A Day to Celebrate

Steve posting today...As our great nation pauses to honor those who have and continue to serve sacrificially to protect our freedom, I wanted to first of all express my thanks and admiration to those of you who are past or present members of our armed forces. I so appreciate your service and also how you have so faithfully cared and prayed for Lee over this past year.

This weekend also brings another cause for gratitude as we get to celebrate Lee's birthday today! As you are well aware, the past year has been quite the roller coaster ride for her. There times when we were cautioned that she might not make it

to see this day and other days to rejoice when worst-case diagnoses were ruled out. As a husband, my ability to endure "the ride" has been founded on the strength provided by a loving Savior and the joyous spirit that Lee has continually demonstrated in the face of adversity. I am truly blessed to be loved so well and just wanted to share my thankfulness here as

a way to honor Lee on her birthday.

I am happy to report that the end to her quarantine has brought about many opportunities for Lee to enjoy some time with friends and to re-engage in many of the areas of service where she is so gifted. In fact, she is spending her birthday serving others by hosting a party to celebrate Memorial Day along with another birthday, an anniversary and a send-off for friends who will be moving or deploying over the next few weeks. Lee continues to battle many of the fatiguing symptoms associated with the CMV virus, so there are certainly good and bad days but each one we share is truly a blessing.

Thanks again to each of you for loving her so well and please help me wish her the Happiest of Birthdays!

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Messages

Dan Sharp

May 29, 2011, 3:21 PM

Happy Birthday Lee! You continue to be an inspiration to me. Thank you for all your planning, coordination, and work at Ein Gedi. I hope and pray that you enjoy your day and time with other today. Dan

Bill Henry

May 29, 2011, 3:40 PM

Happy Birthday Lee. Take a nice ride in 'Little Red' and have a GREAT day.

Mark Brooks

May 29, 2011, 3:56 PM

Lee, First of all I want to wish you a happy birthday! Your such an inspiration for those around you, more than you know. Choosing to server others on your special day shows your true character and compassion, and I thank you for being that light and model for others. I wanted to share a couple of quotes with you and Steve from the service this morning that really spoke to me and made me immediately think of you both. The title of the sermon is "Faith Under Pressure", and the story was about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The quotes that really spoke to me in our notes are "Biblical faith believes that He can, expects that He will, but trusts even if He doesn't." and "we need to have a,""but even if you don't, you are still God"" kind of faith." Both of those statements made me think about all you both have been through and yet your faith still shines through all. I know you have been through tougher times than I

would ever want to imagine facing, but you continue to shine and glorify God, and I thank you for being the role models you are for others. The last thing I want to share with you is a link to a song that we sang in the service this morning. Knowing Lee, she has already heard this, but just in case, I wanted to share it because it again reminds me of your situation. Please let me know if the link doesn't work and I will

send it to you through email; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CSVqHcdhXQ I love you both very much and pray that God will give you healing. I'm always just a phone call, text message, or email away if you ever want to talk or need anything. Love, Mark

Sandi Henry

May 29, 2011, 5:04 PM

Happy birthday, Lee! You and Steve have fun celebrating. We wish we could be there. love, Bill, Sandi, Jonathan and Daniel

Martha Foust

May 29, 2011, 5:44 PM

Happy Birthday to our precious daughter! You were actually born on Memorial Day. Much love sent your way today and every day! Mom and Dad

Betsy michalik

May 29, 2011, 6:25 PM

Happy Birthday to a great woman of God. You are a treasure and a gift to so many! love you, Betsy

carol sparks

May 29, 2011, 6:57 PM

May your birthday be richly blessed by our Loving heavenly Father of love and grace. I pray for your strength and healing in the new year. Love and prayers, Carol Sparks

Alissa McPherson

May 29, 2011, 7:24 PM

Happy,Happy Birthday Lee! So glad to hear you are out and about now!! May God bless you and Steve with many more birthdays and wonderful days together! Love you both, Jeff and Alissa McPherson

Krista Maggard

May 29, 2011, 7:51 PM

Many birthday blessings, Lee and may you 7 Steve have the happiest of days Krista

Debby Swecker

May 29, 2011, 7:58 PM

Hey Girl, A very Happy Birthday to you! I heard you were going to be on the water - hope you have a great day of fun and fellowship! Love ya, Debby

Stephanie Anderson

May 29, 2011, 8:18 PM

Happy birthday to Lee! God's riches blessings on both of you.

james fletcher

May 29, 2011, 8:20 PM

This is cause from celebration! Wishing you a great day and a happy forever. Hal and Nina (Ervin) Fletcher Kimball & Elizabeth Parker May 29, 2011, 10:36 PM Happy Birthday Lee!! Thanks for sharing your life with so many others.

Jill Shelton

May 29, 2011, 10:41 PM

Lee, I hope you have a Happy & Blessed Birthday! You are very LOVED! I Thank You & Steve for being such a Godly example and witness to others. I often think about you guys and the good times we had on our many youth trips and during college. I Pray that God continues to use You and Steve in all that you do. May you be Blessed & have a Blessed day! Love you both & miss you so.

carver lovely

May 29, 2011, 11:39 PM

Happy Birthday

Mary Ellen Costa

May 30, 2011, 12:20 AM

Lee: Happy, Happy Birthday! As those of us with chronic illnesses know, every birthday is extra special!! You are amazing to be serving others on this special occasion! Steve: You are also an amazing person! So many of us have lost relationships due to our illness and you continually stand by Lee and support her like no one I have ever seen! Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers! Mary Ellen Costa

Dolores Burtnett

May 30, 2011, 12:40 AM

I was thinking of you today and wondering what you were doing on your Birthday. Now I know! I hope you had a very happy one. Love always Dolores

Sally Brabston

May 30, 2011, 12:44 AM

Happy Birthday Lee and may you have many more to celebrate this special day.... God Bless

Patti Newman

May 30, 2011, 1:34 AM

The bestest birthday ever to you!!!!!! Yea, I said bestest...sounds good. Healing, Patti CP:sarahshope

Eunice Goodwin

May 30, 2011, 2:33 AM

You go girl!! So happy we can wish you a Happy Birthday and am thankful for your better health. Thank you too, Steve, for being such a wonderful husband. Our love, Eunice and Dan

D Ward

May 30, 2011, 2:35 AM

Happy Birthday Lee darlin' girl! You are your beloved Grandmama's joy and your parents and family's delight as well as Steve's beloved One. We rejoice in the love for Our Lord Jesus which your beautiful family maintains and celebrates. We also are inspired by the love for each other which your entire family shares for one another. It is an honor to be counted amoung y'alls many, many friends. God bless you beautiful Lee!!! Love in Jesus, Debby and family

Royce Brooks

May 30, 2011, 2:45 AM

We truly hope this has been a very special day for a very special "daughter". We love you! Gary and Royce

(Hope your card arrived on time, but if not, it is on its way.)

Cindy Hambly

May 30, 2011, 6:01 AM

Our thoughts and prayers are with you everyday. Happy Birthday Lee!! We hope to see you soon. xo

Sandy Moye

May 30, 2011, 12:37 PM

Happy Birthday, Lee! May your day be blessed as you are being a sweet blessing to others!

Steve Braden

May 30, 2011, 2:51 PM

Birthday wishes from Uncle Steve and I. Love you both, Aunt Helen

Linda Hamilton

May 30, 2011, 3:35 PM

Happy Birthday, Lee...and overwhelming blessings from our loving Father to you too!

Evelyn Maples

May 30, 2011, 4:10 PM

Happy belated birthday> I have just returned from the Holy Land Grandmommie Maples

Molly Swanson

May 30, 2011, 6:30 PM

Happy Birthday, Lee!!!! I love you!!!!

Don Disney

May 30, 2011, 6:52 PM

Thank You and I love you both

AX

May 30, 2011, 9:10 PM

Happy Birthday from à silent reader

Cindy Elwood

May 31, 2011, 12:28 AM

Lee and Steve, Happy Birthday and Happy Memorial Day! I have no idea if you'll see this message but I been trying to find you all for several years now! Finally, I saw this page referenced on a KHS facebook page. And, here you are! I read the recent health updates. I want

you to know I've been wondering/praying all this years- curious as to how you are. I'm so glad I'll be able to keep up with you now. Your pictures are gorgeous. You look fantastic as always! Take care and I hope you can write back at some point. Cindy (Shepherd) Elwood

Ginger Thomas

May 31, 2011, 1:46 PM

Happy, Happy Birthday Lee! Sounds like you had a wonderful day enjoying time with others and your great husband!

Link Hudson

May 31, 2011, 3:48 PM

Praise to our God and Happy Birthday Lee!

Amy Moore

May 31, 2011, 4:03 PM

I hope you had a wonderful Birthday. God Bless that you were able to enjoy it with friends.

Shari Ball

May 31, 2011, 4:05 PM

Both of you are so awesome! You will never know how much you both mean to people who haven't laid eyes on you in many years, but still remember so much. May God bless you both even more this year that you think possible. We love you guys! Shari

Abigail Echols

May 31, 2011, 5:32 PM

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEE!!!!!!! We love you and are glad to hear things are on the (slow) climb upward.

Terry Ware

May 31, 2011, 7:36 PM

PRAISE THE LORD

& ... P ... R ... A Y LE E

Kathy Hodge

June 2, 2011, 1:03 PM

Happy Belated..... My your next year bring you health and joy!

sue ensign

June 2, 2011, 4:43 PM

Happy new year, this new year for you, past your, oh, I'm guessing 29th, birthday? Lee, I miss you and pray for full recovery,soon! God's continued blessing to you, Susan<><

Ruth Warner

June 6, 2011, 4:11 AM

Happy Birthday, Lee. The value of a birthday increases when you deal with health crisis. Bless you, and prayer for you continues.

Melanie Sanders

August 14, 2011, 12:02 AM

Dear Lee, This Melanie McCown Sanders. I graduated with you at Karns. I read your story and I am uplifted by your faith. You have so may struggles and remain faithful. I also rely on my faith in God daily. I have 3 wonderful children. My son Evan is 8 and has autism.

He is considered mild on the spectrum. We face daily challenges in raising him. I am thankful that God is taking care of us and guiding us. I will keep you and Steve in my prayers. May God bless you and ease your suffering.

Jeanne Blanton

September 20, 2011, 4:09 AM

I have thought of you both a lot lately. I haven't heard from you. Hope you are both doing well. You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers... Take care, Jeanne Blanton