Guys, I had an absolutely wonderful birthday.
Thank you so much for the great wishes (and I'll keep the Razorback cake but regift the stripper... um thanks, Russ. 8| )
It's also the 5 year anniversary of when we moved to Phoenix.
As we were moving, we were studying a section of the Bible where the children of Isreal were FINALLY getting into the promised land after wandering for 40 years. They had one final hurdle - a completely swollen and overflowing Jordan river. God commanded them to take a step of faith into the river and He promised they would cross on dry ground. We really identified with this and we stepped out on God's promise that day when we moved here with so many unknowns.
After God fulfilled his promise and the people crossed the Jordan on dry ground, God commanded them to gather 12 stones from the dry riverbed and build a monument so that they would never forget what He did for them that day and to tell the story to their children and their children's children. When we arrived in Phoenix, we gathered 12 stones that we still have on display in our living room today, and it allows us to tell the story of what God did for us with our kids and keep the story and memory alive. It's a really important anchor for our family. I have 12 more stones in my office to remind me while I'm at work.
All of this to say: You guys are one of my 12 stones. This group of people have become my family over the years and you mean the world to me. I don't think we met by accident and I'm grateful for each one of you.
Thank you. Thank you for the birthday wishes, the friendships, and the family. I really apprciate it.