This is my Aunt Diane, one of my dad's 4 sisters (pictured here with my Grandma Benzing who passed away in December). She is the 3rd of 9 children, mother of 3, and grandmother of 12. Can you tell why I thought she looked like a movie star when I was a little girl? I always thought my glamorous aunt looked like Jackie Kennedy or Annette Funicello. She certainly has the poise and grace to match her spunk. Aunt Diane has the aptitude to make everyday life enjoyable -- reading on her deck, playing with the grandkids, or laughing hysterically over old Facebook pictures. "Celebrate life" she says, "Just like my mom did." 
Diane has been married for 44 years to Bob Adrian. I just love this picture of her walking down the isle with my Grandpa. She fell in love with a man who has a pastor's heart, and so in her marriage, she has also been a ministry partner for 44 years. Since that is what I am training for right now, I asked her to share something to encourage young women whose husbands are in ministry. Here is what she said:"I have been fortunate in all the churches we have served in that they have let me be who I am and serve where my heart is. Even though I do not play the piano, which is necessary in some churches for a pastor's wife, I have found other places to serve. My first responsibility is to my God, then my husband and children. The success in ministry is found the the changed lives of people who sit under our teaching & ministries-ESPECIALLY THOSE IN OUR OWN HOME."
I know Aunt Diane has tasted the fruit of years of ministry, both to those in her own home as well as in her church. When I asked her how she sees herself growing in godliness and love for the Savior, she wisely answered "Growing up in a Christian home or even being a Pastor's wife helps but does not assure one o
f this personal relationship with God." I appreciate her humility and teachable spirit -- she realized the importance of watching her walk in her 40's, and has enjoyed the journey of growing ever since. In addition to Bible studies at church, she also leads a small group of women who are giving themselves to prayer.I'm so thankful for my Aunt Diane who is beautiful both inside and out!
12 comments:
It is such a blessing to have a family that loves the Lord, prays for you and has set an example of seeking the Lord. I am so happy that you are part of such a family!
Christen
Gretchen,
Thank you for putting the picture you did of me and my Mom-it is one of my favorites. "In the pink" How I miss her. Also for the picture of me and my first grandchild, Joshua.
Beautiful post, Gretchen. Hey, if you have time, I tagged you in my post today. ;)
Bren
What a neat post Gret. Love those pics of days gone by.
YES YES YES YES YES!!!!!!!! I was hoping that Aunt Diane would be your next post! :) She's everything I love about Dad and our family...but a girl! So gorgeous...I was trying to glance through at SOME of the pictures and they are just great....Thank you especially Aunt Diane for carrying on our Godly heritage
p.s. that was Anna..oops!
Very nice post, Gretchen. Mom was very flattered you chose her.
It is a precious thing to have Godly siblings with whom you can share both temporal happiness and eternal joy! Diane ia sister like that....DAD
I LOVE this post about your aunt!!!
(By the way, I started Each Little Bird That Sings last night...yes, delayed, considering you gave it to me a YEAR ago, but I seriously can't put it down now!)
Aunt Dianne I love you! You also Gretchen, Anna, Rebecca and any other family reading. Thank you Gretchen for these posts and for your devotion to God and others; you are a blessing!
Aunt Diane, You are GORGEOUS in that last picture with my little second cousin. :) I couldn't skip out on that one of you! I also love the one of you and Grandma.
Rebecca -- thanks for telling me!
Dad -- what a kind and wonderful thing to say about your sister.
Grace -- I know, isn't it so good??
Elise -- AW! I just love you, too!
Gretchen, your "little" second cousin towers over us these days!!!!
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