by unknown ship photographer

Happy Anniversary Ron!  I can’t believe we have made it to 42 years.  Talk about the grace of God!  He knew what He was doing when He brought us together.  I needed someone who would calm down my intensity and help me laugh at myself.  You loved me and helped me a lot in those areas.  You needed someone to keep you going and provide a home for you.  I guess you needed someone who loved you too *smile*.

Great trip–Through good times and bad

It has been a great journey together.  It hasn’t always been easy, but you have always helped me to laugh at just the right time.  We have had some great highs and some awful lows.  Most of the time, we have lived in the region of the mundane.  Whether we lived in Jamaica, serving at the Bible College there or in the U.S. in the pastorate, our lives have always been busy.  Sometimes, it was busy with students in and out of our house, literally (because our house was where the campus phone was).   Sometimes, our home was a retreat from the demands of the outside world.  Usually, it has been a combination of the two.

Busy has become quiet, sometimes lonely

These days it seems very quiet.  While it’s true that we have college students in once a month for an after church lunch, our house tends to be quiet.  Our children are grown and gone…far away!  There are no local grandchildren.  Soon they will not only be spread around the U.S. but they will be international.  I miss not being near grandchildren.  I had hoped for that.  It may happen someday, but not now.

Uncertain Future except for Christ

So we keep trudging on.  Occasionally we have some health challenges.  We face an uncertain future in the sense that we don’t know what the future holds for us.  We do know that our eternal future is certain, thanks to the grace and mercy of God.  We have been redeemed by Christ.  It is something we do not deserve, but for which we are grateful.  It is our relationship with Him that has held us together all these years.  Thanks be to God!

Happy Anniversary Ron!

We hope for more years of good health together but know that whatever God brings into our lives, God’s grace is sufficient for whatever the need…and He is faithful!  Happy Anniversary dear Ron.

**An interesting side note–This year we are sharing our anniversary with our fourth grandchild (third granddaughter) who turns two on the same day we celebrate our anniversary.  Yes, Millie was born on our 40th anniversary!  (That’s when the photo was taken.)  It has been fun to see her enjoy her balloons, cupcakes, presents, and the pure anticipation of her birthday…as only a two year old can!  Such pure glee is fun to see.

*PS: the photo is from our 40th anniversary.