Getting to Know Us – January / The Sutherlands

Happy Monday everyone! This year we have decided to feature a couple in our class each month on the blog, so that you can get to know the FaithMates better! Our first couple are the Sutherlands, our class presidents. Enjoy!

Names: 

Mark & Karen Sutherland

Ages:  

35 (Mark) & 31 (Karen)

Where you born: 

Both in Dalton, GA

How long have you been married: 

Karen: 6 Years in August

Mark: 5 Years, 5 months & 17 days

Any children: 

Katherine (Kate) 15 months

1. When did you first know s/he was the one? 

Karen:  

In the Scout Hut circa 1990 (he and my brother were in the same boy scout troop and I took it upon myself to stalk him at every opportunity).

Mark: 

Karen and I have known each other for a very long time, and even before we started dating I always had a great feeling about her, a subtle but unmistakable feeling that she was special.  I can't remember a specific event that convinced me she was the one, but I would say that after we had dated for about 6 months I knew she was someone I could spend the rest of my life with. 

2. Describe your spouse in one sentence. 

Karen:  

Mark is a fun-loving outdoorsy type who has a great sense of humor, a compassion for others, and is an amazing father.

Mark:  

Karen is amazingly beautiful inside and out, she is smart, genuine, has an awesome sense of humor, and cares incredibly about those in her life.

3. What is your current job? What is your dream job? 

Karen: 

I'm an outside sales rep for a 127 year-old luxury textile company.  I call on interior designers in Metro Atlanta and present fabric, wallcovering, and furniture. 

Mark:

I am currently  a partner in my family's business which owns and operates three bowling centers in Indiana.  Most of my time is spent identifying & implimenting intiatives to improve our company's operating efficiency, identifying & creating new revenue streams, monitoring the company's financial performance, and handling human resources issues.   It's a relatively small company (around 60 employees) so I wear many "hats", and I'm relied on to address a wide range of issues. 

My dream job would be to earn a reliable, lucrative living as a professional outdoor guide.  I love the outdoors, and getting paid handsomely (or heck, just getting paid) to take people back country camping, mountain biking, canoeing/kayaking, fishing, or snow skiing would be a job I would never get tired of.  I hope this is something I might be able to do in retirement, lucrative or not.  As an aside, being in the outdoors is when I feel closest to God, and really hear him speaking to me. 

4. Any hobbies? 

Karen: 

Snow skiing, ballroom dancing (although it's been a long time), playing guitar and spending time with my hubby and daughter.

Mark:
Ha!  I don't have much time for hobbies any more, but as I said above I love the outdoors.  The activities I described in my dream job are things I have grown up doing with my family and friends, and continue to really enjoy today when I get the opportunity.  Another hobby I rarely have time for anymore but enjoy doing is playing the cello.  I also love going to UGA sporting events, Braves games, and playing the occasional round of golf.  

5. If you could have a day by yourself, what would you do? 

Karen:  

I'd have to get away from my house so I wouldn't feel the need to clean....in a perfect world I would spend it at the spa...and that spa would be in the mountains!

Mark: 
I would head to a white water river in the mountains, set up camp, and spend the day playing on the river by boating and fishing.    

6. What are some of your goals for the year? 

Karen:  

I'd love to figure out how to better balance being a wife and working mother. 

Mark:

• My main goal is to change jobs in the coming year.  
• Karen and I want to move closer to the Church

7. What is your biggest pet peeve of your spouse? 

Karen: 

THE PILES!

Mark:
Her obnoxious knuckle cracking  

8. How long have you attended Mt. Bethel? 

5 years 

9. How would you describe FaithMates Sunday school class? 

Karen: 

We have an amazing class.  Together we have experienced some of life's most wonderful milestones and have grown in our faith in the process.  We like to have FUN!

Mark: 

A fun loving, christ centered group of believers. 

10. How has being a part of FaithMates helped your marriage? 

Karen: 

We've started to focus on the things in life that are truly important.  The marriage studies have helped us better communicate with one another as well.  

Mark: 

I think the biggest way FaithMmates has helped our marriage is by the wonderful examples our classmates set for us as in terms of healthy, christ centered relationships.  The studies we have done have deepened our spiritual relationships with God, and in turn, deepened and enriched the way we relate to one another.