01.07.07
Libbie’s Birthday
Yesterday, January 6, was Libbie’s 49th birthday. It’s hard to believe. I can still remember the first time we met (30 years ago, when she was 18, arriving at a square dance in an orange calico dress–while it was not love at first sight, she did leave a lasting impression.)
Yesterday was a day of family celebration of God’s gift to us in Libbie as wife, friend, mom and so much more. All the kids were here from the afternoon on: Alasdair and Lauren helping around the house with various needful tasks, Becky and her roommate Melissa taking charge of birthday cake preparations, Alden wrapping gifts, and Eowyn being her usual servant self.
For dinner, we want to the Old Country Buffet (a traditional activity that Libbie loves and we have been doing on her birthday for years.) Then we came home to opening gifts and some fun together, but must importantly we had a time of recalling stories of all that she has meant to all of us. We followed this with a time of prayer where each of us prayed for her.
Our stories were many. Some were funny. Some were poignant. But always they reflected a deep love and appreciation for the woman who has loved us all so well–always a loving servant, rarely complaining, putting us ahead of her own interests and concerns. Each of us understood something of the gift of God’s grace that she is, and has always been, to each of us.
I don’t think I have passed too many days in the 28 and half years we have been married where I have not thanked the Lord for the incredible gift he has gift has given me in Libbie. Friend, wife, mother to our children. She has encouraged me always in love and faith. In this past year she has shown like a star in handling our situation. No complaints. Loving always. Serving me and the family more than ever. She has shown us Jesus day in and day out. We are wonderfully loved in this household.
The words written above seem inadequate to do justice to Libbie and all she has meant to me. Few men and families are blessed in the way we have been blessed in Libbie. I am humbled and grateful to God for the amazing gift he has given in Libbie. Celebrate with us in God’s great kindness.
Blessings, Al
John Stokesbury said,
January 7, 2007 at 12:42 pm
Happy Birthday Libbie !
Kathy said,
January 7, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Happy Birthday Libbie!!
I often don’t say what is on my heart, but I wanted to take the opportunity of your birthday, to thank you for being the example that you are to me of what a godly woman looks like. Praise God for his work in your life. You and your whole family inspire me to live a life more worthy of the calling I have been given–to live a life of servitude for the kingdom. God uses your quiet and humble love and obedience more than you may know. At 49–in just a few years–I hope and pray that my husband and family will be able to see even a fraction of the servant heart and humility that your family sees in you, and that I would be able to point to Christ as my reason for this. God has used you to spur me on to love and good deeds, and for this I am exceedingly grateful.
Love,
Kathy
judi said,
January 7, 2007 at 4:35 pm
libbie!! happy, happy birthday!!!
love
judi
Craig Higgins said,
January 7, 2007 at 5:26 pm
When you were celebrating your 29th birthday, Libbie, I was a 25 year old beginning bonehead Hebrew. A couple of years ago Randy Stonehill recorded a song with vocals by lots of the CCM folk of the early days–Phil Keaggy, Larry Norman, etc. (Younger readers: Don’t laugh! I discovered Reformed theology through Larry Norman’s quoting Francis Schaeffer.) The song is entitled “We Were All So Young”!
You both have been such an encouragement to so many of us down through the years, and so many of us owe you a debt we can never repay. Happy birthday, Libblie, sister and friend.
Judy Parnell said,
January 7, 2007 at 10:49 pm
Happy Birthday Libbie. You are an example to all of us!
Thank you Al for sharing these precious thoughts.
Love you both.
Allie Stryd said,
January 7, 2007 at 11:45 pm
Libbie—you are a true woman of God. Trusting in Jesus, receiving the grace daily, encouraging, laughing with, praying for those around you. I treasure these things in you. And, I have always delighted in your gift of perfectly timed story-telling. Sometimes when I am reading a book to Levi, I wish you were around to liven it up. You make the perfect narrator! I love you.
allie
Becky Wilson said,
January 8, 2007 at 12:17 am
Al,
I’m reading and nodding and smiling. Thank you for this glimpse into your family’s celebration, and for including us in the party as far-flung family members, who love Libbie, too. We celebrate the fact God made her and put her in (y)our lives.
Happy Birthday, Libbie!
Love,
Becky
(Jack and I also enjoy Old Country Buffet, Libbie. When we were there this fall, the manager stopped Jack and asked him how he liked everything, and had he found everything he’d been looking for. He glanced at Jack’s plate, loaded up with nothing but lots of meats and fish, and said, “I don’t see any vegetables. You aren’t even looking for them, are you?” !!)
Islandgirl said,
January 8, 2007 at 1:27 am
Happy Birthday Libbie!
P.S. Al-you must be loving the way the Eagles are playing, and setting their sights for the Super Bowl in Miami-next stop New Orleans-no sweat!
Be Blessed
Happy New Year!
Grace Zhao said,
January 8, 2007 at 3:50 am
Happy Birthday Libbie!!
kim clement said,
January 8, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Happy Birthday Libbie! You are such a gift to your family and to all of us who know you. Thank you Al for inviting us all to the party!
Much Love,
Kim
Fred said,
January 9, 2007 at 12:43 am
Libbie, many happy returns of the day!
Many, many blessings, with thanks for the Lord’s favour in your life and through you to your family and to uncounted throngs who have been blessed through Al’s ministry which your love and support have made possible, as well as more immediately through your own life.
It is good that God alone knows what lives have been changed, what sin avoided or malice thwarted–in a word, how our lives have affected those who have lived before, and thus ministered to others, who have … “And so the Recording Angel called for yet more assistants, and they were gladly given him, …” (from One Good Turn, by Everett Hale).
Our hearts are far more safe in ignorance, but we can rejoice in the goodness that we see in others.
Your husband’s enconium calls to mind Proverbs 31: “A woman who fears Yhwh–she shall be praised.” May this ever be true of you.
And so, happy birthday, and many, many happy returns of the day, for Christ’s sake.
Blessings.
Fred
Jenny DeVos said,
January 9, 2007 at 5:13 pm
Al and Libbie,
What a blessing to have you invite us in to your celebration. You not only honored Libbie by the way you spent the day with her, but you honored her by sharing with us the blessing she has been to you.
Libbie, I am uplifted and blessed to hear of the way your family celebrated YOU!! We often think as we get older that birthdays come and go and don’t mean what they meant when we were kids, but what a gift you were given!
I hope you’ll be in Women’s bible study tomorrow so I can give you wonderful belated Happy Birthday Hug!!
Happy Birthday and Love as always to you both!
Jenny
Dawn said,
January 9, 2007 at 7:57 pm
Happy Birthday, Libbie! As I read Al’s comments I was reminded of your pick up and delivery service of our laundry in the early (and quite insane) days of Glorimont. I, too, often think of you and am inspired with a desire to be a servant too. Thanks Al for sharing your family celebration. Love to all- Dawn
laurie h said,
January 12, 2007 at 9:12 am
I remember Libbie at the Winter Carnival square dance. Don’t recall what she was wearing. But, I could not miss her wide smile. At the time, my husband was smitten with her – and with good reason. Mark loves to tell young men about the talk he and Al had a few days later….
Dear Libbie/Spacious,
Your heart is wide. May it be fully filled with the love and knowledge of our dear Lord – and of the care and friendship of those who know you. I love you! – Laurie
donna b said,
January 16, 2007 at 7:31 am
Happy belated, Baby. You’re the bomb! It’s too late for me to be you when I grow up–but I can rejoice in the truth of who Jesus is and who He has made you. And I can be thankful along with your family for the gift you are to them and to us. much love to you. db
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