Our friends, Gail and Marilyn, whom I've written about in a former blog, will soon be rejoicing as they celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary. May 18th is the actual date, however they are planning a family gathering to share their gratitude to God with a week of festivities in July in Idaho, where they reside. They are opening their home and their hearts so that others can join them in thanking God, but also so that they can express their gratitude to their friends and family for supporting them with love, encouragement, prayers and faith throughout the years. Without that, they realize that they would never have made it to this historic moment.My Love and I have been blessed to know Gail and Marilyn these last five years. We met them through Reliv, but it was only a short time before our connections to them broadened into a believing and supportive faith community. Through their instrumentality, we were invited into, and joined a Leadership Bible study with another couple, Greg and Teri. That group has now expanded to include a fourth couple, John and Clar. For nearly four years now, we have joined together by phone on a conference call each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday morning for one half hour of Scripture sharing. What a gift and blessing this has been in our life, My Love and me.
Through this Bible study, I have come to appreciate the deep faith that Gail and Marilyn have shared over the many years of their life together. In trials and tribulations, joys and sorrows, ups and downs, they have ultimately found their strength and direction in their coupled faith lives and the support of the believing community. They are a true witness to the faithfulness and love of God who "works all things together for good" (Romans 8:28). Gail and Marilyn's support and prayers were especially key in our lives during the hurricane last year and the ensuing uprooting and moving to Iowa. We are very grateful to them and for them.
In tribute to their love and faithfulness to one another and to God who has blessed them, I am dedicating this blog to them. May those of you who read it find edification and encouragement through their witness. May you also be led to reflect on the way Gail and Marilyn have touched your life.
I invite those of you who know them, family, friends, neighbors, business associates, to go to the comment section of this blog (directions are in the left column) and add your own comments and reflections on Gail and Marilyn's impact in your life. Please also invite others to add their thoughts by referring them to this blog. As the time for the July celebration draws near, I will compile all the many (hopefully) comments for presentation to them.
"I am sure of this, that He who has begun this good work in you (Gail and Marilyn), will carry it through to completion right up to the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6).
We are Gail and Marilyn Koch and I noticed the date of May 9 which was our first wedding date, however Marilyn's Dad died on May 5 from leukemia radiation treatments so we had his funeral on that day. May 18 was selected so my two brothers could attend. We had a very small wedding but big enough for the commitment.......which is know 50 years. My little sister Cheri and Neil got married on May 9, 1970.
ReplyDeleteI have been reflecting on the above piece about us. The deeper issue here is COMMITMENT rather than Marriage. That word has become diluted with so many meanings. So my very important question to you is WHAT IS THE IMPORTANT INGREDIENT IN YOUR COMMITMENT TO EACH OTHER.....elaborate on that in your comment so we ALL can pass on that WISDOM OR IMPLEMENT YOUR WISDOM IN OUR OWN LIVES......
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing couple your are, Gail & Marilyn. We have always enjoyed your emails and letters and newsletters to keep us up to snuff on your family. God has Blessed you guys with each other and 50 years of marriage. We wish you a very HAPPY ANNIVERSARY and wish we could be there with you. BRIAN & ROSE ANN ROGERS
ReplyDeleteI have never known a more selfless and giving couple than Marilyn & Gail. They have become such dear friends; and I would never have met them if not for Reliv. Their 'commitment' to each other, their family, their friends and even strangers is a shining example to all who are fortunate enough to get to know them. I wish showers of blessings on their 50th celebrations!
ReplyDeleteXO Cookie
I have been priveledged to be a part of Gail and Marilyns's life for the past thirteen years. They are a shining example of faith, love and commitment in action. God has blessed my family so many times through Gail and Marilyn's hands, feet and voices. They must have a direct line of communication with Him and His Mother. I wish for them the love, joy and peace they so richly deserve. May they enjoy the fruits of their dedication and love for many years to come. With much love and graditude!! Joni Marie Klingelhutz Townsend
ReplyDeleteGail and Marilyn have been an inspiration and example of the power of what can be done when a couple has the same DREAM and direction. There is nothing on earth more powerful than a couple going in the same direction and they are proof. I am and will be grateful for the time we have been able to share at the Reliv gatherings. Carl and Ellie
ReplyDeleteYou both have been a blessing to me in my personal as well as my business life. I thank God daily for giving me the gift of your friendship. I will pray that God blesses your 50th anniversary and for many years to come.
ReplyDeleteLove you Gail & Marilyn
Like most we met Gail and Marilyn through Reliv. We've enjoyed the hospitality of their home. We've shared some great moments of laughter and Starbucks coffee together. We have noticed that as a couple they pour themselves into others lives truly with the desire to make a difference. Our greatest moments of time spent with Gail and Marilyn would be the weekly Bible study that we are involved in. The six of us that are involved in the Bible study are on a mission to change the world one life at a time. To show people the Hope that we have in Jesus Christ. I love the fact that Marilyn believes that God changes the Bible on her on a daily basis and Gail understands that he better not diagree with her. Gail and Marilyn you are true examples of people with servant hearts. May we all learn from your example.
ReplyDeleteGail and Marilyn,
ReplyDeleteCongratulation on this wonderful event. 50 years! Many blessing to you as you celebrate with family.
A word of advice for the next 50 years that came to me by way of an e-mail.
YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'T MOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THE DUCT TAPE.
Happy 50th Anniversary.
Angie Wingert
Happy anniversary Gail & Marilyn, I know you will have as great a time celebrating your special day as our family did on mom & dad's 50th several years ago. I will say a special prayer for you on the 18th. God bless you, Carol Windler
ReplyDeleteGAIL AND MARILYN,CONGRATULATIONS ON 50 YEARS OF MARRIAGE,YOU BOTH LOOK SO YOUNG !! YOU HAVE BEEN SUCH A BLESSING TO OUR FAMILY AND OUR CHILDREN STILL TALK ABOUR YOUR TRIP TO SIOUX FALLS.MAY THE LORD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOUR MARRIAGE AND YOUR FAMILY !! WE LOOK FORWARD TO MANY MORE YEARS KNOWING YOU !!! WE LOVE YOU !! SEE YOU SOON !!
ReplyDeleteGAIL AND MARILYN, CONGRATULATIONS ON 50 YEARS OF MARRIAGE; WE HAVE A LONG HISTORY--WE FIRST MET YOU AT A MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER IN OMAHA--THEN FOUND YOU AGAIN WHEN WE MOVED TO NORFOLK AND YOU BUILT OUR HOME--THEN GOT TOGETHER AS A FAITH SHARING GROUP--THEN WENT INTO BUSINESS TOGETHER--WHO WOULD BELIEVE THAT TWO WOMEN WOULD DRIVE TO OMAHA AND LOAD A TRUCK WITH A DANCE FLOOR AND THEN UNLOAD IT IN NORFOLK THUS THE START OF PAULYNS DANCE STUDIO--REMEMBER OUR FIRST DANCE CONCERT--THE NORTHEAST NE PLAYERS--AND THE NUTCRACKER PRODUCTION--THE BLESSINGS ON THE STUDIO FROM OUR SPECIAL FRIEND HANK SCHORN (RIP)--WE REMEMBER THE 25TH CELEBRATION--WE BOUGHT "RECITAL DRESSES" TO CELEBRATE THIS OCCASION--THE DAY CARE YOU PROVIDED FOR OUR ERIN WHEN THE SITTER MOVED OUT OF TOWN--OUR BIG TRIP TO VEGAS AND COMPETITION--AND HERE WE ARE 25 YEARS LATER AND THE STUDIO IS STILL GOING STRONG--DREAMS DO BECOME FULFILLMENT AND MAKE FOR MEMORIES THAT ARE LASTING--DID WE REALLY DO ALL THAT--AND KOCHIE DO YOU REMEMBER DOING THE BALLET IN YOUR TUTU WITH THE OTHER DADS? WE WISH FOR YOU MANY MORE YEARS AND SEND OUR LOVE TO BOTH OF YOU AND ALL YOUR FAMILY. YOU GO GUYS!!
ReplyDeleteGail & Marilyn,
ReplyDeleteYour two are so very precious to me and may not know the profound impact you had on me during a very difficutl time in my life. You took me under your wing in my early 20s when I was going through a challenging period in my life and seeking direction.
Gail, you invited me to work for you in your construction business in Norfolk even though I was all thumbs, not very good with a hammer or paint brush. Remember my first day on the job, spilling a gallon of paint on the roof! Good start. Thank you for gently teaching and mentoring me to that type of work and doing things well. I don't think anyone will ever forget you, Bobby and me wearing short to the sites. Real men can wear shorts after all and have a good time doing it too! What a site, what a team.
Marilyn, you introduced me to the other side of the coin, a more gentle endevor, your daycare business by allowing me to watch over your little loved ones. I'm not sure which job was more challenging! Both taught me much about life.
Both of you took me under your wings, invited me in to your family and let me break bread with you on many, many occassions. Your open dialouge and genuine love and respect for each other mentored me in how I would be in relationship with my spouse and kids later in my life. I can never thank you enough for helping me to grow into the man and person I am today.
Congratulations and blessings on these many years of your marriage! You have done it with grace. Praise be to God for all the good seeds you have planted along the path. Rick Fairbanks
Thank You, Gail and Marilyn, for the beautiful witness you are to all of us ... 50 years married! What an awesome gift to find a LOVE you know you can depend on and a partner to walk with through the years by cherishing one day at a time together.
ReplyDeleteIt has been five special years now that Ron and I have had the opportunity to travel this pathway with you and for us it has been a blessed one. To be able to share our faith and our everyday lived experiences on our daily faith sharing call has been a walk to remember to say the least. Thank you for sharing your journey with us, thank you for being the wind beneath our wings, pointing us in the direction of the Spirit when we have needed guidance. This life is rich when we have special people in our lives to truly share with...you are two of those special people in our life.
I believe that God blesses us with loved ones and desires that we care for and nourish one another as we grow in knowledge of what it truly means to love...to be for the other and to lead one another to the Spirit, deep within ourself. When we can comfortably embrace ourself, our spouse and one another, we can comfortably embrace our God who is the Giver of ALL GIFTS. Just think...the Best is Yet to Come!
May your love for one another continue to grow as you grow even closer together on your walk of life. May you always feel the Presence of God in your relationship and may you be blessed by others as you have so generously been blessing to so many of us. I love and appreciate you two and will always lift you to the Lord with a grateful heart. PEACE!
Mom and Dad's marriage is their legacy to our family. Growing up, conversations about commitment, God's Plan for Marriage, the intentionality of love wafted through the air in our home constantly. These lessons have stuck with me in my marriage. I remember the plaque on the wall: The best thing a man can do for his children is to love their mother. Mom and Dad have lived that out. We are so grateful for their example and proud of their having made it to this milestone. We are endeavoring to follow in their footsteps. --Nathan and Lori
ReplyDelete