Mickie + Ryan // Allendale, Michigan

On Saturday we were honored to be a part of Mickie and Ryans big day in the backyard of their home together in Allendale.  We are saps when it comes to a good backyard wedding just because they seem to be some of the most romantic, intimate weddings we shoot.   This wedding was so much more than just a sweet backyard wedding.  It was evident right away, Mickie and Ryan’s heart for the Lord was the hands down #1 focus of their wedding day.  The story behind their home and beautiful barn where they celebrated their big day shows their dedication to their faith.

Nearly 10 years ago Ryan and some of his friends from GVSU decided to ask the owner of this big red barn near Grand Valley State University in Allendale if they could use his barn for a prayer meeting.  A decade later, Ryan and Mickie own this beautiful property and have been at the forefront of an off campus ministry that has changed countless lives. 

These two together will be unstoppable, they will work hard together to love each other, the people around them, and to do the work of the Lord.  It was powerful over hearing the groom talking with the bridal party about Psalm 139 before the ceremony.   He told them it spoke to him and encouraged him that he would be walking down the aisle to the front of the church with the Holy Spirit leading him in front and also protecting him from his back.  Although we were only able to spend a single day with these two, their faith, servant hearts, and dedication to their faith with stick with us for years to come. 

It is obvious that their marriage is going to be a strong one.  Look out world, here comes the Carlsons. 

Psalm 139

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

1 You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
    and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
    the night will shine like the day,
    for darkness is as light to you.

13 For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, `God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
    they would outnumber the grains of sand—
    when I awake, I am still with you.

19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
    Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
    your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,
    and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
    I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.