Makenzie: I am a 37 year old Christ centered mom. I have 3 beautiful girls, ages 11, 8, and 10 months old (trust me, we were shocked about that age gap as well). I grew up in Mt. Washington, KY which is where I met my husband on a blind date. We have been together for a total of 21 years, and are quickly approaching our 18th wedding anniversary. I enjoy serving God through ministries within Grace Baptist Church. There are two ministries in particular that I am most involved in. The first is the children’s ministry where both David and myself serve as the directors/teachers. The second is RU Recovery, which is a faith-based recovery program that meets every Friday night from 7pm-9pm. Outside of serving in ministry, I love spending time with my family and friends, and crafting.
David: I am 38 years old and was born and raised in Shepherdsville, KY. I enjoy serving in ministry, spending time with my family and friends, and the outdoors. We attend Grace Baptist church where I serve as a Deacon, a director of the children’s ministry, as well as serving in a faith-based recovery program, RU Recovery.
About David and Makenzie Bleemel
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
David and I met on a blind date in November of 2002. The moment he walked in the door, I knew that I would marry him. In May of 2006 against the advice of many family members (due to being so young), we were married. We faced many challenges in trying to start a family. After 5 miscarriages and fertility treatments, our first daughter was born in 2012 (Kinley), followed by our second in 2015 (Josie). In 2016 we realized that living for the world, chasing the American dollar was robbing us of valuable time together as a family. We decided to sell our home that we had owned for 10 years and move to Indiana where David would spend less time working, and more time at home with our family making memories. August 2017 David took a transfer within his company, so we packed up everything we owned again and moved to Lagrange, Ga. We started attending Grace Baptist Church in October of 2017. Once we started attending church on a regular basis and serving within the ministries of the church, we knew that moving to Lagrange, wasn’t our idea, but rather part of God’s plan. In August of 2021 our family entered into its most difficult season to date. Our entire family came down with covid. Due to complications from the virus I had to be admitted into the hospital, where I would be placed on a ventilator. On September 9th, doctors told my husband that he needed to prepare himself for a life without me as I probably would not come home, but David knew our God was much bigger than any medical degree. David along with our girls, the church, and the Lagrange community took to prayer. While I was intubated and sedated, I remember having a conversation with God. I had told Him that I was ready to come home to be with Him, but asked if He were to take me home, if He would send David a helpmate that would love my girls just as much as I do, and could give him the son he always wanted. It was at that moment God clearly spoke to me and said, “I’m not done with you yet”. Right after God spoke to me, I woke up from sedation, and just 11 days later I was released from the hospital and able to return home to my family. My conversation with God is very significant to the next major event that we shared as a family. In August of 2022 just a few weeks shy of the one year anniversary of our family contracting that awful virus, much to our surprise, and in deep contrast to the retirement plan David and I had just discussed 2 weeks prior, we found out that I was pregnant with our 3rd daughter (Nora Claire). Our family is abundantly blessed and we are amazed at how God has and is continuing to work in our lives.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Makenzie: I am currently a stay at home mom pursuing my real estate license. There are so many reasons why I love working inside the home, but if I had to pick what I love most, it would be never missing a single moment. David: I am currently working in the paper packaging/printing industry where I manufacture ink. I have been in this industry for 21 years. I love that my job adds color to the world we live in, while allowing me to serve in ministry and spend time with my family.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Accept Jesus as soon as you can, develop an intimate relationship with Him, and love like Jesus loves. The world will let you down, but God never will.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Makenzie: In 5 to 10 years, I see myself serving more in the community, and ministering to families looking to purchase a home. David: In 5-10 years I would love to be more active in community outreach and in full time ministry.
David and Makenzie Bleemel & Our Community
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Our family loves to gather around the table at many restaurants in the community, but Karvelas, Vennucis, Bull’s Hibachi, and Gus’s Grill are among the favorites.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
We have lived in Lagrange for almost 6 years.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Jimmy and Robbie Pruitt would have to be the most interesting people we have met. Their walk with God and their ability to love and minister to others right where they are, is a true reflection of Jesus.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The Biblical History Center is a true treasure. Watching our girls light up when they are able to see and experience things they have only read about in the Bible is priceless. Also, the fact that they are 1 of 8 museums with the caliber of artifacts they have is amazing.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Makenzie: I can picture it now, me sitting across from Candace Cameron Bure at Heirloom Donuts enjoying a donut and cup of coffee. I would love to listen to her recount her faith journey from being a childhood star to current day where she is deeply rooted in Christ, writing devotionals and biblical commentary. David: I would like to take Pastor Jentezen Franklin to lunch at Gus’s Grill. I love listening to him preach the word of God and would like the opportunity to ask for advice when it comes to serving in ministry.
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Makenzie: One of my favorite movies would have to be Sweet Home Alabama. I love Reese Witherspoon. My favorite TV show is The Chosen. It is something that David, myself, and the girls are able to sit down and enjoy together. David: My favorite movies are Tombstone and Open Range (I should have been a cowboy). As far as TV shows it would be The Chosen because it gives a visual account of what happened in the Bible.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Serving in children’s ministry is definitely a 10/10! Seeing the children accept and grow in Christ is one of the most rewarding things we will ever experience during our time here on earth.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Makenzie: I have a few people who inspire me for different reasons. First, my husband David inspires me to be strong in my faith. His faith and love for God is admirable. No matter what storm we may be going through in life, he reminds me that God’s hand is in it, and in Him I can find peace (John 16:33). I am so blessed to have such a godly man leading our home. Second, my daughters inspire me to be the best mother I can be. It is my goal to make sure they grow up knowing I did everything in my power to provide them a godly home full of love and cherished memories. My last, but definitely not least person who inspires me, would be Robbie Pruitt. Her care and compassion for others no matter their circumstance is truly unmatched. Not only do I see her as a spiritual mentor, but I also see her as my best friend. She inspires me to be a Proverbs 31 woman. David: My family. My wife for her willingness to give up her career to raise our children, and how she is teaching our daughters to be a mother, wife, and woman of God. My daughters inspire me to be a godly man, so they know what to look for in a husband. My God because he gives me the ability to do all of these things.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Hebrews 13:14 Home isn’t a place, it’s a feeling. Home isn’t a place, it’s the community of people you surround yourself with.