Nine Years.....

Nine years ago today, on March 23, 2002, at 5:00 in the evening, I became the wife of my beloved Andrew. We were married in the church here, and my brother, Philip, officiated the ceremony.

My sister, Elizabeth, doing my hair...


A kiss for the bride from my beautiful Mother

My sister, Sarah, was the maid of honor; and my bridesmaids were my sister Elizabeth and a dear friend, Anita. My sweet sister-in-law, Jolene, played the piano, and my brother, David, was the Best Man…Andrew’s best friend since they were teenagers. We requested that Philip preach a salvation message, as we knew there would be many unsaved friends who would be attending.

My maid of honor, Sarah....

...and my beautiful bridesmaids, Elizabeth.....

...and Anita

My sweet little flower girl, Esther....

(who, by the way, has grown into a lovely young lady

and is now faithful and active in our church here)

Dad and Mom and the happy bride!

The handsome groom with his parents

Andrew with his best man, David

Jolene at the piano

As the bridesmaids and groomsmen walked down the aisle,

she played a beautiful arrangement to

"To God Be The Glory"

As Andrew and I lit the unity candle....

...Sarah and Andrew's nephew, Joel, sang a song I wrote....

..."Whither Thou Goest, I Will Go"....

Just Married!

Our reception was held on the beautiful lawn of a dear friend, just around the corner from the church. He told me he prepared that lawn in hopes that his only daughter would be married there. However, she suddenly died a year before we were married. Through tears, he told us, “I would be honored if you would hold your reception here.”

Coming into the reception

It was the most beautiful wedding and reception. I will forever hold dear the memories of that day, nine years ago….

Singing at our reception

A trio from another Baptist church in town sang during our reception

As we were getting ready to leave the reception,

Andrew picked me up in his arms and carried me to the car.

I suspect Philip was in on this...see him in the background?

We spent our honeymoon in Cozumel

My wonderful husband has shown me his deep love for me through his faithfulness, his deepest devotion and most tender care throughout the last nine years. I have watched with admiration as he has faithfully honored the Holy Spirit’s guidance through His Holy Word.

Andrew and me in the village of San Antonio. 2002

One of my favorite pictures of my husband and our baby son....

At Agua Azul, 2004

The Lord has blessed us far beyond what we deserve, much more than we would have ever dreamed. He has given us the opportunity and privilege to serve Him in different areas in the ministry; He has allowed us to live together through some exciting adventures, mostly in the Indian villages; He has given us two beautiful children, whom we desire to train up for His honor and glory; He has been very close to us…providing in times of need, protecting us in times of danger, giving us joy and laughter, leading us with his ever-loving hand in the valley and on the mountaintop; He has continually loved us even in our imperfections, and shown us His never-failing care when we have needed it the most. His Almighty power has been demonstrated to us time after time, giving us the strength to continue on…together.

My most sincere desire is that I can be the helpmeet that my Beloved needs, and that he most assuredly deserves. It has been my joy to walk beside him for the past nine years, and it is my earnest desire that God would give me many, many more years as his wife….lover and helpmeet… strengthening and encouraging him through my prayers and through my faithfulness, obedience, and submission to him.