Many know the story of US. BUT, some do not. So, here goes. Derek and I started 'talking' to each other in high school. We were both helping with the 4-H Youth Fair. We had never really talked to each other before that day. Derek was a senior and I was a freshman! He asked me to his prom and it has been love since then. We dated through my high school and college years. We went through many things in the process of dating but it has made us tough. Derek graduated from TTU in December of 2002 with his BS in Health and Physical Education. He then started his masters. I graduated from TTU in May 2004 with my BS in Biology: Health Sciences. We were then married on June 5, 2004. Derek was still finishing his masters and I was making a plan to apply to Physician's Assistant schools in TN. Derek didn't find a teaching job until the end of August. So, he worked at Cagles (chicken factory) for the first few months of our marriage. I feel he was grateful for the job but didn't feel like he was using all his 'schooling'. At the same time, I was working at one of the local Doctor's office in the lab. I found out in early 2005 that I was accepted to Trevecca's PA program!! Wow! So, we moved to Nashville, even though I wasn't sure it was what the Lord had for me. I quickly withdrew from the program because I was so unhappy and knew I was not doing what the Lord would have for me. Our pastor had preached a message concerning the Lord's design for mothers shortly after I was accepted. The Lord had put this message there for a reason. I just didn't listen. So, for our 1st year anniversary, I was studying. I had actually forgot our anniversary!!! So, the Lord used my disobedience to teach me and poor Derek a few lessons. So, that was our love story up to our 1st year! The main lesson we learned in our first year of marriage was to "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding." Proverbs 3:5.
