As I sit here is this winter wonderland it is hard to believe that 23 years ago we welcomed our "Baby Ruth" into the world away from this all snow. Ruth was our second child born in Venezuela but our first born in Caracas. So there would be no worries over whether we would be stuck in a snow storm and not be able to get to the hospital. However, there was the worry about being in labor and having to deal with being in the middle of rush hour traffic in order to get to the hospital. But since I was late and the doctor induced me I was able to avoid that stress. After less then three hours of labor we welcomed our beautiful daughter Ruth Emily into this world. (Ruth is named after one of my sisters who has had a major impact on my life and is an amazing role model of a Godly woman.) Everyone always told us "To enjoy the days of your children being young as they grow up so fast." Here we are with all of our children being adults and I wonder how did it happen so quickly
Happy 23rd Birthday Ruth! How we thank the Lord for the gift you are to our family. Two great loves that you have stand out to me. The first is your love of all sorts of food. As soon as you could reach the kitchen counter your fingers were there tasting whatever was being prepared. It wasn't long and we you peeling and cutting up vegetable and not long after that you were preparing meals for the family. There have been so many fun family memories that we have made cooking together as a family in the kitchen. The other love that stands out to me is your love for people and building relationships with them, making them feel special, and important. As soon as you started talking you were engaging people in relationship. It is a true gift to love people the way you do and I know you have already touched so many lives. May God continue to use you in the lives of many. Have a wonderful birthday. I love you and I am blessed to have you for a daughter.
Happy 51st birthday to the Love of my life. Today I am celebrating your life and the amazing person you are. How blessed I am to have you as my husband and the father of our children. I thank the Lord for your life and your willingness to serve the Lord in so many ways even when you feel stretched beyond your limits. Keep pressing on making a difference in this world.
Last week Vern and I made a trip down to Florida for some meetings. We decided to drive as it was cheaper than plane tickets and since North Carolina is right on the way we could connect with Ruth and Zachary on the way. The day we headed out was the beginning of the big storm that moved through our area and through New York and PA. Although the road conditions were not good for us we know they would have been far worse one or two days later. As we traveled down to Florida, they were also having record low temperatures. The meetings we attended were very profitable and we are so glad we were able to be involved in them. Of course the time with our children and Glenn and Elisha was so precious. Elisha and I went wedding dress shopping with Ruth. Ruth treated us to an amazing meal in celebration of Vern's birthday which is in a couple of days. We also celebrated Ruth's birthday which is in ten days. We are still trying to get used to Ruth and Zachary being so far away. Therefore, we valued every moment we spent together.
