To My Mother on her Birthday....

Anyone that has even glanced at my blog knows how deeply I love and enjoy my parents. I always have.....even in high school!

I praise God that He has allowed my parents to still be here with me. At my age, 28, my Dad had already lost both his parents and my Mom had lost her Mom. I remember being a little girl and fearful that I would lose them at a young age too.

When I had to kiss Mom goodbye to go into surgery to give a kidney to Dad....then I returned to his room and kissed him goodbye to go and receive the kidney.....I remember being so overwhelmed that God could choose to take them or to leave them but it was not under my control. I was a mess but my faith increased that day because I knew that God was not finished with them yet...that He had big plans for my parents that would bring Him LOTS of GLORY!! I praise Him for His faithfulness. I do not take them lightly and I do not miss out on enjoying them!

I praise Him that my Mom is seeing her 55th birthday. Everything that I know about being a woman and being a woman of God, I learned from my Mom.

I learned the importance of prayer and being a prayer warrior from her and not just by her telling me but by me SEEING HER PRAY! Actions speak louder than words, right?

on her wedding day....

I have learned how to set up house and to host others graciously.....how to do chores and how to balance things.

I have learned that the Joy of the Lord is one of the most contagious things we can have and it can bring healing to those around you.

I have learned how to sing to the Lord with passion and meaning.

I have learned the difference between a need and a want.....and the importance of a nice home (no matter the size or style) to fellowship with others over dinner or games...a home that is inviting, welcoming and calm.

I have learned how to "cook good recipes" as we use to say as kids.

I have learned that pretty is as pretty does. I think this is one of the biggest lessons that I continue to learn from. How to let God make us pretty on the inside so that He shines on the outside.

I have learned the importance of memorizing scripture and recalling it when the situation calls for it.

i have learned that you can have fun doing ANYTHING at ANYTIME...even if it is a nice walk around the neighborhood together.

Most importantly.......as my Mom grew in her spiritual walk she was very open to share about things she was learning or reading. I honestly feel like I grew as she grew. She did not keep her faith to herself and because of that I grew up having a very healthy view of our God and His Greatness........in good and hard times.

I am so grateful.

I am so thankful.

I love you Mom but I love who you are in Christ MORE! You are not only my Mom but my Sister in Christ and this walk we get to do together blesses me from the inside out! May God use this year for great and mighty things! Thank you for being my biggest fan and my biggest prayer warrior. I love you and Dad so much!

You are TREASURED by us

and

WE LOVE YOU!