Anniversary Celebration

June 11 marked our 27th Anniversary. I am very much in love with my husband. But, there have been times when I didn't really like him. I loved him enough to stay with him and sacrifice with him and for him, but I didn't like him. That's what 27 years is all about...staying with the one you have committed to love even when you don't like him. I think of a specific time when he worked for an organization that took him out of the country a lot and away from home some weeks for 3-4 days a week while I stayed home with four young kids. He'd bring home the dirty laundry and we had to adjust to who was in charge of the household again every time he walked back in. It was all part of that season of our lives, but it wasn't enjoyable at times. I specifically remember thinking as I sorted the dirty laundry from his most recent trip, "If he'd just stay away, my life would be so much easier." At that moment I felt horrified and shocked that I had even thought it. I realized the danger that thought put our marriage in, and decided right then and there that I needed to get that way of thinking corrected. It just wasn't acceptable in the sight of the One who had brought us together! That was a turning point in our relationship, along with many other turning points throughout the years which both of us had, to allow our relationship to go deeper and become more unified with one another.

So, I think of the verse that says, "Rejoice in the wife of your youth"...and with artistic license, I can say, "Husband of my youth," (Proverbs 5:18). Then, there's also Ecclesiastes 9:9 with my artistic license: "Enjoy life with the man (woman) whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given to you under the sun, for this is your reward in life and in your toil in which you labored under the sun." Verse 10 is great, too, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might."

So, marriage isn't to be a "drag", yet it has been sometimes. We must work thoughtfully and creatively to make it a blessing. Yet, not we, but Him, who works mightily within us! I am happy to say that I'm madly in love with this guy that I get to spend life with!


So, how did we celebrate this past anniversary? Well, we started off with our usual three-hour language class which threatens to zap my energy. We always have a 10 minute break in the middle of our lesson. Kevin walked over to a bakery nearby and brought back a cake which said "Happiness" on it and the whole office stopped for a celebration! A little sugar perks one up in the middle of language lessons!
After lessons, we had a two hour training class. After that, we were energized by the absolutely gorgeous weather, and we decided to take a LONG walk! It ended up being a walk which took over two hours, an estimated six miles with several stops to gawk at different things. We found a Korean park memorializing a famous Korean man. This building structure was in the park and I have a close-up picture of some of the painted edges.










We also visited a Russian monument which we've been to before. Many students were there in their finest clothing. It's the Mongolian tradition to have your picture taken upon graduation at the Russian monument as well as Suhkbattar Square (about 4-6 blocks from our apartment) in your dressy clothing. We sat there and watched some of the students for awhile.

On our walk back home, we peeked into a French lingerie store, just to see what it was like. Interesting. For a mere $150, I could've bought French underwear. That's U.S. dollars! Crazy! I'm sticking with my Hanes!

Once we got back into the heart of town where we live, we decided, impromptu, to go to an Indian restaurant that's not far from our home. We had a delicious meal which seemed extra nourishing after our long hike. Were the flavors actually so wonderful, or were we just extremely hungry? In any case, it was really good stuff! Here's a picture with Kevin sitting at our table adorned with the good food and a background of the Taj Mahal on the window by our table making us feel like we just might be at a restaurant a few blocks away from the grand location!


It was a satisfying day. It was a satisfying year. Thank you, Apple Tree! Love, Lily (Song of Sol. 2:2-3)