CELEBRATIONS!

Many days are for celebration....birthdays that end in 0 being one!

Aubrey planned months ago to honor his Gayle, with family, friends, food, fun and lots of stories and laughter. 

Did I mention carrot cake with an icing I could have eaten by the spoonfuls.

"Let's Celebrate and be glad today." as God's Word says in Psalm 118:24, CEV.

  

We did just that! We celebrated with a side of singing served to sweet Gayle, our honoree!

BROTHERLY LOVE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BROTHER BUDDY!

If one's birth order places her in the "middle" it can be a BIG blessing if she is the opposite gender---such was my placement. Born between two brothers who are caring and who carefully continue to follow Mother's final days instruction to "take care of Dotsy," I am doubly blessed. (Proverbs 6:20)

Beloved, let us love one another".......(1 John 4:7)

As my older brother reminded me two years ago, he has always been "beside" me. How right he is. He sent me the proof in the pix below. 

Even as we aged and "little" brother, Bobby, out grew us all at 6'5", there was always room for me in the middle----right between them.

Of all the folks left on this earth, brother Buddy has known me the longest, stood beside me the longest and loved me the longest. How grateful I am! 

On his birthday, I lift birthday prayers of praise and thanksgiving for him in my life----yet I know I'm the one who has received the gift of an "always beside me brother."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY---NOAH JOSHUA

Happy 12th Birthday to Noah---actor, athlete, artist, author, musician, brother extraordinaire!

Where have the years gone! Love & Birthday Prayers!

Spiritual Character TEA-raits

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. (Proverbs 30:5, ESV)

Tomorrow, Nov 30, 2014, Caleb Davenport Liles will turn 9. As always, I will pray verses form Proverbs 30, as it corresponds with his birthday.
Spiritually Caleb is secure having accepted Christ as his Savior 12/24/11. He even chose baptism this past May....so moving for me to watch that on video as his father baptized him (April 27, 2014)

In character, Caleb is all boy---loving sports and adventure ---so, this year I've added some verses from God's servant, Caleb, because he followed the Lord wholeheartedly. 

Excerpts from Caleb's prayers* for my Caleb:

• Make Caleb a leader among Your people. (Numbers 10:1)
• Help Caleb refuse to see life through the eyes of men. (Numbers 14:30-33)
• Help Caleb to know Your Presence which brings boldness and direction/ (Numbers 14:5-10)
• Cultivate within Caleb a fresher and fresher faith as he grows older. (Joshua 14)
• Give Caleb the "guts" to pray..."Give me the land" (Numbers 13:30) and "Give me the high ground. (Joshua 14:11-12)

May Caleb not only choose a cuppa quality spiritual TEA-raits for himself but may he inspire others to choose that cuppa as well.

*Thanks to brother, Buddy, for these verses!

Ouchie

1/22/09

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NATHAN! (7) --Birthday prayers for you from Shug.

A little shaky this morn, as if chilled from the inside out and a little nauseous---reminds me of morning sickness of days gone by---where's the benedectin?? (anti-nausea drug of choice of pregnant women during the 70s---before they took it off the market)

Time in the Word, Jesus Calling and My Utmost for His Highest settled me down. Day filled with a friend helping me "just in case" pack for when the call comes to go---wherever docs and insurance decide. (Dr. B in Memphis called to assure me that he and Dr. B in Dallas are still at work.) I'm sure that my lack of focus wore my friend out as she tried to follow my circles---She organized a lot in spite of me and dear, sweet Elnora who has been family since 1978 (came 5 months before Molly was born) did anything I asked her to do, even if it meant figuring out what I had just asked.

All that being said, know that I am so-o-o covered in God's grace that whether I skip w/ joy or pass out from fatigue, He's there with me. Verses of scripture (btw Isaiah 41:10 has been sent by many—a worthy read) and notes of encouragement have been pouring in, whether e-mail or slug mail or phone messages---41 years in education provides an unbelievable network---so whether I taught you in kindergarten and you are now 42, or I taught you at the university or I have taught you anywhere K-12 or taught with you, thanks!

However, my favorite encouragement and good laugh has come from grandson, Caleb, age 3. Conversation went something like this. "Shug, I prayed for your "ouchie." I have an "ouchie" too." I then asked, "Where's your ouchie, Caleb."

"Right here." Could hear son laughing in the background---you have to tell her where it is--- she can't see you pointing. O Lord how I covet prayers for my "ouchie."