say I do, there is a possibility that she could end up as another’s wife. I love and respect her to much to do anything that might harm her reputation.
So anyway it has been an incredible journey from family friends to madly in love soon to be Mr. and Mrs. The Lord has shown us his will and leadership in the little things and the big things.
We are very grateful that you took the time to join us to day, as we follow what the Lord has so clearly shown us to be his perfect will for us, and become husband and wife. - Judi’s Point of View
- Like I said, I had long wondered why God had placed our family in Dothan. For a few years I thought maybe it was to give me the opportunity to go to nursing school very cheaply and still live at home. But as the years went on I knew He had to have a greater plan for me life. I had a good job and was able to minister through my church, but I still felt like I was called to something beyond myself. As a missionary's kid, I have always had a passion for missions. Many times I looked into medical mission trips but nothing would work out. Each time I had to choose to trust that God was in control and He had a perfect plan. I believe I was about 12 when I first decided that I was not going to chase after a guy. God would have to bring the right person to me. I can’t say it was easy, but it was a constant choice to be content as a single person and be exactly where God had me in that moment. And I had the days, like most girls do, where all I hoped for was my tall, handsome prince to come sweep me off my feet! But God was faithful to remind me that He was in control and all I needed was to wait on Him.
- While I knew God would have the perfect man for me (if He decided I should marry), I also had my list! On this list, was one physical trait that I had asked God for. I prayed that whomever he brought me would be tall- well, Joel is a full 6 feet so I think God answers prayers!
- Joel did mention that I was oblivious to his feelings, which is totally accurate. The first thought when I first saw him at church was “oh, I know you”. As we began to re-connect with him, it was fun to have someone to fellowship with who knew more of my story then just the last 8 years here in AL, and who I had quite a bit in common with. Although I did notice that I could always see Joel in church from my chair, it never crossed my mind that he might have chosen his “spot” so he could me (I actually didn’t figure this out until after we started courting!).
- Jan. 5th started like any other Sun morning for me, except that right before I left for church mum told me her and dad wanted to talk to me when Sarah and I got home in the afternoon. We had lunch plans with some of the singles from church. I didn’t think twice about asking Joel, since we both fell into that category! That afternoon dad told me the story of his conversation with Joel. It didn’t take me long to figure out where the story would end up but I let him finish (while trying to stifle a smile) until he got to his question. He asked me if I would be interested in courting Joel, to determine if God might have brought us together. My answer was “sure”. Not because I wasn’t interested but because I was willing to take the step on faith and because I also felt that using “yes” as an answer should be saved for any marriage proposal that might come! The last eight months have been absolutely incredible! God has given me a love far beyond myself, for a man who loves me just as much in return. Without a doubt, our relationship has inspired me to be a better person, in every area of my life. By deciding that Christ would be the foundation of our relationship, my own walk with Him was strengthened. I have to admit that my heart caught on a whole lot quicker then me head. Only a few weeks into our relationship I was trying to decide what I was feeling but every time I tried to explain it, it was all mixed up. My mother graciously informed me what it was when she said “well, I’d call it love”. I was actually kind of shocked, I hadn’t expected to fall in love so fast and was a bit skeptical. But before to long I had to admit that I was hopelessly in love with the amazing man God had brought into my life.
