Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Prayed Together

Our 41st anniversary is this week. 41 years! I feel so very blessed to have Joel as my soulmate. It is one of the reasons why I know how much God loves me! He brought Joel into my life.

Speaking of God, the story of how we met and married is a good one. In 1966 Joel and I both attended The Lutheran Bible Institute which later became Golden Valley Lutheran College. On parents weekend my older sister who raised me came to visit with her good friend from our church where they worked together. They visited the dorms and campus on their own and then met me at the commons building. As we talked from the second floor balcony, they said to me, "Oh, Renee, we met the man you are going to marry! He wants to be a missionary in Africa and we can just see the two of you working there together." I was curious and asked who it was.... Just then Joel walked through the downstairs door. They said, "There he is!" My reply? "You have got to be kidding! He is loud and obnoxious, and he wears boots!" They both just smiled and said, "We will pray about it."

Just 3 mo. later we started dating, 9 mo. later we became engaged, and 6 mo. after that we were married. A farm boy who wore cowboy boots married a city girl who wore suede go go boots! It was a match literally made in Heaven and 41 years later we still rejoice in the prayers that brought us together. It was not part of God's plan for us that we go to Africa, but it was part of His plan that we spend our earthly lives together.
Oh, by the way, Joel still wears cowboy boots...but I gave up my suede boots a long time ago!

10 comments:

Pia said...

happy anniversary renee. you are truly blessed for having your husband with you all these years. i pray to God that i will too (He has got to fix us first).

i'm so happy for you renee. may God bless and keep you and your family. (((HUGS)))

Malva said...

Renee, congratulations to you on your anniversary. What a testimony of God's love and care! I praise Him with you.
Blessings,
Malva

Meli n Pat said...

Congratulations! It is truly not something to pass celebrating. God is funny sometimes, isn't He! Thank you for your faithfulness in your marriage.

Renee said...

Thank you Pia
I know God has plans for you for good. He is walking with you through every passageway.

Renee said...

Thanks Malva! It is a wonderful story of God's love.

Renee said...

Thats Meli and Pat!!!

Fliterary said...

Happy Anniversary, Renee! I love the story of how you met. Soooo sweet!

Patty said...

Happy Annivesary! Thank you for sharing your story. I am double blessed to see you posting today..

Blessings, Patty

Jan Lyn said...

Congratulations Renee, that is wonderful!

I have given you a "True Heart Award" over at my blog and you can come collect this little heart whenever you get a chance if you would like. You came to mind the first on my list.

Blessings to you and Joel.

Renee said...

Thank you...how nice Jan Lyn!