Celebration of Love

On June 17 Charlie and I celebrated 39 years of marriage. We decided to drive to Tallahassee and have lunch at Olive Garden. It was a special day and we periodically reflected on what was happening 39 years ago - what we were doing at different times of the day and special memories of crazy things that happened: like me forgetting to bring my "hang up" clothes on our honeymoon - that was interesting :-) We love to tell stories of how we met, our first date, how he proposed and of course it would not be fun telling them unless we did a lot of exaggerating!

Thirty-nine years seems like a long time but for some reason it doesn't feel like a long time at all. Charlie is my adventurer and he has taken me places and encouraged me to do things I don't think I would have ever done. We have been to Mexico on mission trips, traveled to London to be with our girls when they were doing some studying over there, traveled to Northern Ireland to visit friends he met on the internet (another story for another day), our trip last summer to Alaska, a 10 day ride on the back of his Harley - you get the picture.

It has been fun and challenging! There have been good times and bad. The good have definitely outweighed the bad. We have experienced "in sickness and health". I do not know what I would have done without him during some of the "in sickness".

I was a city girl and he brought me to the country. He has taught me how to fish and how to shoot a gun (still can't hit the broad side of a barn but I do pretty good with the fishing). I have bailed hay, picked peas, and shucked corn.

We have both grown in the Lord and he has become my source of spiritual wisdom.

He is my best friend. And I am definitely better for having met him, married him and loved him!

Things My Mama Taught Me

I am reading the book of Proverbs with a group of ladies during the month of June. Solomon wrote some very wise things for his son Rehoboam who became king after him. There is verse after verse about how he expected his son to live. Most of it deals with wisdom, understanding and knowledge.

It got me to thinking about the "wise" things my parents taught me. Even though I titled this "Things My Mama Taught Me", both my parents imparted tons of wisdom to me. I have been reflecting on what their "book of Proverbs" would have said.

Life according to Bill and Elvie:

1. Family is important.
2. I am special - I have a purpose.
3. Respect: It is not a given, you earn it.
4. Be honest
5. Work hard
6. Education is important. It is something that no one can take away from you.

I know there were more but these are the ones that stand out. This wasn't preached to us. It was a way of life.

Of course, Mama said all those things that we hear others say their mama said like:

As long as you live under my roof, you'll do as I say.
Close the door! You weren't born in a barn!
Don't EVER let me catch you doing that again!
Don't sit too close to the television, it'll ruin your eyes.
Don't talk with your mouth full!

I think you get the picture. Bet you have some special things your mom said to you too.

I miss her. She's in heaven watching me though :-) so I still watch my "p's and q's". (Don't know how somebody came up with that expression.)

I still have my dad and he is a blessing and an encourager to me.
Would love to hear some of the "rules of your house" as you were growing up.