October...Birthdays

 

Scott

 

Each Fall I enjoy flipping the calendar to October and seeing the highlighted names and dates because it is a sweet reminder of the celebration of birthdays for many special people.  My dad, brother, a brother-in-law, Larry’s sister, and my aunt have October birthdays, as well as some dear friends.  In addition, all five of the children in my family had one child born in October.  Through the years, to help keep the events somewhat simple, we had one family party for the October birthday people.  Since we didn’t celebrate on the same date each year, Erich grew up saying that when we had the family party that meant your real birthday was almost here.  Other than my brother and aunt, no two share the same calendar date.

 

This week we had the extra special privilege of celebrating Scott’s birthday with him in person.  It’s been several years since we have had the pleasure of doing that.  All 11 of us were able to get together to celebrate.  The grandkids enjoyed playing before going to dinner.  Since it was such a pleasant evening, we ate outside at Ruggles Green.  Afterwards David and Mary thoroughly enjoyed playing on the Astroturf area.

 

And what a difference a year makes!  On Scott’s birthday last year, he was in Nottingham, England, beginning work on his PhD program while Abby was here in the States completing adoption paperwork.  Late that night, which was in the very early hours of the birthday morning for Scott, Abby received a call that said they had been matched to be the adoptive parents of a little girl in Taiwan.  This year Scott became a father, is continuing his doctoral work, and is learning to live patiently as he and Abby wait for Mary’s citizenship papers to be issued.  I am grateful that God chooses to use Scott to teach, challenge, and encourage me as I see him live in obedience to what God calls him to do.  Happy Birthday, Scott!  I love you and am blessed to be your mother.  And next October 3rd, whether you are here or elsewhere, we will celebrate and be grateful for your life.

 

With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.  We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

 

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 

Colossians 3:23-24

 

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.  It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it.  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

3 John 1:2-4

 

Granddad and David building a tower

The "Big Tower"

David built this tractor

Mary came to play and walk on the bridge

Ryen getting ready to go

Grandmom and David

Brad, Scott, Chad

Scott      Chad      Lori
Mary       Ryen    David

It takes two pictures to see all the faces

Mary

Scott, Abby, Mary

Melinda and Brad

 

David, Chad, Lori, Ryen

Scott, Ryen, Chad, Larry

My guys and Ryen