Serving this summer...

So many of you have asked how you could pray for Ansley this summer, so here is the
overview of what she will be doing. She will be living with a family in Fish Hoek on the coast of South Africa. She will be doing ministry in the local church youth group, traveling with several medical teams to HIV clinics and to serve villages, serving in orphanages and even staying for a few days in a trash dump where families live. She will be working several days a week in the local daycare loving on the children. This is an opportunity to seek ideas and God's leading about her future work/life plans. If you have any questions or would like to send her a note of encouragement, send me an email and I will pass it along! Thanks for loving her and for caring and praying for her summer! It makes my heart smile...

Declare his glory among the nations, 

his marvelous works among all the peoples!

Psalm 96:3

25 reasons...

Today I have been married for 25 years. I started dating him 3 years before we got married. I was 18.

There are times it feels like yesterday and there are times it seems a life time ago that we met. But today, I love him more than I ever thought possible so many years ago. Here are few reasons why:




1. He truly cares about other people. Really. He is not fake.

 2. He is very sure of himself. That makes me feel safe.

 3. He does not care to "fit the mold". He is exactly who he claims to be. He is an original.

 4. He is full of integrity. His yes is yes. Always.

 5. He is a hard worker. 

 6. He loves the outdoors.

 7. He is a man's man. Strong. Courageous. Resourceful.

 8. He is competitive. If he doesn't know how to do it, he will figure it out.

 9. He planned for our future.

10. He is a provider. Financially. Emotionally. Spiritually.

11. He is willing to learn. Things he wants to know and the things he needs to know.

12. He is the father of my children. And loves them each well.

13. He knows how to paint nails. (fingers and toes) And he is good at it.

14. He can sit at the dinner table and almost keep up with 4 conversations at once.

15. He disciplined his girls when they needed it. With love and because he loves them.

16. He knows each one of his daughters individually. Who they are. What they like.

17. He loves to study the Bible. And to teach. He does it well.

18. He knows how to apologize and how to forgive.

19. He loves his parents. And mine.

20. He is a good friend. To others and to me.

21. He tells me he loves me. Everyday. And he means it.

22. He actually thinks I am beautiful. Still. He tells me everyday.

23. He is a good man.

24. He loves Jesus.

25. He is mine. And I am his.

The development of a really good marriage is not a natural process.

 It is an achievement.