Ben's Birthday

Today is my son's birthday. He turns 17 today. Wow! It's been a amazing experience watching him grow from that tiny bundle of innocence and dependence into the young man he is today. One mother in town approached me yesterday and said that she had met our kids, and that she really hopes our sons become good friends. I hope so, too. Ben's become a really great guy, and you couldn't wish for a more faithful buddy.

I remember how scared Margo and I were on that day when we left the hospital with him. He choked and stopped breathing momentarily as we walked through the lobby on the way to the car. A nurse saw what was happening, quickly got him breathing again, then placed him in our arms and sent us on our way. If it had happened a few minutes later while we were driving on the freeway, we might have lost him! Even on that first day, God was looking out for him... and us.

I wonder how often we take those little moments of God's blessing for granted. Lord, give me eyes to see!

We'll celebrate Ben's birthday with a little surprise during drama camp rehearsals (shhh!). Tonight we'll grab dinner together (Ben wants to go to Don Pablo's in Manassasa) and then take in a movie.

Speaking of drama camp, those living in the Warrenton area are invited to join us for this summer's production of Godspell this Friday, August 10, at 7:00 PM at Old Dominion Baptist Church (9560 Linton Hall Road in Bristow). Over 30 youth -- including several from Hope -- have been working all week, and it's going to be a lot of fun. They'll collect an offering to support the Care Net Pregnancy Resource Centers in the area. I stopped by rehearsals yesterday and watched them work on one of the more complicated musical numbers -- a duet between Jesus and Judas that gets faster and faster, complete with competing choreography from 2 chorus lines. It was terrific!