DJ & Kelley YunDJ and Kelley met at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. "We both were there to be part of their missions program," says Kelley. "It was a four-year program that included two years of instruction at the seminary and two years of overseas experience." The students in the program became quick friends - and several often even went jogging together. "DJ and I became good friends during this time," Kelley says. "At first neither of us thought of it as more than a friendship. Our focus was the missions program and heading to our countries overseas." Getting to Know Each Other But the more Kelley got to know him, the more she was drawn to him. "I realized he was the type of man I had been praying for," she says. DJ shared her passion for missions, had integrity, and made her laugh. "He even played guitar and could sing!" Even though she felt herself falling hard, and quickly, she didn't let him know of her interest. They would soon be headed to different places around the world, and she strongly felt the man should instigate and lead the relationship. In August 2002, they parted ways. They tried to stay in touch by email as technology allowed. Kelley says, "During those months of separation I really surrendered our relationship to the Lord as I missed him dearly and wondered what would become of us." In January, the class reunited for additional training. She was excited to get to see him again. A professor pulled DJ aside and asked him what he thought of Kelley. The professor said, "You know, when I saw my wife, I didn't let anything get in the way of pursuing her!" That was all the push DJ needed! He asked Kelley to dinner. She knew something was up. "We had never gone to dinner on our own, but were together with our group of classmates," says Kelley. "During that dinner DJ asked me if we could begin to pursue a relationship for the purpose of marriage. I was jumping up and down inside!" The couple talked with their parents so they could be aware and give the relationship their blessing. The Proposal and Wedding They made a decision to not kiss until they got back to American soil. "We knew we still had a year and a half overseas and did not want to begin any physical aspects with so much time and distance from each other." Just a week into their dating relationship, both Kelley and DJ returned to their respective countries of service. They didn't see each other until the following January. "It was along year, but we stayed in tough through email, a few phone calls, instant messenger, and at times video chat when technology cooperated. Mind you, this was before Skype and Facebook," says Kelley. When the group got together again, their classmates provided accountability. "During these two weeks together we talked a lot about the future, and we were confident that God was leading us to marry in the future," she says. After finishing their last eight months of service, they returned to the U.S. The couple visited his family in Maryland over Labor Day weekend. DJ and Kelley got engaged in September 2004 when he proposed at a Starbucks. "Interestingly, DJ had already had the opportunity to meet my family before we ever left to go overseas," says Kelley. They had visited her on campus in North Carolina and had met him then. "It was cool how God orchestrated this beforehand." They married on January 30, 2005. As an important aspect of their wedding, Kelley and DJ made it a point to arrange their bridesmaids and groomsmen in such a way that they could still see the bride and groom. They also incorporated the Korean tradition of bowing to their parents at the end of the ceremony and presenting their mothers flowers. "It was a way of honoring our parents and thanking them," she says. Married and Family Life "Marriage is more about God than it is about me and DJ," says Kelley. "It's not about me finding satisfaction in marriage and in my spouse, but finding satisfaction in God." God brought them together as they were pursuing Jesus, and now, as a married couple they continue to pursue Him and His call on their lives. "I want people to know that marriage is not the end all, but Jesus is." DJ attended a conference in college where FamilyLife's Dennis Rainey led a breakout session on dating and marriage. "Of the many things he said that were imprinted on me, the most weighty was this, 'Lust can't get wait to get, but Love can wait to give.'" says DJ. "I clung to that truth until our wedding, but it still rings true as we have journeyed in our marriage. Marriage was never intended to be an enablement of lust, but the highest expression of love." Praying for Future Children Another thing a mentor shared with DJ while he was in college was the challenge to not only be praying for his future wife, but for his future children. He asked if he was praying for his future spouse. "'Of course!' I replied, as visions of the prototype smoking hot, godly wife entered my mind," shares DJ. "'Great!' He said, 'How about for your future children?' 'What?' followed by incredulous silence. I lacked visions of prototype children. "'Well you should be!' he said. My mind was blown, this mentor having also been single at the time. Yet this short exchange had made an impact on my preparations for the prototype husband and father that I wanted to be. Was it worth the wait? Yes, but the waiting has just begun." DJ and Kelley now have three children. DJ serves as the lead pastor of Grandview Fellowship. "Marriage is more about God than it is about me and DJ. It's not about me finding satisfaction in marriage and in my spouse, but finding satisfaction in God."
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