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Our Marriage Is 33 Years Old TODAY!

That's right - 33 years ago we were two young kids who might have been a little scared but very confident in getting married.

Today, we are still two young kids. (I guess love continues to be blind!) Okay, we are older kids but still very confident that God is in our marriage.

So what is the proper gift to get each other on the 33rd anniversary? You know, for one year it is paper, one is gold (50th), another silver (25th), another sapphire or rubies, etc. We know what the 33rd is without looking it up:

It is a SEPTIC TANK. Like the one above. That's what we are getting each other. (It's part of our remodeling plan for our home.)

I'm telling you, for a marriage enrichment couple - for a guy whose ministry title is Marriage and Family Enrichment - it just doesn't get any more romantic than that.

Actually, we have a trip planned soon. and we are planning on going out to a nice restaurant tonight - and think about anything BUT a septic tank!

Some anniversaries are more practical than others. This one we will remember for a long time.

No Air but a Nice Trip to Denver

Just an update on our trip last weekend. Denver has almost no air. Hard to breathe throughout the trip. What should I have expected going to a city known as "The Mile High City"?

And yet, it was a most productive engagement as we got the chance to share our passion for encouraging parents through presenting our book The Parent Adventure to a group of English speaking Christian book distributors. What a literally global opportunity.

    

We did get to see the Rockies play. And guess who they played? The Atlanta Braves - my fav team! Actually we saw 6+ innings of it. The tarp came on and the rain came down.

                                        

                             

A beautiful light show provided by the Lord Himself in the form of 2 hours of constant lightning - WOW! Widespread lightning like I've never seen. A lot like the Lord - beautiful, and a little scary.

Probably the coolest part of the whole trip though was lunch Friday with two other guys very much in my position. Selma and I sat down at the conference hotel to eat when a couple of conferees needed a seat. It was divine appointment for sure. As we got to know them we soon found out that they wore "similar hats" as mine. They were pastors and did a great deal of pastoral counseling.

As we discussed principles and approaches, issues and affect this all had on our own marriages and families, it was a cool thing.

Here's the kicker: one was from Africa and the other was from Southeast Asia. Three ministers, three cultures, three continents ... all the same issues. Fascinating in that wherever you go, people have the same needs.

Thanks for your prayers about the trip. I made some interesting new friends from a long way away, saw the Braves beat the Rockies, and learned some pooignant lessons like the fact that people also need the Lord - wherever they live.

                                  

"Happy Birthday, Jen", Wedding Reflections, and an Adaptation from Robert Frost

Happy Day to my older daughter, Jennifer. Happy "20-something", dear. I love you.

Recently I had the joy of doing two weddings in about 14 hours a few weeks ago. It was my first two-wedding weekend.

The first was on a Friday evening and a beautiful setting. Cedar Vine Manor. Outdoors with many groomsmen and bridesmaids along with a handsome couple. 200+ guests and a wonderful reception with many of our friends attending. Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Brad Decker. The bride was the former Ashley Espey. Her family folks are longtime friends of ours.

Then, Saturday morning I found myself at Cannonsburg, right smack dab in the middle of Murfreesboro. The early American log cabin village was the scene. The wedding of Mark Miller took and Kathy Rutherford place in the little chapel there. 45-50 guests total and they nearly packed the chapel. A complete opposite of the night before in that it was quaint, yet as elegant and as meaningful - and as handsome a couple - as I'd ever seen.

Congratulations to you two special people.

At the chapel that morning was another couple - a most inspiring twosome. She had been 92 for several months. He has just turned 92. And get this - this fall they will be married SEVENTY YEARS! WOW, what a privilege just to meet them and talk a bit at the reception. If Paul Harvey was still alive I'd send their names in for sure!

Bear with me as I borrow from Robert Frost:

Two couples married on a single weekend. Both love the Lord ...

... and THAT will make all the difference.

Mile High City Trip

Please remember Selma and me as we make a quick yet important trip to Denver, Colorado at the end of this week. We will be speaking at the International Christian Book Distributors convention.

They have asked us to do a presentation on The Parent Adventure, our new book and study guide on preparing your kid for a life with God.

What a privilege to share our material and hearts with people who manage Christian resources around the world!

Please pray that God will use our resource - and any other means He sees - to get a helpful and godly word to parents everywhere as they seek to raise their kids in a way that glorifies Him.

May TPA be an encouragement to parents and may those moms and dads bring glory to God as they love their kids.

Camp Whatever Fun and Memories

Once again, with the clear help of the Lord, the gang did it. What a fantastic effort put out by Chris, David, Mel and the "cast of 1000's" of volunteers to make CW what it was: a venue to allow kids to grow closer to the Lord (or find Him for the first time), clown around, have some incredible rec each afternoon, and laugh, laugh, laugh.

Every year it is amazing to see what God does through mature and growing 20-somethings who are so committed to their Lord. Thanks so much, guys, for your labor in planning, setting up, loving kids, videoing, all kinds of tech support, worship leadership, set designing, taking down, and especially for already planning for ANOTHER Camp Whatever next year! You are the best.

Now they let me serve in three capacities at CW: 1) the old man of the camp; and 2) male camp counselor;l and 3) leader of a breakout session on kids and their parents. It was an honor once again to serve - in the latter to capacities anyway! I came away again this year with many sad situations to pray for and a lot of new friendships.

In addition to the professional staff, what joy I have in the Lord when going to camp to see the dedication of volunteers: counselors, medical staff, and adults who are simply "gophers" and many others serving in behind-the-scenes, yet significant positions - all working their hearts out. It is with pride that I serve with you all.

As camp counselor Scott Alsup told me a few days before we left for camp - "Boy, this Camp Whatever, it's a 100 mph for four straight days, isn't it?"

Yes it is, Scott, and it's all worth it, as you know.

To our Lord be alllll the glory for a wonderful week of experiencing Him.

Won't you join us next year? With 500+ going this year I am sure we'll need still more leaders in 2010!