A Big Happy Birthday for my Little 'A'

Just wanted to take a quick moment to honor my beautiful wife for her birthday. I can't believe just 5 years ago we were celebrating her first birthday together as a couple (engaged couple that is)... Seems like forever ago, yet also almost like yesterday. Like that day, today it snowed. We got a LOT more this time around. On her 30th, we just got a nice, brief gift from heaven (for me at least... LOVE snow) as we stood outside the Rusty Scupper in Baltimore.

We had a great time that night. Amy says that was one of her favorite memories of us together (or at least during our courtship). While I loved her then, almost 5 years of marriage has brought so much more to my heart for this woman. We've had a rough year this past year starting with the difficult pregnancy -- or the last month at least, and a rough couple of months with our little man, in and out of the NICU and back in again, and then out again. :) Glad he stayed out that time. Through all the challenges of Josiah's plagiocephaly, torticolis, and the related burden of helmet washing and seemingly endless physical therapy... and this really extended period of financial stress and uncertainty.

But as with the story of Joseph and his brothers and time in Egypt, what seemed like just a period of difficult circumstances, God was using it for good. I think he has strengthened our faith, increased our perseverance and humbled us into more dependence on Him. All the while rooting out sin in our hearts and growing us in Christ-likeness.

For Amy, this has been manifested itself in her attack on her personal battles with anger, growing love for her boys by seeking to care for them and model the gospel by consistently seeking forgiveness and going to God to receive grace and her increased selfless sacrifice as she serves me the little guys in our house. While I believe that Amy is the most beautiful woman in the world, THIS is true beauty.

Amy -- Love ya. Hope you have a great 35th. Hope this long ramble blesses you. (I write like I think unfortunately... a little all over the place)

And thank you, Lord, for not only giving me this wonderful woman, but also giving me a little present too with this snow! Even though it's not my birthday... sweet.

-B