The Beginning Of All That Life Is Today

20 years ago today, I came home from work planning on spending the evening at dinner and a movie with some friends from work. It was a Friday. Shortly after I got home, I received a completely unexpected phone call from Jody Bowser. Jody was the new youth pastor at the church I was attending. I had spent some time talking with Jody during previous months after my sister had introduced us in September. At the time he was finishing up seminary in Pasadena, but moved to Visalia in January to be the youth pastor. So, I answered the phone and Jody was on the other end. He asked," Would you like to go out with me tonight, tomorrow night or both? Tonight I am going to a high school basketball game and tomorrow night I am going to a high school play." Of course I had instant amnesia about my plans with my friends (I knew they would understand) and said, "I would love to go with you both nights". Two high school events - who could pass that up? I certainly couldn't if it meant being with Jody! Jody came by a few hours later wearing white pants and a white and yellow striped sweater. He looked fabulous in an 80's sort-of way. We spent the evening at the basketball game and then we went to see the movie Beaches. I don't remember anything about that movie! :) I was just so excited to be sitting next to Jody. By our date the next night, I knew that I had met the man I was going to marry. This was completely confirmed after Jody asked me on our date that night if I had ever thought of being a pastor's wife. How fun it was to tell him that I had felt that God had been preparing me since I was a teenager to be a pastor's wife.

So 1989 was the beginning of all that life is today. Our first date was on January 27, Jody asked my father for permission to marry me on March 11, we were engaged on May 25, and married on December 23. What a year!

Jody, thanks for calling me 20 years ago this afternoon so we could begin this incredible journey together! I love you!