It's been 9 years since the day we said, "I Do". 9 crazy, amazing, beautiful, challenging, life bringing years. 16 days after we said our vows we moved from Missouri to Colorado. My hubs started a new job, I went to a new University in a place where we knew no one. For the first two weeks, we were broke and sick. It's amazing how many obstacles faced our marriage in the first 30 days. Looking back over the last 9 - 10 years that we have known each other God has prepared us for struggles, for tough times, and how to ride through them together.
As I sit and reflect over all the things that we have just lived through its hard to believe its only been 9 years. The beautiful thing... The thing that takes my breath away and humbles me to the core... There is SO MUCH more ahead. I mean going into year 10, we have our hearts broken for the children in India, we have 2 amazing young men that have hearts to make a difference, we have the best community around us that anyone could ask for.
I love having our anniversary so close to Christmas and New Years because of Christ we are New and each new year holds something that we cannot prepare for on our own. This is the time of year that we self evaluate, redirect, refocus. Its also a time we celebrate and look forward. Isn't that every day of marriage??
I'm so honored to be married to my hubs. Together we have walked a long ways, through some deep, hard stuff, things that have been buried deep. You know one the beautiful things about marriage?? One of my favorite things...it challenges us to change, to become better, to grow. I cannot tell you how grateful I am to have him as my partner in crime, the one who is going to get ankle deep in the water pouring out of our garage with, that will pull up our brand new carpet so it can air dry, the one who will forgive me, who cherishes me, who will go out and go before, who prays daily for us, seeks God on our behalf and also his so that he can be the best he can be. My heart is so full, life is messy, but the beauty that God is creating, the things he has in store from this year of getting comfortable being uncomfortable... WOW.
I'm speechless. I'm ready ... but I'm not ... I'm excited and so thankful that God is using us. Here's to one of my favorite days of the year!! The day I get to celebrate with the love of my life, this life that has been given to us.
Don't be afraid of what God is calling you to, he will equip you to do it. In every season, God goes before us and allows things to happen to prepare us for what is to come. The biggest challenge is letting that change happen. Being able to just rest and trust that what he is doing in our lives although painful, tough or amazing its all for His glory and to work all things together for our good.
Love wins.
1 Corinthians 13: 4 - 8a
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always preservers. Love Never Fails
Be encouraged. The greatest fruit of the Spirit is Love. Let Love win. my prayers with you until we meet again.
