About Shelby and Anita
Shelby and Anita met in 1998 when they were both serving in youth ministry at the same church. Their areas of ministry continued to overlap in the ensuing years: nursery, choirs, VBS, and more. As their friendship grew, the idea of someday serving in women's ministry together was planted as a seed deep in their hearts. That seed remained dormant for many years, as both of their respective families moved away. But their friendship remained strong, and they occasionally mentioned the "someday" of being in ministry together.
Recent years have brought them into somewhat close proximity again. A 2.5 hour drive isn't quite walking distance, but it's a lot closer than a trans-Atlantic flight! And it was close enough to start doing occasional retreats and events together. And that gave them a taste for what they thought was still a "someday way in the future" possibility.
Then, in the early days of 2024, having not discussed the idea for ages, God started to whisper into both Shelby and Anita's hearts, "Go for it." And before they even spoke to each other about it, the theme of His faithfulness was predominantly on their minds. They started brainstorming and praying and getting input from their husbands. And now here you have it: Morning by Morning!
Shelby and Brad
Shelby was born and raised in Maine, the youngest of five children. She met Brad when they were in college together in New Brunswick, and they spent the first couple years of their married life there. They moved to Maine for a while, then spent a few years in Ontario, before eventually heading east again. In 2007, they planted a church in the north end of Halifax, where they continue to serve today.
Shelby homeschooled their first five children, who have all graduated and moved out. She continues to teach the last two who are still at home. Shelby and Brad have welcomed three children-in-law into their family, and they have also recently been granted the title of grandparents!
Anita and Pat
Anita grew up in Ontario, the second of four children. She met Pat at the summer camp where they both worked as teenagers. They've moved around some over the course of their marriage, living in Michigan, back in Ontario, Ethiopia, Ontario again, and then finally settling in New Brunswick where they own and operate a small retreat centre called Ballast Lodge.
Anita and Pat have four children (the youngest of whom is still living at home) and a new son-in-law.
