Twenty Years of Walks

I meant to write this yesterday, but alas, that did not happen. Yesterday was Justin's birthday and today is Easter. It is an important weekend for the family.

First, Justin. I know it is often said that the years fly by, but in this case the years flew by. Seriously, it doesn't seem possible that Justin was born. It also doesn't seem possible that home home has moved halfway across the country, and yet, both statements are true. The more amazing is that Justin is 20 years old. He is a sophomore in college 9 hours away. My little boy has become a fine young man. I am very proud of him and the work he does. He works as a lead for the snack shop, and on the university audio-video crew. He also serves on the AV team at his church. I miss having Justin around here, but at the same time I am thrill knowing that God is preparing him for something great. All the while, Justin is developing skills and abilities that will assist him for years to come. He has taken up hiking, a hobby that he can continue well into the future. He will be able to take another 4 or 5 day hike after school dismisses in early May. Another sign of a young man growing up. My prayer for Justin is that he will realize for himself who God truly is and what He wants of Justin and then passionately seek that calling.

And then we move to Easter. This day represents a God who loved us completely, so much so that He sent His Son to live and die for us. After His death, three days later He rose from the dead. Again, He loved us greatly. We serve a God that loves us thoroughly, to the point that He is willing to give what is most valuable to redeem us. Such love demands of us a devotion that causes us to be committed to Him completely. May our love for Him show that He is the focus our hearts.

Walking Hand-in-Hand (while miles apart)

As I sit here in Greenville, SC on Valentine's night, I think of my dear wife back in Mechanicsburg. There have been a great many times over the years that I have had to travel for school and for most of those trips I have left Bec (and the kids behind). I enjoy traveling, but I do not really enjoy traveling without my wife so much. On this special (Hallmark) holiday, I want to say again, "I love you" to Becky. She has been such a wonderful, faithful helper over these years, willing to put up with so much, including the occasional trip at an inopportune time. I trust that you had a good day and that you know how much you are loved.

See you late in the week.

Walking Hand-in-Hand

How quickly time flies. Twenty-six years years ago today I married my lovely bride on a day that was cold and nasty in Upper Michigan. It was about 30 degrees with freezing rain; a 60 mile drive took us almost 2 hours to navigate. Today, it was about 18 degrees with about a 4 degree windchill. Lovely indeed.

It is amazing to think back over the years and see how God has worked.

• I am from a small town in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
• Becky was from central Iowa.
• I went to college in the Florida Panhandle.
• Bec went to college in south central Wisconsin.
• We met in middle Tennessee during one week of summer camp after our sophomore years of college.
• I was working on summer staff at the camp.
• Bec was there for only one week as a church chaperone.
• The boys from her church were assigned to my cabin.
• They felt that she and I should meet.
• The rest, as they say is history. Suffice it to say, I just bowled her over with my rugged handsomeness and incredible wit and charm...or something like that.

Consider for a moment how unlikely it was that we would even meet, let alone continue to stay in touch and then in time marry. It was definitely most unlikely that we would meet and then marry, yet God accomplished what only He could do. And 26 years since we married I look back and say, "How wonderful is my God that He has blessed me so."

Thanks you, my Heavenly Father for the wife you have given me. Thank you, Rebecca, for being such a wonderful wife.