I must break my own self-imposed hiatus to wish my mom a Happy 70th Birthday! She is far away, ministering on an American Indian Reservation, with little access to phone, mail and internet, so I am hopeful that she will get this message today!
My mom is a woman who has devoted her life to her family and ministry to others. My sister, Katherine, wrote a great tribute to her here on Mother's Day. I thought it was perfect.
I hope when I am 70, I will have a legacy that even half that of hers. She and my Dad raised 4 kids on a missionary income, and yet I never really heard her complain. Now that I have my own family, I realize how hard some of those times must have been. Most of the time, we kids were blissfully unaware that we lacked (well, except when we were the only people in the world with no T.V) because she made sure that we had plenty of love and family fun. We weren't a perfect family, but she really knocked herself out to raise us well and pass on her faith. She still prays for each of us, and now her grandchildren, daily.
My Mom's example is what I draw from almost daily. I ask myself: How would my Mom make vegetable soup? How would she pray for a friend in need? How would she encourage a child? How would she respond to a difficult situation? How would she clean ketchup from carpet? How would she make lefse? How would she stretch leftovers to feed 6 people? Her life is a deep reservior of experience, so the list is endless.
I owe her a debt of gratitude and love.
Mom, if you get to read this today, I hope you spend this Milestone knowing that your family loves you and appreciates you in so many ways. Thanks for being a wonderful source of encouragement and prayer. You'll never know how much your presence in our lives means.
Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you!
