Happy Anniversary!

As we celebrate our 9-year anniversary, all I can say is, “I have been living in the goodness of God.”

There is no other way to describe the mercies our marriage has experienced this year.

We faced challenges that shook everything we thought we knew about raising a family. The sleepless nights took a toll on our mental health, sex life, and physical health, and we also experienced God’s goodness as He blessed us beyond measure in other ways.

My husband is thriving as a provider, leader, and protector while I bask in my role in motherhood.

Our son had a near-death experience that God delivered him from, and my husband’s business is more abundant than in any previous year. Only God can work these two miracles. 

We found a church family we adore and are loved by in return. Watching my husband find his place in ministry under the wing of our lead pastor has been an answered prayer. Seeing my son beam with joy and receive love in such a multicultural environment gets me excited about what heaven will feel like when we worship God with our families, surrounded by every nation, tribe, and tongue. 

God continues to refine our characters into His likeness (and still has a long way to go). This has probably been the most challenging part of this year: I have recognized how sinful I still am despite all the sanctification work I thought Christ had already done in me. I struggle with being soft and am still critical, so I must take my thoughts, feelings, and actions captive daily to honor and respect my spouse. It’s hard! 

Watching my husband go through the same experience in his own way toward me gives me hope that God isn’t finished with him yet, either. 

He continues to teach me about unconditional love through my husband's patience on my bad days, and I’m thankful neither has given up. I noticed myself saying to both God and my spouse, “You guys love me too much, I don’t deserve it,” as if I had forgotten all about His grace that brought us this far. 

Watching my husband raise our son in love, faith, discipleship, and integrity has become his most attractive trait. I didn’t realize he had such tenderness within him toward children until we had our own. He and my son are best friends and watching their relationship blossom is heartwarming. 

I’ve told God too often, “Lord, I don’t deserve this life,” only to hear, “You don’t, so just accept it as my gift and share this love with others.”

And so our family’s mission continues: love God, love each other, and love people.

As long as God gives us breath, we will serve together, forgive each other, communicate with vulnerability, model God’s grace to one another-as well as to our son, continue to entertain angels in our home, and have fun in the process.

Happy Anniversary sweetheart, thank you for 9 wonderful years honey (and to many more)!  <3