Happy Anniversary to us!!!

Matt and I have been married ten years!  I wish I were a writer so that I could put into words all the sentimental and precious things that I could say! But I'm not so I will just put a few pictures on here that bring nostolgic feelings and lots of reflecting and praise to God.    

Whenever people wonder how Matt and I met we both kind of look at each other and not really can pinpoit a time.  Matt says Mike introduced him to me at MBS '94.  I kind of faintly remember that but not like Matt did.  Because in '97 I saw him again at SMBI and he remembered me AND my birthdate and I couldn't figure out how he knew so much about me.  The real time we met was at SMBI 2000 and Matt got there late for the term and I thought he was rather arrogant and getting off too easy on stuff...like at roll call he wasn't even called on!  He was too much of an oldie there I guess.  And I was the scared little newbie.  For some odd reason when ever I saw him on and off over the years I had a very big desire to avoid and disappear.  He scared me badly.  And I really don't know why.  God was pointing him out to me I suppose.  And he was from Nebraska of all places! :)  But the term at SMBI was the starting point.  I remember how God had worked so much in my life the year before and  I was learning  things I needed for the man God was preparing for me.  I remember at SMBI in class one morning it was really vivid in my mind....I was thinking about how Matt was becoming a very good friend and how I was trying to guard my heart.  And I wrote a prayer down in my little brown notebook...." Dear God, please don't let Matt ask me out UNLESS he is the man I'm suppose to marry."  I remember thinking , oh boy, now if he does ask me out then that's who I will marry....and I got the chills and I thought how scary that'd be and I wanted to reverse that prayer.  But then I remembered what a gift his friendship was and that I could be okay and practical.    And so the term ended and Matt was taking me home.  So on the way home we talked it all out.   Well, first he asked if we should talk about our relationship.  SCARY. :)  But as you can see our 10 hour travel went just fine....Dad said he was okay for me and we did the whole long distance dating thing.....lots of good memories...

So as you can see...We got married! :)  And it's been perfect ever after!  That's what fairy tales are suppose to say right?   Well but we don't have a fairy tale life and I am glad.  I found out later that the name Matthew means gift of God.  Isn't that funny?  Our friendship is such a good good gift.  But we are a normal couple too.  So we don't have it picture perfect.  I hope our marriage keeps on balancing us out and helping us grow in our love and our love for God.    I could tell you all the struggle and arguments and tough times but I've found that being thankful and looking out for the good is what makes a marriage sweet.  And of course I need more practice at that. 

We took a little honeymoon through Leavenworth, WA and then out to the Oregon coast.  Not too outrageous or different but nice.    And I didn't scan any pictures in of our first little cozy home and all that stuff.  But we came home to a brown windy April Nebraska and settled in to life.  And all the moments and sweet times and hard times have added up to ten years of marriage to the best gift of God that I could ever get for a husband!        Thank you God!