April 18, two days ago, Holly and I celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary. We went out to a nice dinner and then went for a beautiful walk along the lakefront in downtown Olympia. It may not seem like much to some, but for us, it was the first time we’ve been able to celebrate our anniversary in that way for many years. Less than a year ago, God healed Holly from extremely restrictive health problems that kept her from eating most foods, going for walks, and many other things. Our anniversaries for the past eight years were quite limited in their scope of activities. But this year, she has gained strength and energy and ability to eat, and it has truly been a delight, for both of us!

This past year held other significant areas of growth, along with challenges, but by God’s grace as a couple we are walking hand in hand with each other and our Savior, learning more about what it means to “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ,” (Eph. 5:21) and “love his wife as himself” and “respect her husband.” (Eph. 5:33) I am a blessed man to be on this journey with Holly Belz, to have three God-fearing, Christ-exalting children who reflect God’s grace, and to anticipate the future with deep assurance that He will bring to completion the work (our partnership in the Gospel) that He began in us (Phil. 1:6).