After reading Psalm 145 together as a team Satrday morning, we declared it a day of praise and celebration. As a group, we committed to praise the Lord continually, regardless of our circumstances, and to celebrate all the things we see Him do as a way to firm them up in our memory and share them with others.
In addition to celebrating all the little truths the Lord has taught us and few team successes at our training tasks, we also had a very special event to celebrate today: Lizzie turned 15!! We surprised her after dinner with a bunch of homemade presents, a cake and a special time of prayer and celebration.
Afterwards, our team felt extremely surprised when the leaders pulled out a second cake an announced an additional birthday to celebrate. You see, one of our teammates—Holly—made a very important decision on Friday night. She chose to accept the Lord as her personal Savior!! You might think it strange that a young girl about to go on a mission trip would find herself in need of salvation, but it happens. It doesn’t really matter why. The important and exciting part of the matter is that Holly chose Christ and has begun a brand new life with Him!
We are so stoked for her and for what God will do in and through her in Guatemala. In fact, we decided to celebrate Holly’s first spiritual birthday by pulling out a cake for her too and praying over her in the same way we did for Lizzie.
I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. Psalm 145:1-3
What a beautiful day! Thank you for sharing both birthdays with us!
Hi! Happy Birthday to Lizzie. Emme, what did Lizzie think of the things you gave her? Did she laugh over the Frugos cup? And Holly! Wow! That is so exciting. I had goosebumps! You will never forget the day you became a member of God’s Family! One of these days, when we’re in eternity, I want you share that moment with me! Emme, loved the shot of you in the showers; very fancy. Certainly not the Embassy Suites! Did anyone know who Sleeping Giant is? I saw you wearing their shirt in a pic. Judy FB’d me last night; they missed you at Matt’s party. Trevor, Nicole, Darren & Nena went to Farmer’s Market in LA for his birthday. Ate french dip sands at Phillipe’s! Of course, Nicole posted pics. Gotta go, babe. Heading up to Big Bear; I’m gonna miss you today — just me with the Daddy And Andy Weirdness. LOL! You guys stay stong. I love you, Mom
Hope you had a wonderful birthday Lizzie. We couldn’t send you a message yesterday because the blog was ‘down’ when we tried to get on. You were in our thoughts all day (actually, you are every day – but especially yesterday)The kittens are doing great. At church, today, everyone was asking if we had heard anything from our girls lately. Daddy and David left after church to go fishing. The ultimate Father’s Day – fishing with your child. I’m sure he wishes all of his children could be out there on the boat with him today.
Love ya, sweety. miss those ‘mornin hugs’!
Mommy