On December 16, 2009, Jeff and I were married 20 years! Every year we get so excited and celebrate, but this is a BIG number! To us anyway! I can only imagine how exciting it will be to hit 40 or Lord willing 50! We have certainly had our share of bumps in the road but what has brought us the most joy is how we've protected our marriage.
It truly blesses my heart to know that Jeff will never be in a closed room alone with another woman. He will never dine alone with another woman, even if it is for business. When ever he has to travel for work he always calls every night to talk to me and the kids. He has always been so careful with other women in that if they seek or need counsel that we will meet with her together, and a conversation would never get too intimate without me involved. This has and can come across as somewhat rude to other women, they can't understand why he's not more open and talkative, but I certainly appreciate it!
Society has gotten so used to divorce and broken families that they can even joke about it. I get shocked when I hear such things about painful, hurtful things that tear up families and destroy the children involved. This is a serious matter not to be taken lightly. There is a wonderful book written by Jerry Jenkins called "Hedges, Loving Your Marriage Enough to Protect it!" that really opened our eyes to purposely protecting our marriage.
Society has gotten so used to divorce and broken families that they can even joke about it. I get shocked when I hear such things about painful, hurtful things that tear up families and destroy the children involved. This is a serious matter not to be taken lightly. There is a wonderful book written by Jerry Jenkins called "Hedges, Loving Your Marriage Enough to Protect it!" that really opened our eyes to purposely protecting our marriage.
We also pray together! At home every night we gather as a family to pray, at meal time, and at church he holds my hand in such a sweet, special way, and he squeezes it every so often as he says certain things - I love that!
We date! Ever since we have been married we have taken time to date. It was really hard when we added children and needed to get a sitter. Usually we would take the baby along with us their first year, until they were old enough to be left for a bit. This got much easier when our oldest child was ready to babysit! Jeff has always said that we are going to be married a lot longer than we are going to be parents! So every month and occassionally more if needed, we will spend an evening together. Whether it's just for a drive, a trip to Wal-mart, dinner or an ice cream cone, it's a joy to have him all to myself!
We say, "I love you!". Every day our love is expressed verbally. And he blesses my heart when he talks about his love for me to the children.
He gives. He blesses me with cards and flowers, even for no special occassion. I say 'he' gives, because I don't have a job. But he gives so generously with everything he has. He pays attention when I'm out of money or gas and takes care of me so lovingly and thoughtfully!
We serve. When you have a large family, there is a lot to do! And being on the same team with the same goals in mind makes things go much smoother. Whether it's sick kids, or I'm not feeling well, or the fridge and stove need to be pulled out to be cleaned behind, Jeff doesn't begrudge a bit and serves with such a giving heart!
We say, "I love you!". Every day our love is expressed verbally. And he blesses my heart when he talks about his love for me to the children.
He gives. He blesses me with cards and flowers, even for no special occassion. I say 'he' gives, because I don't have a job. But he gives so generously with everything he has. He pays attention when I'm out of money or gas and takes care of me so lovingly and thoughtfully!
We serve. When you have a large family, there is a lot to do! And being on the same team with the same goals in mind makes things go much smoother. Whether it's sick kids, or I'm not feeling well, or the fridge and stove need to be pulled out to be cleaned behind, Jeff doesn't begrudge a bit and serves with such a giving heart!
We talk! He works at home so this is easy for us and I know it's not normal so I really do appreciate this luxury of having him around! He pops up every so often or sometimes he will even call me on the phone from downstairs! On the couch or in our room, his office, the shower, we have lots of time to talk.
We forgive! This is one of the things that I admire most about Jeff, when he says he forgives, he really forgives. He will never bring something up again from a past offense. And he's always so quick to ask forgiveness if needed.
We kiss! Every morning. Every time either of us go anywhere, even if it's just a quick trip to town, we always kiss good bye. Always! And every night we kiss goodnight and say, "I love you!". There's even a few extra thrown in for good measure! I love my man and am so thankful for him!
1 Corinthians 13
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, [fn] but have not love, it profits me nothing.
Love suffers long [and] is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. But whether [there are] prophecies, they will fail; whether [there are] tongues, they will cease; whether [there is] knowledge, it will vanish away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these [is] love.
1 Corinthians 13
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, [fn] but have not love, it profits me nothing.
Love suffers long [and] is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. But whether [there are] prophecies, they will fail; whether [there are] tongues, they will cease; whether [there is] knowledge, it will vanish away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these [is] love.
