When I was young, I would have bet that not only I would be the last of friends to get married, but that I wouldn’t get married until I was close to thirty. But here I am at the ripe old age of twenty-seven with five years of marriage under my belt. I am blessed to tears.

It’s not that I thought I was a late-bloomer or anything like that; I just had my own plans. But if there is one thing I’ll never tire of rediscovering in my life, it’s that God’s plans are better than any that I’ve imagined for myself. I’d like to take this opportunity to share a few of the things that Burke and I have to show for our years of matrimony as we celebrate our fifth anniversary this Saturday.

We’ve been teachers, students, volunteers, missionaries, preachers, hosts, emcees, developers, project coordinators, marketers and communicators together. We’ve also been a brother, sister, son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter, nephew, niece, cousin, bridesmaid, groomsman, roommate, neighbor and friend.

We’ve gone from a combined household income of about $12,000 a year to working and living in the San Francisco Bay Area, and now we are back down to an total income of zero. I cannot imagine having taken this step of faith with anyone but Burke. I pray we will forever continue to trust that God is our provider (even when it’s a little scary).

We’ve gotten to live in community with and be mentored by some of the most amazing people with the biggest hearts I’ve ever known.

We’ve prayed for more people than I can count, sometimes seeing and hearing God answer those prayers on the spot, other times leaving people knowing we’d never see them again, but believing that their lives are forever changed.

 

We’ve traveled, lived in and experienced more of the world than most people will ever see in a lifetime. There isn’t a single day I take that for granted.

Our lives are not perfect, I hope we haven’t fooled anyone into thinking they are. If anything, the measure to which I need Burke’s grace is just a daily reminder of the grace that God lavishes on his children. I only wish I could actually be more thankful for the many blessings God has given me, especially the very best blessing of all, my dear husband.

B&Lphuketbeach