Twenty-five years ago on August 8th at a chapel on Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi, two young people ages 20 and 19 were married. While life has not always been perfect, it has been one that is full of examples of faith, hope and love.
Mickey and I met when my dad took the interim pastor position at Freedom Baptist Church. My dad became the full time pastor the summer before our freshman year. Mickey and I were in the same homeroom class. However, sparks did not fly with us until our junior year of high school. The rest, as they say, is history.
First and foremost we are thankful to Jesus Christ and His ultimate example of mercy and grace. We are also thankful to our parents (Homer & Glenna Knipp and Charles & Garnet Jayne) for providing solid marriages as an example of love and commitment that spans decades.
Over the years, the Lord provided other specific people in our lives who influenced us. They may not have known it at the time, but we still reflect on certain events and even things we remember them saying that shaped the way we live our lives today. That shaped the way we have looked at marriage and raised our children.
We are thankful that before marriage, and at every duty station couples took us under their wing (whether that was their intention or not) and encouraged us along.
On the eve of our 25th wedding anniversary we will give tribute to you publicly via the blog world and say those two words that don't seem adequate enough to express how we feel about you, but here goes, "thank you!"
Scott and Rhonda: (Our youth leaders) You were around before there were many official "youth pastors". Your home was always open to us. Wise counsel and fun times could always be found at your home. You were also an excellent example of commitment. Turtle soup, a good pie crust, and orange crush still remind us of you.
Clarke and Judy: When we came to Nebraska, I (Mary Ann) didn't even know the difference between an officer and an enlisted troop. You guided us and gave us confidence. You also exemplified the importance of raising your kids in church even when they were little. I'll never forget Judy saying, "I don't want my kids to ever ask 'Are we going to church?'"
Bill and Jean : A family for us away from our own. Holidays and birthdays were always so much more fun with you in our lives. It has been a blessing to see you raise your kids and now a joy to watch you with your grandchildren.
Lin and Maribeth: Bondage Breaker, importance of doctrine, & sola scriptura. You were always an example of reaching out and inclusion. Our lives will never be the same because of you two and your fantastic children.
Melvin "Bishop" and Shirley: You knew us at two different points in our lives and were different things to us. Not only a pastor and wife, but friends or second parents as we lived so far away from our own parents. We were challenged and loved by you.
We hope we can be the kind of influence to others that you have been in our lives. May God's love continue to fill you-- as we know you are still blessing the lives of others. Thank you for your love and support.
Mickey and Mary Ann
