Austin and his wife Brittany- 2008Austin, this one's for you - -
The weather turned cooler this week and it feels like Fall is in the air. . . .It's almost like flipping a light switch and the long hot summer is over. . Nature has done this at almost the same week every year for the past 25 years .
How do I know? Because 25 years ago on Sept. 15, 1984 , we brought home our newborn son, Austin, home from the hospital on the day the first cool Fall breeze of the season rolled in.
I'll never forget it. . .
You see, we lived in a small 2 bedroom, 1 bath home in Ballinger, TX that had one swamp cooler in the whole house to keep us cool during the long hot West Texas summer months. I had actually been worrying and praying about how I was going to keep a newborn cool and comfortable in our tiny hot house. . .and then, like a little gift from the Lord, the first cool front blew in on the day we went home from the hospital. . . and "poof". . the summer was over.
And it has been this way almost every September 15th since then. . .When Austin was in preschool and elementary school, he always wanted a swimming party for his birthday celebration. . . and every year, as we were sweating in the months of August and early September, we would plan one. . .and every year, when Sept. 15 arrived, we would be scrambling to change birthday plans from a swimming party to a pizza party or something indoors because the seasons had changed. . .literally overnight.
So I couldn't help but smile when the cool weather rolled in this past week and triggered the wonderful slow rains. . .Nature was right on time. . .Austin's birthday is almost here.
So, now I want to wish my 25-year old son a very special Happy Birthday, and pray somehow, someway you can feel how proud I am of you. . .how proud of who you are and what you are becoming as a husband and a man. . .and how much we love you and miss you as you spend this birthday in far-off Iraq. . .for our sake and the sake of others.
God has taken you on this journey for a reason and although we don't see how all these puzzle pieces of life fit together right now, I take great comfort in knowing that God does. . . . Proverbs 3:5-6 says "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight". . . .I am praying for straight paths" for you today. . .
The 25 years we've had to share with you as your parents are truly a gift from the Lord. . .We love you more than you will ever know. . .
Happy Birthday to my precious son,
Love,
MOM
What a great reminder of the goodness of the Lord. The little things, such as providing cooler weather, is such a great example of how much He loves his children and even provides the smallest relief.
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