Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,”

declares the Lord,

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.”

1 Timothy 4:12

“Don’t let anyone look down on you

because you are young,

but set an example for the believers in speech,

in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

My son will be 23 years-old on Labor Day!

We celebrated his Birthday today…

Because he’ll be away for his Birthday weekend…

That’s what happens when they grow up…

They do things independently of their parents!!

Happy Birthday, Casey!

We love you!

All God’s Blessings!

How did those years go by soooo fast?!?!

You’re an amazing gift from God to us!!

Here’s my prayer for you!!

That you will build your life…

And future home of your own…

On the strong foundation of Jesus Christ!

So you can lead!

Isaiah 54:13

“All your children will be taught by the Lord,   

and great will be their peace.” 

2 Timothy 3:14-15

“But as for you,

continue in what you have learned

and have become convinced of,

because you know those from whom you learned it, 

and how from infancy

you have known the Holy Scriptures,

which are able to make you wise for salvation

through faith in Christ Jesus.”

Here’s a link to Holley Gerth’s blog post today:

http://holleygerth.com/when-god-changes-your-plans-an-infertility-update/

Please read it…

Be prepared to cry and rejoice!!

Here’s my comment to her:

Holley, I read this post this morning…

As we were getting ready to celebrate my son’s 23rd Birthday…

We did the 10-year “infertility roller-coaster” years ago to have him…

I had him when I was 41…

He’s the light of our lives…

And our gift from God!

There was a point where we came to the same moment you and your husband came to…

We were only going to be able to afford one more round of in-vitro…

and my very blunt Mom said to me,

“Maybe it’s not God’s will for you to have a child!”

That shocked me…

I stopped in my tracks thinking about it!!

Then, I knew I believed that it WAS God’s will for me to have a child!

We had a miscarriage before my son,

Lost the other two embryos that were transferred with him,

And had a miscarriage after him!!

Though I wanted all those babies we lost,

I know I’ll see them in Heaven!

Now I direct a Drama Team at church,

And I’m “Drama Mama” to so many kids, teens, and young adults!!

God is so good!!

We each need to ask God the hard questions as you did…

And His answers are the BEST for our lives!

May God richly bless you always!!”

The Birthday Boy  Man!!!

That face always makes me smile!!!!

Proverbs 1:8

“Listen, my son,

to your father’s instruction   

and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

Father and Son!

Proverbs 29:17

“Correct thy son,

and he shall give thee rest;

yea,

he shall give delight unto thy soul.”

My son makes “Mothering” so easy and lots of fun!!

Psalm 127:3

“Children are a heritage from the Lord,   

offspring a reward from Him.

Yeah!!

Birthday money to buy stuff!!!

John 16:21

“A woman giving birth to a child

has pain because her time has come;

but when her baby is born

she forgets the anguish

because of her joy

that a child is born into the world.”

We brought our Precious Little Girl…

  A chewy treat from Petco on our way home from Outback…

Obviously, she cares more about that treat…

Than taking a Birthday photo with Casey!!

Proverbs 3:1-6

“My son, do not forget My teaching,
    but keep My commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years
    and bring you peace and prosperity.

It’s so hard to get a good photo of our Crazy Siberian…

‘Cause she’s constantly moving…

That’s why I love landscape photography…

Most things stand still!!

Romans 12:2

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test

and approve what God’s will is—

His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

My two “Babies!”

He always smiles…

She’s smiling…

But she still has the chewy  treat in her mouth!

She always thinks we’re going to take it from her!!

What would we want with that yucky chewy???

James 1:17

“Every good and perfect gift

is from above,

coming down from the Father of the Heavenly Lights,

who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Psalm 115:14

“May the Lord cause you to flourish,   

both you and your children.”

Deuteronomy 4:9

“Only be careful,

and watch yourselves closely

so that you do not forget

the things your eyes have seen

or let them fade from your heart

as long as you live.

Teach them to your children

and to their children after them.”

Jesus I pray…

-Your Word will prevail over our children…

-Your Peace will embrace them… 

-They seek Your Wisdom and Understanding …

-They’re quick to obey You…

-They’re Holy in all conduct…

-They hunger and thirst for more of You each day…

-They’re content with what they have… 

-They grow in the grace and knowledge of You, Lord…

-They’re clothed with humility…

-They cast their cares upon You, Father, for You care for them…

-They’re doers of the Word, and not hearers only…

-They learn to effectively share their faith…   

-They don’t have a spirit of fear…

-But of power, love, and a sound mind…

-You save them…

-You call them with a Holy Calling…

-You provide safety for them, day and night…

  -They walk in the Light as You are in the Light…

-You purify their hearts…

-They follow after righteousness, faith, love, and peace.

-They have favor and high esteem with God and man.

Amen!

2 Timothy 2:22-25

“Run from temptations that capture young people.

Always do the right thing.

Be faithful, loving, and easy to get along with.

Worship with people whose hearts are pure. 

Stay away from stupid and senseless arguments.

These only lead to trouble, 

and God’s servants must not be troublemakers.

They must be kind to everyone,

and they must be good teachers and very patient.

Be humble when you correct people who oppose you.

Maybe God will lead them to turn to Him and learn the truth.”

Casey, you are all these things…

Praise the Lord!

God did a great job raising you!!

Thank you everyone who prayed with us…

All those long years of waiting…

For God to give us the desire of our hearts!

Happy Birthday, You are Loved!