One of the bright spots I can count on every December is Ivan’s birthday! I’m so grateful we’ve gotten to celebrate quite a few together at this point. He asked me to start praying about dating the day before his 21st birthday, and today he turns 33! If the Lord is pleased to grant us both continued health and safety, then we have many more to look forward to together.

It’s been such a privilege walking alongside Ivan throughout our twenties and now into our thirties. Early in our marriage, almost all of his time and energy was devoted to caring for my physical health, but as God has graciously removed some of those burdens, it’s been exciting to see him growing in areas that were put on hold, or he hadn’t yet explored. This past year, I’ve been grateful to see him grow in leading worship (he’s always been a gifted pianist, but developing in leadership is exciting), as well as joining me in prayer ministry and interceding for others. I’m so grateful that God in His perfect wisdom chose us to journey through life together, and I can’t wait to see how He will continue to work in Ivan’s life in the coming years.

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

– Phil. 1:9-11