Thursday, January 8, 2009

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

My mom and dad are celebrating their 54th anniversary today. Below is the speech I gave at their 50th wedding anniversary party in 2005. Every word still holds true...




Mom and Dad
50th Anniversary
January 8, 2005

Tonight we are honoring my parents, Lois and Allen Brown, after fifty years of marriage. They have a marriage that has endured fifty years because they made their relationship their “number one” priority.

In the same manner, family was always the center of our activities when we were growing up. We spent time together. We laughed and cried together. Our family vacations were spent camping, water-skiing, and building great memories.

My mom and dad have also made our extended family and their friends a priority. They have always been available to lend a hand to every one of us in this room, whether we were working on home improvements, moving to a new home, celebrating weddings and babies, or mourning the loss of a loved one—my mom and dad have been there. They are two of the most generous, thoughtful, and dependable people I know.

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for showing us--your children, your grandchildren, and now your great-grandchildren--how to live with honesty, integrity, and love.

Matthew 6:19-21 says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Your treasure is in people, in relationships, but especially in your relationship. Your love for each other has been evident throughout the years and remains strong today. Congratulations on your first fifty years together—here’s to the next fifty!

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Thoughts on 2009


Every Saturday evening, we attend church at The Grove. God speaks through Pastor Tom in an amazing way. Tonight, we were asked what kind of people we would be if we knew we only had one year to live.

What would I stop doing? I'd stop wasting money on silly things, I'd stop being such a whiny grump, I'd stop working so much.

What would I start doing? I'd start spending more time with God, I'd demonstrate my love for Ken by giving him more of me, I'd spend more time with family and friends.


Dear God, I pray that...
  • I will spend time with You daily, reading Your word and in prayer. Grant me the courage to get involved at church.

  • I will love Ken more and work to make our marriage GREAT!

  • I will slow down and enjoy your creation: the world around me and the people around me.

Thank you, God, for new opportunities to change, grow, and mature.



Monday, December 29, 2008

Happy 21st Birthday, Kelley!



Sisters...


Kelley is born on December 29, 1987



Twenty-one years ago today, a feisty little redhead entered our lives. The name Kelley means "warrior woman" and that is the perfect description for our baby girl. Kelley has always been a strong, independent individual. It is hard to believe that she is all grown up. How does that happen? It is a bittersweet day because, while both of our girls have grown up so quickly, we love the young women they have become. There is a certain satisfaction that comes with knowing the girls have a good head on their shoulders, they have definite goals and are working towards them, and they are good and decent human beings. Thank You, God, for blessing us with Marie and Kelley.