Bill and Sara's 50th Anniversary Celebration

On October 19, 2008 my Sister, her family and I had a reception for my parents.

On a beautiful Oklahoma spring morning in 1958 Bill Earnhardt parked his car a few blocks from the Silvey building in downtown Tulsa and began to walk to work. Just ahead of him was a beautiful young woman whose walk caught Bill’s eye. He quickly caught up with her and the two began to talk. Come to find out Sara, worked where he did and lived just a few blocks from work. She told Bill he could park his car at her house and they could walk together. Neither of them knew just then that this walk would last over 50 years!

Bill asked Sara to go miniature golfing with him and they began to date. Sara was a Seventh-day Adventist Christian, and even though Bill had been brought up Baptist he had always thought the Seventh-day was still the Biblical Sabbath. Bill became a Seventh-day Adventist and on October 25, 1958 Bill and Sara were married in the Tulsa Seventh-day Adventist church school gym.

The following 50 years they have dedicated themselves to the church, with one or the other and sometimes both serving in every church office, at one time or another. They have strived in their church and family life to always put others first, not just for the moment or the day but for 50 years! What I have seen in my parents is that love is much more than just an emotion but a principle-others first. I have seen both my parents sacrificing their own welfare for the other. Again not for a moment or day but for 50 years. They have sacrificed their own wealth, time and resources for the other and for their children. Like all other families, there have been in our family misunderstandings and arguments and times when the emotions were not as strong. But through it all one principle has endured for 50 years-self sacrifice and the principle of others first.

However while many say love is a principle and not an emotion I have seen that it is both. I have seen more than just self-sacrifice but also the rewards that it brings. Growing up we have always enjoyed having family worship together. I believe this more than anything is why I am a Christian today. I have fond memories of vacations with my parents. By the time I was in High School I had been to every state except the New England states and to Canada and Mexico. We love going to ballgames together or just staying home and watching TV or playing a game.

My Mother was always active in our school life, going with us on field trips and class trips and even teaching as a substitute. My Dad was involved in our Pathfinders and coached my little league baseball team. My parents have always made church and God and family first. When my Dad was off work they were always doing treasure work for the church or would be busy on some other church project. In my years of ministry as a lay-pastor and Bible Worker there is no one I admire more than my parents for their integrity, dedication and passion. Through the years people have repeatedly asked me why I don’t just go on and become a “real” pastor, but I look at my parents and my ambition is not to have the label of pastor as much as it is to have the same reputation as my parents who are hard working, honest and devoted. I don’t compare myself to other pastors and Bible Workers. I idolize my parents and want to be like them. My parents accomplished so much not by having the label of pastor or any other label but just by dedicating their lives to Christ and His church at their own expense even as Christ gave Himself for my parents and the church at His own expense. Labels are cheap. I love and admire my parents not for their labels but for their legacy! I know their legacy continues in the life of their daughter and grand children. I pray it will one day be seen in me too.   Please enjoy the pictures of our celebration!

Here is a video of Dane entertaining us as he was working with us.

Here is a video of Katie, Hannah and Dane singing for my parents.

Here is a video of my cousin Eva and mom singing while we were all visiting.

My sister did a great job of organizing and preparing this festive occasion which was held at the same school my parents were married in Tulsa.

Picture time with my favoritest Hannah ever!

My niece Hannah, also put a lot of work into this celebration. She and her sister katie and Katie's boyfriend Dane spent all weekend making this a memorable event to remember.

Bob and Donna have been great friends for so many years to both me and my family. Bob and Donna helped us serve punch today. Like my parents, Bob and Donna are always busy helping people. I admire them for that and have often contemplated being helpful myself.

Katie, Hannah and Dane were working from early morning to late at night smiling the whole time!

Its always wonderful to have both family and friends together. After all family and friends are the substance of our lives.

I have always loved my niece Katie more than words can describe but now that she has met this really cool guy Dane, I love her even more! Dane is the nephew I never had but always wanted.

Fifty years later they still love to eat cake.

My brother in law Steve did a remarkable job of putting together a photo presentation. He is such a cool brother in law. We are bonded by our love for the Miami Dolphins. Oh and we both love my sister too!

It had been fifty years since they had practiced this but they were naturals!

My parents have always been hard workers so in their honor I worked hard for a couple of minutes.......Not really! That was just for the picture.

Family picture with my grandmother who turns 99 next month!

Everything was set up just right.

More Family!

The lemon cake was from Merrits bakery in Tulsa. It was delicous!

My sister Kathy and me. We are always talking on the phone or e-mailing each other and when we get together its like we've never been apart.

My parents showed up at the church just as beautiful and handsome as they did 50 years ago.

Clayton Calvert has been a longtime family friend. His son Clay was in my sister's class and his son Kelly was in my class.

My mother loves yellow roses and so my Dad wore one today.

My Mother and her sister Mary having a good time together enjoying the music.

Both my mother and sister are so beautiful. (My mom is on the left and sister on the right.)

Family photograph. When I woke up at six AM Sunday morning to get ready for the party, I thought if my parents had never met we could all sleep in today. Then it hit me if my parents had never met we would not even be here. Well Steve and Dane would still be here but they would not be having near as much fun and would have been wondering aimlessly around Tulsa wondering why they were there.

Picture time with my parents.

My beautiful and talented niece Hannah just spent some time this summer in Peru on a mission trip. She loves people and is always striving to help others and make them happy. Whenever I grow up I want to be like Hannah. Well without the dress maybe.

Now we're sitting down!! How cool is that?!

Many times I have tried to tell about God's love in a 20 or 30 minute sermon, but 20 or 30 minutes cant do it justice. Thank you mom and Dad for showing us God's love by example, day in and day out for 50 years! We all love you!!!

My sister Kathy visiting with my Dad's sister Joyce and her husband Joe.

Picture time with my favoritest Katie and Dane ever!