March 13 Our 18th anniversary

We had a super cold night that got down to 19 degrees. But after it warmed up to about 8 o’clock, we had another good morning of working on a project. Stephanie went to work today, and Stephen and Martin helped Brian do something with drilling through cement, pex pipe, water, digging, crawl space…I honestly don’t really know much about the project…just that Brian was happy to have the helpers to get it done! I believe it was a success!

The middle and littles busied themselves with burning trash, and hauling stones in wheelbarrows while some helped make lunch and others finished the under the house project. They all had a good time.

Stephen and I took a few hours and got to go out together. We grabbed something to go, and enjoyed our time together at a park. The weather has been beautiful and we enjoyed the outdoors.

We made a few stops and got some supplies and groceries before heading back. We each enjoyed a keto friendly ice cream treat to celebrate!

I have been blessed to know Stephen for 20 years now, and been married 18 of those years! I first met him at church and just watched him from a distance. Didn’t even talk to him for several months, just watched him and his character. He had a servants heart, was very respectful, had a hunger to grow and deepen his relationship with the Lord, and to me, just stood out in any crowd (but I am partial). After meeting him, he started visiting with my family and he eventually got permission from my dad to start a courtship relationship. We officially started that in June of 2003. By August 19, 2003, he proposed and asked me to marry him! With great joy and excitement for what the Lord had in store for us, I wholeheartedly accepted! What happened between then and March 13, 2004 is a blur as the Lord provided the laborers to build our home, and plan a wedding! So many things that just weren’t possible, He brought to pass, and we had the most memorable wedding on our own front porch at the home the Lord built for us. Stephen got to ride up on horseback and wear his spurs, and I got to ride in a horse drawn wagon. We had over 800 people there and it was quite a celebration! The Lord was glorified and we give Him all the praise and honor for His direction and faithfulness to us.

Here we are 18 years later! We have been blessed with 16 precious children. We have 2 in heaven, 13 here with us, and one on the way. We have had some amazing times, some hard times, some sad times, some fun times and some growing times. Through it all though, the Lord has walked with us and comforted us and led us. It is so humbling to see Him always leading and loving us, just patiently waiting for our obedience.

We are blessed to take this monument trip as a family and celebrate our 18th anniversary along the way. Stephen is retiring with 20 years in the Houston Fire Department and we are excited to see what the Lord has in store for our next 20 years! Stephen is continually drawing to the Lord and keeping an eternal perspective and we want to be used by the Lord to further His kingdom. Because at the end of days, it’s not about “all the things”, but about who will live in eternity with the Father, and who will live in eternity in hell without Him. It is our desire that all would come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and accept Him as their Lord and Savior. Life is short. Eternity is, well, eternity. Where will you spend it? The Bible says, that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, you will be saved!! (Romans 10:9-10). God the Father paid the price for our salvation by sending His son, Jesus, to die on a cross as the propitiation for our sin, and redeem us to Him. Believe on Him! It is not of our own works. He paid the price in full!