In February I went to visit my sister and brother-in-law in Seattle. They moved there a couple months after they got married in January 2015 to start their new life together with Nathan's new job as a youth pastor. It was so much fun to see them in their new city for a couple days! They showed me a handful of their favorite places in the few short days I was there. I can't wait to go back!!

I was so amazed at how green everything was in February in Washington in February! I went from sunny and brown in Denver to rainy and green in Seattle. They even had cherry blossoms in bloom in February!! Everything was green and covered in moss and absolutely GORGEOUS.

I asked Emily to write a little bit about how their life has changed since getting married and moving across the country:

After months of searching and trying to determine where we belonged, we landed here, in Seattle. We have lived here for 494 days. 494 days of adventure, our own apartment, living away from family, and ministering together.

To us, Seattle is the place where our marriage and our ministry really began. Seattle has been the fresh start for us and it has provided us opportunities to grow our marriage. Being so far away from family has given us the challenge to rely on each other. It has given us the opportunity to find mentors, couples, and friends who have provided us with much needed relationship. It has pulled us closer together as we are trying to minister to others and grow our own faith in Jesus.

The life of a pastor’s wife can be one of isolation and fear of imperfection. Moving far away from a place that you have lived your entire life can also create these fears. We have been so blessed to be a part of a church community here that has washed away those feelings. They have welcomed us to their community with grace and love. This place has become our first married home and our first married ministry, and for that, we feel so blessed!