Bridesmaids:

Matron of Honor: Rachelle DeVriendt

Rachelle is my dear sister-in-law, married to my brother, John.  John is two years older than I am, so when he married Rachelle, I gained a sister who is my age!  I had the incredible opportunity to really get to know Rachele and develop a deep relationship with her while I lived in CA.  John and Shell got engaged three days after I moved from Michigan to California!  I was able to take part in a very special time in their relationship.  My dear Shell is not only my sister through marriage to John, she is my sister in Christ.  She was there with me at a critical time in my growth as a woman of God.  I love and value the way she shares the journey of life with me.  I appreciate so much her support and interest in my life through listening faithfully to me reflect on what I'm learning and experiencing (those who know me well, know I LOVE to do that:)  And, we have a lot of fun together.  She brings out the joy and enthusiasm in me...we laugh a lot, or mostly she's just laughing at me!

Kristina Derhammer DeDecker

Kristina is my precious friend and sister in Christ.  Kris and I met in 1997, my sophomore year, at Michigan State on a spring break mission trip with Spartan Christian Fellowship.  At that time, I did not know who Jesus was or what it meant to be a Christian.  It was on that spring break trip that I accepted Jesus into my life.  Kristina has walked with me from the very beginning of my relationship with God.  She had a very significant place in my life as I was just learning who God was.  She pointed me to the truth of God's word consistently and lovingly.  Kristina has been an inspiration to me to stir up the gifts of God in me and let them shine.  The love of God and joy of the Lord in her is so deep and rich; she draws out the same within me.  Kristina is also an inspiration in how she truly enjoys life.  I enjoy her SO much.  She and I have so much fun together.  I am so grateful she is in my life.

Paula Richards

Paula is my sister.  Our relationship has become an expression of God's loving kindness.  There is a large age difference between Paula and I, so she moved out of the house when I was seven years old.  Physical distance and life circumstances caused us to not really have a relationship.  When I moved from California to West Virginia in 2003, I had the opportunity to pursue to develop relationships with my older siblings that live in Michigan.  Paula and I have had special times together since I have lived in West Virginia.  Our relationship is continuing to grow as sisters and as sisters in Christ.  I am very grateful to our God who restores.

Chris Gentner

Chris is my sister, she is the first born in our family.  There is large age difference between us, so to my memory, she has always been married and had a family.  The special part about that is every summer, she would take me camping up north in Michigan with her husband and daughter, Amy, who is just a little younger than me.  I have such precious memories of our family vacations together.  And it is so great how our relationship has transitioned since I have become an adult.  I am grateful for what God is creating and developing in my relationships with my sisters.   

Groomsmen:

Best Man: Tim Shrout

Tim is my best man and one of my closest friends.  Timmy and I met in college (WVU) and became friends pretty quickly.  After college, there was a time that we didn't see each other for a while (a few years).  We both went through some tough times during those years.  When I bought my house in June 2003, I called Timmy and for the next couple years, we were hanging out together all the time.  We did all kinds of cool stuff like ride mountain bikes and eat LOTS of ice cream.  I was a Christian and had been for a few years but I was not in church.  Timmy had been attending Trinity Assembly of God and early in 2004 both he and my friend Carl asked me to go to church (separately and both in the same week).  That is when I started going to Trinity and I have grown so very much there.  I am thankful for you my friend.

Chad Miller

Due to some possible schedule conflicts, Carl may not be able to attend our wedding.  So, Kathy and I have asked my brother-in-law Chad to stand with us.  Chad and my sister, Susie, have been married since July 2003 and just had their first baby in May (my parents first grandchild).  I'm not sure exactly when Chad and Susie first started dating (about 5 years before they got married I think).  But, it didn't take long for him to become part of the family.  He is always helping my dad on the farm and has helped me a huge amount too.  Chad, you are a good man, an awesome brother-in-law, and we are honored to have you stand with us on this incredible day.

DJ Sheets

And then there's DJ.  ;)  DJ and I have known each other for as long as either of us can remember.  He is more like a brother to me than a friend.  And, like brothers, we can argue quite a bit.  We've had our tough times and we've had our good times.  But, we've always been there for each other.  DJ is a great friend and the brother I never had.  I thank God for my friend...my brother.  In 2003, DJ, along with three other friends started a computer/technical services company, Infinite Technology Solutions, which I joined as a partner in July 2006. 

John DeVriendt

Kathy:  John is my big brother.  John is two years older than I am, my sibling closest in age to me.  Our growing up was full of competition.  I had this deep drive within me to beat him or at least match his ability at whatever we were doing: basketball, tennis, swimming, jumping to touch the ceiling, grades in school, bagging bread or cookies in our bakery, etc.  He definitely had an advantage being two years older and a boy, yet I was frequently the victor :)  This relationship has been very significant throughout my entire life to challenge me and push me to become more.  As we have walked through different circumstances in life, he has been an incredible source of loyalty, support and strength to me.  It is extremely special to have him stand with us in our wedding.

Bud:  When Kathy and I were talking about our wedding party, she told me how special it would be to have John in our wedding.  I didn't know John very well but I thought it was a great idea.  This past Thanksgiving, John and Rachelle made a way for Kathy and I to go visit in California.  We toured San Francisco and had an amazing time the entire trip.  It was an absolutely incredible trip for us and we are so very thankful.  Even though I've only known John for a short time, I get the feeling that we'd be great friends if we had more time together.  I am honored that John will be standing with us on the most important day of our lives.