One Dozen

During our wedding, our pastor told us what would be required of us in our marriage. Sharing, serving, selflessness, encouragement, forgiveness... the list was long. Whatever the season, good or bad, he explained that we could never quit. Then, in all honesty and love, he told us that we would never be able to succeed.

I remember looking up at him, a little shocked by his candid pessimism. Then, thankfully, he continued. We would never be able to keep our vows on our own. He challenged us to continuously look to God for the strength that we needed. To rely on our personal relationships with Christ first, and as those grew and matured, so would our relationships with each other.

That was exactly 12 years ago. What a blessing that someone took the time to speak truth to us. He did not sugar coat or romanticize the days, the years that we had ahead, but called us to depth and humility and a God centered love. We are so thankful for that council because we have walked through days of sickness and days of health, some days we've been richer and some days we've been poorer, some days have been better and some have been so much worse than we could have imagined.

We could have never lasted, let alone thrived, on our own. So, as we celebrate a dozen years of marriage, we praise God for His faithfulness.

Twelve years of blessings really seemed worth celebrating. So, we hired someone to do our chores, bought a dozen doughnuts, and drove down to the coast. The East coast, where the sun does not set over the ocean. Changes, this year continues to bring changes.

The kids had so much fun playing in the sand. I had so much fun photographing them playing in the sand. And in the water...

Memories were definitely made!

Everyone swam in the ocean. Brent taught Abigail and Samuel how to body surf. We picnicked on the beach and watched two beautiful sunsets. It was really nice to get away together.

To ponder what this weekend would have been like if we had not stayed married, makes us all the more thankful. Thankful that God brought us together and has kept us together. He has used pastors, counselors, family and friends in the process and to each of them... we say thank you! What a joy to look back with victory and to look forward with hope.

Jesus looked at them and said, "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." —Matthew 19:26