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I'm here and I'm known


I'm choosing to celebrate my birthday!  I have lived forty four years and prayerfully gaining wisdom as we go.  It has gone so fast and I feel old, blessed, young and have a heavy sense of urgency. 

Grateful to be here and to be known.

God wrote a beautiful story to show me to show me how actively involved in my life He is.  He knew me before I was born.  He knew my longing to be known and wanted as I entered the world.  Why would I ever doubt God's presence?

My conception and my Mom's travel to tell my Dad she was expecting and finding he had left with the draft to Vietnam.  Two young people hurting.   My teenage Mama almost lost me in miscarriage.  She prayed, "God if you want me to raise this baby, then stop the bleeding."  

Birth was traumatic for all.  My Aunt Jean stood guard in her fur coat at the window...just in case someone wanted to "take me away," from them.  My Grandma was told to call the family as I had been stuck for way to long and I was going to die and my Mom might.  Mom just said, "I told my Mom, why would God bring her to this point and she not live?"  The nurse told my Grandma, you better call the family.  I was finally born and had a distinctly "coned" head.  

God knew I was here and He knew me.  His hands on my Mom.  His hands on the Dad who would adopt me and my Dad who carried me in his heart.

My Great Grandpa called my Mom and told her, "You are from sturdy fighting stock and can do this."  

When the school would not allow my Mom to return he said, "Promise me you will receive your GED." And she did.  My Great Grandpa was tenacious about education.  He drilled his own eight kids and expected college for his grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.  

God knew I was here and He knew me.  He knew my Mom, Dad Dennis, Dad Chuck and my Father-in-Law Frank.  He directed a great symphony.

My Aunt Ally and her amazing children sent for us and we moved near them.  God used their love to protect and nurture both a lost Mama and a little girl.   My Mom met a cowboy whose heart was soft for little children and old ladies and Mom.  Great Grandma liked him. 

God knew I was here and He knew me.  He knew my sisters (seven in all) and brother God would give me.

Miracles continued in the births of beautiful strong visionary girls.   Adventures and protection.  Passionate women making a difference in their worlds.

One college kept mailing me information.  The week before school began, Mom enrolled me, bought a few dresses and moved me to ND.  To complete an assignment, I met a dark haired mysterious man in the library.  We married the end of my freshman year.  

God knew I was here and He knew me.

Internship was exciting and I loved the adventure.  

It brought to us the greatest adventure of all... parenthood!  My 21st birthday found me very expectant for the birth of my firstborn.  Meeting my three boys and being the Mom of the these men is my life's purpose!!!!

God knew I was here and He knew me.

Calling my birth Dad for the first time a few years ago and hearing his laugh and hearing how he had always carried me in his heart was life-changing.  Hearing the stories and meeting this family has amazed me.  The Aunt who ministered to the reservations and the Grandpa who went from bar owner to Bible thumper.

God knew I was here and He knew me.

Celebrating 25 years this May with my slightly grayer haired mysterious man and watching my young men launch into their worlds is precious.

The privilege of ministry and meeting young parents is so humbling.  My desire for broken children restored drives my heart.

God knows I'm here and knows me.

Whatever the next year brings, I know God is actively involved in my life. 

 He knows I'm here and will always be with me.




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