25 Wonderful Years!

It is so hard for me to believe sometimes, but my sweet husband and I have been married now for 25 years. It is hard for me to believe because it just doesn't seem that long already. I feel like I am just now getting the hang of this whole marriage thing.

We were finally able to take a long awaited honeymoon. When we were first married it was not financially or job-wise possible for us to take a honeymoon. We were married on Saturday the 28th of July, 1984. On Sunday we drove from western NY to north central IN where we were going to be making our new home together. On Monday Rick went to work because his boss would only give him 2 days off from his 6 day a week job. So the honeymoon was put on hold indefinitely.

All through the years there has been a desire to get away just the two of us. We spent so much of what travelling we did going to conferences for church or other ministries we were involved in and visiting family. Never once was it more than just a night stolen away here and there that we were able to get away by ourselves. But the Lord knew exactly what we needed and when we needed it. He blessed us just recently through a few members of our church congregation. The money for such a trip was there all in one big chunk. What an awesome blessing it was for us!

So we started making plans for our short getaway. Plans that we kept secret from all but a few friends. Plans that were to include no phone calls and no unexpected visits. Plans that would involve lots of down time to relax and just enjoy each others company. We were really looking forward to it.

Each and every year we have done the same thing for our anniversary, we have gone to Amish Acres in Nappanee, IN. We haven't missed once. It is something we look forward to, enjoying the Threshers Dinner and antiquing. This year was certainly no exception. When we arrived some very special things awaited us, a bouquet of flowers, a fresh loaf of bread and a wonderful gift basket full of yummy treats and food sold in the gift store. They also gave us a window table off all to ourselves. To say the least it was very romantic and we enjoyed our meal very much! What an awesome blessing it was to us! The picture is of us with the owner of Amish Acres. He came out to greet us and thank us for coming every year.

That was just the start. We also travelled to Cedarville, Ohio. The college that we met at is in that small town and it was so much fun to go see the old campus and relive some wonderful memories of our time there. But, my has the campus changed! It has changed so much that one of the dorms I lived in isn't even there anymore. While we were there we also went to a small town near the campus that we used to frequent. It was a hoot for us to see how little that town had changed. I won't say what town it is, but the whole place seems to have been stuck in a time warp from the 60's. It always makes us smile when we go there!

Our next stop was in Kentucky. We went to Petersburg to visit the Creation Museum. Oh my goodness was that an amazing place! We spent the whole day there from when they opened to when they closed and still didn't get it all in. What a wonderful place to visit. It was so refreshing to see see exhibits that focused on things from a biblical point of view. We were so blessed by visiting and I would recommend it to anyone!

On our way home we took our time driving simply because we didn't want the trip to end. Often we stopped in small towns to visit antique stores and gift shops. And we did come home with a few choice goodies from those stores.

I would have to say that this was by far the best trip we have ever taken. Don't get me wrong all the trips we took over the years for ministry were very much worth it, as well as the trips to visit family. We wouldn't change a bit of that. I would say though that the time we had alone for 5 days really helped us refresh and renew ourselves. We both came back relaxed and ready to get going with life again.

I am so thankful that I can say that we have had 25 wonderful years of marriage. Yes we have had our ups and downs. Yes we have had our share of problems. Yet through all of that we have been grateful for all the Lord has done for us and through us. He has drawn us closer together each and every year as we have grown in Him.

This is the card I gave Rick for our anniversary. Some may think it is a little odd considering it is not silver nor does it mention anything about an anniversary. Yet this card said exactly what I wanted to say to Rick, because the desire of my heart is to spend a lifetime with him, serving along side him, loving him. So I will continue delighting in the Lord because I don't want any of those desires I have to ever stop! Song of Solomon 2:16a, "My beloved is mine, and I am his."