15

It seems like yesterday you were so small,

and today (is it true?) you are now 15.

Happy Birthday, Michael!

You have brought incredible joy to my life...

and to our whole family.

Your smile is ever-ready,

even when I assign onerous Geometry proofs,

and order you to take out the trash, 

there it is, 

that smile that lights up the room.

upper left: Michael flying r/c       upper right and bottom: regional archery competition

We're proud of your accomplishments:

of your aptitude and insatiable thirst for information about all things aeronautic,

for your precision in archery...and for shooting a 266 at State,

for your growing academic abilities.

We're thankful for your flexibility and positive attitude through so many transitions and losses,

thankful for your sincere care for others,

your desire to live honorably,

and to be pleasing to God.

That could give us no greater joy.

We admire the man you are becoming, Michael,

and pray God's blessing and goodness will rest on you all the days of your life.

I have no greater joy

 than to hear that my children 

are walking in the truth.

3 John 1:4

pull up a chair

When our children were small, 

they loved to come into the kitchen to help me.

They'd drag a chair over to the counter,

and they'd dump in the ingredients I measured out,

stir for a few minutes until their little arms got tired,

and then hop down to go and play while the food simmered and cooked.

2002 - the 3 junior associates helping in the kitchen

God lets us do the same thing.

He's measuring, working, preparing the feast,

tirelessly providing the direction and the materials

and graciously allowing us to pull up a chair

and have a hand in what He's up to

as He makes His Word known throughout the world.

He summons us to cooperation.   
We are honored in being given the opportunity to participate in His good deeds.   
Remember how He asked for help in performing His miracles.   
Fill the water pots, stretch out your hand, distribute the loaves.  

-Elisabeth Elliot

...for it is GOD who works in you, 

both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Philippians 2:13

two worlds meet

 In 2010 we first began attending this little church under a mango tree

in Davao City.  

We never even dreamed that just 5 years later 

the pastor and his wife would be sponsored to join us in our home church 

here in Savannah for a missions conference!

Michael, Amy, Elise, Mark, Barbara, Cathy and Vic at the Missions Conference

 What a sweet week it was, having them in our home,

introducing our dear friends from the Philippines

to dear friends here.

 Cathy visited the girls at college, 

and we brought them home to share the joy for the weekend.

 We were so blessed to have you in our home, Vic and Cathy...

the meeting of our worlds.

God go with you as you continue to bring His Word to your people!