10.10.10 celebrating 2 years married to Ryan Jeffery Lee

There have been many times in the past 2 years in my marriage to Ryan that I have stopped all I was doing to thank God for blessing me with this incredible gift! For those of who have known me for a long time, you know how much I desired to be married! Some of you have listened to these hopes and dreams and even dried my tears as I asked our God when my time would be. And in the years before going to China, as I was approaching 25 and 26, you know that I was close to losing hope. Especially after my example of a solid, loving marriage was totally shattered through my parents divorce. And when I followed God's call on my life to China in 2006 I NEVER imagined that He would bring into my life a husband. It was truly the farthest thing from my mind. And as I have heard it said before, "Love finds you when you aren't looking for it." I can testify to the truth of this statement in my life.

I truly believe that Ryan and I have one of the most unique and special love stories! To be honest, I take such joy in sharing it, because it is truly an act of God! Our love story is a testimony to our God and His greatness! Every time I think about it, I fall deeper in love with my Savior! He knew exactly the right time, He knew exactly who I needed and He has blessed me beyond what I could have imagined! He healed my heart in that first year in China more than I have ever experienced, which I believe was to prepare my heart to love Ryan!

And I will never forget that first summer home from China with my Mom and me sitting at the kitchen table, talking about my dating relationship with Ryan and all my fears. And my Mom, who had been hurt more than words can really express, encouraged me to open my heart and allow myself to love Ryan. Her words shocked me and yet I knew she was genuine. God had brought her to a place of healing where she was able to encourage me to love when love had wounded her. I am so grateful that my God is a healer and full of surprises!

I am sure you know our love story but in honor of our 2 year anniversary I wanted to share it again to SHOUT to the world how GOOD our God is! Let the world know that our love story has nothing to do with what we did but all to do with what God did!

Summer 2006 Kansas and Iowa
I left a job I loved at Tabor College to follow God's call on my life to teach English in China.
Ryan had just graduated from Oklahoma Wesleyan University and believed that God was leading him to China for a year of service before transitioning into seminary or a job.
Fall 2006 California and China
Ryan and I met in SoCal in August during training for our year of teaching with English Language Institute of China. We became instant friends because of similar Mid West connections.
God, always at work, placed us in the same city, Nanchang, where we taught at 2 different schools on different teams. Our friendship grew as our 2 teams spent time together since our schools were just 10 minutes apart.February 2007 Thailand
Friendship blossomed to feelings during the Annual Conference in gorgeous Chang Mai. Ryan, in the least words possible (because it was not permitted to date) communicated his feelings with me. I, also in the least words possible, reciprocated his feelings! :)




Spring 2007 China
Drama came to visit this semster as we continued building our friendship without dating. For more on this, ask us in person! It is quite an interesting journey! :)













Summer 2007 Kansas and Iowa
Ryan and I started dating. We visited each other a few times and started investing in relationships with families and friends since we headed back to China after our summer break.





Fall 2007 China
God opened a door for both of us to teach at the same school in Nanchang with our dear friend Kelly Dugger! It was during this semester that God confirmed His will for us to be together forever!














February 2008 Thailand
During our winter break we traveled back to Chang Mai to spend time with our friends who were still with ELIC. To my complete surprise, Ryan asked me to marry him on February 6 at the location where it all began.





Spring 2008 China
Ryan and I planned a wedding mostly from China with lots of help from our family and friends in the states. Our dear friend Jev Forsberg took our engagement pictures and we took pictures in traditional Chinese clothes with our best friends Harry and Denic.
October 10 2008 Kansas
We united our lives and love with Christ as our Head on a beautiful, perfect day surrounded by family and friends. It was the happiest day of my life!








Dearest Ryan: I love our life! These last two years have been better than I ever expected! I am so excited for many more years with you! You are so good at loving me and making me feel so appreciated and celebrated! I thank God for leading us together, we do make a great team! You are an encouragement to me to draw closer to our Savior everyday. I love serving our God and people by your side! I will forever be your biggest cheerleader and supporter! I am so excited to see how God is going to use you and I will follow you wherever God leads! You are going to be an incredible father! I am praying our kids get many of your qualities. I love you very much, Ryan! Happy Anniversary!