Twenty five years ago today I made one of the biggest commitments of my life in the presence of God and in the company of our family and friends. It was then that I spoke these word,
"I, Lisa, take you Randy, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part."
I remember that day looking into your eyes and saying those words with a trembling voice, trying to contain all of the emotions that were bubbling up from deep within my heart.
So much has changed in 25 years. We definitely no longer look like the wide-eyed couple who thought they were ready to take on the world. So much in love, a little bit naive, but ready to begin building a life together.
Today we have served together, side-by-side in 6 churches in California and Indiana. We've traveled across this country and in parts of the world we never thought we would see. Like the Apostle Paul we can say, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty". We've seen and lived both first hand.
Our son Jonathan to this day remains one of the greatest miracles we have seen - straight from the hand of God. What a gift in such a miraculous way. I look forward to seeing the man of God he will one day be.
Our life together has definitely not been easy..., but it has been worth the hard work. Looking back today I can tell you one thing for sure, I would do it all over again. I am still proud to be called your wife and I look forward to seeing what God is going to do in the next 25 years of our marriage.
I love you Randy! Thank you for always seeing more in me than I sometimes see in myself. You have been my greatest encourager, my closest friend and my faithful companion as we've journeyed through this thing called life. I have learned so much from you - how to love with abandon, how to give beyond what you thought you were capable of, how to share Jesus with anyone who will listen. You have taught me how to laugh at myself and to love people even when they hurt you. You have helped me to become a woman of deep faith and love for God.
Thank You Randy for loving me all of these years! May God grant us many, many more years to come.
