Kate and Kevin Kirchner: A new Start

Well, as most of you may know... as of November 29th Kevin and I are now Mr. & Mrs. Kirchner!

It's crazy to think that we are actually husband and wife just because it sounds so grown up and we still feel so young. It is amazing to have the feeling of feeling so young but still feeling so sure that you want to spend the rest of your life with someone. There are so many adventures ahead of Kevin and I and we are pumped about them. God is going to be with us through it all... the ebb and flow of married life, spiritual life, social life, etc.

Right now Kevin and I are living in a small farm house on one of the church member's land. The Lord's blessings have been so evident in our lives since we moved to Virginia. He continues to woo us with His faithfulness and mysterious whispers of our calling together as a married couple.

Kevin and I have some opportunities ahead of us that we would like to share with all of you so that you could be praying for us in a more specific way.

• Greenville College - 2 year contract as Web Developer - Kevin
• Koinonia Music Center (KMC) - Kevin and I have committed to be part of the leadership with Aaron Appleton and Saul Huber for the establishing of the program.
  
• We hope to be settled, helping and serving, and living in Uganda by the end of 2010 whether it be working for Food for the Hungry Go-Ed program and/or KMC
  

So there are our adventures to come! We believe the Lord is calling us full-time to Uganda so please pray for more specific direction and timing from the Lord for us.

Please also keep us in your prayers as we are going to be traveling a lot in the next month. Here is our itinerary:

• December 16: drive to Greenville and move into our new apartment on the 18th
• December 20-24: Springfield, MO for Christmas with Kevin's family
• December 24-Jan. 6: Fly to Boston, MA for Christmas with my family, stay with my brother, Dave, and sister-in-law, Sarah
• January 6- 9: Fly to Phoenix, AZ for FH Go-Ed Orientation
• January 9: Fly home to Greenville, IL
• January 12: Kevin begins his first day of work

We would appreciate all your prayers and encouragement during this time. Thank you already for all your love and support in so many different ways. We love you all.

May God's face shine upon you today.

K & K

Counseling for the Soul

Kate and I started marriage counseling 3 weeks ago. I've always assumed counseling was for people who had issues and that I never needed any because I had no issues. Well, I was wrong on BOTH accounts. In the new light of first hand experience, I can tell you that counseling is for everyone because we ALL have issues. Kate and I both agree that we've needed counseling all our lives. From what I've experienced in 2 sessions, counseling basically consists of an open and safe arena to share your important thoughts and feelings. I know not everyone's experience is all that great, but I'd definitely recommend counseling any time for anyone and everyone (issues or 'no issues').

I've learned a lot about Kate and a lot about myself. I was finally able to put Kate's important pre-college experiences in chronological order. Before, her past was a mix-mash of stories here and there. I've learned so much about my relationship with my dad and my relationship with myself (self-esteem).

All to say - this is just the beginning - let the learning and growing flow like an endless stream until we take our last breaths.

The best day ever!

Laughter. One word can describe an entire day. And I'm talk about pure laughter - not the laughter where you can think about whether or not you're supposed to laugh while you're laughing - pure laughter, where you can't do anything but feel the joy pour out of your body. You know that kind of laughter. And you know it doesn't show up every day.

Today was one of those days though - spending time with Kate in the kitchen, in the car, in her room, while eating, while working - joy seeped out of us. I loved it. And the funny thing is...I can't really tell you one joke she told me or some act she pulled to make me laughed. We just laughed with each other all day - ah, I can't explain it but it was great.

Laughing is good. In fact, humor is even being used as an alternative medicine. Check it out here. Here is another article about how good hearty laughs can help prevent heart attacks.

Kate and I are so happy together and I can't imagine being with anyone else. Golly gee jumpers, I love her. She makes me laugh so well. We're going to have a good time for sure.

- Until next time - go have a laugh - xo - Kevin

Life is Beautiful

Today my mom and I went dress shopping for the wedding. (Don't worry Kevin I am not going to post any pictures... haha.) Well, I picked one after about trying on 8 or 10 dresses. It's beautiful.

All this to say I just wanted to update everyone on where Kevin and I are at these days:

Most of you know but for those who don't... Kevin and I planned on getting married on June 20th of next year and recently decided to change it to November 29th of this year! Might seem crazy and we even thought we might be, but when the Lord continued to provide in little, miraculous ways we knew the Lord was with us in this decision. He is Jehovah Jirah!

As we are embarking on this new journey called "marriage" we have contemplated many things daily. Kevin and I have entered into deep conversations about the possibility of having a child early in our marriage and how we will handle that small life that we would be responsible to love and nurture. We talked about how to discipline and how to love all at the same time. We talked of our excitement to have little ones smiling up at us with muddy hands and clothes and hoping that we will be able to laugh at them and with them. What a beautiful thing to see an example of childlike faith through your own children.
We have also talked many times about our walk with the Lord, individually and together. There is so much to learn and so much room to grow and we are asking that the Lord take us and use us because we are ready. We yearn to know His will for our lives, for our future. We desire to serve and minister to other for His Glory and Kingdom to come. We know he is Faithful.

Kevin and I have been blown away by how the Lord has been moving in us and working through our relationship these past few months. We pray that this is a good sign that we are following in God's will. (Lord, give us Grace for the times we stray.)

The wedding will be in the backyard of my parents house in Suffolk, VA where I am living now. It will be under the Pecan tree! hehe. Then we will head off to our honeymoon ( i don't know where it is... ask kevin... it's a secret).

The last bit of information is that Kevin and I have decided to live with my parents for awhile until we can save some money and possibly move to the mid-west next summer. Keep us in your prayers for patience and wisdom as we will be in close quarters with my parents but also itching to embark on what the Lord has for us beyond this year.

Thank you all for your prayers and support for our relationship. May the Lord bless you and keep you and may His face shine upon you this day.

Love,
Kate