Before Kirk and I got married, Kirk worked for Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Jackson, MS and I was living in a small town Clara, MS and worked as a Kindergarten teacher’s assistant at Waynesboro Elementary School. We both were raised as PK’s (Preacher’s Kids). Our Dad’s are both Church of God Ministers in Mississippi. So we grew up going to Youth Camps and Church State events. He and my brother were close friends and his sister and I were best friends.
I have one younger sister, Sherry Bean Burke and an older brother, Larry Bean. Ever since I was born my family had a southern gospel singing group and we traveled almost every Friday or Saturday to minister in other churches. I grew up with a microphone in my hand. We traveled back late most Saturday nights to be back at our church for Sunday morning services because my Dad was a pastor and never missed being in the pulpit. My Mom, Ann Bean and Dad, Edward Bean planted a church in Waynesboro, MS where they have been since 2003 at Harvest Temple Church of God. My Dad has been in ministry for almost 40 years.
Kirk also has a younger sister, Gina Walters Bean (yes, her last name is Bean and yes, she married my brother) and an older brother, Kevin Walters. Kirk’s mom, Connie Walters and Dad, Ronnie Walters reside in Madison, MS and are pastoring at Cobblestone Church of God since 2005. Ronnie has been in the ministry for almost 40 years also.
Kirk and I got married November 6, 1993. We moved into a small apartment in a suburb of Jackson, MS. We went to Gatlinburg, TN for our honeymoon. The week we got home from our honeymoon, Kirk was offered a job to open an Enterprise Rent-A-Car store in Valdosta, GA. I had always lived with my parents and was very close to my family. It was hard for me to live eight hours away from what I have always known. I didn’t even know where Valdosta, GA was.
When Kirk asked my Dad for my hand in marriage, my dad told Kirk two things, never hit her and never move her far away from home. Well he kept one of his promises. So when I told Kirk we were going to have to tell my parents he said, “What’s this we stuff?” (He was a little scared of my dad). Needless to say I drove to Clara, MS that day by myself to tell my parents we would be moving eight hours away from home.
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:10-11
And the journey of LIFE begins!
