40 Years

How do you sum up 40 years! A lifetime! Does it really seem possible?  Who are these kids in these pictures?

Time is a peculiar thing. Does it not seem like forever ago, and yet seems like no time at all?  40 years ago these two children pledged their lives before their God and family to be faithful to Him and faithful to each other. A huge commitment. Did we understand the commitment? Do you see all that lays before you? The answer obviously is no, how could you.  But one thing I will say from the beginning, He was faithful to our commitment to Him.  He has carried us through the life that lay before us. He has been faithful to keep us faithful to Him and to each other. He IS faithful! He deserves the praise!
What fun we have had! Living from paycheck to paycheck. Moving from Bakersfield and back to Bakersfield, and from Bakersfield and back to Bakersfield. From life with each other, to life with one child and another child. To life with 2 children to life with one child and life with each other. Life with children in law, first one child married, to another child married. Life with each other, life with married children, to life with one grandchild, to life with two grandchildren and then a third. Life moves forward. Blessing upon blessing, each stage unique and different and full. Moments to savor and replay in your mind, fun times, hard times, great family times, great times with friends.  Friends have played an important part in our married lives. In many ways our friends have been our family. Great friendships, based on our mutual love for our Lord.  Church, Bible studies, and eating together, late nite card games, raising children together, weekend trips, vacations, stops at Denny's for strawberry pancakes, singing with the guitar, laughter and crying.  In 40 years there has been crying, how could there not be. Illness, and surgeries, death of family and friends, broken relationships. Life includes those hard times.  But really! 40 years! Really!!