I Still Do ~

My husband has a four-day weekend this week. He is using it to finish up some projects around the home. It has been so much fun having him home!

Yesterday in particular was fun. Marissa was in the dining room working on her World View curriculum. We had read a chapter by Francis Schaeffer and Marissa was working through some very abstract questions. She preferes to think strictly in concrete terms, so I was nearby in the kitchen so that I could give her leading questions until she understood the concept. On his way out to the garage, Ron stopped and kissed me. Marissa asserted, “Stop doing that! We are trying to run a homeschool here!!!” Apparently “teachers” are not allowed to kiss during school hours. Ron and I were still chuckling over her response when he kissed me goodnight ~

Today is my 5th wedding anniversary. My wedding vows are posted below. In the first two pictures, you see my beloved refinishing the basement. These before and after pictures show the area that is to be our new master bedroom. Ron has done most of the work (including the electrical and plumbing work) as he had time and we had treasures. The only thing I have done is helped with the painting. You can see his awesome talent! The room is almost completed. He is installing the floor this weekend. He sacrificed his basement shop so that he could make room in our home for our Haitian children. Marissa is excited. She will be moving in to our current bedroom. The final photo is a picture of my wedding/anniversary gift.

Ron, I love you and I know you love me. I take you to be my wedded husband. With deepest joy I come into my new life with you. As you have pledged to me your life and love, so I too happily give you my life. Besides the gift of salvation, you are the most precious gift God has given me.
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	I know that along with the new joys God has given me, I face new responsibilities that I cannot fulfill in my own strength, but by God’s grace and power working within me, I praise God continually for you, Ron, and for your love and friendship.
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As is the church in her relationship to Christ, so I will be to you. Therefore, throughout life, no matter what may be ahead of us, I accept your leadership in my life. I will strive always to be your helpmate ~ to meet your needs spiritually, intellectually, emotionally and physically. I promise to be trustworthy as your wife, to serve and love you in all circumstances, to allow God to use you to build His qualities in me, as long as God gives us life on this earth.