Thursday, May 22, 2008

45 years - an incredible journey!

May 23, 1963- we were married in the chapel of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City in the presence of friends and family, which included both of Jerry's grandmothers, and my maternal grandparents who had also been married on that same date 57 years before. Little did we dream of the incredible journey that was ahead of us. We lived one more year in Chicago while Jerry completed his seminary studies, followed by five pastorates--Hobart OK, Aurora MO, Marshall MO, Enid OK and Midland TX, for a total of 40 years in active ministry. We were blessed with two daughters both born in Hobart. Last year, near our 44th wedding anniversary, we had the opportunity to be back in the chapel of Westminster Pres. in Oklahoma City. Our journey has been filled with the opportunity to serve some wonderful churches, make lots of friends with whom we continue to be in touch. You know from reading these blogs that we are now in Sammamish WA, near our special friends Greg and Bobbi - and Greg we have known since we arrived at our first church in Hobart 44 years ago. (Please pray for Greg as he battles cancer right now.) The people God has placed in our lives over these years have been such a blessing to us - and we are better persons for knowing YOU. We have marvelous memories of our travels as well - the Holy Land, Greek Islands, England on several occasions, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, beaches of Normandy, Oberammergau for the Passion Play, Mexico, Canada, and Jerry's special trips to Uganda and Thailand. And then came retirement - and how grateful we have been for these four years together to travel in our motor home, see many of you during those travels, and serve God when He has opened a door for Jerry to minister again in Wichita KS and now Sammamish WA. We are so grateful for these 45 years together--the ups and the downs, the good and the bad, all woven together in a magnificent tapestry that we can call our marriage. Thank you to each of you for being a part of that tapestry in some way. And thanks be to God for this incredible journey! We love you! Mary and Jerry

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

A fella named Bandura once said that role modeling is profoundly influential. My life with Jo has been influenced by your marriage. As I have come to know both of you and your marriage, I continue to see and understand the beauty and wonder of a life with the one you love. Thanks Mary and Jerry!
Scott

Jo Hilton said...

He beat me to it! I was going to say the same thing! Thank you for providing a model for a strong marriage! I am so grateful for my husband and thankful to God for my family. I love celebrating your anniversary! :)

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary! Thank you for being a part of our lives and keeping us posted on yours. We think of you often and pray for God's grace in your lives. John & Suzanne

Subscribe via email

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Followers