Sweet Sixteen!!

Sixteen years ago this past Friday {February 11th} I woke up and began to have a few contractions.  About lunch time, my contractions got even stronger.  Dw and I took a long walk around the Matthews, NC subdivision we lived in.  I could not wait to meet the treasure I had had 

the privilege of carrying almost to term.  

Dw and I were the type to never want to know "what the baby is" while I was pregnant.  

We loved being surprised!!

By about dinner time we made our way to Matthews Presbyterian Hospital.  We walked the halls a bit.  Abigail who was about to turn 12, was with us.  We had asked if she wanted to see her little sibling being born.  So the three of us settled in when I began to feel like I was going to pass out {haha}.  Dw read scripture to me.  Abi sung with me.  "You came from heaven to earth to show the way, from the earth to the cross, my debt to pay, from the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky, Lord I lift your name on high."  

When it was finally time to push, it only took one!  

And there he was!!  

Surprise!!

Graham Josiah

Dw and I take naming our children really serious.  Either the name has to have a powerful meaning OR be after a person in history whose life has made a monumental significance in Christian history. Graham was named after Billy Graham, a great man of God, with a passion for the lost, who never had a scandal. 

Our Graham is very tender-hearted. He is serious.  Not shy, but quiet, observant.  He loves the orphan.  He loves music.  He taught himself to play the guitar.  He took three drum lessons and plays for our adult worship team {when they need him} and leads the youth worship band.  To say he is gifted musically would be an understatement.  He has spiritual discernment and a prophetic gifting.  Someday maybe I will share about the prophetic dreams he has had.   If Graham has a dream we take it very, very, very seriously.  Each prophetic dream he has had, has come to pass.  

While in Africa last month, Dw called me with a troubling situation.  Dw and I were Skyping and Graham was listening on Dw's end.  I suggested we fast and pray.  Graham was standing with him.  {He would be be sooo embarrassed if he knew I was typing this}, but Graham said, "I've already fasted mom here in Africa.  I want  God to move."   As I listened to my fifteen year old say this, I thought, "Wow Lord.  I know adults who would never even consider on their own fasting for a situation."   There is more to the story, but that is for another time. 

We are not sure where God will lead Graham, but he thinks he may be in the music field, with time in Africa with Emma when he is not doing music.  We'll see.  

In the meantime, I want to honor this precious son, whose heart wants to please the Lord.  Who talks openly with Dw and I about life.  His buddy is Emma.  He loves when the little boys camp out in his room.  Graham Josiah, you are a true joy to our family and anyone who knows you!! 

We are so thankful that God allowed you to be our son...

what a privilege we have...  

 Autumn had the evening off, so that was a special treat...

Isaiah gave Graham a Monst*r drink...Gray-Gray's favorite...

{Jubilee, Elizabeth and Elijah were all sick...so they went to bed a bit earlier...}

And if you would be so kind....Would you be willing to wish 

this young man of ours a very happy birthday?