“Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:”
Proverbs 31:28 NKJV
Dear Wife,
Ten years ago today, at 24, we married, standing on the beach in Destin, Florida. Cristal L. Brister, we were young and in love with one another and the Lord. We weren’t sure what life would bring, but we knew that we could face it together no matter what came. When we first got married, we dreamed of serving our community. Living in the Mission House (the house owned by the amazing missionary named Ahmad, who had a heart for the gospel to be lived out and proclaimed in Fairfield, Alabama), we opened our hearts and home to others in need. During that time, we wanted to serve others and each other. From prayer and worship nights to creating a space for married couples to hang out and build community with other married couples Ministering to and building deep friendships with our neighbors! Who can forget the bi-monthly discipleship group we hosted?
From there to our little home you found for us in Irondale, AL. We rejoiced when we found a place where we could just be and focus on our little fledgling family. I can still remember how excited you were after having an opportunity to view the house and how we prayed that the Lord would make a way for us to move into that quaint home in an eclectic neighborhood. As the Lord tends to do, He made a way, and we got the house after 300 hits in less than 24 hours. We spent years in that house cultivating our family, starting businesses, starting a church, and feeling the painful sting of life. We learned that life brings both beauty and brokenness. We experienced the trials that come with living, but we also learned that love is the greatest force in the universe. We learned to love one another and how to apply the truth of the scripture to our marriage.
Now we live in the house that you prayed for on the East side. You used to talk about this large house with all these rooms for different things, and I used to question it. You would always say, “Oh, you of little faith.” God blessed us with exactly What you prayed for. A big place to host people and spread out.
I love your BIG heart for the Lord and others! I love how you love us. I love how you made a home for us! Here is to 10 more years!
Happy Anniversary!
Love,
Husband
(Danny Lee Brister, Jr.)
Forever & Ever