37th ANNIVERSARY

Today, February 19, 2014, - our 37th wedding anniversary, I have spent the day thinking of how God blessed me with nearly 34 years with you. How He miraculously worked through our matchmaking pastor to get us to meet and gave us a little push in the right direction. How He gave me the man I had been praying for - a man who loved God with all his heart, the thing I wanted most in my life. Then He gave me the next thing I wanted most in my life - a family, as we raised our three wonderful children. We loved God with all our heart and served Him together with all our might. Sweet, precious memories! A couple of weeks ago I found a stack of 14 little cards that you had given me on our 14th anniversary. You had tied one to 14 individual roses, one for each year we had been married. I decided to save them to read today on this 37th anniversary and had been looking forward to it. So today as I read each one, they are so like you with your corny sense of humor, but so full of love. It brought back sweet memories of you and our love. I miss you so much, but feel so blessed to have those memories and to still be able to feel the love we have for each other. Here are your 14 years of our life and love together: 1. In 1977 We tasted a little Heaven. I Love You. 2. In 1978 Our love was great! I Love You. 3. In 1979 We had a good time! I Love You. 4. In 1980 Rebekah came - our new baby! I Love You. 5. In 1981 We sure had fun! I Love You. 6. In 1982 Our love grew. I Love You. 7. In 1983 We entered Pastoral Ministry. I Love You. 8. In 1984 We were growing more. I Love You. 9. In 1985 Stephen arrived & our love was alive! I Love You. 10. In 1986 - We were out in the sticks. I Love You. 11. In 1987 We were still blessed from Heaven. I Love You. 12. In 1988 - We felt we were in a strait. I Love You. 13. In 1989 We moved one more time! I Love You. 14. In 1990 We saw God's Timing. I Love You. And to think we had 20 more years together after that! And one day we will have an eternity of I Love You's! Can't wait! In the mean time, I want to pin my love, one for each year, right here: 1. I Love You! 2. I Love You! 3. I Love You! 4. I Love You! 5. I Love You! 6. I Love You! 7. I Love You! 8. I Love You! 9. I Love You! 10. I Love You! 11. I Love You! 12. I Love You! 13. I Love You! 14. I Love You! 15. I Love You! 16. I Love You! 17. I Love You! 18. I Love You! 19. I Love You! 20. I Love You! 21. I Love You! 22. I Love You! 23. I Love You! 24. I Love You! 25. I Love You! 26. I Love You! 27. I Love You! 28. I Love You! 29. I Love You! 30. I Love You! 31. I Love You! 32. I Love You! 33. I Love You! 34. I Love You! 35. I Love You! 36. I Love You! 37. I Love You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

February 2, 2014

Three years ago we laid your body to rest in the cold, frozen ground of a blizzard which matched the feelings of my heart: cold, numb and frozen. At the same time I knew you weren't in that cold body that went into the ground, but you were more alive than ever in the place you always wanted to be; no more worries or cares of life for you. Just like the ground eventually thawed, so did my heart, and I began to feel again. Except it was mostly pain that I felt; a pain that has perhaps lessened somewhat but none-the-less still there. But I have also been able to feel what a great love God has for both of us. He has always been our Best Friend, but now that friendship with Him has become so much more real. Especially for you. But for me, also. He has helped me through so much, comforting and encouraging me, helping me know what to do when I don't know on my own, being so near I can feel Him with me. I know the coming years will bring many challenges without you, but Jesus will help me. And I know that every day without you is another day closer to being with you! As you said, "We'll be together, and with Jesus it will be forever"!