25 Years with the man that has my heart !!!

I can't believe we have been married 25 years! It all started 24 years ago, at the age of 17, praying for a little excitement in my life. It was my senior year of high school... tired of school and just living a mundane life, I one day asked God to please put a little excitement into my life. Be careful what you pray for...you just might get it! Within a few weeks I committed to go on a short term mission trip to England and Scotland. A month later God begin softening my heart towards my now husband ....who was leading a singles Bible study at my parents home and doing some remodeling for them. It didn't take long for God to do a mighty work on both our hearts...despite our age difference of 9 years...we fell in love and began courting. Two months later we became engaged. A few weeks later I graduated. Three weeks later I left for Scotland...that was the longest trip but God did a mighty work in me.Two months later I returned home and five weeks later I became Mrs. Kelley Holcombe Jr. :

April we officially began courting... May 1984 I became engaged to the man of my dreams...Early June I graduated from high school...Late June I left for Scotland,not to return home until August...August I return home....September 15, on my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary, I married my dear sweet husband. It's amazing what 6 months and 1 small prayer does to change one's life. God is always faithful, He goes above and beyond all our hopes and dreams.

Twenty-five years, 9 kids, many many moves(5 states), tears of laughter (yes I cry when I laugh), tears of sorrow....we remain committed to the One who brought us together and to each other. I can't say it has always been easy...but we have always tried to laugh through some of the most stressful and even the most happiest times of our marriage.

Our most memorable anniversaries have been the ones we were so broke we split a whopper or the one where Kelley had to go out of town because of a hurricane. Some would see these times as too much to take...but we took those times and made lemonade!

Our biggest challenge has always been finding quiet alone time together...nine kids may have something to do with that! Sometimes going to the grocery store is all we can manage...we like to meet at the milk counter! Our older kids have been very gracious to watch the younger ones for us when we can manage a real date night. They have even been known to offer to watch the kids if we wanted to go out. What a blessing each of them are! The best gift we could ever give our children is for us to love each other and nurture our relationship.

Well the thought has crossed my mind to ask God once again for excitement... not that I'm bored...maybe I should just be content. However I know from a perfect experience that when God does something exciting He really goes all out! I would hate to miss an all out God experience!

To the man who has my heart.....

Kelley you have gone above all my hopes and dreams in what I wanted in a husband. You have given me love when I really didn't deserve it. You have given me courage when I was so afraid I couldn't see the way...You have helped me to trust in what my eyes could not see. You have filled my life with laughter, love, trust, children(he!he!), and above all you have helped me to follow Jesus! What a patient man you are. Words cannot express my love and gratitude that I have for you. God knows me so well and He knew what I needed when He made you. Thanks for waiting for me(to grow up). I can't wait to experience the next 25 years with you...who knows?...It may start off just as exciting as the first 25 years! As long as you always hold my hand....I will be the happiest woman!

I love you....and YES I would marry you all over again!

Karen