20 years and still learning to grow strong...

November 30, 2011 Grand Rapids, Michigan

in 1988 God had a plan to introduce to young people to each other... He knew the plan all along... He knew they could get through this hard, crazy and at times impossible life together with Him. He knew who would know me through my ups and downs, good and bad and some times crazy ideas with Him. He knew we would have ups and downs, good and bad and what seemed like some crazy ideas to most with Him... God's plan had 9 children waiting for us after walking down the aisle... He knew this couple could take this huge leap of faith and move to this run down farm and create a life together for a family and turn more towards Him. It has not been all roses. But if you are married for any length of time, you too can only understand to what I am referring too...

You do not fail the race even if you end of slowing down, going on bumpy curves or cruising in the fast lane... You lose the race if you quit. We have always chosen (love is truly a decision sometimes) to continue on in the race, to get back on our horses if you will, to reinvent ourselves from God's hands to bend for one another. As hard as that can be sometimes... You win the race if you finish...

"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" Philippians 3:14 KJV

Hebrews 12:1 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us"...

Here is to many more years to reach the finish line, to press on toward the mark and to run with patience! In God we truly trust...

ps. and who would have thought that the Gentle Giant would have married this city slicker girl that can castrate and butcher hogs like nobodies business? BONUS!

November 30, 1991 Grandville, Michigan

May 1989