Our Fairy Tale

Ritchell and I met on July 4th, 2001.  From the moment I saw her, I knew.  It wasn't long after we met that she became my best friend in the mission, and my life.  I am so blessed to have my best friend by my side forever.  She is my angel.  From day one, she has made my life a much happier one.

After returning from my mission to the Phillippines, I thought I would never see her again.  How could I?  She was half a world away.  Ritchell and I kept in touch through email after returning home.  It wasn't long before we were calling each other on the phone.  I still did not know how it would be possible to see and be with my best friend again.  I still had doubt that it was possible at all.

Finally, I made the most important decision of my life.  I took my biggest leap of faith.  Without knowing how it was possible or even if it was possible, I asked Ritchell to be my wife.  To my amazement, she said YES!  Ok, so now what?

From the moment the decision was made, everything seemed to fall in place perfectly.  The process of marrying someone from another country became clear and easy.  The decision stop school for a year and work was easy.  Finding work was easy.  I know that God had a hand in getting the two of us together.  There were so many obstacles that vanished.  Maybe we were blind to them.  :)  The war began in Iraq.  SARS was a big fear in Asia.  This did not and could not stop us from being together.

After 2 return trips to the Philippines, Ritchell and I were finally married in the Salt Lake temple on Sept. 6th, 2003.  There has never been a day where I have regretted the decision to make that leap of faith.  I am so amazed at the strength and courage of my wonderful wife.  To leave her family, her country, and everything she had ever known in life just to be with a skinny white guy like me is humbling for me to think about. 

More than seven years later, we still share the same love.  We know much more now why that leap of faith was so important.  First, AnaBelle.  Then, Vanessa.  Then, Jordan.  Each one has come into this world as a result of that decision and that love.  Each one has blessed our lives infinitely.  We are sure there are more to come and bless our lives as well as the world.

I wish to tell everyone that none of this would have been possible without God.  Without the true church of Jesus Christ, my family would not exist.  Without help from above, my life would have turned out very differently.  If you have faith, anything is possible!  Had I not made the decision to go on a mission and share the gospel of Jesus Christ, I might never have met Ritchell.  I owe my life to that decision.

To anyone reading this post, I challenge you.  If you do not know that God loves you and that He is there for you, seek Him out.  If you do not know that Jesus Christ is your savior, seek Him out.  He is there and He can bless your life more than you may ever imagine.  No matter what mistakes you have made (and we all certainly make mistakes), He is there for you.  Please, find out for yourself what a great blessing being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints can be.  It will be the greatest decision you have ever made.