10 Years

10 years ago

Yesterday marked our ten year wedding anniversary.  Since August 16th, 2003, we have been bound together.  By His grace we have walked this road of marriage as best friends, as lovers, and as a team--challenging one another to greater heights and encouraging one another in tough times.  

We took some time yesterday to reflect on the last ten years and remember just how much we have to be thankful for.

We’ve lived on 3 different continents, in 4 countries, and in 7 different homes. We’ve been to 15 countries. We’ve swum in three oceans. We’ve eaten many strange things and had many tropical tummy bugs. We’ve read many books to each other. We’ve played many board games, answered many Trivial pursuit cards and discussed many ‘Would you rather?’s. We’ve tossed many frisbees. We’ve taken many walks. We’ve sung many songs and we’ve listened to many of each other’s stories. We’ve had three wonderful, healthy and beautiful kids. It has been a full and blessed 10 years with ONE faithful, good and loving God carrying us through it all. We really do feel blessed to have been given each other to walk this road with, it has been all the easier, nicer and more wonderful by doing it together.

Our two older kids at a BD party

Since our adventures to Africa began soon after we were married, many of you have been following us for nearly that long. Thank you for your prayers for our marriage and family. We are so thankful for all of you who have followed our progress, prayed for us, helped us, visited with us (there and here!) and generally blessed us in so many ways. 

PRAYERS ANSWERED
While not able to really “get-away” we did have some quiet time together on our anniversary to reminisce and thank God for the past ten years together. English classes have started well. Our classes are packed and we’ve been diving right in. We have two house contracts signed and found another good possibility this week. We’ve been going to lots of cultural events (mainly weddings!) which help us strengthen our relationships with our island friends.

Tom with an island bride & groom today

PRAYERS REQUESTED
Life is very busy, especially for the next month while wedding season continues. Pray that we would be able to do everything we need to do well-- in particular, there is our English teaching, preparing the houses for our teammates and making all the logistical arrangements for their arrival. We’ve been invited to lots of weddings- pray that we make good decisions about how to spend our time and that we have the courage and culturally appropriate words to say “no” if that is the best decision. Continue to pray that Megan’s back keeps healing.