18 years and counting...

Steve here ... just wanting to give a little tribute to my wife, THE most amazing woman I know, as we celebrate 18 years since saying "I do." I did then ... and I still do today. We were so very young back then (she still is) and neither of us had a clue how our Father would move through the years. At the risk of sounding like a Kenny Rogers song (think Through the Years), there is no other person on earth that I would choose to walk through life with. Together, we brought 3 people into this world ... and together, we had to say goodbye to a baby we never got to know. We both love the beach ... and we both love having pets in our home. We created a mountain of debt together ... and together, we learned a valuable lesson as we paid it off. We both love to watch movies on the couch ... and we both go crazy over Red Lobster biscuits. Our Father knew what He was doing when He brought us together so many years ago (thanks, in part, to my baby sister), and I can't imagine doing this journey now without her by my side. I have experienced the blessing of a lifetime in that my wife and my best friend are one in the same. Thank you, Joanna Marie, for being that Proverbs 31 kind of woman! I love you so much!

18 years ago .... in a little church in Monticello, Arkansas ....the journey began!!

1 year ago today, we knew the Father was calling us here ... but it was hard to imagine it really. We celebrated number 17 at an amazing little Bed & Breakfast nestled away on the TX/OK border. The innkeepers were just amazing!! It was a perfect getaway as we finished up our last semester at Southwestern.

The sacrifices she has made to follow Him to the outermost corners of the world has made me fall in love with her all over again. She has laid down her will in order to follow His.

If someone would have told us on January 4, 1992 that we would be celebrating our 18th anniversary here in this country and in this place, we both would have laughed ... and laughed ... and laughed (think of Sarah when she found out about Isaac). He gave us a gift last night and we are still blown away with how He allowed us to celebrate together. We didn't stay in this hotel, but we loved tasting foods that we haven't had since arriving here. It was an amazing night!

The pre-dinner walk through the garden was exactly what He knew we needed!!

Our maitre 'de and wait staff made our dinner that much more amazing. They were so attentive and excited to host us for our anniversary. We were especially moved (and a whole lot excited) when they brought out a delicious chocolate cake. As we were sitting outside on the patio surrounded by dim lights, lush gardens, and waterfalls, it was a perfect reminder that His presence is all over this city. We are thankful that He has given us the privilege of coming here to make His presence known.

As we were waiting on our car, we took a few minutes to talk this man. He was so very nice and was excited to take a picture with us. We talked last night about how open and nice most everyone here really is. It's amazing what happens when you get out of your comfort zone and begin building relationships with people. Please remember our family as we speak to the Father about the relationships He has already established ... and for the many more He is orchestrating even today.

We're also thankful to our good friends for letting our kids hang out with them so we could experience this getaway. All 3 of the kids couldn't stop talking about what they did while we were gone. What a blessing He has given us to bring them into our lives. We didn't make it back home until 10:00 PM, but it was worth being out a little later than normal. Below is a picture taken after we got home of Joanna and the roses I picked up for her earlier in the day. We didn't do an "official" gift exchange, but she loves fresh flowers and, well .... not to sound cheap, but the flowers are CHEAP! :) In the states, I would never have bought 2 dozen roses. She is definitely worth the cost, but she told me many times ... "don't buy roses, they're just too expensive." (of course, she never complained when I did). But, you can buy a stem of most any flower for 10-20 cents. So ... these 2 dozen roses (actually 25 as they don't "do" flowers by the dozen) cost a little over $6 after the greenery was added. As our good friend, Gay, would say ... WOWSERS!