This Friday, May 3, 2013, Shawn and I are set to celebrate our 10th Wedding Anniversary. It’s been an incredible journey! Over the past decade, we’ve faced challenges and had countless blessings to be grateful for. Here are some highlights from our 10 years of marriage.
Here are a few things that transpired in the first 10 years of our marriage:
- Moving four times – for good reasons!
- Surviving Lymphoma
- Surviving a Heart Attack
- 5 new lives – our grandchildren, Kayla, Trey, Aubrey, Jayden, and Joshua
- An overwhelming number of deaths in 2010 of friends and family including but not limited to my dear Aunt Tina (who was more like a sister to me), Shawn’s Dad, my brother Herb
- Diagnosis of Mental Illness – Major Depression/Anxiety
We had a mix of difficulties; however, I can honestly say that I honestly believe in this saying:
Marriage takes three to be complete;
It’s not enough for two to meet.
They must be united in love
By love’s Creator, God above.
A marriage that follows God’s plan
Take more than a woman and a man.
It needs an oneness that can be
Only from Christ – marriage takes three.
-Beth Stuckwisch
Our bedroom wall is graced with a beloved saying, a considerate present from my friend Elley.
Life is not easy; marriage is not easy. Being a Christian does not mean that we are exempt from adversity. Shawn and I have weathered some of the storms of life and yes, there were times and still are times when we wanted to give up. We have a solid foundation in God’s Word. We know God hates divorce and since both of us came from divorce, we know how it can affect everyone in the family. Speaking for myself, I could not have gone through ANY of this without God. I continue to grow and grow in His Word. There is no end to what I am learning and how I am being transformed!
We lived through all the adversity, and it has made us stronger! God has allowed us to live through these things so we can be a witness to those going through these things to show them that there is hope and to show our thankfulness. This is why we raise our hands when singing worship songs! We are so thankful for all of it!
I know that there is so much more of life to come, good and bad. I know that I must continue to trust in God through it all. He has a plan for us, and it’s not for evil!
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
I am so thankful for my husband Shawn, that he loves God and studies His Word. I will never forget the time he said to me, “I have someone much higher to answer to”. This allowed me to have peace and trust.
I want to grow old with Shawn. I want to continue to be renewed by God’s Word with him. That’s how we started this journey and it’s how I want it to end.