HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO STEVE!

3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

January 3rd was my oldest nephew's birthday. Steve is now 39 years old, and that is hard to believe! Steve was a great kid. As a young man, he set his sights on a goal and has realized his dream and professional ambition to be an attorney. We are proud of Steve and pray this year will yield the best of his personal, professional, and spiritual goals. Happy Birthday, Steve!!

This is one of my favorite pictures of Steve with his mom (my sister, Karen) and it was made at Steve's and Mandy's wedding. We attended, and it was a happy day!

This is the only picture I have of Steve and Mandy. It was made before they were married and is of poor quality (my photography!) but I share it with love!

HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY TO CHIP!!

Proverbs 23:15 My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.

We are excited for we are going on a weekend trip. We are leaving out this afternoon to go see Chip in North Alabama. This will be our first time to visit him since he went on the pastoral staff at the church on November 1. We will get to see his rental house (he says it is the smallest house in the county!), his church, and visit some of his favorite restaurants as I doubt he will be cooking for us! The reason we are most excited is that tomorrow (Saturday, January 5) is Chip's 30th birthday and we will be there to celebrate that milestone with him. We are so blessed to be Chip's parents and are so thankful for God's blessing upon Chip's life as a youth pastor. He is touching a lot of young lives at a crucial time and is making a difference for the Kingdom of God. He is a faithful servant of Jesus Christ, a wise man, and a loving son. Surely doth my mother's heart rejoice!!

I am going to post some pics of Chip in celebration of this special time. Happy Birthday, Son ~~ and many more!

Love & Prayers Always,
Mom


Chip's first Easter ~~ infant in his Grandma's arms


His Dad started him out on the road to being a committed Alabama Football fan in his infancy!


Into sports from a young age unto this present day


Elementary Baseball League was fun for him and us both!


Chip did great in basketball throughout his school years. Wanna see some video??


Chip at home in his room.


Our favorite football player ~~ senior in high school.


Chip was a loving grandson to his 4 grandparents. Each of them contributed to Chip's Godly heritage though at a young age he learned he couldn't wing it on anyone else's coat-tails and gave his heart to Jesus Christ.


He graduated from Baptist Bible College and then went on to this happy day of graduating from Seminary with his M-Div.


He has a wonderful relationship with sister Amy~~ his only sibling.


He is a wonderful Uncle and loves Jarrett, Isabella, Josh and Jaden.


And we are proud to be his parents.


Chip, you will always be in our prayers as you pastor your teens and seek God in your personal life.

HAPPY 13TH BIRTHDAY TO ASHLEY!

1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Today is my great-niece's 13th birthday. As Bryan's and Tricia's first child and Karen's and Paul's first grandchild, ASHLEY was the first "great" in our family... our Mom's first great-grandchild and my first great-niece so you know she has always been very special to us all! Ashley is a beautiful girl and smart, too. But most of all, she is a born-again Christian... a Godly teenager. We pray God's richest blessings upon her today (her first as a teenager) and for the rest of her life!! Happy Birthday, Ashley!

Love,
Great-Aunt Susan



Great-Grandma for the first time, Mom holds Ashley during a visit with Tricia and Ashley in the hospital.



Dee and Amy enjoying Cousin Ashley at the baby shower for Tricia.


Granny Karen with Baby Ashley


Granny Karen and Ashley enjoy a close and loving relationship.


Ashley visiting with her new cousins adopted from Ukraine: Jarrett, Josh, and Isabella


Ashley with her precious parents, Bryan and Tricia.


Ashley and her Mom at last year's Beauty Walk.

Serving Our Country in Afghanistan ~~ A Testimony from a Soldier

Exodus 12:26 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?

Hey all. Here is the picture from the Medal Ceremony. My first AF Medal really earned. See you all soon. Lots of love, Lacy

My friend Trish R's sister is serving in Afghanistan. Lacy is a young single woman who is making her mark on the world. She is doing something crucially important for us all and for future generations should Jesus tarry His coming. When Lacy left the States to "work over there," Trish provided Lacy's address so that I could write to her. I wrote not really knowing what to say but wanting to be an encouragement to Lacy. The tables have totally turned as Lacy's emails have blessed and encouraged me. She is not "down and out" but she is a vibrant young lady who is excited about what she and her comrades are accomplishing. Here is the latest email I have received from her. It was written on December 30 she she is soon to ship out of there and return to the States. Please pray for her safe return and may we NEVER get lazy and complacent and forget to pray for all of those serving and protecting us here at home.

...I am still in Afghanistan, should be leaving here in about 11 days and headed home. I can't wait. And you are very welcome for my service. I would not have it any other way. I am very proud of what I do and what I am part of. Being here has been rough, but a life changing experience. It brought me back to God, where I should have been all along. And I know that, because of the sacrifices that we make, our families stay safe. I only hope that future generations realize the same and choose to serve as well. So many people have forgotten why this war started. America is truly the greatest nation on the planet and no matter what politicians are running the show I will always chose to serve as long as I am able. I received my first medal ever here, it was such a good feeling. God is truly smiling on me, taking the load off my shoulders, and making me a better person everyday...

With love, Lacy