1 Corinthians 9:23
"I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings."
A year ago today I wrote the following in this blog: "Twenty-eight years ago tonight, I said the two words I am most proud of in my entire life: 'I do.' It has been an amazing 28 years, and we know that the best is yet to come. I fell in love with her 43 years ago and that love has grown stronger. I can't imagine loving her any more than I do today, though past history tells me I will love her even more tomorrow."
Sure enough, I love her even more today than I did a year ago. I'm reminded of 1969, when NFL superstar quarterback Joe Namath wrote a book called, "I Can't Wait Until Tomorrow...'Cause I Get Better-Looking Every Day." Well, I can't wait until tomorrow, because Tammy will be even better-looking, and I'll love her even more than I do today.
Today was a special day that concluded a special weekend. Julie and her boyfriend, Erich, came to town to celebrate Tammy's birthday (last month), Julie's birthday (Tuesday) and Tammy's Mom's birthday (a week from Tuesday). We had a big gathering with both sides of the family at our house. We cooked out and celebrated the birthdays.
Today was also bittersweet, because it was the last time we'll worship together (all four of us) until next May when we're all in Poland for David Lee's wedding. David moves to Poland in a little more than two weeks. We're excited for him, and we know this is what God has in store for him for the next few years at least. We're happy that he will be reunited with his fiance, and we're happy for both of them.
But, man, we're going to miss him. It's hard to grasp the fact that he won't live in the States for at least three years, maybe longer. He is such a treasure to us. He was so instrumental in Tammy's recovery as he sat with her and took care of her during the day when her parents couldn't be here. He is such a joy to be around. We know that at nearly 27, it's time to move on with his life, but that doesn't mean we want him to leave. We love Wiola (his fiance) very much, but selfishly, we'd prefer if she moved here instead of David moving there.
But that's not God's plan. Quite simply, the only One we're really willing to give him up for is God. He is going to Poland to serve God.
So as David hugged Julie in the parking lot of the restaurant where we ate lunch, we choked up. They love each other, and will see each other in Poland in January when Julie moves there too. But it will be tough for them to not see each other for five months.
A little perspective: we are so blessed to have two kids (although they're in their mid-20s) who love us, love each other, and love the Lord. We know so many people who pray for their kids daily to come back to the Lord. Our prayers are that God will bless them as they follow His plan. People have asked us how we can be so calm knowing that both of our kids will live "across the pond" in just a few months. There's two good responses, at least for me. I'm not as calm on the inside. But more importantly, God loves them more than we do. He'll bless them in ways we can't. That will be a blessing to us.
So as we celebrate our last anniversary with the two of them in the same continent, we praise God for all the blessings He has given us. Near the top of that list are our kids.
At the top is each other.
Thanks for celebrating with us.
