Grace D. Vang

[gracevang]

Found my husbands vows while we were packing. It hits differently while reading it today.

This has been marriage- learning to love, dream, navigate grief and pain, and mostly learning to walk with a faithful God.

[gracevang]

If anything, 2020 has taught us to treasure those we love more deeply but to hold all our treasures loosely. We are surrendered.

We talked about how we are choosing to walk the rest of this year to do more than just survive. We are thriving.

The last few months we have been given the space to grieve, to laugh, to cry, to rest, and to slowly dip our feet back into ministry. We are dreaming.

Only because of Jesus.

You are are hope.

Thank you Lord.

You are so beautiful.

[gracevang]

Contemplating why we bought a fixer upper after working 12+ hours on our new home - my handsome husband is seriously the best, most hardworking, sweet soul I know. I got myself a really really good one.

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I knew you before I knew your name

And I loved you before I saw your face

I longed for you for all of that time

And I'll keep your heart in mine

[gracevang]

You spent every moment of your life with me and I am now missing you in every moment of mine. Some days I don’t know how I’ll keep going...but I do. Wanting to hold you so badly today but I’m thankful that Jesus is holding onto both you and I right now. Love you sweet girl.

[worshipgifs]

[gracevang]

I had a really rough night with and an exam today to get licensed in Michigan. Woke up to this. My husband is unreal. I definitely married up.

[gracevang]

God does not use you because you are gifted or special, but simply because He is faithful.

[gracevang]

On our last hike during our honey moon we were trying to come back down the mountain right as the sun was setting. The sun moved quicker than we had anticipated so we began to pick up the pace. We were nervously laughing and making jokes about having to sleep in the mountains that night all the while trying to catch our breath because we knew we were in big trouble if we didn’t get back before the sun went down. You were right ahead of me jumping from rock to rock and onto logs as cautiously as you could. I remember attempting to jump on the same rocks and follow your trail so I would step on the rocks that were steady and the trail that would be easiest. I remember as I followed you I asked God to make this a picture of the rest of our life. Adventuring new trails, discovering all the beautiful things God created for us to see, following your lead, nervously trying to navigate the unknown areas, and doing all these things while still feeling so secure and safe because I had you with me.

I don’t know what to say, except I feel so blessed and so loved. Thank you for choosing me. Happy one month of marriage.

[gracevang]

This song right now. 😭

[gracevang]

When your best friend and Fiancé are both a little extra. 😂❤️

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“You may not be naturally good at most things, but you’re willing to learn and you’re really faithful. I think that’s a weakness turned into strength.”

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“We don’t usually do a father-daughter dance in our culture so today, my daughter and I will do a father-daughter sermon.” - Dad 😂

Ever since I was born I’ve had one consistent Pastor: My Dad. I’ve heard him preach hundreds of sermons in my life so firsthandedly I can say that my dad is probably not the best speaker out there. But I believe the reason he attracts so many people is because he genuinely practices what he preaches. Ask any of my siblings and we’d tell you the same. There’s nothing he would say on stage that he himself would not do. When he prepares a sermon, he thinks about the people, but I can tell he’s mainly preaching to himself (including the bad Dad jokes). My dad preaches from a place of vulnerability, honesty, and conviction; often to the point where many are uncomfortable in their seats. But at the same time he still extends so much grace and love to the people and I believe that’s how so many lives have been transformed under his ministry.

If there’s anything I admire most about my dad, its not his preaching but it’s his ability to go against the grain of culture, following his convictions and living out his faith without fear.

A few weeks ago he probably got a lot of flack for allowing me to preach, but the night before we were talking he said to me, “when God gives you a word, you must share it.” There’s no one else I’m more privileged to walk alongside of and share God’s word with.

Here’s to you Dad. Thanks for teaching me to love God, love his people, to give all away for the sake of the gospel, live with an eternal perspective, walk fearlessly with the Holy Spirit, and most of all to simply seek his face.

[gracevang]

This is my Fiancé.

He drove 12 hours yesterday to see me this week and brought me flowers that made him sneeze for 10 hours of the trip. He sends me text messages that never ceases to make me cringe inside and also NEVER fails to express how deeply loved I am. While I sip on coffee he makes excel sheets to plan our week together so that we have time to plan for our wedding (2 more months!) while making sure he puts in time to spend time with my family. But even before wedding planning he made sure I prioritized the time I needed to spend prepping and praying for this Sunday’s sermon. Today, he cleaned my house before my life group (literally scrubbed the tables and picked up toys) and played with wild kiddos downstairs so our life group could have some peace and quiet. During life group he shared so vulnerability about personal struggles and things he has gone through with his family. Before we went to bed, He processed with me through my thoughts for this Sunday and prayed for me and my community. He gives and gives without expecting anything in return. He gives me a glimpse of the Father’s sweet love for me. So much grace. So much love. So soooo thankful.

And all I can think to myself is: Dang, God gave me a really good one.

[gracevang]

My identity does not begin when I begin to understand myself. There is something previous to what I think about myself, and it is what God thinks of me. That means that everything I think and feel is by nature a response, and the one to whom I respond is God. I never speak the first word. I never make the first move.

Eugene Peterson

[gracevang]

Fiancé: “I feel like there’s this weird anointing on you.”

Me: “Thanks??”

🤔😂🤷🏻‍♀️

[gracevang]

If you know your identity, there’s no position that’s too low for you.

Bill Johnson