A Moment Cherished: anniversary

Momentous Monday is postponed for this week because for the first time ever (being that in the past at this point in the summer we are usually ministering at a summer camp) we are going away for our anniversary - for three days- alone!! I am so excited! When our church held a welcome service for us in March, they gave us a voucher for a hotel stay as well as a love check. We have been saving them for something special.

And I do believe that our eighth anniversary is something special. {grin}

(sorry for the quality - this was pre-digital days)

I remember the girl in that photo, and oh, how she was a girl. Just two months graduated from college, 22 years old, and so excited to finally begin life with her sweet heart of five years. Look at that baby face!

It has been a joy and a blessing to be married to Jim. On Tuesday, July 6, it will be 2,920 days since that moment when I walked down the aisle with butterflies in my stomach, anticipation in my heart, and tears on my cheeks, towards the love of my life. My only. Today all that is left of that moment is memories, a tightly sealed box in my parent's home with my preserved wedding dress, a book of photographs, and a few tucked momentos in the corner of my heart. I am surprised at how quickly the years have fallen away, but I look in the mirror and no longer see that baby faced girl. In her place is a much more confident, passionate, comfortable in her own skin woman. And yet each and every time I look into my groom's eyes, I am that eager, excited girl of a bride once more. I pray that never changes.

My darling, Jim - my Jimmy-Bear, I count it this life's greatest privilege, honor, and blessing to be loved and protected by you. You have exceeded my expectations for a husband, and encourage me every day to pursue my Jesus. It has been my incredible joy to mommy your children, to walk by your side for eight years as your wife, and thirteen years as your Love. Thank you for cherishing me and protecting my God-given role in our home. You make it so easy to follow your lead.

This past year I have been especially blessed by your godly leadership in our home, and your courage. Your courage to walk away from the only ministry we have ever known in order to follow God's leading. Your courage to accept the call to the ministry of adoption. Your courage to search out the Scriptures in order to truly understand how to radically follow after our Savior, no matter what.

I am so looking forward to going back to the beginning for a few days - back to you and me and our love. The best is yet to be....

All my love,
All my life,
All for you.

Your Baby Doll.