MARRIAGE + MOVING

Two years ago, we got married at the Hollywood Schoolhouse in Washington.

One year ago, we got our first house in Washington.

6 months ago, we got a CRAZY opportunity.

A few days ago, after many prayers, we decided to pull the trigger.

Today, we get to celebrate all that the Lord has done in our lives over the past two years as husband and wife as we begin to prepare for our transition to California.

Wait, what? California?

We still have A LOT of details to figure out, but in the coming months we will be moving to Southern California where Chris has accepted a position at Juice (an audio post production studio owned by my parents). The whole thing is a big deal and it was not without a lot of prayer and consideration that we made the decision to go.

We are so excited that this job will allow us to better support the church and missionaries. After getting a first-hand look at the work our missionary friends are doing in Albania, we have felt so encouraged and called to support them and others as much as we can! We may not be missionaries in another country, but we want to be missionaries from our home, at our church, and by helping to send those who are called to go.

We will miss Washington. We love the rain and the grey skies. We have an incredible community of family and friends and church here.

It is bitter, but sweet.

We want to use this blog (finally) to document this insane transition. We want to use it to keep in touch with all the folks we won't see at church every week; all the friends we will see mostly over Skype; all the family who will stay in beautiful Washington.

Today, we are praising God for the past two years and for all the years to come.

A COLLECTION //

photos by Ken Yu // from a little polaroid adventure in Pioneer Square

One of the reasons I wanted to start this blog, aside from joining in on the blog-trend that is sweeping the nation, was to have a place Chris and I could keep our friends and family updated on the goings-on in our lives together. And that includes hearing from both of us, so I'll turn it over to my wonderful fiancé.

The thing about Coleman Collective is that it is, firstly, a 'collection' in every sense of the word - a place where our thoughts, hopes, projects, and random rambling rants (RRR's, for short) can reside in one harmonious, hopefully cohesive and coherent place! Secondly, there is the whole 'Coleman' part, and as the current sole Coleman in this relationship, I felt it only appropriate to weigh in. 

Now, you might be thinking to yourself - "Wait… didn't these two start dating not too long ago? What's the story here?" I'm so glad you asked! (Okay, technically you didn't ask - but I know you're thinking it!) The funny thing is, their story began, and is happening because of, and will end with a man who lived about 2,000 years ago. Friends, I am not one to dither, so let's dive right in: 

For complex and seemingly random reasons, it pleased God that a boy and a girl should start attending a college bible study in Lynnwood, Washington within a few weeks of each other. It also pleased God to give this girl an extraordinary amount of cuteness, and the boy was very quickly smitten, especially as he observed her humble heart and love for Jesus. They shared a love of thrift stores and indie bands and I wish I could say the rest was history, but, as is usually the case, God had other plans. The girl had some things to work through. The boy needed to draw closer to Jesus. So, long story short, they did! After a year and a half of corner-of-the-eye glances and dancing around the edges, the boy decided that enough was enough and professed his undying love for the girl (really not as cheesy as it sounds) - and four days later, they were planning their wedding. 

A venue has been found. Pies have been ordered (that's right - wedding pies). Rings have been polished and re-sized. Dresses have been altered. Jars - lots of them - have been collected. Most importantly, though, God's word has been studied, and the boy and the girl have been learning what it is to make the transition from just being a boy and a girl to being a husband and wife. God has been good to them. And they still like indie bands and thrift stores.