Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not?
I realize it's Monday - two days past our anniversary - but I'm still feeling rather remnicent! I'll try to refrain from telling our life's story, but I'm not sure many get to experience life together so soon like Jeff and I have. Jeff and I met mid-way through my high school years. Though there is a 3 and a half year difference between us, we became friends quickly and soon we were inseprable. After all, we met through mutual friends at church anyway so everyone spent a lot of time together! Good memories... Fastforward 9 and a half years and here were are - married for 6 of them - and wondering where the time went! Isn't that always the way of it?
I came across this song by Thompson Square a few months after we were married and had to laugh because it completely fits us. I mean, how long could Jeff keep a girl like me waiting before I evetually put him on the spot by asking, "Are you gonna kiss me or not?" lol. And when I say this song completely fits us, I mean seriously, it's like it was written for us. So as I sit here listening to Keifer and Shawna sing their duo that so accurately represents our very own beginning, I am thankful for the many happy memories that have led to us the present day.
Now, I would be lying if I said love has been "a many splendid thing" during every season of ours. And should God find our story usable to help others, perhaps one day we will share our history. (Don't worry. We didn't go through a Bonnie and Clyde period - robbing banks and making like criminals - though that did make for an awesome Halloween costume one year.) We are extremely passionate about marriage. Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will." This is a powerful verse when applied to the context of marriage, among other aspects of life of course. I believe the most successful marriages are those whose participants have carried out the will of God over their own. A successful marriage isn't defined by simply being married and staying married. A successful marriage is accepting the abundant life through Christ's sacrifice and following His example to live as one with Him, for Him, and for each other. That's the gist of my definition anyway.
This weekend, Jeff and I spent our anniversary morning serving in a local mission trip to our city in what is appropriately called Love Rapid City. I'll admit I get pretty nervous walking into an unknown environment with a group full of people I don't really know with the intention of teamwork. However, the morning was a success and we all accomplished a lot of work while helping at the Habitat ReStore. I'll add that I really appreciated the Sunday morning's message when our Pastor spoke about the importance of returning to the people we (as individuals or an organization) have helped. Jesus himself promises that He is returning for us, and therefore, we should be returning to those whom we have also been Jesus' hands and feet to.
That evening we met with a friend, Ashton, who does beautiful photography and had some pictures taken. (We need to update our picture frames!) I cannot wait to see them! And while I'm talking about photography, I have to spotlight on another wonderful photographer friend who helped pull my anniversary gift together for Jeff just in time for it to be delivered to him! Joice Ruffing you went above and beyond and I feel so very blessed to know you and your sweet heart that so generously gave of your time and talent and friendship! Between you and Ashton, you two make us look good on this anniversary. ;)
I feel like I over use the word "blessed". But I really do feel blessed, I AM blessed, and happy and thankful for a special anniversary that turned out to be fun, beautiful, memorable and all things good! Thank you to everyone for the happy anniversary wishes and prayers. We love you back!
Here's to 60 more years - or until death do us part because in 60 years I'll be 85...Jeff will be almost 90! haha! - and we'll probably have had enough of each other by then. ;) (I kid, I kid!) In any case, some of the best marriage advice I came across was in a random blog and it was simply this: "Pray for your marriage. Pray hard." As intense as that may sound, prayer is also where all hope and love can be found. "Couples who pray together, stay together." We seal it with a kiss and so far it's working for us!
So babe, "Are you gonna kiss me or not?" ;)
I came across this song by Thompson Square a few months after we were married and had to laugh because it completely fits us. I mean, how long could Jeff keep a girl like me waiting before I evetually put him on the spot by asking, "Are you gonna kiss me or not?" lol. And when I say this song completely fits us, I mean seriously, it's like it was written for us. So as I sit here listening to Keifer and Shawna sing their duo that so accurately represents our very own beginning, I am thankful for the many happy memories that have led to us the present day.
Now, I would be lying if I said love has been "a many splendid thing" during every season of ours. And should God find our story usable to help others, perhaps one day we will share our history. (Don't worry. We didn't go through a Bonnie and Clyde period - robbing banks and making like criminals - though that did make for an awesome Halloween costume one year.) We are extremely passionate about marriage. Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will." This is a powerful verse when applied to the context of marriage, among other aspects of life of course. I believe the most successful marriages are those whose participants have carried out the will of God over their own. A successful marriage isn't defined by simply being married and staying married. A successful marriage is accepting the abundant life through Christ's sacrifice and following His example to live as one with Him, for Him, and for each other. That's the gist of my definition anyway.
This weekend, Jeff and I spent our anniversary morning serving in a local mission trip to our city in what is appropriately called Love Rapid City. I'll admit I get pretty nervous walking into an unknown environment with a group full of people I don't really know with the intention of teamwork. However, the morning was a success and we all accomplished a lot of work while helping at the Habitat ReStore. I'll add that I really appreciated the Sunday morning's message when our Pastor spoke about the importance of returning to the people we (as individuals or an organization) have helped. Jesus himself promises that He is returning for us, and therefore, we should be returning to those whom we have also been Jesus' hands and feet to.
That evening we met with a friend, Ashton, who does beautiful photography and had some pictures taken. (We need to update our picture frames!) I cannot wait to see them! And while I'm talking about photography, I have to spotlight on another wonderful photographer friend who helped pull my anniversary gift together for Jeff just in time for it to be delivered to him! Joice Ruffing you went above and beyond and I feel so very blessed to know you and your sweet heart that so generously gave of your time and talent and friendship! Between you and Ashton, you two make us look good on this anniversary. ;)
I feel like I over use the word "blessed". But I really do feel blessed, I AM blessed, and happy and thankful for a special anniversary that turned out to be fun, beautiful, memorable and all things good! Thank you to everyone for the happy anniversary wishes and prayers. We love you back!
Here's to 60 more years - or until death do us part because in 60 years I'll be 85...Jeff will be almost 90! haha! - and we'll probably have had enough of each other by then. ;) (I kid, I kid!) In any case, some of the best marriage advice I came across was in a random blog and it was simply this: "Pray for your marriage. Pray hard." As intense as that may sound, prayer is also where all hope and love can be found. "Couples who pray together, stay together." We seal it with a kiss and so far it's working for us!
So babe, "Are you gonna kiss me or not?" ;)
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