On Celebrating 20 Years

Today, we are celebrating... 
... 20 years of God's faithfulness and His relentless love for our family on this occasion that we've fondly named as "our family's birthday".

I read this quote recently...

... a marriage made in Heaven is one where a man and a woman become more richly themselves together than the chances are either of them could ever have managed to become alone.

- Frederick Buechner.

At the Compassion Philippines office.

I was also reminded of this children's song by Psalty (The Singing Songbook) yesterday as we visited with Floyd's brand new great nephew:

I want to be like you, Lord Jesus, yes it's true. Give your peace. Share your joy. Show your love, Lord. How I want to be like you.

With Baby Boaz. We're at the grandparents' level now... level up! ;)

I am deeply thankful for God's gift of a life partner for me in Floyd because together, we are definitely bolder in giving Jesus' peace, sharing His joy and showing His love than we each could ever have managed to on our own.

The fact that I am writing this blog post back here in the Philippines today, the place where we were married, is a testament to this... because, as I've said before, braveness is outside my comfort zone.

Just one of the many slum communities that we drove past on our first day in Manila.

Our family is looking forward to these next three weeks and thankful for the opportunity to learn more about the different ministries that, over these 20 years, we have come to love supporting. We will be visiting the field work of the following organizations:

Compassion International: Compassion International exists as a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults. Founded by the Rev. Everett Swanson in 1952, Compassion began providing Korean War orphans with food, shelter, education and health care, as well as Christian training. Today, Compassion helps more than 1.2 million children in 26 countries.

International Justice Mission: International Justice Mission protects the poor from violence throughout the developing world. We are inspired by God’s call to love all people and to seek justice for the oppressed.

Habitat For Humanity: Habitat for Humanity’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Our mission is to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope.

God's grace is truly a beautiful thing. I am deeply grateful.

Compassion is a command, an act of worship, a song of thanks to Him.

Do justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly with God!