Holiday Fellowship

It's already time for Christmas!?  Spending time with loved ones is such a fun time, and celebrating His birth is our favorite time of year!  With this being our first holiday season as a married couple, we want to be extra intentional with our conversations and time with family and friends.  Setting the tempo for our life together is important for us to further of His kingdom, and we especially want to save up special memories to look back on for the next two years while we're far away from home.

We can't imagine what the Christmas season will be like in China next year.

Serving Together

We have been asked the question a lot lately, "How is marriage?"  It's a funny question, and we often are not sure what people mean-- what part of marriage are they asking about?  Usually, we say, "It's great!"  And it really is, but next time we get asked that question, maybe we should go a little deeper.  He is doing GREAT things through our marriage, and that isn't only in our own lives, but also in the lives of those around us.  It's not all about us!

Living in Today's World

Living in the world today is difficult.  There are constantly things and people calling for our attention, and even though those things are not always inherently bad, the distraction they might cause is.  We are a new creation, so with that new life comes responsibility-- He calls us His ambassadors!  

Because of Him we are saved, and since we have admitted our wrongs, turned completely to Him, and accepted His free gift, we have to DO something about it.  There are people who need to hear that News, and they won't hear it if the Body keeps it inside the walls of our nice buildings.  There are those who are hungry for the truth, but so many of us get consumed by work, friends, entertainment, and even our children.  All of these distractions in life are nothing compared to our life with Him eternally.  We need to be focused on bringing others into the kingdom [I'm speaking to myself!] by using our blessings to bring others to Him.  What if we used our homes, jobs, and all other areas of life solely for His glory?  What kind of difference would that make for the Kingdom? 

That means using our entire lives, talents, and time to point people to Him.  Thank goodness these good works don't bring us to Him, but instead, our love for Him causes us to do good works so that He receives all the credit and joy.  Our entire lives should be bringing people into a relationship with the Father!  I constantly find myself letting moments slip by without bringing the conversation around to His Name-- even when the opportunity perfectly presents itself.  And I often do not go out of my way to bring joy into someone's life.  Sometimes it's so much easier to not say anything at all!  

We are to be "of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Father, for we walk by faith, not by sight... So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him."

Father, help me not "be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of my mind, that by testing I may discern what is the will of the Father, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Ro. 12:2)."  

~Sara (& Jesse)  

Reminiscing Auburn Football

College was full of growth, new friendships, and many new [sometimes fun, sometimes more challenging] experiences.  From majorette to cheerleading to joining the local Body in bringing people to Him, we enjoyed every part of our time at Auburn University!

We Have Some News!

You may have been thinking, THEY'RE HAVING A BABY.


Nope.


A few months before our wedding, we were given the opportunity to teach elementary school in Costa Rica.  However, that was not our Father’s plan.  Instead, He called us to work in Montgomery, starting our marriage off surrounded by a community of family, friends, and others sharing our beliefs. Beginning in July 2015, He has called us to teach English at a Chinese university for two years. Many of our students will be the next generation of China’s leaders, so by teaching them English, we will have a huge impact on the country’s future.  We can’t imagine any greater joy than sharing our lives with our students who are desperate for a greater purpose!

Reminiscing March 15th

SIX MONTHS OF MARRIAGE!

Trusting

Jesse and I have been learning a lot about what it means to truly trust His plan and patiently await His answers since our engagement.

Before our wedding, we were planning on moving to Costa Rica to teach at an elementary school immediately after our honeymoon.  About 3 weeks before we got married, we received an email from the school saying they had decided to combine classes instead of hiring us as new teachers.  We were a little upset, but the whole process of communication back and forth had been difficult the entire time, and the school did not seem to be very stable.  It was good to hear a clear answer!

Becoming One Flesh

[Thoughts & lifting up to the Father, by Sara] 

We are commanded in His Word to submit to one another, to love each other more than ourselves, and to put Him first, above all else. I don't know about you, but those requirements seem impossible to me! 

Family

Just taking some time to thank our wonderful family... We don't thank them enough for all the "upward thoughts," encouragement, and love they pour over us!

"For where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I among them." (Mat. 18:20, ESV)

Learning to be Present

People are always asking questions.  When we were just friends, people asked: "Aren't you two going to ever date?"  When we did start dating freshman year of college, the constant question was: "How long before you two get engaged?"  When we got engaged senior year, conversations with new people usually included: "When is the wedding?"  We actually weren't sure of our wedding date until 2-3 months of being engaged.  Now that we're married, we keep getting asked: "When are you having children?"  What?

All of these questions are just conversation starters, and they really do show someone cares, so we aren't upset when people ask for updates on our life.

Singing in the Car

Driving for more than 2 hours calls for some singing...

~Jesse & Sara

4 Months Later

Since the wonderful March 15, 2014, we have experienced how fun and difficult being married is, but we would have it no other way.  If it were easy, we would not be relying on Him for our strength, and if we did not need Him, our marriage would not be broadcasting the Good News.  We are realizing the reality that “Truth without love ruins oneness, and love without truth gives the illusion of unity but actually stops the journey and the growth.  The solution is grace.” (The Meaning of Marriage, page 163)."  

New Town, New Jobs, New House

We are loving our new home in Montgomery!  So far, we have lived here for a week, but it is becoming more and more like home to us.  Since we don't start our jobs at E.A.T. South until next Wednesday, we have had some time for the essentials of getting started in a new town:  unpacking, cleaning, making a fort from move-in boxes, building bathroom & kitchen shelves, and exploring Montgomery.  Check out our life in the Gump so far:

The Age of Weddings

Our good friends, Kelsey Taylor and Matt Walk are now married!!  It was such a beautiful ceremony to be a part of, and loved how they focused on glorifying Him in every part of the weekend.  And the reception was such a fun time of celebration with friends and their families.  Have fun in Mexico, Mr. and Mrs. Walk!!!

Hungry with a Budget

Cooking together has always been one of our favorite activities, and now that we are married, we get to do that a lot!  We have been trying to learn how to budget for around $25 or $30 per week on food (very difficult when you realize how little that allows to spend on each meal).  We've found several blogs on Pinterest that have helped, but here is what we've learned through this little experiment:

• PLAN your meals for the week.  We have pretty laid back personalities, and we didn't always plan out our meals in college.  However, we have learned that planning helps save money on groceries because you aren't buying as much unnecessary food.  We have been sitting down to plan our dinners on Sunday nights so we can stop by the grocery store the next day, and it has been extremely helpful.  For lunches and breakfasts, we usually eat cereal, sandwiches, leftovers, and salads, so those meals are pretty easy.

Moving to Montgomery!

WE HAVE BIG NEWS!!!

We have both been offered jobs in Montgomery, Alabama with a nonprofit organization called E.A.T. South.  We will be teaching people about eating fresh, healthy food at the urban gardens downtown and in the Hampstead area of Montgomery, and we are super excited to start working there!

Making Him Known at Our Wedding

After being engaged for a year and four months and getting married March 15, 2014, we have decided one thing:  planning a wedding is crazy, fun, exciting, frustrating, overwhelming, and strengthening, but mostly it's just bazaar.  

Cooking for Two

Yesterday, Jesse mentioned that he would like for us to learn to cook more of a variety of recipes instead of just doing our normal stir-fry dinners.  So I found a SUPER easy chicken recipe that requires little prep time and results in a ton of flavor.

Maybe Houseboats are the Answer to Overpopulation

While living on a houseboat for 3 days, we learned some things.  But first, take a tour of where we stayed while on our honeymoon in paradise:

How to Have a Fun Road-Trip

This is what happens when Sara and Jesse drive to the Florida Keys… thanks to the GoPro from Jesse's groomsmen!  {Make videos fullscreen by double clicking on the video.  And be sure the quality is on 720p if your computer allows it.}

Honeymoon: Road-trip, Houseboat, and Paradise

We went on a road trip to the Florida Keys and stopped by 2 cool places on the way:  High Springs and Cocoa Beach.  Once we got to the Keys, we stayed in an awesome house boat on Ramrod Key (between Key Largo and Key West).  We basically had a private beach and entire cove of the Keys to ourselves.  The house boat even came with fishing gear and 2 kayaks!  We had a blast exploring Key West, snorkeling at a nearby state park, and just living up island life.  The house boat was a GREAT choice made by the one and only Jesse Teel.  We're looking forward to many more adventures together as husband and wife!

{Make videos fullscreen by double clicking on the video.  And be sure the quality is on 720p if your computer allows that.}

Here's a brief introduction to what we saw when arriving to the houseboat:

Bird's Eye Wedding Video

A sweet friend of Sara's grandparents shot this video using a remote-controlled drone, and it is so neat!  {Make the video fullscreen by double clicking on the video.  And be sure the quality is on 720p if your computer allows it.}  Enjoy:

~Jesse & Sara

WEDDING: March 15, 2014

4:00pm

We are so thankful for amazing weather and a Father-glorifying wedding with family and friends to celebrate with us.  We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day!  More pictures to come later:)

Rehearsal Dinner: March 14, 2014

7:00pm

FUN evening with great family and friends… thanks for putting together a great dinner, Nancy and Les Teel!

Bridesmaids' Luncheon: March 14, 2014

12:30pm

What a lovely lunch with sweet friends, mothers, mother-in-law, and grandmothers! (Thankfully, there was enough food left for Jesse and Jake Whaley to eat.  They were finishing up the stage for the ceremony during our luncheon!)

Last Fling Before the Ring

The bachelorette and bachelor weekend was great!  The girls went to the lake Friday afternoon until Saturday afternoon, and the boys worked at the farm Saturday and camped out at Jesse's parents' land that night.  We're getting married next weekend!!!

License to Wed

We went to the courthouse to get our marriage license application today-- now we just have to get the pastor to sign it in a week and a half! Let the wedding craziness begin.

~Jesse & Sara

Getting Wedding Ready

Almost ready for the wedding!

Thankful for this sweet friend who was so helpful in making some crafts for the big day.  We love you, Sarah, and are excited for your wedding in July!

~Jesse & Sara

Time is Moving Quickly

Lately, the days are going by much faster.  We are so excited about the wedding and all of the festivities that come with it, but we are even more thrilled to be spending the rest of our lives together!  After March 15th, we will be Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Teel-- what?!!?  We should probably get that marriage license this week…

Throwback to that time we got engaged and had great facial expressions

~Jesse & Sara

31 Days?!?!

But those who wait on HIM will renew their strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not be weary, They will walk and not faint. (Is. 40:31)

Wow. Where did the time go?? It seems like we were just at 3 months-to-go, and all of the sudden there is only ONE MONTH until we're married!  We are beyond excited, a little nervous, and so happy to start our life together as husband and wife, serving Him and making His name known.

Currently, we have no idea of what His plan is for our life after the wedding.  We have job opportunities up in the air, but we are still waiting to hear back from a school overseas, and Jesse has a few job interviews next week.  The Father is teaching us to be patient and wait on His perfect timing, which has been a challenge, considering at least 3 people per day ask us about our life plans.  But we are patiently waiting and looking forward to spending the rest of our lives together.  As the wedding gifts continue to pour in (literally), we are counting the days and just enjoying the last few weeks with our families until we become Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Teel!

~Jesse & Sara

Mailed the Invitations!

We are SO thankful for Courtnie Johnson from Poppy Pedals, who designed our wedding invitations and helped address envelopes.  Jennifer Robinson was a huge help with the addressing envelopes, too! The invitations have officially been mailed, so in the words of my mother, "It is really happening!" Only a month and a half until we say "I do" and are roommates for life!

Here are the invitations:

Can't wait to see all of our friends and family on the big day!

~Jesse & Sara