We love sharing the story of how God brought us together. We've often marveled at the clarity with which He spoke to us about one another, and the unmistakable sense of His favor over our relationship. While the full story is rich with details and would take far too long to tell, here are some of the highlights 😊

In early 2024, Janna discovered Pure Life Ministries—the ministry where Nate has served for the past 16 years. As she listened to their podcasts and sermons, she was deeply impacted and encouraged in her own spiritual walk.

Grateful for the ministry's influence, she wrote a letter to Steve and Kathy Gallagher, the founders of Pure Life, expressing her appreciation and including a few original songs inspired by their teachings.

Then, in July, Steve Gallagher—who has been a spiritual father to Nate—sent him an email with YouTube links to two of Janna's songs. The message was brief and cryptic: “I think you should watch these two videos.”

Two months later, the Gallaghers began arranging for Janna to visit Pure Life Ministries to share her songs at a series of special meetings that October. Naturally, Nate ought to accompany her on the guitar, shouldn’t he? And they would need to have a practice together, wouldn’t they? 😊

After her visit to PLM, while Nate was on a ministry trip to Brazil, he and Janna began texting and getting to know each other a little more. They quickly sensed a strong spiritual connection and growing interest in one another. But Nate felt uneasy. Was God truly leading them into a relationship? They knew they needed to pause and seek God’s will.

So, they decided to take a step back and spend time in prayer for direction. During that two-week waiting period, God impressed upon Nate's heart the need to surrender the possibility of a relationship with Janna as a sacrifice of love. It wasn’t what he wanted to hear, but knowing that God’s will is always best, he chose to obey. Their next conversation was difficult, but filled with trust. If God was speaking, what else could they do but listen and obey? For Nate, there was peace mingled with sorrow. For Janna, sorrow mixed with quiet resignation and trust. God was leading, so she would wait, allowing Him to lead Nate in this.

And yet… as they talked, Nate couldn’t shake the feeling that their story wasn’t over. He would surrender, yes—but he would also wait on the Lord with hope. Two weeks later, God spoke clearly and unmistakably to Nate: he was being released to pursue a relationship with Janna. Their surrender had been seen, accepted, and honored.

From that point on, the path forward became incredibly clear (the confirmations were many and almost too crazy!). They were meant to be married—and so, they joyfully began walking forward in faith together.