Has it really been a year for us?
Sitting here looking out the window on this rainy June morning in Washington, it is hard to believe that it was more than a year ago now, on another rainy morning in another state, that I became his wife. And what a year it has been!
Finishing our little home, riding in the tractor together while he baled hay, finding a church family, an explosion and a broken leg, spending lots of time at work together, crutches and a cane, finally being able to hold hands again when we went shopping, trying to surprise each other for our birthdays, elk hunting in the rain and snow with my dad, much to be thankful for on Thanksgiving, visits to Oregon, coming back home to our home, our first Christmas together, more trips together, celebrating Valentine’s Day as husband and wife, watching my husband’s carpentry skills up-close with more building projects, then planting and weeding in the garden together, watching as my farmer prepared the fields, celebrating our very first anniversary with family and friends on Memorial Day weekend, and trying to figure out how we can see enough of each other this summer without breaking another leg.
Yes, it’s been quite the year. But God has been so good to us.
We little knew, as we stood there in front of the church, holding hands, singing “Great is Thy Faithfulness” with everyone else, how well we would learn the truths of that song in our first months of marriage. We thought He had proved His faithfulness over and over again throughout our 10-year friendship. But we learned He is never through showing us His faithfulness. “A peace that endureth” through surgeries and hospital waiting rooms. “All I have needed Thy hand hath provided” as He took care of all the hospital bills and extra expenses through our friends and other believers in Samaritan Ministries.
“Strength for today” to care for my husband and all the household chores. “Morning by morning new mercies I see” as we unwrapped the bandages each day and saw the miracle of how God created our bodies to heal. “Bright hope for tomorrow” as we found out that the Lord is sending us a little one in December to train up in the way it should go–yes, “blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside.”
We “join with all nature in manifold witness, to His great faithfulness, mercy and love”…
Congratulations! I have been praying that you would have a child. That is sucha huge blessing! My family and I will be praying for all three of you.
Raylene
Congratulations! I have been praying that you would have a child. That is sucha huge blessing! My family and I will be praying for all three of you.
Raylene
Congratulations! I have been praying that you would have a child. That is sucha huge blessing! My family and I will be praying for all three of you.
Raylene
Congratulations on your first anniversary! It is amazing what a year can hold?!
Finally I can say congratulations to you both on your coming blessing! (Found out through the grapevine. . . your cousin, Abbie and then her friend who is also
my friend!) Rejoicing with you! ~Jaclynn
Aw…congrats! 🙂 I’m so happy for you both. God is so good!
Happy first anniversary, and how exciting that you are expecting! Congratulations!
How wonderful! What thrilling news! God’s blessings on the three of you!
L
Congratulations, Gretchen!! What an exciting season!
God bless the three of you! 🙂
In Him,
Laura
Congratulations, Gretchen & Merritt! What awesome and exciting news!!! Debbie
Yayness! 😀
I can’t express how happy I am for you! Know my heart is rejoicing and praying for you. I have been truly blessed by ya’ll’s wonderful writing and now this! How wonderful! Tears came to my eyes when I read the sentence. And such beautiful pictures.
Love,
Rachelle
Congratulations, Gretchen!!!!! =D
I am so glad. On all counts of God’s faithfulness! 🙂
So glad for you 2 … 🙂
love from Veerle
Congratulations Gretchen…that is SO exciting!! 🙂
Congrats on the little one…I will be praying for you!
Liz (long-time reader)
Dear Gretchen,
Hello, and congratulations on your sweet little blessing! I have “known” Natalie through her writings in Hope Chest Magazine for about eight year now, and have been a faithful fan of your blog for about six months.
Thank you so much for the daily encouragement you and the others bloggers are to the rest of us via the web! May God continue to bless you!
CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So thrilled for you both! God is so good !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jodi
(and CONGRATULATIONS on the precious little one ;))
Happy Anniversary!!! God is so good!
I’ve been waiting for this announcement. 🙂 (not actually knowing it was coming, but hoping y’all would be blessed with little ones :-)) Congrats- so very thrilled for you!!!!!!
~Brianna
Gretchen and Merritt—
May God bless you over and over. I thank Him that He has shown Himself so clearly and been such an everpresent God to you both. Many, MANY congratulations on the news of your baby. I’m so happy that I shrieked when I read your post! 🙂
Congratulations many times over!! I was also wondering when we’d get such an announcement from you. 🙂 The Lord has surely blessed you!
Congratulations!!!! I’m so excited for you!!! 😀
How exciting! I was wondering if you would be expecting anytime soon. =)
Congratulations on the baby news! 🙂
Congratulations Gretchen and Merritt!! I am rejoicing with you on this newest blessing!!
— Vanessa
Congrats!!
Oh Gretchen!
Congratulations!
What an amazing year you’ve had…and yes…God is so faithful.
Congratulations again!
Thanks for sharing about your first year together. You slipped in the most exciting news in the very end. I almost didn’t notice, I got to the end of the sentence and then had to read it again. I am overjoyed for you both! Praise God.
Once you have this little you will find your marriage will be even more special. Your love with grow for each other as you take on the blessings of being a parent.
Wishing you much wisdom in this new era of your life.
Danica Tyler
Proud mama to Seth
Gretchen,
It has been a delight over the past year to read how God has moved in your lives. The time has gone by quickly, but God revealing His glory through your part of the journey has remained constant. Thank you for allowing us to share in your sorrows and joys. Blessings to you and Merrit as you venture into parenthood. God is good!
~ Jenna
*squeals* I’m so happy for you both!
Congratulations! 😀
Oh Gretchen, how wonderful! CONGRATULATIONS to both you and Merritt! I’ll be praying for you and your coming little one…
Congratulations, Gretchen and Merritt!! I am so happy for you.
Your (distant) cousin in Idaho,
Stephanie Hoffpauir
Yayyy!!! That’s WONDERFUL news!! Congratulations!
Love,
Jacqui
(a long-time lurker)