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Today is my 20th wedding anniversary! I don't think it is possible because I don't feel that old. I am thankful for my amazing wife.  She has been a blessing to me in so many ways. I still remember: seeing you for the first time on our wedding day as you walked down the aisle. the large hole in the back of my tux jacket that had to be repaired.  Thanks Denice! all of the great food at the reception that we hardly ate and a meal at Carlos O'Kelley's that we didn't eat much of either. being sent to the basement of the church because of bad weather and how some of our guests saw a tornado on their drive home, but when we drove to Kansas City, we only saw rainbows. an awesome week in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for our honeymoon including Blue's Clues, 10 grain pancakes (or was it more?), wonderful restaurants, beaches, going to the movies, and even a waterpark (you must of been in love because I don't think you have been to one since)  We still have ...

No, it's not my wedding anniversary.  But it is my 9th anniversary of being on staff at Hesston MB Church.  I began working at the church on November 1, 2008.  I have enjoyed my time as a pastor at Hesston MB and the many people I have met over the years.  It has been fun watching the children grow up and grow in relationship with God and others.  I am thankful for the opportunity to be called to serve here as a pastor.  I look forward to what God will do in and through this church in the years ahead. To God Be the Glory!

Over the last few days, I have been celebrating my 19th anniversary with Bethany (it was actually June 13).  I have tried over the years to plan a night or two away to enjoy being together as husband and wife.  When you have kids, this becomes more of a challenge.  When your anniversary falls in the middle of the busiest time for both of you (Sidewalk Sale, Summer Camp, VBS, Kids' summer games), it requires some patience, flexibility, and creativity. So, right now, we are in Kansas City for a few days shopping, eating, and enjoying one another's company and conversation.  By recommendation, I booked the Casablanca room at Chateau Avalon. I'm looking forward to this time together. 

Today is my 19th wedding anniversary.  I am so thankful that Bethany said yes two decades ago.  I love her more today than I did 19 years ago when I said, "I Do."  Since then we have lived in three cities and 6 different apartments/homes and have added 4 kids.  She truly is a blessing to me in so many ways! Happy Anniversary, Beautiful! Now, enjoy some of my favorite photos of us!

Today marks my 8th anniversary at Hesston MB Church.  I am thankful for being called to this church and community and look forward to the future together.  Many things have changed since I started here on November 1, 2008.  There have been joys and struggles.  God willing, I will be here for many years to come.  I love this town and love the people in our church family.  Celebrate with me by either reading a book or drinking a good cup of coffee.

Today marks my 7th Anniversary at Hesston MB Church as pastor. I am thankful for the journey that brought us here and look forward to many more years.  As I begin my 8th year, I am seeking the Holy Spirit's lead as we consider how to minister to kids, families, church, community, and world.  Thankful for the calling to Hesston MB and ask for God's grace and empowerment as I continue as pastor for the years ahead.

No, it's not my wedding anniversary, but my work anniversary today.  I started my ministry at Hesston MB on November 1, 2008, so I praise God for his faithfulness and what He has done in and through me and through Hesston MB over the last 6 years!

Today is our 16th anniversary! I am thankful for the blessing of a wonderful wife, mother, manager, and follower of Christ.  I look forward to many more years together.  Love you, Bethany! I can't wait to celebrate this weekend and then again in Atlanta.

Yes, it is the first day of no shave November which I am participating in this year.  But that is not what I am talking about. Today is the 5th anniversary of my first day at Hesston MB.  I began my ministry in Hesston on November 1, 2008.  I have been blessed by the body of Christ at Hesston MB and we love the community of Hesston.  It has been a joy to see how God is moving among this church family.  I look forward to many more years to come.  Thank you God for calling me to Hesston and for equipping me for ministry here! Tonight I think we will celebrate as a family.   Now, where should we go eat?

No, it's not my wedding anniversary, but instead it is my 4 year anniversary at Hesston MB Church. I am thankful for this church and what God is doing here. I am blessed to be part of the staff and look forward to many more years together. When Bethany and I decided to make the transition to Hesston, I was impressed with the community of Hesston as well as the church. I feel blessed to wake up every day and serve God and others through my position as Pastor of Children and Family. I am continually reminded how this ministry is a great fit for my spiritual gifts and passions. I love that I get to invest in dads to be the spiritual leaders of their families. I look forward to more opportunities to equip parents to pass on faith in the home. I enjoy working with Children's Ministry workers on Sundays & Wednesday nights. I am excited about the marriage ministry plans that are just beginning in mentoring and for helping struggling marriages. I love planning for the f...

Yesterday was my 14th wedding anniversary!  I shared some memories from the wedding week on the blog yesterday.  Today I thought I would share a few highlights from the past 14 years. These are in no particular order: We have lived in six different homes (4 in Denver, Iola & now Hesston) Bethany worked full time to put me through Denver Seminary I have had the support and encouragement of my wonderful wife each time we moved to new ministries We have prayed about and discussed many key decisions over the years regarding life, ministry, and parenting We have four wonderful children Bethany has been able to stay at home with the kids while they were younger and has had flexible jobs that worked around our schedules.  Currently, she is an excellent manager at Faith & Life Bookstore in Newton.  She has great ideas and loves helping her customers. We have had great support from our parents over these years We have served in three supportive churches We h...

Today is my 14th Anniversary! So, I thought I would share some memories from our wedding week 14 years ago. Talking in hotel parking lot to my soon to be bride after the rehearsal dinner Seeing my beautiful bride walk down the aisle Discovering a large hole in back of my tux coat.  I'm thankful for Denice Julian sewing it together for me.   Guests being evacuated to the church basement because of a tornado Great decorations in the sanctuary and gym by Shirley & Bethany Not eating anything but cake at the reception. For those that know me, that is amazing. Eating at our favorite restaurant, Carlos O'Kelleys before leaving town Almost losing my wedding ring down the drain the first night in the shower when trying to get bird seed out of my hair Spending a week in Myrtle Beach, SC for our honeymoon Bethany getting sunburned on our first day after a long walk along beach and city Eating at some great restaurants & doing fun activities Staying at a great b...

Happy Anniversary to me!  No, it's not my wedding anniversary, but instead my work anniversary.  I began my ministry at Hesston MB on November 1, 2008.  So, today marks my anniversary.  I have enjoyed my 3 years in ministry at Hesston and have grown a lot as well.  I cannot wait to see how God is going to use me and the church in the future.  As I reflect on 3 years of ministry, here are a few exciting things that God is doing (or has done) at Hesston MB: Excitement & learning related to our CHRIST acrostic in Sunday School and small groups New ministries: CHICKS, movie ministry, D6 Dads, single parent ministries such as oil change & parents day out Five newcomer lunches over the last year New individuals and families plugging into ministries Development of a prayer team and monthly prayer meeting Discussions occurring in Discipleship Ministries Committee Ideas percolating regarding strengthening marriages and how to minister to those in c...

Today, I celebrate my 12 th anniversary. Since it is a Sunday, I am busy for most of the day, but I have a night away planned for Bethany and I to celebrate. I really cannot believe how fast the 12 years have gone. We have gone through several highs and lows together and I cannot imagine going through them without her. I still can remember clearly seeing Bethany for the first time 12 years ago today. We did not see each other on our wedding day until the back doors of the church opened. It was then that I first saw her smiling face and the beautiful dress. It was a great celebration of our faith and our lives together. It was a beautiful wedding-Bethany and Shirley did a great job. We have great pictures too. I enjoy looking back at them and our video to remember some of the details. I love her more and more each day. She is such a blessing to me. God has grown us together through the years. She has supported me in ministry changes. She has been there during the 6 moves o...

Today, I celebrate my 11 th anniversary with my beautiful wife. I thought I would share why I fell in love with and have continued and grown in my love for Bethany. I remember the first time I saw Bethany. I truly can say it was love at first sight. She was wearing red (which shirt we disagree on) and it was Sterling College orientation. We were both freshman. I remember seeing her and being attracted to her. She was beautiful and I knew I wanted to date her. We began dating in January 1995 and spent 3 1/2 years dating before getting married. I remember my proposal. Before I proposed, I met Steve and Shirley at a Braum's to ask their permission to marry their daughter. I then planned the proposal for Bethany's backyard. Shirley had done some amazing things with plants and flowers and it was beautiful. I took her through several "stations" where we talked about our memories of dating. Finally, I got down on one knee and asked her to "marry me." If you wonde...