We’re just days from the big day. We are getting so excited to celebrate with you all! Megan and I are going through final details with our families and we’re nearly there.

One quick heads up about traffic traveling up to McGregor this Saturday:
There is construction on I-35 just a bit North of Forest Lake and traffic goes down to one lane. Megan and I passed this while we were heading South last Saturday morning. PLEASE AVOID I-35 IF AT ALL POSSIBLE! Traffic was backed up for miles heading North.

The other two major routes up to camp are on Highway 65 or 169. If you head up 65, there is a detour at Mora that will add about 15-20 minutes to the drive. Traffic should be alright, even through the detour. If you take 169 North, head to Aitkin and then go East on Highway 210 to McGregor (the turn-off for Covenant Pines will be just before you get into McGregor).

Here are some Google Maps with the alternate directions:
The first map includes directions up 65 and has the detour marked out (unless construction crews have changed the route; either way, it is clearly marked with road signs)

View Larger Map

This map includes directions up 169 through Aitkin:

View Larger Map

Let us know if you have any questions about getting to the wedding. See you all soon!

-Joel and Megan

Thanks to all who have been supporting us with time, prayer, and hard work this past year. We are blessed to have you all in our life together. We look forward to all the days and years to come!

25 days, 16 hours, 42 minutes. YES.

Well, now that we’ve been engaged for well over a year, we got a chance to have an engagement photo session with Spencer Combs, our wedding photographer (and quite a talented one!). While we were together these past two weeks Spencer snapped these shots and we are ever so pleased with them. We hope you enjoy!

You can vote for our story (and read it, even) at this link: http://www.ultimateweddingcontest.com/entries/40234

Thanks! Please pass this on!

Joel and Megs

Megan is in Africa for a PA rotation through the end of this month, but we are celebrating two and a half years together today (even across the ocean)! They have been two and a half of the most blessed years and I am so thankful for being able to spend them with Megs.

As more people are undoubtedly finding this site, welcome! This will be a place where we can try and keep everyone posted about the exciting happenings of wedding planning and learning more and more to live life together. A couple weeks ago, Megan and I had our first counseling session with Josh Rude and his wife, Natalie (check out her amazing artwork at nataliesalminen.com). Josh will be leading the wedding ceremony this summer and we are so glad to have their guidance as we prepare for a lifetime of love, friendship, and learning together. We couldn’t have asked for anyone better than these two.

May you all be blessed in whatever your endeavors might be this winter. Thanks for stopping by this site. Check back soon for updates and follow us here beyond the wedding to see what adventures come our way.

Peace to you,

joel and megs

Here is to you, all our friends and family, who have given us much to be thankful for. Blessings to you all!

Take a look around the site, there are some updated pages and more to come!

Joel and Megan.

We’ll squeeze in some venue visits over the long weekend and into next week and hopefully we’ll have a spot picked out by this time next week! There are a couple places we’re checking out that might be perfect for indoor or outdoor ceremonies. We’ll just have to see what works best. Let the planning begin!