1st Anniversary (2009)- returned to our honeymoon cabin in Spooner, WI; drove down to Iowa to meet newly born and adopted niece Janessa
2nd Anniversary (2010)- Lausanne Conference, Cape Town, South Africa
3rd Anniversary (2011)- Linders' cabin in Baxter, MN, dinner at Grizzly's and walk around the golf course, pregnant with Victor
4th Anniversary (2012)- cancelled plans for an overnight at a bed and breakfast because Victor was sick
5th Anniversary (2013)- Lothlaurion, early snow, saw deer, pregnant with Josiah
6th Anniversary (2014)- Weekend "away at home," long walk in Hudson, WI; Delks' anniversary celebration
7th Anniversary (2015)- BCS seminary cohort retreat, pregnant with Elliot
8th Anniversary (2016)- weekend trip to Iowa
9th Anniversary (2017)- weekend at Pine Forest Retreat Center, apple orchard with Big Ben apples, pregnant with Calvin but didn't know it yet
10th Anniversary (2018)- mid-week trip to Iowa, beautiful walks, Kava Cafe, visit with Grandma Vaupel
Showing posts with label Anniversary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anniversary. Show all posts
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Saturday, February 18, 2017
100 Things I'm Thankful for in Our First 100 Months
100. When you send me to a coffee shop on Saturday morning to read my Bible and pray
99. Your accents
98. How you make me not self-conscious in group settings
97. Your pillow fights with the boys
96. Pizza night on Saturdays
95. When you hold the boys and sing with fervor during worship
94. Your cute smile
93. Shoulder massages
92. Our trip to Duluth for your birthday, about 6 months after we got married, when I got really mad at you for buying a huge specialty coffee
91. Chipotle burrito bowls with a tortilla on the side
90. Really good root beer
89. Family movie nights with popcorn (and Mighty Machines)
88. Praying for the "help-you cars" when we hear a siren
87. Our wedding verses: Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who called you, and He will surely do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (half ESV, half NASB... half for you, half for me :) )
86. Early mornings setting up for worship at the South Site
85. When our car got towed at 4am one snowy Sunday morning. And it had the South sermon tape in it and the bulletins and everything that we needed for the worship service that morning! And your dad came and took me to the impound lot at 6am to get it, and God worked it out so everything was fine for church.
84. Your working in the South nursery every Sunday, back then
83. Watching Napoleon Dynamite at the Heinrichs with the South staff
82. Going to Cape Town with you for the Lausanne Conference over our 2nd wedding anniversary
81. How you love to travel
80. How you have been content to stay here with me so long
79. How you love to dream about traveling to bless and encourage our missionaries
78. How you always get excited to hear from our missionaries and still tell me we might go overseas someday
77. How you care about me and want to be sure I'm okay
76. How you and Aaron Davitch were hilarious together in the office
75. Early morning prayer meetings
74. You surprised me by arranging for me to go horseback riding on my birthday.
73. You persevered and finished your elementary ed degree.
72. When you made me white chocolate covered strawberries for Valentine's Day
71. Watching the entire Lord of the Rings series at the 501 Building
70. Going back to the Williams' cabin for our first anniversary
69. Running the Indi Mini together with Lori and my dad
68. Your tenderness to me in the hospital after Victor was born and I was so weak and sore and he was in NICU
67. How you always get excited to go to a wedding with me (free date!) and then you tell me that our wedding is still your favorite
66. Dinners at the Livingstons
65. You like my haircuts.
64. Family hikes at Lebanon Hills
63. Pray and Plans for our fam
62. When the pipes burst at the cabin where we were having a weekend getaway
61. Your vastly overspending "the underwear budget" to get me special things
60. Our date at the Melting Pot a week before Josiah was born
59. Your little black Geo
58. How you heard God's prompting to apply for BCS. Even though it was past the deadline and you were getting ready to start student teaching.
57. When you transitioned from being Logistics Coordinator to South Youth guy. (And we got to sleep in on Sundays and get home from church way before 3:30pm!)
56. Our first apartment at 3416 Portland Ave.
55. Having Char over for supper at our first apartment, and she drove that cute little green Bug and was such a blessing to us.
54. All Night of Prayers
53. How you love going to Iowa
52. Watching the BBC version of Persuasion with you. And how you like it too.
51. Your men's group and the way you prayed for those guys and loved them and were spurred on by them.
50. You're such a goofball.
49. How you love your mom. And my mom.
48. How you love your dad. And my dad.
47. How you respect and honor our pastors and elders at church
46. You accept even my most broken parts.
45. You're Positivity, Adaptability, Belief, Woo, and ??
44. I'm Responsibility, Harmony, Belief, Connectedness, and Input.
43. You loved that roasted chicken at Grizzlies up north.
42. How you jumped in as the Jr High guy Downtown, and how you just loved being with those kids and they loved being with you.
41. Walking around the lake with you
40. Sharing a decaf peppermint white chocolate mocha (my favorite) and looking at baby names in Barnes & Noble
39. Serving in the prayer room at DG Conferences together.
38. Going house hunting with you
37. Family dates at Costco with a huge pepperoni pizza and free samples
36. Squeezing 50 people into our basement apartment for a Christmas open house
35. How the boys get super happy when you come home from work
34. Celebrating Christmas with all the Kattersons when your mom and Jon came to town
33.The Fighter Verse skit when we were an elderly married couple...
32. Sitting side by side on the couch, even if we are just working on our own computers
31. When you bring me things you pick up for free somewhere and you know that it makes me so much happier than when you spend money on me
30. You don't mind when I put my cold feet on your warm legs.
29. Surprising you with all the boys when you are studying at Dunn Bros
28. How you are teaching our boys to take special care for ladies, like their Momma
27. When you like the food I cook
26. When you and the boys wash the dishes for me after supper
25. You encourage me and make it possible for me to use my gifts at church
24. You work hard to keep your priorities in order, even when lots of "good activities" could crowd out family time or such
23. You value my input and opinions
22. Hearing you read books to the boys
21. Getting to know your friends as I got to know you
20. Hiking at Taylors Falls on a weekend away
19. When we took all 3 boys to Stillwater and went for a walk across the bridge, and halfway through a truck gunned its engine next to us and freaked out all 3 of them into hysterics
18. Family ice cream outings
17. Cheesecake Factory dates
16. You didn't get frustrated at me, walking the path of miscarriage and the emotional toll that took
15. Cozying up next to you on the couch to hear updates about your day after the boys are in bed
14. When you decided to get up earlier in the morning so that you'd have more time with God
13. When you decided to make yourself a schedule (even though you dislike them) so that you would be able to be intentional and purposeful in your use of time
12. How you love sharing with others
11. You want to keep pushing toward greater generosity in our lives
10. How you love to read Scripture on Sundays
9. Going to pre-service prayer with you
8. You want the gospel to shape our home in every way possible
7. When you make me a cup of coffee with cream and sugar, just how I like it
6. When you fold the laundry for me and put it away just to surprise me
5. You don't mind that I keep a "low maintenance" kind of look (i.e. mostly never wear make-up).
4. Watching Fixer Upper with you
3. You love connecting with people across the whole spectrum of ages and stages of life. I love that you want to reach out to the elderly and you relate to young people. There pretty much isn't anybody you don't want to connect with.
2. You take care not to embarrass me in public.
1. I just love being your partner in this life... caring for our boys, ministry to Jr Highers, tending to our home, sharing our families, reaching out to neighbors, finishing studies. These are days full of glorious, mundane, many-colored mercies, and I am so thankful for being next to you in the middle of them.
It's been a wonderful 100 months. And like always, with Jesus, the best is yet to come.
I love you.
99. Your accents
98. How you make me not self-conscious in group settings
97. Your pillow fights with the boys
96. Pizza night on Saturdays
95. When you hold the boys and sing with fervor during worship
94. Your cute smile
93. Shoulder massages
92. Our trip to Duluth for your birthday, about 6 months after we got married, when I got really mad at you for buying a huge specialty coffee
91. Chipotle burrito bowls with a tortilla on the side
90. Really good root beer
89. Family movie nights with popcorn (and Mighty Machines)
88. Praying for the "help-you cars" when we hear a siren
87. Our wedding verses: Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who called you, and He will surely do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (half ESV, half NASB... half for you, half for me :) )
86. Early mornings setting up for worship at the South Site
85. When our car got towed at 4am one snowy Sunday morning. And it had the South sermon tape in it and the bulletins and everything that we needed for the worship service that morning! And your dad came and took me to the impound lot at 6am to get it, and God worked it out so everything was fine for church.
84. Your working in the South nursery every Sunday, back then
83. Watching Napoleon Dynamite at the Heinrichs with the South staff
82. Going to Cape Town with you for the Lausanne Conference over our 2nd wedding anniversary
81. How you love to travel
80. How you have been content to stay here with me so long
79. How you love to dream about traveling to bless and encourage our missionaries
78. How you always get excited to hear from our missionaries and still tell me we might go overseas someday
77. How you care about me and want to be sure I'm okay
76. How you and Aaron Davitch were hilarious together in the office
75. Early morning prayer meetings
74. You surprised me by arranging for me to go horseback riding on my birthday.
73. You persevered and finished your elementary ed degree.
72. When you made me white chocolate covered strawberries for Valentine's Day
71. Watching the entire Lord of the Rings series at the 501 Building
70. Going back to the Williams' cabin for our first anniversary
69. Running the Indi Mini together with Lori and my dad
68. Your tenderness to me in the hospital after Victor was born and I was so weak and sore and he was in NICU
67. How you always get excited to go to a wedding with me (free date!) and then you tell me that our wedding is still your favorite
66. Dinners at the Livingstons
65. You like my haircuts.
64. Family hikes at Lebanon Hills
63. Pray and Plans for our fam
62. When the pipes burst at the cabin where we were having a weekend getaway
61. Your vastly overspending "the underwear budget" to get me special things
60. Our date at the Melting Pot a week before Josiah was born
59. Your little black Geo
58. How you heard God's prompting to apply for BCS. Even though it was past the deadline and you were getting ready to start student teaching.
57. When you transitioned from being Logistics Coordinator to South Youth guy. (And we got to sleep in on Sundays and get home from church way before 3:30pm!)
56. Our first apartment at 3416 Portland Ave.
55. Having Char over for supper at our first apartment, and she drove that cute little green Bug and was such a blessing to us.
54. All Night of Prayers
53. How you love going to Iowa
52. Watching the BBC version of Persuasion with you. And how you like it too.
51. Your men's group and the way you prayed for those guys and loved them and were spurred on by them.
50. You're such a goofball.
49. How you love your mom. And my mom.
48. How you love your dad. And my dad.
47. How you respect and honor our pastors and elders at church
46. You accept even my most broken parts.
45. You're Positivity, Adaptability, Belief, Woo, and ??
44. I'm Responsibility, Harmony, Belief, Connectedness, and Input.
43. You loved that roasted chicken at Grizzlies up north.
42. How you jumped in as the Jr High guy Downtown, and how you just loved being with those kids and they loved being with you.
41. Walking around the lake with you
40. Sharing a decaf peppermint white chocolate mocha (my favorite) and looking at baby names in Barnes & Noble
39. Serving in the prayer room at DG Conferences together.
38. Going house hunting with you
37. Family dates at Costco with a huge pepperoni pizza and free samples
36. Squeezing 50 people into our basement apartment for a Christmas open house
35. How the boys get super happy when you come home from work
34. Celebrating Christmas with all the Kattersons when your mom and Jon came to town
33.The Fighter Verse skit when we were an elderly married couple...
32. Sitting side by side on the couch, even if we are just working on our own computers
31. When you bring me things you pick up for free somewhere and you know that it makes me so much happier than when you spend money on me
30. You don't mind when I put my cold feet on your warm legs.
29. Surprising you with all the boys when you are studying at Dunn Bros
28. How you are teaching our boys to take special care for ladies, like their Momma
27. When you like the food I cook
26. When you and the boys wash the dishes for me after supper
25. You encourage me and make it possible for me to use my gifts at church
24. You work hard to keep your priorities in order, even when lots of "good activities" could crowd out family time or such
23. You value my input and opinions
22. Hearing you read books to the boys
21. Getting to know your friends as I got to know you
20. Hiking at Taylors Falls on a weekend away
19. When we took all 3 boys to Stillwater and went for a walk across the bridge, and halfway through a truck gunned its engine next to us and freaked out all 3 of them into hysterics
18. Family ice cream outings
17. Cheesecake Factory dates
16. You didn't get frustrated at me, walking the path of miscarriage and the emotional toll that took
15. Cozying up next to you on the couch to hear updates about your day after the boys are in bed
14. When you decided to get up earlier in the morning so that you'd have more time with God
13. When you decided to make yourself a schedule (even though you dislike them) so that you would be able to be intentional and purposeful in your use of time
12. How you love sharing with others
11. You want to keep pushing toward greater generosity in our lives
10. How you love to read Scripture on Sundays
9. Going to pre-service prayer with you
8. You want the gospel to shape our home in every way possible
7. When you make me a cup of coffee with cream and sugar, just how I like it
6. When you fold the laundry for me and put it away just to surprise me
5. You don't mind that I keep a "low maintenance" kind of look (i.e. mostly never wear make-up).
4. Watching Fixer Upper with you
3. You love connecting with people across the whole spectrum of ages and stages of life. I love that you want to reach out to the elderly and you relate to young people. There pretty much isn't anybody you don't want to connect with.
2. You take care not to embarrass me in public.
1. I just love being your partner in this life... caring for our boys, ministry to Jr Highers, tending to our home, sharing our families, reaching out to neighbors, finishing studies. These are days full of glorious, mundane, many-colored mercies, and I am so thankful for being next to you in the middle of them.
It's been a wonderful 100 months. And like always, with Jesus, the best is yet to come.
I love you.
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Happy 8th Anniversary, Love!
Dear Benjamin,
8 years!
What a lot of grace we have seen over these days. I was thinking back to other anniversaries, when we were snuggled together in a little cabin somewhere to sleep in and savor the quiet of another milestone of marriage together.
Today, you are out with Victor and Josiah, filling the van with gas and picking up cofffee.
I'm watching Elliot bounce in his exersaucer and trying to figure out what to pack for your lunch.
You'll be off to seminary, we'll be off to MOMS.
There are laundry baskets on our living room easy chair and trucks on the floor.
Work is stacked on the desk.
The sun is peaking over the horizon, painting yellow leaves a breathtaking gold.
What a moment of grace today is, and how thankful I am to share it with you!
I love you!
8 years!
What a lot of grace we have seen over these days. I was thinking back to other anniversaries, when we were snuggled together in a little cabin somewhere to sleep in and savor the quiet of another milestone of marriage together.
Today, you are out with Victor and Josiah, filling the van with gas and picking up cofffee.
I'm watching Elliot bounce in his exersaucer and trying to figure out what to pack for your lunch.
You'll be off to seminary, we'll be off to MOMS.
There are laundry baskets on our living room easy chair and trucks on the floor.
Work is stacked on the desk.
The sun is peaking over the horizon, painting yellow leaves a breathtaking gold.
What a moment of grace today is, and how thankful I am to share it with you!
I love you!
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Anniversary Weekend
Last week, Victor got some odd stomach bug. Puked at 2:15pm on Wednesday ... then at midnight. Then he was fine on Thursday. And Friday morning, before eating or drinking anything ... puked again.
So, it was with no small relief, exhilaration, and joy that he bounced back, and Grammy and Grandad were still willing to come for a visit, so Ben and I got to have a little belated anniversary celebration this weekend.
For most of the weekend we popped in ... fed Josiah and put him down ...and then popped out again for another four hours. It was wonderful! Aside from having an extra crummy night of sleep (both boys up quite a bit), it was just the most delightful and refreshing time.
We read, talked prayed, took a nap, went for a long walk in Hudson, enjoyed the Delks' anniversary celebration, went to church together (for the whole entire service!), and had a really wonderful weekend.
And, incidentally, they boys were (not surprisingly) tickled pink to have time with Grammy and Grandad. Win and win!
I felt delightfully pampered and loved. Thank you, Grammy and Grandad! And thank you, Benjamin.
So, it was with no small relief, exhilaration, and joy that he bounced back, and Grammy and Grandad were still willing to come for a visit, so Ben and I got to have a little belated anniversary celebration this weekend.
For most of the weekend we popped in ... fed Josiah and put him down ...and then popped out again for another four hours. It was wonderful! Aside from having an extra crummy night of sleep (both boys up quite a bit), it was just the most delightful and refreshing time.
We read, talked prayed, took a nap, went for a long walk in Hudson, enjoyed the Delks' anniversary celebration, went to church together (for the whole entire service!), and had a really wonderful weekend.
And, incidentally, they boys were (not surprisingly) tickled pink to have time with Grammy and Grandad. Win and win!
I felt delightfully pampered and loved. Thank you, Grammy and Grandad! And thank you, Benjamin.
Saturday, October 18, 2014
A Poem for 6 Years With You
Dear Benjamin,
This is for you.
Who would have guessed, six years ago, that we'd be here?
Together, closer than before, and with more of our sin scrubbed off.
It leaves the skin raw sometimes, the exfoliating strength
Of life together.
I still love snuggling next to you on the sofa,
Draping my legs over yours like an ottoman.
You support me. You brace me. You hold me up.
Laptop by laptop, we share an evening.
Emails, reading reviews, a load of laundry keep us company.
Blocks strewn across the floor, cheese caked onto forks in the sink,
The dryer door hangs open from digging for a sleeper.
Two little people snooze in two little cribs. Arms flung wide,
Embracing sleep, mouths agape. And I marvel,
Are these sweet little boys really ours?
Precious round fingers, chubby arms,
Rosy lips, silky soft skin.
And then first one, then the other
Wake and cry
For a back rub, a potty break, an ear ache,
A kleenex, a meal, a bad dream.
Each day, each year, God carves
Through sleepless nights, conflicts, stomach flu,
Homework and meetings, your quirks and mine,
Our disfunctions and our strengths.
Six years of memories, splinters and curls,
And slowly we find that our edges are softer,
Our arms twined tighter,
And the image of Jesus with His bride,
Maybe clearer now.
I love you.
Who would have guessed, six years ago, that we'd be here?
Together, closer than before, and with more of our sin scrubbed off.
It leaves the skin raw sometimes, the exfoliating strength
Of life together.
I still love snuggling next to you on the sofa,
Draping my legs over yours like an ottoman.
You support me. You brace me. You hold me up.
Laptop by laptop, we share an evening.
Emails, reading reviews, a load of laundry keep us company.
Blocks strewn across the floor, cheese caked onto forks in the sink,
The dryer door hangs open from digging for a sleeper.
Two little people snooze in two little cribs. Arms flung wide,
Embracing sleep, mouths agape. And I marvel,
Are these sweet little boys really ours?
Precious round fingers, chubby arms,
Rosy lips, silky soft skin.
And then first one, then the other
Wake and cry
For a back rub, a potty break, an ear ache,
A kleenex, a meal, a bad dream.
Each day, each year, God carves
Through sleepless nights, conflicts, stomach flu,
Homework and meetings, your quirks and mine,
Our disfunctions and our strengths.
Six years of memories, splinters and curls,
And slowly we find that our edges are softer,
Our arms twined tighter,
And the image of Jesus with His bride,
Maybe clearer now.
I love you.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Anniversary Getaway
Victor took this picture of us before we dropped him off (really we found that fairly impressive). He loves our new iPhones (and will probably be teaching us how to use them in about 2 weeks).
He was really excited to play with boys and trucks, so he did great when we left.
Ben and I headed north, stopping for lunch at Arby's (in nostalgia from our wedding evening dinner). We also got an oil change. When you're in seminary, working, and/or pregnant (or the whole combination thereof), that just makes sense on an anniversary getaway...
We stopped in Cambridge for a look around a bookstore (and a new baby name book), a pleasant but rainy walk, and dinner at the Peoples' Cafe.
The Peoples' Cafe was a terrific stop... huge, fluffy pancakes plus meat and eggs for Ben, and a nice cheeseburger and fries with coleslaw for me. Ben asked our waitress if there was anything we could pray about for her (she said there was a big swim meet coming up), and the two young ladies at the table behind us overheard and said they were praying with us and that was the neatest idea for witnessing and they planned to start doing that too.
We spent most of the next two days reading, time praying and planning, stoking the fireplace, going for a walk, eating, and sleeping. We read some together, and Ben and I both dug into a just-for-fun book too (which was the first time in a really long time for that!).
Saturday we had a little Face Time with Victor. He kept coming up and giving kisses for Mommy and Daddy (which almost made Mom cry). But he did great.
This morning, we got our first little taste of the coming winter wonderland.
We headed off in the snow, but it was just gray and wet by the time we got back home.
(Our welcome home included my opening the shoe closet and finding a mouse scurrying around inside... followed by various maneuvers eventually resulting in a farewell to aforementioned rodent. But we're still hearing some noises in the ceiling, so that story may not yet be finished.)
He was really excited to play with boys and trucks, so he did great when we left.
Ben and I headed north, stopping for lunch at Arby's (in nostalgia from our wedding evening dinner). We also got an oil change. When you're in seminary, working, and/or pregnant (or the whole combination thereof), that just makes sense on an anniversary getaway...
We stopped in Cambridge for a look around a bookstore (and a new baby name book), a pleasant but rainy walk, and dinner at the Peoples' Cafe.
The Peoples' Cafe was a terrific stop... huge, fluffy pancakes plus meat and eggs for Ben, and a nice cheeseburger and fries with coleslaw for me. Ben asked our waitress if there was anything we could pray about for her (she said there was a big swim meet coming up), and the two young ladies at the table behind us overheard and said they were praying with us and that was the neatest idea for witnessing and they planned to start doing that too.
It was dark by the time we got to our little home-away-from-home, but what a beautiful place it was!
We spent most of the next two days reading, time praying and planning, stoking the fireplace, going for a walk, eating, and sleeping. We read some together, and Ben and I both dug into a just-for-fun book too (which was the first time in a really long time for that!).
Saturday we had a little Face Time with Victor. He kept coming up and giving kisses for Mommy and Daddy (which almost made Mom cry). But he did great.
This morning, we got our first little taste of the coming winter wonderland.
We headed off in the snow, but it was just gray and wet by the time we got back home.
Honestly, we loved our getaway, and it was such a refreshing and encouraging time in the middle of a pretty non-stop busy season. Important for us, I think.
But one of the sweetest things was enjoying being home again as a family.
Friday, October 18, 2013
5 Years with You, 50 Reasons They've Been Sweet
Dear Ben,
Here we are, 5 years in. Happy anniversary!
You have been a great gift to me, and here are the full 50 reasons (among others) that I love you.
1. You’re easy to be with. There’s no one else in the world I find more restful and refreshing to be with than you. Actually, I can’t really relax without you.
2. You want to spur other men on toward Christ. I love your earnestness in encouraging and exhorting your brothers… family brothers, seminary brothers, staff brothers, spiritual brothers.
3. You like my cooking.
4. You pray with our son and for our little unborn one.
5. You sing with gusto and keep a hymnal in the car so we can sing on the road.
6. You make it easy and enjoyable to show hospitality to others. You engage so easily with others, you love to welcome newcomers, you carry a conversation, and you are happy to pitch in with dishes.
7. You accommodate me so often, like watching movies and eating foods I like.
8. You want to lean forward in memorizing Scripture. It’s a great encouragement to me.
9. You have already grown so much as a father… in tenderness, wisdom, discipline, encouragement, and thoughtfulness. I look forward to parenting together through all the different seasons ahead.
10. You are enthusiastic about everything. You engage life with gusto. You have a rare capacity for enjoyment of almost anything.
11. You encourage me to use my gifts and find ways to stay active in ministry—even as seasons of life and capacity change.
12. You share biblical insights with me, from your Bible reading, your Greek studies, your young adult work, or your classes.
13. You are open to input. We’ve had plenty of conflict, disagreements, and misunderstandings. I love your willingness to hear and try to understand, your humility and readiness to repent, and your growth in grace. I know you’ll listen to me, and even when I’m the one in the wrong, you bear with me in great gentleness.
14. You don’t care too much about fashion and a perfect appearance (which I really appreciate, being a pretty low-maintenance woman). But you value any efforts to look special, on those occasions when I do.
15. You like reading books with me and do great accents. P.G. Wodehouse, Paul Tripp, Patrick McManus, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and so on have given us lots of good times together.
16. You are serious about having a pure heart and pure mind for me.
17. I love watching you play with blocks on the floor with Victor. You line up all the blocks in a row, and he walks around in deep contemplation, messing up your design and saying, “Let’s see here…” and “Know what?”
18. You are very, very generous. You enjoy giving gifts, and you have a huge imagination about ways to bless others.
19. You’re always willing to try new things.
20. You’ve looked for ways to connect with my family (and, the awkward sledding excursion aside, you’ve done great!).
21. You respect authority. I really appreciate the way you honor and show high regard for those set over you.
22. You look forward to growing old together, the white hairs, the rocking chairs, the hearing aids. We laugh about it, because we’re already acting like old people quite a bit (deaf, early to bed, forgetful, pretty boring). I’m glad I don’t have to be afraid of what you’ll do when I’m wrinkly and gray.
23. You help around home a LOT. Dishes, laundry, cleaning, taking garbage out… And you always say the really dirty stuff (like cleaning the toilet) is your job, not mine.
24. You give the absolute best back massages and neck rubs. For a lady who carries her stress in her shoulders, this is an amazing gift.
25. You have really bought into living a wartime lifestyle. (Of course, full-time seminary and part-time work limits options somewhat too, but it doesn’t feel like that made a dramatic difference in how we live.) At the same time, you aren’t stingy. You say no to a lot of things so that you can say yes to other things that matter more. I love that.
26. You are a great welcomer of newcomers. I love your alertness to people who might be new or hanging out on the fringes.
27. You draw fun pictures. I still have all kinds of notes from before we were married; almost all of them from you have some fun drawing or design. (And almost all of mine are bullet points.)
28. You are careful about your priorities. You’ve got a really full plate right now, and I see you being really careful about where you spend your discretionary time (whatever that is…). You are very intentional about giving me and Victor good quality time.
29. You really desire unbelievers to come to Christ. And you’re taking opportunities to grow in evangelism and look for open doors to reach out to people who come across your path.
30. You cannot keep a secret (from me anyway). It kills you.
31. You have a great appreciation for nature and see the handiwork of God. (I tend to keep my eyes on the sidewalk in front of me.)
32. You aren’t afraid of looking silly.
33. You seek to honor your mother and father.
34. You get excited with me about finding a good deal.
35. You are equally glad to spend a date night quietly at home or out doing something fun. You like one-on-one time, and you like get togethers with friends and family. But whatever the case, it’s your goal to have a date night every week, even in this crazy season, and that means a ton.
36. You thank me for feeding you vegetables.
37. You are eager to lend a hand when someone needs help.
38. You have given such a great gift in having ongoing pray and plan times, since even before we were married. We don’t do it as often as we want to… but every time we do, I am freshly thankful for the remarkable grace that comes through that simple time of sharing and prayer.
39. You’re very handsome.
40. You still hold my hand.
41. Even though it’s gotten trickier, you still take initiative to get us a weekend away, maybe once a year, give or take. This is a great gift! Yay for an anniversary getaway this weekend!
42. You get Victor up each morning so I can have a quiet time.
43. You picked up running so that we could exercise together, even though our running styles vary somewhat dramatically. And you go my pace. (Well, you used to. I don’t have a pace right now…)
44. During our family gatherings, you nearly always cheerfully play with and entertain the children. They love it. The rest of the parents love it. I know you love it, but sometimes it is also a willing sacrifice for the sake of others who are in the middle of a conversation.
45. You kill bugs, dispose of moldy peas, and generally do lots of dirty work around here.
46. You still say that you like our wedding best. You still turn up the volume when our processional comes on. You still come back to those sweet words in 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24…
47. You don’t live near the compost pile. You are quick to move past the ugly parts of our relationship and look for grace.
48. You can fix so many things. You’re very handy. (This is not a real strong point in my side of the family…)
49. You tell me you’re on my team.
50. You repent of sin and look for God’s grace to grow and change. You are the man I married, yet in so many ways you reflect Christ to me more fully now. You encourage me to be a better reflection of Christ too.
I love you. Thank you for these 5 years. The best is yet to come.
Amy
Here we are, 5 years in. Happy anniversary!
You have been a great gift to me, and here are the full 50 reasons (among others) that I love you.
1. You’re easy to be with. There’s no one else in the world I find more restful and refreshing to be with than you. Actually, I can’t really relax without you.
2. You want to spur other men on toward Christ. I love your earnestness in encouraging and exhorting your brothers… family brothers, seminary brothers, staff brothers, spiritual brothers.
3. You like my cooking.
4. You pray with our son and for our little unborn one.
5. You sing with gusto and keep a hymnal in the car so we can sing on the road.
6. You make it easy and enjoyable to show hospitality to others. You engage so easily with others, you love to welcome newcomers, you carry a conversation, and you are happy to pitch in with dishes.
7. You accommodate me so often, like watching movies and eating foods I like.
8. You want to lean forward in memorizing Scripture. It’s a great encouragement to me.
9. You have already grown so much as a father… in tenderness, wisdom, discipline, encouragement, and thoughtfulness. I look forward to parenting together through all the different seasons ahead.
10. You are enthusiastic about everything. You engage life with gusto. You have a rare capacity for enjoyment of almost anything.
11. You encourage me to use my gifts and find ways to stay active in ministry—even as seasons of life and capacity change.
12. You share biblical insights with me, from your Bible reading, your Greek studies, your young adult work, or your classes.
13. You are open to input. We’ve had plenty of conflict, disagreements, and misunderstandings. I love your willingness to hear and try to understand, your humility and readiness to repent, and your growth in grace. I know you’ll listen to me, and even when I’m the one in the wrong, you bear with me in great gentleness.
14. You don’t care too much about fashion and a perfect appearance (which I really appreciate, being a pretty low-maintenance woman). But you value any efforts to look special, on those occasions when I do.
15. You like reading books with me and do great accents. P.G. Wodehouse, Paul Tripp, Patrick McManus, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and so on have given us lots of good times together.
16. You are serious about having a pure heart and pure mind for me.
17. I love watching you play with blocks on the floor with Victor. You line up all the blocks in a row, and he walks around in deep contemplation, messing up your design and saying, “Let’s see here…” and “Know what?”
18. You are very, very generous. You enjoy giving gifts, and you have a huge imagination about ways to bless others.
19. You’re always willing to try new things.
20. You’ve looked for ways to connect with my family (and, the awkward sledding excursion aside, you’ve done great!).
21. You respect authority. I really appreciate the way you honor and show high regard for those set over you.
22. You look forward to growing old together, the white hairs, the rocking chairs, the hearing aids. We laugh about it, because we’re already acting like old people quite a bit (deaf, early to bed, forgetful, pretty boring). I’m glad I don’t have to be afraid of what you’ll do when I’m wrinkly and gray.
23. You help around home a LOT. Dishes, laundry, cleaning, taking garbage out… And you always say the really dirty stuff (like cleaning the toilet) is your job, not mine.
24. You give the absolute best back massages and neck rubs. For a lady who carries her stress in her shoulders, this is an amazing gift.
25. You have really bought into living a wartime lifestyle. (Of course, full-time seminary and part-time work limits options somewhat too, but it doesn’t feel like that made a dramatic difference in how we live.) At the same time, you aren’t stingy. You say no to a lot of things so that you can say yes to other things that matter more. I love that.
26. You are a great welcomer of newcomers. I love your alertness to people who might be new or hanging out on the fringes.
27. You draw fun pictures. I still have all kinds of notes from before we were married; almost all of them from you have some fun drawing or design. (And almost all of mine are bullet points.)
28. You are careful about your priorities. You’ve got a really full plate right now, and I see you being really careful about where you spend your discretionary time (whatever that is…). You are very intentional about giving me and Victor good quality time.
29. You really desire unbelievers to come to Christ. And you’re taking opportunities to grow in evangelism and look for open doors to reach out to people who come across your path.
30. You cannot keep a secret (from me anyway). It kills you.
31. You have a great appreciation for nature and see the handiwork of God. (I tend to keep my eyes on the sidewalk in front of me.)
32. You aren’t afraid of looking silly.
33. You seek to honor your mother and father.
34. You get excited with me about finding a good deal.
35. You are equally glad to spend a date night quietly at home or out doing something fun. You like one-on-one time, and you like get togethers with friends and family. But whatever the case, it’s your goal to have a date night every week, even in this crazy season, and that means a ton.
36. You thank me for feeding you vegetables.
37. You are eager to lend a hand when someone needs help.
38. You have given such a great gift in having ongoing pray and plan times, since even before we were married. We don’t do it as often as we want to… but every time we do, I am freshly thankful for the remarkable grace that comes through that simple time of sharing and prayer.
39. You’re very handsome.
40. You still hold my hand.
41. Even though it’s gotten trickier, you still take initiative to get us a weekend away, maybe once a year, give or take. This is a great gift! Yay for an anniversary getaway this weekend!
42. You get Victor up each morning so I can have a quiet time.
43. You picked up running so that we could exercise together, even though our running styles vary somewhat dramatically. And you go my pace. (Well, you used to. I don’t have a pace right now…)
44. During our family gatherings, you nearly always cheerfully play with and entertain the children. They love it. The rest of the parents love it. I know you love it, but sometimes it is also a willing sacrifice for the sake of others who are in the middle of a conversation.
45. You kill bugs, dispose of moldy peas, and generally do lots of dirty work around here.
46. You still say that you like our wedding best. You still turn up the volume when our processional comes on. You still come back to those sweet words in 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24…
47. You don’t live near the compost pile. You are quick to move past the ugly parts of our relationship and look for grace.
48. You can fix so many things. You’re very handy. (This is not a real strong point in my side of the family…)
49. You tell me you’re on my team.
50. You repent of sin and look for God’s grace to grow and change. You are the man I married, yet in so many ways you reflect Christ to me more fully now. You encourage me to be a better reflection of Christ too.
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely, and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).
I love you. Thank you for these 5 years. The best is yet to come.
Amy
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Day 9: 5YA50TITF
Dear Ben,
Continued from yesterday...
41. Even though it’s gotten trickier, you still take initiative to get us a weekend away, maybe once a year, give or take. This is a great gift! Yay for an anniversary getaway starting tomorrow!
42. You get Victor up each morning so I can have a quiet time.
43. You picked up running so that we could exercise together, even though our running styles vary somewhat dramatically. And you go my pace. (Well, you used to. I don’t have a pace right now…)
44. During our family gatherings, you nearly always cheerfully play with and entertain the children. They love it. The rest of the parents love it. I know you love it, but sometimes it is also a willing sacrifice for the sake of others who are in the middle of a conversation.
45. You kill bugs, dispose of moldy peas, and generally do lots of dirty work around here.
To be continued...
Continued from yesterday...
41. Even though it’s gotten trickier, you still take initiative to get us a weekend away, maybe once a year, give or take. This is a great gift! Yay for an anniversary getaway starting tomorrow!
42. You get Victor up each morning so I can have a quiet time.
43. You picked up running so that we could exercise together, even though our running styles vary somewhat dramatically. And you go my pace. (Well, you used to. I don’t have a pace right now…)
44. During our family gatherings, you nearly always cheerfully play with and entertain the children. They love it. The rest of the parents love it. I know you love it, but sometimes it is also a willing sacrifice for the sake of others who are in the middle of a conversation.
45. You kill bugs, dispose of moldy peas, and generally do lots of dirty work around here.
To be continued...
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Day 8: 5YA50TITF
Dear Ben,
Continued from yesterday...
36. You thank me for feeding you vegetables.
37. You are eager to lend a hand when someone needs help.
38. You have given such a great gift in having ongoing pray and plan times, since even before we were married. We don’t do it as often as we want to… but every time we do, I am freshly thankful for the remarkable grace that comes through that simple time of sharing and prayer.
39. You’re very handsome.
40. You still hold my hand.
To be continued...
Continued from yesterday...
36. You thank me for feeding you vegetables.
37. You are eager to lend a hand when someone needs help.
38. You have given such a great gift in having ongoing pray and plan times, since even before we were married. We don’t do it as often as we want to… but every time we do, I am freshly thankful for the remarkable grace that comes through that simple time of sharing and prayer.
39. You’re very handsome.
40. You still hold my hand.
To be continued...
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Day 7: 5YA50TITF
Dear Ben,
Continued from yesterday...
31. You have a great appreciation for nature and see the handiwork of God. (I tend to keep my eyes on the sidewalk in front of me.)
32. You aren’t afraid of looking silly.
33. You seek to honor your mother and father.
34. You get excited with me about finding a good deal.
35. You are equally glad to spend a date night quietly at home or out doing something fun. You like one-on-one time, and you like get togethers with friends and family. But whatever the case, it’s your goal to have a date night every week, even in this crazy season, and that means a ton.
To be continued...
Continued from yesterday...
31. You have a great appreciation for nature and see the handiwork of God. (I tend to keep my eyes on the sidewalk in front of me.)
32. You aren’t afraid of looking silly.
33. You seek to honor your mother and father.
34. You get excited with me about finding a good deal.
35. You are equally glad to spend a date night quietly at home or out doing something fun. You like one-on-one time, and you like get togethers with friends and family. But whatever the case, it’s your goal to have a date night every week, even in this crazy season, and that means a ton.
To be continued...
Monday, October 14, 2013
Day 6: 5YA50TITF
Dear Ben,
Continued from yesterday...
26. You are a great welcomer of newcomers. I love your alertness to people who might be new or hanging out on the fringes.
27. You draw fun pictures. I still have all kinds of notes from before we were married; almost all of them from you have some fun drawing or design. (And almost all of mine are bullet points.)
28. You are careful about your priorities. You’ve got a really full plate right now, and I see you being really careful about where you spend your discretionary time (whatever that is…). You are very intentional about giving me and Victor good quality time.
29. You really desire unbelievers to come to Christ. And you’re taking opportunities to grow in evangelism and look for open doors to reach out to people who come across your path.
30. You cannot keep a secret (from me anyway). It kills you.
To be continued...
Continued from yesterday...
26. You are a great welcomer of newcomers. I love your alertness to people who might be new or hanging out on the fringes.
27. You draw fun pictures. I still have all kinds of notes from before we were married; almost all of them from you have some fun drawing or design. (And almost all of mine are bullet points.)
28. You are careful about your priorities. You’ve got a really full plate right now, and I see you being really careful about where you spend your discretionary time (whatever that is…). You are very intentional about giving me and Victor good quality time.
29. You really desire unbelievers to come to Christ. And you’re taking opportunities to grow in evangelism and look for open doors to reach out to people who come across your path.
30. You cannot keep a secret (from me anyway). It kills you.
To be continued...
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Day 5: 5YA50TITF
Dear Ben,
Continued from yesterday...
21. You respect authority. I really appreciate the way you honor and show high regard for those set over you.
22. You look forward to growing old together, the white hairs, the rocking chairs, the hearing aids. We laugh about it, because we’re already acting like old people quite a bit (deaf, early to bed, forgetful, pretty boring). I’m glad I don’t have to be afraid of what you’ll do when I’m wrinkly and gray.
23. You help around home a LOT. Dishes, laundry, cleaning, taking garbage out… And you always say the really dirty stuff (like cleaning the toilet) is your job, not mine.
24. You give the absolute best back massages and neck rubs. For a lady who carries her stress in her shoulders, this is an amazing gift.
25. You have really bought into living a wartime lifestyle. (Of course, full-time seminary and part-time work limits options somewhat too, but it doesn’t feel like that made a dramatic difference in how we live.) At the same time, you aren’t stingy. You say no to a lot of things so that you can say yes to other things that matter more. I love that.
To be continued...
Continued from yesterday...
21. You respect authority. I really appreciate the way you honor and show high regard for those set over you.
22. You look forward to growing old together, the white hairs, the rocking chairs, the hearing aids. We laugh about it, because we’re already acting like old people quite a bit (deaf, early to bed, forgetful, pretty boring). I’m glad I don’t have to be afraid of what you’ll do when I’m wrinkly and gray.
23. You help around home a LOT. Dishes, laundry, cleaning, taking garbage out… And you always say the really dirty stuff (like cleaning the toilet) is your job, not mine.
24. You give the absolute best back massages and neck rubs. For a lady who carries her stress in her shoulders, this is an amazing gift.
25. You have really bought into living a wartime lifestyle. (Of course, full-time seminary and part-time work limits options somewhat too, but it doesn’t feel like that made a dramatic difference in how we live.) At the same time, you aren’t stingy. You say no to a lot of things so that you can say yes to other things that matter more. I love that.
To be continued...
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Day 4: 5 Years and 50 Things I'm Thankful For
Dear Ben,
Continued from yesterday
16. You are serious about having a pure heart and pure mind for me.
17. I love watching you play with blocks on the floor with Victor. You line up all the blocks in a row, and he walks around in deep contemplation, messing up your design and saying, “Let’s see here…” and “Know what?”
18. You are very, very generous. You enjoy giving gifts, and you have a huge imagination about ways to bless others.
19. You’re always willing to try new things.
20. You’ve looked for ways to connect with my family (and, the awkward sledding excursion aside, you’ve done great!).
To be continued...
Continued from yesterday
16. You are serious about having a pure heart and pure mind for me.
17. I love watching you play with blocks on the floor with Victor. You line up all the blocks in a row, and he walks around in deep contemplation, messing up your design and saying, “Let’s see here…” and “Know what?”
18. You are very, very generous. You enjoy giving gifts, and you have a huge imagination about ways to bless others.
19. You’re always willing to try new things.
20. You’ve looked for ways to connect with my family (and, the awkward sledding excursion aside, you’ve done great!).
To be continued...
Friday, October 11, 2013
Day 3: 5 Years and 50 Things I'm Thankful For
Dear Ben,
Continued from yesterday...
11. You encourage me to use my gifts and find ways to stay active in ministry—even as seasons of life and capacity change.
12. You share biblical insights with me, from your Bible reading, your Greek studies, your young adult work, or your classes.
13. You are open to input. We’ve had plenty of conflict, disagreements, and misunderstandings. I love your willingness to hear and try to understand, your humility and readiness to repent, and your growth in grace. I know you’ll listen to me, and even when I’m the one in the wrong, you bear with me in great gentleness.
14. You don’t care too much about fashion and a perfect appearance (which I really appreciate, being a pretty low-maintenance woman). But you value any efforts to look special, on those occasions when I do.
15. You like reading books with me and do great accents. P.G. Wodehouse, Paul Tripp, Patrick McManus, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and so on have given us lots of good times together.
To be continued...
Continued from yesterday...
11. You encourage me to use my gifts and find ways to stay active in ministry—even as seasons of life and capacity change.
12. You share biblical insights with me, from your Bible reading, your Greek studies, your young adult work, or your classes.
13. You are open to input. We’ve had plenty of conflict, disagreements, and misunderstandings. I love your willingness to hear and try to understand, your humility and readiness to repent, and your growth in grace. I know you’ll listen to me, and even when I’m the one in the wrong, you bear with me in great gentleness.
14. You don’t care too much about fashion and a perfect appearance (which I really appreciate, being a pretty low-maintenance woman). But you value any efforts to look special, on those occasions when I do.
15. You like reading books with me and do great accents. P.G. Wodehouse, Paul Tripp, Patrick McManus, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and so on have given us lots of good times together.
To be continued...
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Day 2: 5 Years and 50 Things I'm Thankful For
Dear Ben,
Continued from yesterday...
6. You make it easy and enjoyable to show hospitality to others. You engage so easily with others, you love to welcome newcomers, you carry a conversation, and you are happy to pitch in with dishes.
7. You accommodate me so often, like watching movies and eating foods I like.
8. You want to lean forward in memorizing Scripture. It’s a great encouragement to me.
9. You have already grown so much as a father… in tenderness, wisdom, discipline, encouragement, and thoughtfulness. I look forward to parenting together through all the different seasons ahead.
10. You are enthusiastic about everything. You engage life with gusto. You have a rare capacity for enjoyment of almost anything.
To be continued...
Continued from yesterday...
6. You make it easy and enjoyable to show hospitality to others. You engage so easily with others, you love to welcome newcomers, you carry a conversation, and you are happy to pitch in with dishes.
7. You accommodate me so often, like watching movies and eating foods I like.
8. You want to lean forward in memorizing Scripture. It’s a great encouragement to me.
9. You have already grown so much as a father… in tenderness, wisdom, discipline, encouragement, and thoughtfulness. I look forward to parenting together through all the different seasons ahead.
10. You are enthusiastic about everything. You engage life with gusto. You have a rare capacity for enjoyment of almost anything.
To be continued...
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
5 Years and 50 Things I'm Thankful For
Dear Ben,
Five years ago, life was nuts, trying to pull together the last details of our wedding and get everything lined up to be away from work for 10 days. We were excited, we were tired, we had no idea all the grace God had in store for us.
I'm so glad to be five years down the road with you. And here are some of the many reasons why I love you and I'm thankful to be your wife (5 per day for the next 10 days til our anniversary).
Day 1:
1. You’re easy to be with. There’s no one else in the world I find more restful and refreshing to be with than you. Actually, I can’t really relax without you.
2. You want to spur other men on toward Christ. I love your earnestness in encouraging and exhorting your brothers… family brothers, seminary brothers, staff brothers, spiritual brothers.
3. You like my cooking. And you're ridiculous in your compliments.
4. You pray with our son and for our little unborn one. Already, I can see Victor learning about prayer as a result of your example.
5. You sing with gusto and keep a hymnal in the car so we can sing on the road.
To be continued...
Five years ago, life was nuts, trying to pull together the last details of our wedding and get everything lined up to be away from work for 10 days. We were excited, we were tired, we had no idea all the grace God had in store for us.
I'm so glad to be five years down the road with you. And here are some of the many reasons why I love you and I'm thankful to be your wife (5 per day for the next 10 days til our anniversary).
Day 1:
1. You’re easy to be with. There’s no one else in the world I find more restful and refreshing to be with than you. Actually, I can’t really relax without you.
2. You want to spur other men on toward Christ. I love your earnestness in encouraging and exhorting your brothers… family brothers, seminary brothers, staff brothers, spiritual brothers.
3. You like my cooking. And you're ridiculous in your compliments.
4. You pray with our son and for our little unborn one. Already, I can see Victor learning about prayer as a result of your example.
5. You sing with gusto and keep a hymnal in the car so we can sing on the road.
To be continued...
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