Colorado Springs, CO-- Valentine's Day is considered the most romantic day of the year. That's probably why, at least in the USA, ten percent of the 2.3 million couples who gets engaged each year, do so on Valentine's Day (Source: Diamond Information Center). Stats state 230,000 rings sold… no wonder the diamond industry is so interested!
But what does the future hold for those 230,000 starry-eyed lovers? The most cynical would point to the statistics that say that at least half of them will end up divorced, and those diamond rings will end up as just one more asset to fight over. What will it take, instead, for there to be a celebration of Christian marriage and lifelong fidelity by couples whose marriages have withstood the test of time?
The Christian Grandparenting Network believes that the greatest hope for the young people of today to replicate the lifetime marriages that were so common for their grandparents’
In honor of this past Valentine’s Day 2007 – and to lay the groundwork for Valentine’s Day 2057 – CGN will share these stories with the world on its website (www.christiangrandparenting.com)
Earl and Helen Harper just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary and when asked about the advice they would give their 16 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, they shared three words; honesty, trust and patience. “You see when you get married you make a promise that you will love and care for that person until death do you part! You do NOT break promises! You will not always agree, but with love and trust, guided by patience, you can work it out.”
Howard and Vangie Oliver, GrandCamp Director and CGN Board Member, who will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in June, say remembering the value of Please and Thank You and a willingness to make compromises are critical for a lasting marriage.
Gary and Elise Erickson have been married 39 years. Elise’s advice is to build your life and marriage on godly principles. She also states, “If you believe you can fall in love, you’ll believe you can fall out of love. Marriage is based on a life long commitment, not changing emotions.” Gary’s advice is to receive your mate as God’s gift to complete and complement you.
John and Connie Chapin will be attending their third GrandCamp this summer, traveling with their 5 grandchildren in their RV. They have been married 40 years and their advice is to keep Jesus at the center of your life and generously ask for and grant forgiveness.
Cavin and Diane Harper have been married 37 years and are the founders and program directors of GrandCamp. Cavin’s advice to those desiring to celebrate their 50th anniversary is that marriage is not about making us happy, but making us holy. Diane believes that seeing your spouse as Christ sees him will help you to love and forgive. “Remember all that God puts up with in you, yet He forgives you and continues to see you as precious.”
All of these words of wisdom will be taught, discussed and lived at Grand Camp 2007. Grand Camp is CGN’s premier ministry, bringing grandparents and grandchildren together to build, develop and nurture the special long-time bond and relationship that is God’s special gift to the generations. At Grand Camp, grandparents and their grandchildren relax and enjoy camping activities focused around bonding and mentoring – from white-water rafting to classroom activities, craft projects to family building exercises, and everything in between. This year’s Grand Camp has adapted a Wild West theme, with the motto “Cowboy Up!” – meaning, be tough in keeping your commitments—
Cavin Harper created ElderQuest Ministries (now called Christian Grandparenting Network) when his own parents and others expressed to him their own dissatisfaction with retirement. Rev. Harper realized that the role of idle retiree was not part of God’s intention for family elders and founded CGN in order to help grandparents reclaim their rightful role and place in the family.
