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Their Story...

Blake Waterson: I was 13 years old when my family joined the Remnant Fellowship Church in 2007. I am so grateful for that step as it has allowed a life of change for me. I am so glad that at a young age I was led by so many great examples to lay down sin that could have caused such a miserable life. Because of the teachings here at RF church and walking in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, I can truly be a new creation and not have to participate in the pains of the world. Abigayle and I met about 6 years ago at a small gathering my family hosted. We had mutual friends but it wasn’t until a few years after that that we would create a friendship, based on a foundation of putting God first, that would last a lifetime.

"We do not have any fear of a marriage that won’t last…we know that we will have one that will last forever!” - Blake

I had the opportunity this past summer to really get to know Abbi and her family. It wasn’t long after that I began to fall in love with her. I saw changes in her daily that convicted me and made me want to know her better. We had a lot in common and I prayed for a sign to take things to another level. A day later God allowed the most perfect clear sign! However, I have learned at Remnant that God will lead not only through signs but also through the direction of our parents. So, instead of going straight to Abbi, I sought the approval of my parents and the Rickmans first. After talking it over with both her parents and mine…and both were completely thrilled with the idea…we began dating. The decision to talk with our parents first was so blessed and has resulted in all of us being even closer than we were before. It wasn’t long after dating that I knew I wanted to marry her. I asked for her dad’s permission and began shopping for a ring. I knew I wanted the engagement to be special and memorable so around the same time I began the planning for that moment. We went out on a nice date for dinner then walked for a bit in downtown Nashville. I took her to the overlook on the John Siegenthaler Pedestrian Bridge downtown. Nervous, I expressed my love for her and how blessed we are for all that God has done in our lives, got down on one knee, and asked her to become my wife. All my emotions were causing my heart rate to increase…and I was thinking at that very moment that I could not believe what God has allowed. I am so in love with Abigayle and it was such a perfect night. She said YES! We know that our lives and our family’s lives have completely changed for the better because of what we have learned and put into practice from Remnant. Because of that, we do not have any fear of a marriage that won’t last…we know that we will have one that will last forever! Abigayle Rickman: My mom first introduced me to Remnant Fellowship in the fall of 2006 when I was 10 years old. I cannot believe that I have gotten to spend these last ten years growing up in a place like this one that has completely changed my life for the better. My earlier childhood before Remnant, I knew that there was a God somewhere out there but I had no idea that we could call out to Him, truly be led by Him every day and live a life to honor Him. I am forever grateful for a teaching of wholehearted obedience and devotion to God. Remnant has shown me how to live a life free of pride and anger and greed for more…attitudes and behaviors that had already started when I was so young. From what I have learned here, I now have a personal relationship and answered prayers from the God of the universe…every day! I am now so full of joy and thankfulness and truly cannot believe that I get to live life with a true purpose.

“We get to be engaged for five months, which may seem short to some. However, with the amazing ministries in this Church that God established through the incredibly loving, wise and selfless leadership of Gwen Shamblin, our Wedding planning is the easiest and most peaceful thing in the world!” - Abigayle

I first met Blake six years ago at a gathering at his family’s house in Illinois for Memorial Day weekend. We have had the same mutual friends for years but never truly got to know each other until this last year. For me, I had always desired a relationship and grabbed for that in the past, but God revealed in my heart that I had to ask Him to be that best friend and guide first. When I chose God and gave up that desire, God came back in and brought Blake. I never thought in a million years though that Blake Waterson would ever even want to talk to me much less want to marry me someday. From the time I was little I had prayed for a godly man that would lead me to love God and that is exactly what God has given me in Blake! He is steadfast and devoted with the biggest servant’s heart and so much love. He never fails to meet a need or find a way to help someone and he truly has all of the fruits of the spirit, spurring me on to be more humble daily. God truly answered my heart’s desire in bringing me Blake and I know for a fact that without the truth that I have learned and put into practice at Remnant, I would never have met someone like Blake, much less have wanted to get married! Remnant Fellowship truly teaches the answers to having peace and joy in life and I cannot believe that I get to start this part of my life in the place that had forever changed my life. We get to be engaged for five months, which may seem short to some. However, with the amazing ministries in this Church that God established through the incredibly loving, wise and selfless leadership of Gwen Shamblin, our Wedding planning is the easiest and most peaceful thing in the world! There is never a moment of worry that something won’t get taken care of because there are so many people surrounding us who are so wise and have the best advice. Not only are there so many to help in the planning, but also this Church body is built of many gifted people who volunteer those gifts to help in every detail. From the food at the wedding, advice on the fabric for bridesmaids’ dresses, to make-up the day of the Wedding, there are literally hundreds of people that selflessly give their time so that there is never a reason to worry over anything. God has made this place so full of peace and generosity that we don’t have any worries leading up to our Wedding because we know that God has given us a fellowship that truly takes care of us and every other couple getting married. We are truly blessed!