Anniversary

It’s a long way from the front bench of Grace Mennonite Church, Halstead, Kansas, to an apartment in NYC.  Saying, “I do,” meant going with Laurence to Grandview, Idaho, a place I’d never been. I didn’t know the desert or mountains, how it would be to live in a small, old double wide, and to worship with only a few families. But I was young and in love. The flowers I planted bloomed profusely. I enjoyed long walks in the desert and mountain hikes with Laurence.

Then came Georgia with its heat, humidity, and hospitality. That strange place soon felt like home.  Here, we lived in a new single wide trailer amongst pecan trees. One day, God spoke clearly (after the Minister asked) when I was sitting on the entrance steps. He said He wanted us in NYC. That was 37 years ago.

Today, this once foreign place is home more than any other. Our small apartment is enough. These streets, stores, parks, trains, busses, playgrounds, and restaurants are familiar to us. We enjoy the ethnic diversity, understand a little bit of different cultures, and make our living here. Sugar Hill Mennonite Mission is here. God is here.

I did not know when I said, “I do,” 43 years ago today that we’d never have children, spend many years in NYC, have friends across the conference, or that I’d be writing this blog.  It’s good, I didn’t know.

God knew.  From the plains of Kansas to the skyscrapers of NYC, Laurence and I have had a wonderful life.

Berniece