30 for 30 - Happy 30th Anniversary!

So ESPN does this documentary series called 30 for 30. Some are okay and some are really good. Today, Sondra and I celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary and quite honestly, all 30 years have been incredible.

I remember May 11, 1985 like it was yesterday. Sondra and I were both young (see the picture) and were smart enough that we did not have it all figured out, but we committed to figure it out together and so here we are 30 years later, with much still to learn, but more in love today than ever.

May 11, 1985

Here are a few things (I might make it to 30) that have been a highlight of these 30 years. (This will not be an exhaustive list by any means either.)
 1. We had 4.5 years of just us before Shelbi came along. I think it helped us solidify our relationship in those early years.
 2. We moved 500 miles away from our parents and had to make it on our own. Man, we had so little money, but we had each other and a sweet couple, the Reynolds, who took us under their wing.
 3.We have godly parents who set the course for us by showing us how marriage can be wonderful. And we have their constant prayer support.
 4. Just being together. How cool is that you get to hang with your best friend, every day!
 5. Shelbi and Morgan. Wow! These two kids, now beautiful young adults, have brought us so much joy! And now they have husbands and I am no longer outnumbered! Mark and Wilson are answers to many years of prayer. Few things are better for a daddy of daughters than for God to provide young men as husbands who love Him and his daughters.
 6. So many trips to the beach together (and another one coming this weekend!).
 7. Panera - it really is not the restaurant, but just the times to sit and talk life each week.
 8. Her forgiveness the times I have been a knucklehead. (They are many, but her grace is unending.)
 9. Our desire to let Christ lead us.
10. The countless people who have impacted our lives; loved us and our kids.
11. A couple of dogs. Sir Chauncey of ShelMor and Sadie. (Okay, these may not be a highlight but are a part of our experience.)

Why would she put up with me?

12. In-laws. We have always lived too far away from our parents but God has kept those ties strong through the years. Charles and Joyce are both still going strong at 75 and 81!
13. Losing Bernard and Frances (Sondra's dad and my mom). Not a highlight, but beautiful how God has extended grace and comfort like we have never experienced.
14. Sondra's amazing support of my travel (related to my job) over the years. Travel has slowed considerably now but those days when the girls were young, she went way above and beyond and  I know she did a good job by seeing how Shelbi and Morgan are today.
15. Cooking. She is amazing. Running the vacuum and doing the laundry. We split the work around the house and she still is "the only one who does anything around here!" ;-)
16. Blackie - our '95 Saturn. Been with us almost 2/3 of our marriage.
17. Our move to Nashville in 1989. This place is home. We have so many incredible friends and support.
18. Hands down, the greatest gift in friends that God has given us in Nashville are really more like family. Mitch, Christy, and Graham Fuller. Simply the best!
19. Our homes. We bought a HUD deal duplex and lived there for 10 plus years. Eleven years ago, our friends, the Burdens,who are more like family blessed us with an amazing deal on their house and we have loved living there and doing ministry out of that place. A huge thank you to Jerry and Carol!

Friday, May 8, 2015

20 - 22. Lindsy, Alysha and Evelyn. We have hosted these three ladies who lived with us for various lengths of time. Lindy and Alysha are beautiful young ladies who God allowed us to learn from in a time in their lives where God was doing an amazing work. Evelyn is from China and even though the culture was a huge barrier, Evelyn taught us how to stretch ourselves and listen and learn like we had never done before. Lindsy is happily married, has a beautiful one-year-old daughter and lives in Michigan. Alysha is one of the funniest young ladies we know and is living in Nashville and is loving her job. Evelyn is enrolled in Auburn University and seems to be doing well.
23. $6 tips at the Chinese restaurant. It is a Turner classic. Ask Sondra.
24. Paul giving away secrets or forgetting to tell the latest news. It is always done innocently, but done none the less.
25. That stupid kitchen trash can liner that is always forgotten to be replaced after emptying the trash. Ask Sondra. (It must just be blocked in my mind.)
26. Churches - Casa View, Dallas; FBC, Donelson; New Hope; Hermitage Hills - grateful for the investment made in our spiritual walk and the opportunity to minister to others through these great churches.
27. Tears. Hugs. Laughter. Sorrow. Joy. Pain. Fear. Uncertainty. Covenant. Our marriage is not perfect. But it is pretty darn good and we are committed to sticking it out through Christ, together.
28. God's grace and provision shown in so many ways over these 30 years. We have always had what we needed when we needed it.
29. Bronwyn (Sondra's sister) and her family and James (my brother and his family). Miles have always separated us but the love and support and incredible times when we are together. Priceless!
30. Love. Best friends. Not as young as we once were. But, more in love than I ever thought possible. 30 years. Grateful. Humbled. Honored. Blessed.