Happy Birthday, Samuel

Happy Birthday, Samuel,
Well, others in the family have beat me to writing you birthday wishes but I want to add my wishes with the rest. I woke up this morning remembering your birth day. That day ushered you into earth but only for a moment and then right into Heaven.

That was such a special day, Samuel. I have never felt that I was standing on such holy ground - not in church, not in my quiet time, not even in Jerusalem itself. That hospital room was literally full of the presence of the Lord. I kept looking so hard to see an angel. I thought maybe I could just get a little glimpse of one. I knew they were there to usher you to God's Throne. I never saw one that day but I saw so much more.

I saw God's faithfulness, His Presence, His pomise to walk with us through every valley. I saw these things in ways I had never seen them before. I saw these things take place right before me and I knew some things as well.

I knew you were safe, well, happy, and more alive than any of us. I knew you were in your forever home.

Four years have come and gone, Samuel. But you will always remain a special part of our lives until we get to meet you again in our forever home. Until then - Happy Birthday, sweet boy.

Sweet Blessings

We were able to be together. I am so incredibly thankful that everyone was well and we were able to have Christmas together.

As we sat around the living room and listened as Ryan read the Christmas story, I was moved to tears.(That doesn't happen often but when it does it is long, loud, and ugly.) Everyone started saying, "What's wrong?" I was moved by God's blessing of family-daughters, sons-in law, and precious grandchildren that Jack and I have been given.

I was also reminded of the Pakistani people who are living in tents because they have been uprooted from their homes and who faced persecution for attending Christmas services. They put worship over their own personal safety. As I sat in my warm home on Christmas, I felt so blessed but so burdened for the people of the world- people without Christ, people suffering for Christ, children without parents, children without food.

What can I do? Not a lots but what I can do I will. I can pray-God hears. I can give-God multiplies. I can go-God sends.

In 2010 I want to be living for the things that matter to the Lord. People matter to Jesus. That's why He came and died. I want to serve Him by serving others this year.