Guess Who Has a Birthday??

It's me! And here's a picture of us celebrating over Krispy Kreme and American Idol at Wes & Jenny's apartment. Good times. I love my family!

Happy Birthday to Darren!

Darren Joseph Brock. The youngest of us all. But a baby no longer. Not by a long shot.

Speaking of...

This kid is a baller! Played hoop with grown men last night at LA Fitness and scored at least two 3-point long shots.

I set this post date to Deej's real birthday. Truth is, I've let myself get a little behind in my blogging. Sorry, Darren! But belated though it is...here's your birthday wish in "My Heaven."

Oh yeah. 15, already! And finally taller than me, I might add... Love you, baby! (You can still be mine.)

A Valentine's Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to my Granny & Pa!

I love you both so much and am so proud to have you as my grandparents! You have been such a great example to our whole family of what true love and commitment looks like in real life.

In the words of a classic Irish blessing:

May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

The Prayer of Betty Stam

The following prayer captivated me many years ago when I first read it. I have prayed it, kept it, used it countless times since. It has become mine. And time will only continue to tell how God will keep answering this cry of my heart.

"Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes, all my own desires and hopes, and accept Thy will for my life. I give myself, my life, my all utterly to Thee, to be Thine forever. Fill me and seal me with Thy Holy Spirit. Use me as Thou wilt. Send me where Thou wilt, and work out Thy whole will in my life at any cost, now and forever."

Written by Elizabeth Scott at the age of 18. She later traveled to China to meet her fiance, John Stam, a young missionary with the China Inland Mission in the early 1930's. In less than a year after their marriage, they were captured by Chinese Communists and beheaded in the streets of the village where they lived and ministered.

Altar Call

You know, I can't explain to you really how He does it,
But He proved Himself to me in such a holy way,
such a complete way,
That I'd die for that faith and I'd die for that belief.
Because it is more than a belief. He lives in my heart.
And that's the only proof. The only proof that I can give you.
'Cause He lives in my heart.

The Gospel is simply this:

Jesus will forgive all your sins if you come to Him humbly, lay down at His feet and say: "You're the Lord, and I'll follow You the rest of my life on earth, so that I can have the rest of eternity with You, and the glory of Your Father."

Actual altar call by Keith Green

Happy Birthday, Mom!

My mom turned 52 yesterday. She's amazingly young to have accomplished all she's already done in her life!

Is it not difficult for children to realize that their mom actually lived before they were born? She did. And yet she makes them think that her world was empty without them.

She acts as though it is suddenly her greatest mission in life to clean, cook, love, pray, hold, nurture, teach, cuddle, plan, discipline, worry, think, protect... all to fulfill the life-long assignment for which she had only 9 uncomfortable months to train.

And that's just the beginning. Singing small songs, reading small books, serving small tea parties, comforting small sorrows, cheerleading small victories, reffing small fights, preaching small sermons, playing small games, making small picnics.

And then making the decision to sacrifice all of her free time for her children's education.

For 5 children, she was and is their pre-school through high-school teacher. A whole new dimension to the word "homeroom."

For her high-school sweetheart, she was and is his everything.

She is a loving counselor, role model, and the best example of living a life of faith in Jesus Christ. Graceful as ever, she accepted a new role this year. That of a mother-in-law.

She changes with the times, and yet doesn't allow time to change her.

Yes. She's my mom.

If only I could be like her one day.

"Old Long Past"

TRADITIONAL SCOTTISH

1.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days o' auld lang syne.

=Chorus=
And for auld lang syne, my jo,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

2.
And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp!
And surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

3.
We twa hae run about the braes
And pu'd the gowans fine;
But we've wander'd mony a weary foot
Sin auld lang syne.

4.
We twa hae paidl'd i' the burn,
Frae mornin' sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin auld lang syne.

5.
And there's a hand, my trusty fiere!
And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right guid willy waught,
For auld lang syne.



ENGLISH TRANSLATION

1.
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And days of old long past.

=Chorus=
And for old long past, my dear,
For old long past,
We will take a cup of kindness yet,
For old long past!

2.
And surely you will pay for your pint-vessel!
And surely I will pay for mine!
And we will take a cup of kindness yet,
For old long past.

3.
We two have run about the hillsides
And pulled the wild daisies fine;
But we have wandered many a weary foot
Since old long past.

4.
We two have paddled in the stream,
From morning sun till noon;
But seas between us broad have roared
Since old long past.

5.
And there is a hand, my trusty friend!
And give me a hand of yours!
And we will take a right good-will drink,
For old long past.