mill weddings: kaitlyn & joel.

Kaitlyn & Joel

{6.10.12}

"Our story is one of resurrection. I (Kaitlyn) never wanted to marry military, but sometimes it is in the things on which we turn our backs that end up showing us the greatest beauty.

In late 2009, I met Joel through friends at theMILL and knew immediately that he was a man who would not live a mediocre life; not only mentally and physically, but more impressively, in his walk with our Lord. As our communities integrated more over time, we went camping with a group of mutual friends where I thought for sure he was interested in more than a friendship when he asked me to breakfast the next morning. However, I came to find out later that he thought nothing of it, and the breakfast never happened. Hmmph.

Our interactions consisted solely of group hangouts until we were assigned to be co-leaders for MILL Missions in 2010 to Varanasi, India. In the months leading up to the trip, Joel and I learned how to meet the specific needs of people on our team, cover each other in prayer, support one another in the midst of hardship, and communicate in a way that was effective and efficient for the well-being of our team. The trip was challenging but only confirmed my knowing what an incredible man of honesty, strength and nobility Joel was. We started dating shortly after our trip and began a friendship that planted seeds we wouldn't begin to see the fruit of until several months later. 

When we found ourselves at a crossroads in the relationship with no idea which way to turn, we went our separate ways and found ourselves in ironically one of the scariest places we can sometimes be: completely in the hands of Jesus. This was the season He taught us that death is not the end; that a change in season, a temporary loss, and most importantly, that death on a cross, is actually just the beginning. What the Lord had restored in each of us apart brought us back together in ways that surpassed anything we could have ever imagined. We look forward to pressing toward the goal to receive the heavenly prize for which God has called us in Christ Jesus."

Joel & Kaitlyn, you will be greatly missed within the MILL. You are dearly loved, and you always selflessly loved this community right back. Countless lives have been touched by those around you both, individually and as a couple. Joel, you have been an incredible leader on and off the USAFA campus with so many cadets. Kaitlyn, your grace, wisdom, and intellect have influenced and shaped many women around the MILL and CCU. We are indebted to you both.