Thanking God for Two Whole Years...

On the one hand, two years have flown by so fast. On the other hand, we feel like we have been together for so much longer! Marvin and I are so thankful for these first two wonderful years of marriage that the Lord has given us together. It has been a journey and an adventure! We recently had the privilege of spending a special night together at a local hotel to celebrate our 2nd anniversary. As you can see in the pictures, the food was delicious, the pool was amazing, the time was relaxing, and my baby is really starting to show!

June 26th, 2010, we were standing on the beach saying our vows to one another. Hailey recently asked me what I most remember about that day. To be honest, I was in such a cloud of excitement, that there were so many details and even people at my wedding who I didn't notice until looking at the pictures afterwards. But here are some of the special things I remember and cherish: first of all, the ceremony. The stage set-up was absolutely gorgeous, and I remember singing our praise to the Lord to start off our wedding ceremony as we saw and heard the waves of the ocean crash nearby. We wanted the theme of our ceremony to be Christ, the bridegroom, and His bride, the church. Focusing on that theme, all of the energy, money, time and travel put into one wedding celebration just seems to make sense. It is the celebration of a covenant-one of the most important decisions of a lifetime that is directly symbolizing Christ coming for His lovely bride, the church, after she prepares herself for Him that He may find her pure and lovely. Such a powerful illustration! I remember the Lord making Himself so real to me during that time and teaching me so much on that topic. Just as a young woman is to wait in purity for her future spouse even though she doesn't know who he will be, we are to wait for Christ in purity even though we can't see Him and don't know when exactly He is coming. It is a process of faith, but so worth the wait! Other things I remember and loved: the "sister" dance that my sisters and I did, the torches that lit up the beach so beautifully in the night-time, the flowers and coral rock bases that decorated our reception, the hugging and congratulating all around, and, of course, our grand departure in a small motor boat! Although getting into the boat may have seemed a little rocky, the calm ride under the moon was actually quite romantic. (-;

Now, two years later, that seems so long ago. We have been through a lot together in this short time. Some things have been hard and at the same time, so good for us. Other things have been sheer joy. There have been many changes: new business, new church, new friends, and now a new baby on the way! We have truly been blessed! I am so thankful for the man God has put in my life to lead me, love me, protect me, and provide for me, and I strive to become better at serving, loving, respecting and supporting him as the head of my home and as my dear, sweet husband.