"This is the day...

...that the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."


Thou Lovely Source of True Delight
Anne Steele, 1760

Thou lovely Source of true delight,
Whom I unseen adore;
Unveil Thy beauties to my sight,
That I may love Thee more.

Thy glory o’er creation shines;
But in Thy sacred Word,
I read in fairer, brighter lines,
My bleeding, dying Lord.

’Tis here, whene’er my comforts droop,
And sins and sorrows rise,
Thy love with cheerful beams of hope,
My fainting heart supplies.

Jesus, my Lord, my Life, my Light,
O come with blissful ray;
Break radiant through the shades of night,
And chase my fears away.

Then shall my soul with rapture trace
The wonders of Thy love;
But the full glories of Thy face
Are only known above.


Happy Birthday, dear Dad and Brother! Have a blessed day!

The Big F-I-V-E!!

January 23, 2005

To my dear grandson, William:

I never thought that the excitement and joy that I experienced when my son, Michael, was born, but you have already brought me the same as being my firstborn grandson. Born on a bitter cold day, you have given warmth to my heart.

You are a gift from above. The Lord has been so gracious to me in so many ways and now He has given me another healthy offspring. Oh, what a blessing!

You are also blessed in being born to a set of great parents, who will love and raise in a firm but fair way. This has been proven already in the way they are raising your big sister. You've been given the name, William, that means "strong." The historic meaning indicates one who is valiant protector or guardian. A strong individual! This does not necessarily mean physical strength as much as it does in personality and firmness of conviction in right and wrong. To follow this meaning, as you grow older and have understanding, you must be determined to remain firm in what is honorable, regardless of the cost. You have a challenge to follow at least two for whom you've been named after your Dad and Grandfather. If you follow their examples, you will grow up with the same steadfastness and firmness necessary.

As you grow older, you will discover the large and loving family that you've been born into. Your parents, sister, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and many cousins will give you lessons to learn. You can learn the meaning of hard work and devotion to completing task from your Mom and Dad. You can learn of the discipline and sacrifice that they are making to make your life better. Learn the appreciation for art and music from your grandmothers. Learn the ability to cope with and live with other siblings from your uncles and aunts on your Dad's side of the family. You can learn how to have fun in life and make the most of it from your Uncle Michael. You are fortunate to have all four of your great grandparents on your Mother's side of the family. Not too many people can say that. Even though they are getting older and loosing their health and/or minds, I hope that you will get to appreciate the love that they have given to your Mom. Listen when someone talks of them and their devotion to their family and devotion to God and His service. It will do you good to follow their footsteps.

Learn from your sister the friendliness toward others. Learn of her sincere interest in gathering knowledge. There will be times when she will cover you with too much protection and overshadowing of her dominance, but remember as the two of you grow, you will eventually be bigger and stronger. It will be your responsibility to look over her. I hope that the two of you will always be best of friends. Be as close as your Mother and Uncle Michael.

Also, remember that your Nana and I will continually be praying for you and be there when we can. Though there are miles between us, you are only a brief thought away. As grandparents, we have the right to spoil you and will do so within limits, but be assured that we seek your best.

Thank you for making this man a most happy and proud one.

Love you!
Popaw

Happy 7th Birthday, Eloise!

July 30, 2002

My Little Eloise,

WELCOME!!!!!!!!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!

So today you made your appearance into this beautiful world of life. Even though you did not make the headline news reports, your entrance is most significant and wonderful.

To be able to look at you, made this middle-aged man be in awe at the gift that God has given. You filled my heart with such unspeakable words of joy, happiness, and gratitude. The miracle of life is most vivid when two people who love each other are enabled to "do good" and produce a lovely child.

Yes, those were tears that you saw. Tears expressing what I really cannot express to you in words. How thankful I am for your safe delivery and appartent good health. I am truly a blessed man! God has been so very good to me. He has given me a good wife, great children, a wonderful son-in-law and now, you. I do thank Him.

In addition, I do pray for you. Long before you were born, I began to pray that my Heavenly Father would be with you and develop you. Now that you have finished the journey of birth and today begin the journey of life, I still pray for you. With gratitude, I have numerous times this day said, "Thanks!" More than that, I have and will continue to ask for God's directive hand upon you. I pray that He will give a guiding hand to your parents in leading you through life. That God will protect you and keep you safe. That He will help you when you're down and keep you humble when you're up. My main prayer is that He will be pleased to give you mercy and grace and make you one of His own.

You have been born into a great family. As you grow up, I hope that you will be able to understand and appreciate this fact. As you grow, I do hope that you take some characteristics and personality traits that will cause you to be a most pleasant girl, young lady, and grown woman. You will be engulfed with love and attention from so many. You will never have to worry about being alone. With all of the Augustines, Blakes, Campbells and Careys, the number of aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and oh yes, parents, you will be amazed with the large number of people that will give you attention and love.

I hope that you can learn from your Mother, the importance of education and dedication to achieving a set goal. Also, learn from her the importance of friends and being friendly. Your Mother has many friends that have remained so even after years of being somewhat separated. This is a direct result of devotion and dedication to each other. To have many friends, truly good friends, you must first learn to be friendly yourself. Learn to share and be generous.

Your Dad will teach you to be thrifty and dedicated to the many tasks of life. Watch him and learn how to be devoted to his family and loved ones. Learn the importance of doing what is right through him. He can teach you how to work, yet enjoy it.

Your Nana can teach you to be hospitable. She has always enjoyed opening her home to friends and family. Learn from her how to share and fellowship with others. She also has the ability to joke and be the end of jokes most graciously. Learn not to be offended and become bitter when someones makes fun of you or with you. As you get older, she can also teach you the act of shopping, buying, and returning things bought.

Grandma Katy can teach you the arts. You can learn from her how to become strong even in the midst of trials and troubles. You must know that everything in life will not be pleasant and enjoyable, but that you must go on and depend upon God, family and friends. She can truly help you. I am sorry that you will not get to know your grandfather Augustine. What little I know of him, I know that you would have appreciated his love and dedication to his family, the Lord, and work. Get to know him by asking your Dad.

There is Granny and Papaw Blake. How I wish that you could have known them both in their prime. Granny could really teach you how to cook and make the most out of nothing. Papaw could teach you the little things of enjoyment in life. Take time to appreciate the smallest benefits of God's goodness in the earth. Papaw is by far the godliest man I have ever known. If you could learn the appreciation of poetry and reading from him , you will be enriched.

Your uncle Michael can teach you how to enjoy life and the enjoyment of friends. I do not know which one of you will be the biggest child. Help him grow up! Be careful, because he might use you as a "chick magnet." In all seriousness, he is a lot of fun.

Grandma and Grandpa Campbell can show you hard work and great family ties. They have been able to keep all your uncles, aunts, grandfather, and many cousins together for many years. They will not interfere much in your life but will be a strong silent support. Learn from them.

Me? What can I teach you? I have been asking myself that for the past 9 months and still I do not have adequate answers to those questions. I do know that I can learn to spoil you, yet with some restraint.

As you go through life, I do pray that His Spirit will lead you and that you will be pleasant, helpful, kind, friendly, and generous to and toward others. Learn to share and give to those without. Learn to take time and appreciate the small things of life. Apply yourself to be the best that you can be. Above all, I trust that you will grow to see the need of God and total dependence upon Him.

It is with these thoughts and emotions that I welcome you this day into life.

My great love toward you,
Popaw


Thank you for 7 years, my boo baby! I trust that you will have the happiest of days today!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

In my senior English class, we were studying the concept of altruism (I do not remember for what reason). We were given an assignment to write about someone we believed to be truly altruistic. The way I remember is that there was a pyramid whereby someone was found to be truly altruistic at the top. We were to give supporting arguments along each step of the gradation as to why we believed this person had achieved the highest honor of being considered truly altruistic. I'm sure many of the students picked presidents, civil rights leaders, athletes and others. I chose my father. The teacher tried to convince me that you have to be "great" to be truly altruistic and no mere man could fit all the criteria to reach the top of the pyramid. However, I was able to write a convincing argument to the contrary. Websters defines altruism as the unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others. Anyone who knows my father, knows that he is certainly altruistic. And he is no "mere man." But more than his unselfish regard to his fellow man, is his supreme devotion to his God and his King!


Spurgeon's Morning and Evening for today describes Dad's devotion pretty well.

"'Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp' Hebrews 13:13
Jesus, bearing His cross, went forth to suffer without the gate. The Christian's reason for leaving the camp of the world's sin and religion is not because he loves to be singular, but because Jesus did so, and the disciple must follow his Master. Christ was 'not of the world:' His life and His testimony were a constant protest against conformity with the world. Never was such overflowing affection for men as you find in Him; but still He was separate from sinners. In like manner Christ's people must 'go forth unto Him.' They must take their position 'without the camp,' as witness-bearers for the truth. They must be prepared to tread the straight and narrow path. They must have bold, unflinching, lion-like hearts, loving Christ first, and His truth next, and Christ and His truth beyond all the world. Jesus would have His people 'go forth without the camp' for the own sanctification. You cannot grow in grace to any high degree while you are conformed to the world. The life of separation may be a path of sorrow, but it is the highway of safety; and though the separated life may cost you many pangs, and make every day a battle, yet it is a happy life after all. No joy can excel that of the soldier of Christ: Jesus reveals Himself so graciously, and gives such sweet refreshment, that the warrior feels more calm and peace in his daily strife than others in their hours of rest. The highway of holiness is the highway of communion. It is thus we shall hope to win the crown if we are enabled by divine grace faithfully to follow Christ 'without the camp.' The crown of glory will follow the cross of separation. A moment's shame will be well recompensed by eternal honour; a little while of witness-bearing will seem nothing when we are 'forever with the Lord.'"

Thanks, Dad, for teaching me so many things. I recall one Sunday morning in church that you were putting your offering into the offering plate before services started and I looked at the amount on the check. Astonished, I asked you why in the world would you give so much money to the church (I think it was only about $50)!! You proclaimed, "The Lord has blessed me with this money. It is my honor and my duty to return it to Him for the work to be done on this earth for His eternal kingdom."

I can only say that you're the best! I consider it to be one of the greatest blessings that the good Lord has bestowed upon me to have a man like you as my first teacher, my lifelong supporter, my daily joy and my eternal brother! I pray for the Lord's richest blessings on you today and for many days to come! Happy Birthday! I love you!

My Dear Grace

Today you celebrate your first birthday; therefore, I want to express my best wishes, thoughts and love to you. Oh what joy you have brought me during this one year and I trust for many additional years to come.

How ironic that you were born on the first day of spring; the day when we normally think that the weather will be fair and growth will be seen. During the winter, there is great bareness and unfruitfulness, yet when spring comes, attitudes improve, excitement fills the air, light breaks and hearts are melted with a sense of love. That is what I think when I see you and your infectious smile and cheerful appearance.

Song of Solomon 2:11-13 "For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth, the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; the fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell."

Years ago, parents would name their children either in regard to or love for family members or friends and/or particular circumstances and situations. Every time that the parent would address the child, they would be reminded of the person/reason of that name. Today, however, names are given more because of the "sound" of it, frivolous and meaningless reasons. When I think of you, I am inclined to think that your parents did a great deal of consideration when they gave you your name. What a reminder and blessing when your name is mentioned because of what it reflects! Grace: God's riches at Christ's expense; unmerited and undeserved favor. How truly good is God's grace! I believe that your parents gave you this name because of what God has done to and for them. It is my burden and prayer that in due time, He might likewise show His grace upon you. May you be brought to the knowledge of your need of Christ and may the spirit of God reveal Jesus to you. Then, and only then, can you understand the true meaning of your name, Grace.

It is my understanding that you were also given your middle name, Carey, from your Grandmother Augustine's side of the family. You are a descendant of a great missionary of the middle 1700s. William Carey was born in 1761, and at the age of 32, went to India as a missionary. For 41 years he labored there, without any fanfare, support and little notice. There was very little response to his message and ministry. Yet he continued on in spite of difficulties and sorrow. He was so determined to go regardless of the cost! Initially, his wife refused to go along, but finally consented to be with him; therefore, she and their one child left England for India. She gave birth to a daughter shortly after the departure, this following the loss of two other baby girls. It wasn't too long after arrival in India that Mrs. Carey died, but he remained faithful to his calling.

Before his departure from England, he was an apprentice shoemaker but spent much time studying and self taught himself several languages. He read much from the Puritan writers and became deeply concerned with the propagating of the gospel message throughout the world. The amazing characteristics of William Carey were his conviction of the need of others, faithfulness to a cause, and desire to benefit others. He lived for the glory of God and assistance towards those that he met. Before he died, he made it a point to convey, "say nothing of Dr. Carey when I am gone but speak about Dr. Carey's God." I am hopeful that you, like him, will be enabled to have the same spirit, attitude and determination.

May you have the same longing, like your sister, to learn and study. May you have her determination and competitive spirit. While at the same time, I hope that you have the compassion and affection of your brother. There will be many similarities and comparisons between you and your siblings but remain yourself and truly be full of "grace."

To my "spring day" girl and "amazing" grace, my love and prayer!

Love,
Popaw