A SPECIAL HONEYMOON

I had somehow heard about the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. It was advertised as the "good life". I had enough money for reserving two nights at $50 a night I remember. Then we moved to a less expensive motel. We were like two kids on an adventure. This was different life then we knew. An attendant in a tux met us at the front and took our car. I had reserved a honeymoon suite and it was nice. Why did they turn our bed down? They rolled a table in with a linen tablecloth for our breakfast. We noticed that not many of the guests seemed that happy but we certainly were. To us this was the beginning of the "good life". It was worlds of difference from the two room apartment over a garage in Emporia, KS that we rented for $60 for six weeks for some summer school classes after our honeymoon. The place really didn't matter. We were just so happy to be married.

GOING THE DISTANCE

As Mary and I headed toward Colorado after the wedding, I could not help but weep. God had done a special thing in bringing us together. As I looked toward the future now, with the wife that I had prayed for, I was very sobered with the life set before us.

I am writing this 42 years later after just finishing one of our "Camp Gramma(s)" with 21 of our 23 grandchildren. It was a wonderful time with these special children.

I keep the pictures of our growing family through the years on the wall where I counsel those struggling with problems - some who cannot see going on in their marriage. It is a pictorial message to the value of going the distance. Trials come, Satan will do all he can to destroy, the way ahead at times may look hopeless, but God has such blessing for those who will go the distance. Mary and I have been so blessed of God with our children, their marriages, and their children. What a special heritage. I pray for those who will face difficult times and will be tempted to quit. I speak to you down through the years, IT IS ALWAYS TOO SOON TO QUIT! May God help you go the distance.