It's My Birthday...It's My Birthday...

Fifty-one years ago--so long that I can barely remember--I was brought into this world, kicking and screaming! Things have gotten progressively better since that time. I think I am getting the hang of this "living" thing. I have lived through two parents, three siblings, twenty years of schooling (a slow learner, apparently), one marriage (The good news: we've been happily married for 22 years! The bad news: we've been married for 26 years!), four daughters, one son, one son-in-law, and three churches.

Not too bad, all in all.

I have been blessed beyond all measure. Not only do I have a family that tolerates me; they act like they actually love me! They even tell me so every day. Whether they are blind or merely good liars, I don't know, but I like it. It would be hard to have more wholesome pride in a family than I do in mine. Those of you who know me and my family know that this is not bluster--it's the absolute truth.

I am thankful to God for His many blessings. Besides the family, I have a church community who loves me and supports me. They are truly to me a community of faith, hope, and love. I have loads of wonderful friends and family members, many of whom have called or sent cards or emails to me today. A group of elderly gentlemen from our church took me to breakfast; one of my best friends from college days took me to the Varsity for lunch and even bought me a fried apple pie to make up for the lack of cake. My family is going to see the Braves on Thursday night.

Like everyone, I have periods of discouragement from time to time. There are some circumstances of life I would like to see improved. But I truthfully have to laugh at myself when I try to have too long a pity party, for I know deep down in my heart that I have been incredibly blessed.

Thanks, God. Thanks, family. Thanks, friends. Thanks, church. I am so rich because you have given me the treasures of your lives!

Catching Up...

Wow! It's been about three months since my last entry. Time really flies, especially in the summer. We have had a busy time with a mission trip to New York state, the normal special summer activities in the church, and I also went on a two week study break.

The break was particularly helpful. Some friends offered me the use of a house in the Chattahoochee River in north Georgia, and I had a wonderful time of study and solitude--there was no television there! (I had to drive 15 miles to get internet, so I only did that a couple of times, too.)

It was a time for refocusing, prayer, and study, and I certainly came back refreshed! I even lost a little weight, that having to do mostly with having to prepare my own meals most of the time!

I hope to get back in the habit of sharing a few thoughts now and then; I will try to share a bit more about my study break soon.

God bless!