Joel & Darla met at Summer Camp and the rest is history!  Joel’s family has an evangelistic ministry called “The Wylers on Wheels” that has them travelling around the United States almost year round.  They even just came out with a new music CD.   So for the past couple of years it just so happens that, Darla has gone to Camp Tohiglo for a week to be a camp counselor, the very same week that the Wyler family is scheduled to be there.  It wasn’t love at first site although Darla admits to thinking he was a “really nice guy.”

They started dating a year ago and have been able to get together about 5 or 6 times since then whether it’s Joel coming to PA, or Darla travelling to wherever his family might be ministering.  Darla visited Joel in Florida at Thanksgiving and they took a walk on Disney’s beach and that is where they found a heart drawn in the sand and where Joel got down on one knee and asked Darla to spend forever with him.  She of course said “YES!”

They have been planning their wedding for months now and I can’t believe it’s almost that time already!  Joel is getting a beautiful woman of God and how do I know that, because she is my dear little sister.  This is very bittersweet as we are about to lose Darla as she will be moving to Florida.  I’m sure Joel’s family is really going to miss him in their ministry as well.

God has great plans for these two as they minister together at Joel’s older brothers church in the music ministry.  God has been preparing Darla for years as she has played various instruments and has a beautiful voice that she is able to harmonize along with just about any note that is thrown at her. I can’t help but shed a few tears as I write this and think about the void she will be leaving here.  It also brings a smile to my face to think of how she and Joel will be used of God wherever he calls them.

I took their engagement pictures a couple of months ago on a very windy and bitter cold day at Fort Hunter. I thought I’d share a couple with you in leading up to her wedding this Saturday.

So now I get to meet with them today and talk through wedding photos and timing!  I also have a flower girl dress to finish making for my little girl… I know… way to wait till the last minute Deb!  Hey, at least I know she won’t outgrow it before the wedding!  🙂