Page 11 - EW Magazine 5-2 FINAL

extraordinary women Volume 5 I ssue 2 11

was the Lord’s will to get me out of there because He knew I wouldn’t do it myself. Soon after, I ended up working as a waiter at a restaurant in Miami, where I also played piano. One night, a Christian singing group called Heritage Singers came through and that’s how I met Heidi. Heritage Singers reminded me of the group, Truth, which I loved. I audi-tioned for them and got a callback to go to Texas and, then, later another one to sing in the group.

HEIDI : Michael and I were both trying out for Heritage Singers—a group based in Northern California with foundations from the Seventh Day Adventist Church, the denomination I grew up in. During the second callback audition in Dallas, Michael and I met on the elevator. I had heard his audition tape—he had a very soulful voice. When I met him, I was a bit shocked because he wasn’t what I had

pictured in my mind. After my audition, my mom and I got in the car to leave and I still remember what she said to me: “Wouldn’t it be weird if both of you got into the group and began dating?” I’m not sure why she said that—a mother’s intuition I guess—because he wasn’t really my type.

JULIE: So you both made the Heritage Singers?

HEIDI : Yes, we both joined in August of 1988, so the beginning of Michael’s music ministry actually took place alongside our relationship.

JULIE: It wasn’t long before you two decided to get married…tell us a little about the early years of your marriage. What were some of your biggest challenges as a young couple?