Mom turns 5

For those who are in Christ, we all can boast of having 2 birthdays, our physical birthday as well as a spiritual one. But my mom is the only one I know who can boast of having 3! Five years ago yesterday, Mom received her long-awaited for, and prayed for bone-marrow. Back then, the doctors told her that they would not consider her "cured" until she had survived 5 years without relapse. While, we praise the Lord for doctors, we never put our faith in them, nor did we believe that their "magic" number 5 was proof of God's healing power. Long before we hit the 5-year mark, we knew that the Lord in his mercy had spared my mom (and us). But, nonetheless, it marks a significant milestone and we continue to praise Him for his faithfulness.

Last night, the whole family surprised her with a celebration of this milestone at El Pinto. M & C and their fam brought balloons, I made a birthday cake, and the kids all contributed their cards. Dad pulled off the surprise, by organizing us and casually suggesting they go out to eat instead of staying in. She couldn't have been more surprised when she walked out on the patio and saw all 11 of us there waiting for her.

Psalm 103:1-5 says it all: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; who pardons all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle."