BEN IS 18!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

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Today is a day of celebration and Thanksgiving as my middle son Benjamin turns 18 years of age!

I am so grateful for the gift of his young life because as he told me yesterday, "I've been through a lot in my 18 years!" That he has, and yet he continues to impress us with his extraordinary strength of character and beautiful persevering heart.

This gifted young man has been through more tearful trials and tribulations than anyone deserves at such a young age. Yet he is the kind of human being whose divinely anointed soul has inspired the rest of us to believe in things that are beyond our human comprehension. Last week the Lord reminded me of that through a chance encounter with a teacher at Ben's High School.

This lovely gentleman told me he had recently interviewed Ben about his senior year service project in the Appalachian mountains this past summer. As he struggled to find the right words he paused before saying, "I have never heard a student describe his experience in such a profound way. I couldn't help but wonder why I did not have the opportunity to teach this young man."

I know exactly what he means. Sometimes I wonder why the good Lord has allowed me the grace of being Ben's mom. He is nothing short of amazing!

So yes, today we will celebrate and give thanks, because as I watch my son grow into adulthood, I stand in awe of his spiritual integrity and the wonderful wisdom that is a living witness to what really matters most...

Life, Love, Family and the radiating joy that flows from our heavenly Father straight into our very human hearts!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEN-WE LOVE YOU!

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