Episode 30: Behind Every Goofy Guy: Meet the Wives

In the world of Christian podcasting, there are few duos as dynamic and delightful as Timm and Jamie, the hosts of the Gospel & Gradebooks podcast. But as any wise person knows, behind every great man is an even greater woman. In this special episode, the tables are turned as Timm and Jamie welcome their lovely wives, Lori and Paige, to the show.

What unfolds is a hilarious, heartwarming, and deeply insightful look into the lives of these two couples. From their first impressions of each other to the quirky habits that drive them crazy, the wives pull back the curtain on what it's really like being married to the "goofy guys" behind Gospel & Gradebooks.

As the ladies share the stories of how they met their husbands, it's clear that divine providence was at work. Lori recounts how her best friend set her up with Timm, who was working at a sporting goods store at the time. "I just thought he was so cute," Lori remembers. "He was tan and blonde and all over the place, talking to people." Despite her initial hesitation about a long-distance relationship (the two lived just 4 minutes apart), Lori and Timm went on a date the very next day and the rest, as they say, is history.

Paige's story has a similar feel-good vibe. She and Jamie had been talking for some time before their first in-person meeting, and Paige knew immediately that he was the one. "I don't know, you felt like home," she says. "I think I immediately was like, 'I'm gonna marry this guy.'" Their connection was so strong that Paige couldn't help but feel a sense of destiny about their relationship.

Of course, no marriage is without its challenges, and the wives of Gospel & Gradebooks have their fair share of quirks and habits to contend with. As Lori puts it, Timm is a self-proclaimed "packrat" who has a hard time letting go of anything. "He doesn't get rid of anything," she laments. "I have to sneak things out when he's not here."

• Timm's packrat tendencies even extend to his classroom, where Lori would avoid going for years because of the "disorganized chaos."
• Paige, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. She loves a neat and tidy home, which means she has to put up with Jamie's habit of leaving laundry outside the basket.
• Another pet peeve of Paige's? When Jamie gets distracted and forgets important conversations they've had.

But the wives don't just have to contend with their husbands' quirks - they also have to deal with the unique challenges that come with being married to two teachers. Paige and Lori both share stories of their husbands' "teacher habits" that they just can't seem to turn off, even when they're at home or on vacation.

• Jamie has a tendency to "get on to other kids that don't belong to you" - a habit that has even made a few young softball players cry.
• Timm, on the other hand, is known for seeking out young people wherever he goes to have conversations and "have fun with them." As Lori puts it, "He usually clings to them and is going to have a conversation with them."

Despite these little annoyances, it's clear that Lori and Paige adore their husbands. When asked what their marriage would be like if it were a movie, Paige quips, "License to Bicker." Lori agrees, saying, "We like to fuss. We're not ashamed of that at all."

As the episode progresses, the focus shifts from the husbands' quirks to celebrating the wives themselves. When asked to share their favorite women of the Bible, both Lori and Paige offer deeply personal and inspiring insights.

For Paige, the story of Hannah resonates deeply. Having struggled with infertility and miscarriage for over a decade, Paige found solace in Hannah's journey of trusting God's plan, even in the midst of her pain. "Reading in 1 Samuel the story of Hannah and what she went through and how she struggled and wanted to question but trusted ultimately in the end, right, that God was going to provide for her and what came out of that - Samuel," Paige shares. "That alone is why I relate to Hannah so much."

Lori, on the other hand, finds herself drawn to the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42. "I used to really identify with Martha," Lori explains. "She was the one busy preparing, getting things ready for Jesus to come. Busy, busy, busy. Whereas Mary was putting her relationship with God first and was sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to Jesus and what the things he had to say." As Lori has grown older, she's found herself gravitating more towards Mary's example of prioritizing her relationship with God.

In a touching moment, Timm and Jamie then share which biblical women they see reflected in their wives. Timm likens Paige to the "wife of noble character" described in Proverbs 31, praising her for her strength, wisdom, and tireless devotion to her family. Jamie, on the other hand, sees Paige as a modern-day Martha, caring deeply for others and serving with a passion that sometimes borders on assertiveness.

For Lori, the guys see her as a beautiful blend of Martha and Mary - a woman who is both a doer and a contemplative, balancing the practical demands of life with a deep, abiding faith.

As the episode comes to a close, the hosts leave listeners with a powerful reminder: if you have someone you hold dear, be intentional about expressing your gratitude and love. "If you're listening and you have someone you hold and treasure deeply as your wife," Jamie encourages, "be thankful, be express your thanks. Be bold with your love and intentional."

It's a sentiment that resonates deeply, not just for the listeners, but for Timm and Jamie themselves. These two "goofy guys" know full well the immense value of the women who stand beside them, supporting them, challenging them, and keeping them grounded in their faith and their mission.

So, the next time you tune in to Gospel & Gradebooks, remember that behind the hilarious hijinks and insightful teachings, there are two remarkable women who make it all possible. Paige and Lori are the unsung heroes, the pillars of strength, and the embodiment of the biblical virtues that inspire us all.

To learn more about the Gospel & Gradebooks podcast and connect with Timm, Jamie, Paige, and Lori, be sure to check out their social media and website. And don't forget to hit that notification bell so you never miss an episode!