My husband is an amazing man! When I met him he was carrying around a camera, setting up and running sound and playing guitar and saxophone. He was SOOOO cool to very country girl.
I fell in love with this renaissance man who studied theology, music theory, technology and philosophy. Who loved cartoons and jazz and 70's-80's rock.
Our first Valentine's... a rose bowl and supper out. A lot for a college student!
We married three months later. As we met with our pre-marriage counselor, he said, "Well I think you are as compatible as two very different people can be."
He told us that our biggest challenges would come from these differences but that they could become our biggest strengths. Brother Jones was so wise! And guess what? Those differences have been a challenge! Our personalities, experiences, background and lives tripped us up many times during the past 23 years. But as we have learned to accept each other's strengths and live with our weaknesses we have become stronger.
My husband has cooked, done tires, laid carpet, ranched, worked in DD, worked in manufacturing and as a surgery technician all the while Pastoring and being an awesome Dad. He continues to enjoy playing guitar and learning new things. The past few years he has learned archery. He is building on his Boy Scout skills and will someday walk the Appalachian Trail!
Michael and I were talking last night about our church. How proud he is of what we have done. How Dad has seen his calling in building permanence and endurance. In a building and spiritual foundation that other pastors will be able to build upon. Updating. We didn't even have a sound system when we came. Our people had limped a long with broken water pumps and inefficient heating.
Our church was planted during the Great Depression and the building of Kingsley Dam. Railroaders wives brought in speakers to the top of a dance hall for the first year. When we moved here the "new" church had been here 24 years but the insides including any rooms had never been completed. These courageous people had continued through so many challenges. Many of these were caused because Pastors did not stay. In fact as we looked at the 85 year history the longest term was 7 years and the average was 2.
David isn't flashy nor is he political in any way. He has narrowed his focus to his God, his family, his church and his work.
His ability to teach is beyond any that I've ever known. All of his boys continually encourage him to go on and teach other pastors. He makes things understandable and isn't fluffy as one son said.
So as I celebrate this Valentine's day with the man I love. I see him as his favorite movie. Brave Heart.
Steady, brave, devoted, creative, tough and noble!
The persistence and endurance he has planted in the hearts and being of his boys and in his family and in his church will bear fruit long after he is gone.
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