40 YEARS - THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

Happy 40th Wedding Anniversary!!!  Can't think of a better way to celebrate than being here in Cambodia, serving together, praying together, laughing together, working together, sharing together.....side by side every day.    

A song from the classic "Fiddler on the Roof" comes to mind:

LOVE. Goldie....do you love me?

Do I what?

Do you love me?

Do I love you?
With our daughters getting married
and this trouble in the town
you’re upset, you're worn out
Go inside, go lie down!
Maybe its indigestion

"Goldie I'm asking you a question..."

Do you love me?

You're a fool

"I know..."

But do you love me?

Do I love you?
For twenty-five years I've washed your clothes
Cooked your meals, cleaned your house
given you children, milked the cow
after twenty-five years, why talk about love right now?

Goldie, The first time I met you
Was on our wedding day
I was scared

I was shy

I was nervous

So was I

But my father and my mother
Said we'd learn to love each other
And now I'm asking, Goldie
Do you love me?

I'm your wife

"I know..."
But do you love me?

Do I love him?
For twenty-five years I've lived with him
Fought him, starved with him
Twenty-five years my bed is his
if that's not love, what is?

Then you love me?

I suppose I do

And I suppose I love you tooD

(Both)
It doesn't change a thing
But even so
after twenty-five years
It's nice to know

YES, love is what we have experienced together!  This time has made me reflective.....remembering  back on our dating, our engagement, our beautiful spring day wedding.  Time just rolls by......where did 40 years go so quickly?   And I think of special people who were at our wedding that have since died....Dad, Tom & Jan, Grandma Leach, Grandma & Grandpa Tate, Grandma Rachael....all legendary influences in my life.  And I think of the incredible posterity that has happened since then....4 children, 4 son and daughter-in-laws, and 11 grandchildren.  Our covenant chain that links the past and the future all started on that noted day in time and eternity, March 26, 1986.  

Another "Fiddler on the Roof" song lingers in my thoughts.  I guess I am feeling rather nostalgic today!

Is this the little girl I carried?
Is this the little boy at play?
I don't remember growing older
When did they?

When did she get to be a beauty?
When did he get to be so tall?
Wasn't it yesterday
When they were small?

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly flow the days
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers
Blossoming even as we gaze
Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears

What words of wisdom can I give them?
How can I help to ease their way?
Now they must learn from one another
Day by day

They look so natural together
Just like two newlyweds should be
Is there a canopy in store for me?

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly flow the days
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers
Blossoming even as we gaze
Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears

As Jim and I share each season of life, our love deepens and our appreciation for each other's strengths and gifts grows.  Pres. Nelson said, “Real love is not measured in terms of moonlight and roses, but in terms of who will care for you when you are old.”  Yes!  We care for each other more than ever....and realize that twilight years are approaching!  

And life's greatest blessings continue to happen because of our shared love of Jesus Christ, which is the foundation rooted deeply in our hearts.  Our marriage is a crowning blessing of blessings!!