Sunday, August 8, 2010

Of Life and Love

It was 35 years ago today, I had my first date with Brian. We didn't realize that night we were taking the first step towards a together-forever-life. Looking back, it was the first impressions of that night that caught me. He opened the car door for me, opened the door to the restaurant, put the sweetener in my iced tea, placed my order with the waitress, and was a perfect gentleman. Just a couple weeks later, we attended the same youth camp and I watched him as he prayed for those who desired a closer walk with the Lord. That sealed the deal for me. I realized he could have walked out of the tabernacle and joined friends at the snack bar but he made the choice to help someone in need.

This beginning was followed by four years of long-distance dating without the benefits of a phone or the Internet. It was handwritten letters sent by snail-mail across the ocean and a two or three minute call on Christmas. His letters to me were always splashed with his cologne and I knew from the wafting fragrance I had a letter in the mail even before I could see it. Sometimes, I pull a letter from a box and smile as I recall our young love.

With lots of miles from traveling around the world working in missions, pastoring, teaching, singing, and three children later, I pause to reminiscence. What a journey we have been on! It's been fun - it's been real - it's been somewhat crazy - it's been life and love.

8 comments:

  1. I remember when... I love you two very much.

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  2. Love you both. Intresting, ours began with Camp Meeting also, 19 years ago.

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  3. Lynette - Girl, do we ever have memories!!! LOL Love you dearly!

    Virginia - Camp Meeting is THE place. :)

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  4. Love this sweet post. Love you two dearly. Congratulations on your anniversary.

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  5. What a sweet column about growing rather than falling in love.

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  6. Virginia - yes, Camp Meeting is THE place. :)

    Sis. Buxton - thank you.

    Helen - you are correct. We definitely grew in love and, unfortunately, girth, too. LOL It has been a wonderful journey.

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  7. My congrats, Sis. Jana, on your 35 yrs! I'm writing also to find out WHEN you will be coming out w/another CD? Enjoyed so much the first one, have purchased (and am planning to purchase) more to use as witnessing tools, and continue to be impressed with the quality (both spiritual and physical--instrumentation, voice, etc.). Again, great meeting you at Promise Land in Fairfield. I know the Lord has brought you & your husband (and family) a "mighty long way." Thoughts/prayers from my mom & me. GOD BLESS! Tom Contino

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  8. Yes, to wonderful Camp Meetings! My husband asked me to marry him at the California Camp Meeting in Santa Cruz 43 years ago...he took me out to dinner one afternoon and "popped" the question. My mom and I were staying in one of those primitive cabins they had and she said I was "talking in tongues" off and on all night...I don't remember I was sleeping! We will have been married 43 years this coming December 24th. God sure knows best! Thank you for the memories.

    Blessings to you and yours and many, many more years together!

    Pam Childers (now in Tennessee)

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