21 years ago today I stood in a beautiful dress, in a sun-filled sanctuary, with many happy faces watching – facing the man I knew God had chosen for me. We confidently and happily vowed faithfulness and love to one another and as a couple, to God. We walked out of that room as husband and wife. It was a beautiful, sunny April day. Surrounded by many friends and family members, we celebrated what God had given us.
There have been lots of joyful times along the way. Lots of good memories. Lots of laughter and blessings. There have also been lots of challenges, troubles, obstacles, and “opportunities for growth” individually and as a couple.
Before we were married, John felt a call from God to serve full-time in ministry. As we made our way through the years of seminary, working extra jobs, raising 3 little girls, barely making it by, and then starting our first pastorate in New Mexico, I realized God was calling me too. He called me to stand beside John, to serve alongside Him, to use my gifts to enhance whatever John was doing. I don’t feel like it was an accident – it was on purpose. The call to be a pastor’s wife is real – it’s not just a role you accidentally fall into.
We’ve faced a lot together and I know there will be more in the future that requires us to pull together rather than apart, to lean on each other and on God, to pray, to wait, to be there for each other. All of the fearful times, the sad times, the disappointing and discouraging times, dumb decisions and better ones, misunderstandings and making up times, waiting and trusting times have deepened our love for each other and strengthened us. I wouldn’t want to face it with anyone else. I’m so glad God gave me John.
So here’s to 21 years, Honey, and to many more.
I was privileged to walk in the Komen Race for the Cure this past Saturday with one of my daughters and four friends. What a great day! Here are some things I loved about that day:
I love the contagious sense of excitement as we made our way through the course set out for us. At one point someone started the wave way up front and it traveled all the way through the throng to the back as we all shouted and cheered.
Last week I got to fly and see my sister in Phoenix for free! Free doesn’t always mean easy or super convenient however. It was totally worth it, but the trip home was arduous, boring, frustrating, and long. My sis and I looked at the flights on the Internet and saw they were all full, however sometimes people sleep through their alarms or miss flights so there’s hope of getting on as a standby, especially if you’re early to the gate. It’s spring break and there were teens, kids, families, and college kids everywhere. I signed in and didn’t get on, I went to the next gate for the next flight and didn’t get on, I walked quickly to the next gate and signed in but it looked bleak so I left and went to the 4th gate/flight and signed in. I sat for a moment eating my cinnamon roll (hey, might as well eat something yummy while I wait right?). I thought I’d better visit the restroom before it got too close to boarding time but when in the restroom heard my name over the loud speaker, “Michele Klotz come to gate C4 to board your flight.” That was the 3rd flight I thought I missed! And it’s clear on the other end of this concourse!! I grabbed my two bags and big diet coke and started all-out sprinting, down the moving sidewalks, past slow-movers and standers, “excuse me, pardon me” I said breathlessly while silently praying God would help me not collapse before I got there. I made it, and presented my boarding pass while grasping the counter and bending over – my heart pounding. “I’m on a flight!” I thought as I happily made my way to a seat between two large people. When you fly standby and are the last on full flights, you get the squished-in the-middle seats. “That’s okay” I thought, “at least I’m outta here.” The flight was smooth and uneventful. As I walked out of the jet way into the airport I looked up at the departure signs for some idea of where to race next and try for a flight. Uh oh. 
Time away with my sister and her family, in sunny Arizona, was like the wonderful rush of “ahhhh” after a strenuous workout, when the endorphins kick in.
There was much conversation and diet coke (of course!), much laughter, watching movies, sitting in the sun, walking through beautifully manicured, landscaped southwestern neighborhoods with cactus and brilliant fuchsia bougainvillea vines growing everywhere, shopping at 
Ikea for the first time, tutoring my sis on facebook, driving around town in the little pick-up truck with my nephew Curtis, playing with their two sweet doggies, singing at the piano and visiting with my older nephew TJ, playing guitar hero, holding the snake, Vinnie (!) and just plain ol’ heart-warming love.
I sat down at the piano to play a little the afternoon he was home with us and he came into the room. He started singing a praise song I was playing, so I sang, too. 
Yesterday afternoon I hopped into our gold mini-van with my three daughters and two of their friends. We headed happily down the road toward Ft. Wayne to see “Winter Jam” an annual concert event with 5-6 great Christian bands and a speaker. My girls and I have probably been to 4-5 Winter Jams in the past few years and love it every time. We had been looking forward to it for several months.
At least it was sunny out, even though still chilly. We waited, walked a few steps, waited some more, hoped and hoped as we got closer that before long the line would really start moving and we’d be finding our way to some seats and an awesome evening of music, shouting, standing and clapping, and fun.
A guy came out and started walking from the back of the line up toward where we stood. We heard him telling people something as he walked along. As he got closer we heard him talking about an extra music appearance at a local church following the concert and then he turned to us and said, “You’re not getting in. Sold out show.” After a moment of shock and disbelief, the line started breaking up as the people around us began to wander back to their cars, vans and church buses. We stood there for a moment looking at each other – “What?!” “No way!” 
Along the Narrow Path 