I met Joseph Loy on January 15, 1998. I was on AOL messenger looking for a friend in high school who was stationed at Ft. Lewis Army Base, and instead I found Joe. I was in Portland, Oregon at the time. We started emailing each other back and forth and started a friendship. He was coming out of a bad break up and was making some poor choices. I also came out of a bad break up and was starting my rebellion phase. On September 12, 1998 we finally met up at Ft. Lewis. My friend and I drove up and picked him up and went to the Puyallup fair. That is when I knew he was the one I was going to hang onto. Well choices in our lives caused us to break up almost every month after that until January 1999. On New years eve of 1999 I made the choice to run from my problems and the Lord and stole my parents car. Joe had no clue what was going on, I picked him up and told him to get into the car and ask no questions. Then I drove up to Canada for the weekend. Worse time of my life. I hurt a lot of people that weekend. I am sad for that. On the way back to the states Joe kissed me on the border, which was surprising since I kidnapped him and took him up there with me. We decided to give our relationship another try. When I got back home, I was officially kicked out of the house. My parents were nice enough to find me a place to live. Joe proposed to me in March. In May of that same year I moved up near Ft. Lewis to be with Joe. I tried to convince my parents we weren't living together, but the are a lot smarter then that and knew the truth. I severed the relationship I had with my parents. I also got pregnant with our son that same month. The next few months were really rocky. Joe decided he wanted out of our relationship and I was scared that I was gonna have to raise our son by myself. I was a mess. In January of 2000 we got married. Not for love mind you, but of convience. We believed that our son needed two parents. I was 8 months pregnant when we got married in the little chapel. No one in our family knew for about two weeks that we were married. About a year later, February of 2001 the Army packed and shipped us out to Buedingen Germany. In March of 2001 while in another hotel room, awaiting housing on base, I surrendered my life back to Christ. I was sick and tired of running my own life. I had rededicated my life before in high school, but this time was for real. My life, and the life of my husband, was out of control. The peace and the burdens that were lifted off my shoulders is nothing I will forget. Forgiveness is a powerful thing! We eventually got housing. Joe was assigned to a Cavalry unit. We were introduced to the rigid training schedule, and working 12+ hours a day. Joe was gone every May and every October/Nov. We got used to not being together. We avoided problems in our marriage because we just figured we didn't have time to deal with it. Avoidance doesn't solve problems,. In August of 2001 I left Joe. I flew back to Portland, not expecting to come back to Germany. I had had enough and wanted to start over with just Curtis and I. Then September 11th hit and I realized I shouldn't give up. Some of these people involved in the terror attacks would never be able to see their loved ones again. I finally made it back to Germany in October. Things were slowly getting better after that. Then the accident happened. November 8 2002 my 24th birthday to exact, while Joe and his unit were at training on the south-eastern side of Germany there was a fatal tank accident. One of the tanks in my husband’s troop had hit a sink hole and was half way submerged in water and mud trapping the driver. My husband and the rest of the soldiers jumped in the freezing cold water trying to save Spc. Jonathan Stehle. My husband was in the water for over 4 hours until he was forced out by someone in charge. My husband suffered severe hypothermia and couldn’t feel his legs. I got a call from a sergeant. asking my approval if Joe needed his legs amputated. His platoon sergeant called me and told me that it wasn't good, and that they didn't know what would happen through out the night. I told him to do whatever they needed to do to keep Joe alive. That night Jonathan Stehle was not able to get out of his tank, as his tank filled up with water he lost his life. He died of hypothermia. He was 22. When my hubby finally came to it he called me and told me that was hurt, but that his legs were feeling better. We found out shortly after he came home from training that he wasn’t ok. Barely being able to walk and being dependent on me was a challenge for both of us, but it helped us mature and grow up really fast. That is when we became the best of friends. It also started us on the healing path of our marriage. We didn’t know what would happen to Joe's injury. None of the other soldiers involved were hurt. He has since been diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, in english severe nerve damage in his legs. Less then 6 months after the accident they were all shipped out to Iraq. 1/1 Cav was shipped out for a what suppose to be a year long deployment to Iraq in April of 2003. His troop had not had time to fully cope or deal with the accident but still shipped out. I wrote to Joe almost everyday, he wrote and called when he had the time. Through our correspondence while he was in Iraq I fell madly in love with Joe. The Lord taught me to forgive and love again. It was a time when I had to depend on Christ at almost every minute of the day. That is when my walk with the Lord took off. I had to trust in him and live by faith knowing that whatever the out come of this deployment that the Lord was in charge of it. He would have a plan for mine and Curtis’ life. Our son Curtis was three when he left, but prayed almost every night for daddy to come home soon and safe. In February of 2004 they sent my husband and a few other soldiers to Qatar for R&R. When he was there we had the most amazing phone conversation. We were talking about our marriage and somewhere in that lengthy healing conversation my husband said "Christina, if you knew everything I did that went against our marriage you would not be with me." My reaction I don’t remember if it was verbal or just in my heart but I said I forgive you. I believe that he forgave me too for all things I did to contribute to our pain. We learned to let go of the past and enjoy what we have now. That is when I knew that my husband was truly in love with me. He also rededicated his life to Lord while in Iraq. We both decided to let Christ rule our lives and our family. So we tried to hang on till the end of April when they should be coming home. Well as luck would have it on April 12 2004, Good Friday to be exact us wives got word that our husbands tour had been extended for another 120 days, which would put them home in August. I hadn’t seen my husband in almost a year and I was UPSET. They eventually sent him home for two weeks that May. Then the most awesome day had finally arrived, my hubby was coming home from war. July 19, 2004 our soldiers finally came home after a long 15 month deployment. In one of the letters I wrote my husband I told him that the only material item I wanted from him was a wedding band. (I only wanted one when he was ready to be committed to me and to our family.) On the night he came home he handed me a purple box and a love letter. It was the most beautiful letter I had ever read. It was what I needed to hear to know that our marriage was going to make it. When I opened the box it was a wedding band. He bought it in Kuwait on the way home. My husband has not gone against anything he said in that letter. The Lord made it clear when he came home that we needed to expand our family. My son prayed for a sister even after we found out I was pregnant. Then in December 2004 we found out we were having a girl. Curtis was so happy that Jesus answered his prayers. Because of Joe's legs the Army told my hubby that he would no longer be able to serve our country. My husband took 60 days terminal leave in February 2005. We moved back to Portland to start life without the Army. Joe was honorably discharged on April 11, 2005. Our beautiful daughter Shayla was born on April 14, 2005. We bought a house in Portland to live the civilian life which was challenging to do when you have lived by the government for 8 years. The Lord has continued to bless us. We moved out of Portland and into the small town of Molalla, Oregon. Right now the Veterans Administration is paying for Joe to go to school full time. Joe is an amazing man of God. He goes to school full time with a 4.0 GPA, works part time and takes care of us at home. Amazing man. We just celebrated our 9 year wedding anniversary. We NEVER EVER thought we would still be together, but the Lord knew. It has been a rough eleven years that we have been together, I have to regrets. Everything that has happened in the past and the things we will go through in the future will be used for the glory of the Lord. I serve an awesome God who is proud of Joe and I for sticking it out and depending on him. I almost lost my husband many times, while serving under our flag, but the Lord didn't let it happen because this love story needs to keep on growing. I continue to fall more and more in love with my husband. I am so appreciative of him and all he does for me and my family. The lesson the Lord has been teaching me the last few years as Joe's disability has worsened, is to slow down. Joe walks slower and with a cane, but it is time to appreciate things at a slower pace. I wouldn't change anything from my past. I look forward to the next chapter in our lives. I want this story to bring glory to the Lord. Don't ever give up on your marriage. Depend on Christ and He will give you the light at the end of the tunnel. He did for us. May the Lord bless all who read this!
The three of us reunited after the 15 month long deployment!
Our daughter is one of the many
blessing the Lord has given us since Joe has come home form Iraq!
The Loy family, on vaction at Hume Lake in California.
We had a blast! Amazingly the weather was nice. It rained at night and was clear during the day! We will continue to Yurt in the future. 
April came with another birthday. Shayla turned 3 years old. She was so looking forward to being three. She grown a lot this year. She is an amazing little girl. Very creative and loving. She loves Jesus with all her heart. 
The month of May bring Memorial day. We have made it a tradition to go up to Willamette National Cemetery and lay flowers on the graves of two fallen soldiers. One of the graves we lay flowers on in remembrance all those who lost their life defending our freedom. We are extremely grateful for what they have done. The other grave we lay flowers on because who the person was and what a sad loss it is to have lost them. We wish we could skip over the month of May because it brings up a lot of emotions. I think it is good to revisit those emotions and try and continue to heal from losses we have had in our lives. It just is tough.
June, so sweet June. I told the Lord that I would not want to attend The Country Church because I didn't want to go to church at the same place where Curtis goes to school. Too much drama in my mind. Well I learned that you never tell God what to do. I should know this, but I guess I had to try again and see if I could win. I didn't and we started attending TCC on Wednesday nights, then it lead to Sunday mornings. I am soooooooooooooooooooooo glad and grateful that the Lord knows what he is doing. We have never ever felt so loved and spiritually fed as we do at TCC. We left our church in Clackamas. We are now attending TCC only. Amazing church.
Then our next stop was the water park in Antioch. Then it was to our next camping destination, Mt Diablo. It was horrible horrible horrible. Did I mention HORRIBLE. We were at a 3,000 foot elevation and the park shut off all the water to the showers so we had to be very creative with water bottles. It was dry and our camp site was elevated downhill so it felt like we gonna roll down the mountain. Then at 2am the stinkin raccoons came out and somehow got a corner of our garbage out of the bear box and Joe got in a fight with them. He was beating them with water bottles and throwing water on them. Finally they went away long enough for Joe to throw the trash in the cab of the truck. Then an hour later they came back and stole the water bottle caps that Joe left on the ground. They also tried to take off with Joe's pills and Shayla's shoe. Crazy animals I tell you. It was a riot to listen to Joe yelling at them. Luckily we only had to stay there two nights. Then we went to Vallejo California to go to Six flags, a big highlight for my boys. Shayla was able to feed, dance, and kiss a dolphin. The boys were able to go on the scary roller coasters. Joe has been waiting for his son to be taller then 52"
Then we headed down to Modesto to see friends, then headed to my sisters up at Hume Lake. My sister works at Hume Lake Christian Camp outside of Fresno California. We had lots of fun on all our adventures. The Lord knew how hard this fall/winter were going to so be blessed us with a family bonding road trip. We grew together as a family. We also listened to a lot of Adventures in Odyssey tapes.
September was a door opener for our family. I was given the opportunity to run the kitchen at CCS all by myself for a week in while MaMa B went on a much needed vacation. The Lord really opened up my eyes. Being in the kitchen brings me more joy then any of those other leadership position ever did. I am now volunteering three days a week in the kitchen. I LOVE BEING IN THERE. That is where the Lord has chosen for me to be. I can take Shayla with me and that is a blessing! Also, Curtis started 3rd grade this year and Joe started school September 29th. The Veterans Administration (VA) is paying for him to go to school. Joe is getting into the career field of Computer Aided Drafting. That was the field that Lord picked for Joe. Joe was obedient and signed up for those courses not too sure he would like them. Well he fell in love Computer Aided Drafting. He received a 4.0 GPA this term. He did that while going to school full time, working part time and raising a family. I am so proud of him and his hard work.
I turned 30 in November. It was a good day. My mommy made me dinner and we had Apple Pie for dessert. Then Thanksgiving came and it was a wonderful day. First I quit my team in the family Turkey Bowl indefinitely because of unfair play. My grandparents were able to come down from Wenatchee. It was good to see them. I am thankful for the Lord for healing my Grandpa of the numerous things he had to endure this year! The food was amazing as always. 
Christmas was awesome. I was with family, the best way to celebrate the day. I am thankful the Lord gave us his son as a gift to us. Thank you Lord. We also found out after Christmas that teh owner of the house we are renting is not willing to lower our rent so we will be looking for a new place to live. God is in control. I am not worried. He already has ironed out the details, I just need trist and faith and the Spirt will lead us in the right direction!
That is the year in a wrap. With today being December 31st 2008, I would like to say Thank you Lord for an amazing ride. I couldn't blog all of what He has done for us in a year. I am glad I follwed the Lord and chose to give up the things I thought I loved. I love what I am doing now, and where I am headed! Oh, one of my favorite things this year came to me by phone. My favorite and bestest friend in the whole wide world called me and told me her 9 year old son rode his bike around the block for the first time. Why is this important you say, Leif, her son has Aspergers. (a form of Autism) The doctors told her and her family that because of Leif's lack of coordination that he would never ride a bike. Well guess what he did, and I am positive that Jesus made that happen. I look forward to seeing him ride for myself. One day when we are Kansas maybe! So in 2009 I choose love more deeply, laugh even harder, and live for Jesus even more! Happy New year friends!
