Bekah

What a year is has been!!! New opportunities all over the place for our Beks!!! New job this year...a fresh heart for church...and on that note...being part of a team at our church that had a very difficult task placed before them and did a stellar job!!!!

I'm so thankful that you just fit us all so well...like you've always been here in our family...and now this year promises the another one of the best things ever...you becoming a momma by birth...you have already been a momma to a few special children that God continues to use to form and mold your momma heart...

I can't wait to see you and Michael with baby G...

Beks...thanks for completing us...for putting a light in my sons eyes that I've never seen before...for encouraging him and spurring him one...My prayer for you is that he will always and forever do the same for you!!!

I love you so much!!!!

Love~

The REAL DEAL!!!! 😉

Juliette

Juls jumped into our family and into our hearts as soon as she arrived...she is a very special young lady and we are very blessed that God chose our home to place her in for the next 10 months! Our prayer for her is that she knows she truly is loved in our home and truly is a part of out family...forever and always!!!!

Happy birthday sweet Juliette! I hope your day is amazingly perfect today...

love~Lori
your american momma!!!!

Kate

Today my baby turns another year older...I honestly cannot tell you how fast the time flies...I remember when all 4 of the kids were small...those days that were hard, or so so busy...people telling the time would go by faster that I could possibly realize...I thought they were crazy at the time but oh my word...it does go by quickly!

Kate, I'm so thankful for you in my life. I was so sure after Michael I would never have another child but then God opened our hearts to the thought of just one more...each of your siblings made our family more and more of what God wanted us to become...each with their distinct personalities...a new dynamic would become part of who our portion of the Griffith clan would become...and you had the job of being God's gift of completing us! I can go back to each of my births as if they were yesterday...the emotions I felt with each one of you! Your day was different for me in many ways...one being induced...but two, coming to terms with the fact that for sure you would be the last one! You dad left the hospital to go bring the other kids back to see you and we had a good time of just you and me...after the other 3 I was beginning to realize how I needed to take those times and appreciate them...

You bring such joy to our lives...you are your dad made over...I love that...you have his joy for laughter...peacemaker...and passions...

I was reading a blog this morning before I began to type and it was captured my thoughts today because it was written by a woman who has struggled to become the mom God would have her be and not the mom she thought she needed to be...

So this is for all 4 of you...

I cared too much what people thought of me.

It affected my rules, my words, and my actions.

Everyone of you deserved a mom whose identity was grounded and anchored in Christ, and not in her role as a wife and mom or walking around in a rage.  You deserved a mom who knew the God of the Bible and trusted that He was indeed a good, good Father. You deserved a mom who desired to connect to you hearts before correcting you behaviors.

But God.

And Grace.

You didn’t get what I thought you deserved,

but instead you got messy imperfect me.

You got to witness what it looks like to be broken.

You got to watch what it looks like to walk the path of healing.

You got to see God put the pieces of my shattered heart back together.

No, not one of you got what you deserved, but God kept His word and worked all things together for good.

my children never needed broken, messy me.

my children needed put together me.

But you each needed me (and continue to need me) to willing to empty myself of me so that Jesus can shine. 

Those are her words and not mine but that is my heart...I'm thankful for God's grace and forgiveness but so dearly thankful for the grace and forgiveness of my 4 amazing heros in my life...You are hero's because each one of you came out of my mess...standing in Christ...

Katie...you have always been a shining light for Christ...there is nothing in this life that makes this momma's heart more thankful and more inspired than that!

I love you so much...I tease you about still calling dad...daddy...but I'm sure thankful to be your momma!!!

Have a blessed and amazing day today!

love,

momma

Scott

another year has rolled around...I love this man so much that God has blessed me with...you are my best friend...we are both so guilty of not making enough time for one another...we never have...I'm not sure we know...but that is us...has been for 34 years...and for us...it works...it makes the alone times more precious...

I hope you know how loved you truly are...your daughters simply adore their father...all 3 of them...Bekah has the most special place of favorite daughter in law! Michael...he may not have become a trucker...but he is an image of Scott Griffith...in his integrity...his passion for life and laughter...his work ethic...he has followed very much in your footsteps! I know 6 little people that think poppy is a pretty cool guy too! a second generation of little people on the truck!

you have a wife who thinks you are just about it...the life we have together is so special...may we never take it for granted...I love you so much...Happy birthday!!!!

Beth

Michael

This year we have worked hard to not just be parents/child but to be friends...I love the change in our relationship...as parents it is so hard to look at our children as adults...and for them to look into our eyes and understand that we see them as adults...this year we jumped that hurdle...(I'm a late bloomer...) it's not that we didn't see him as an adult...we did...but this year...this year Michael knows we see him that way...I am so proud of the person he is...the leader he is...the integrity he has...the husband he is...

Michael loves the Lord more and more each day...it becomes more apparent all the time...he loves Beks like none other...I'd like to say that is because of the example his dad set for him...(and it did help!)...but as Michael falls more in love with his Savior...he falls more in love with his bride...

He and Bekah lead us in worship...to the very throne each Sunday...I know the Spirit is there each week as we close our eyes and sing to our King...

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.

Psalm 105:1 

So...this year I say happy birthday Michael and thank you...thanks for the life lessons you've taught me through the years...honestly you and your dad are the ones who taught me to laugh and how to laugh...thanks for loving me enough to go on and forgive...thanks for becoming the godly man you are...for being the husband you are...for standing up and being strong even when it's hard...for being you...I wouldn't want anything different!!!

Love you,
Mom

I pray He never stops speaking to me....

God is real...some of you know that...some of you wonder...and some of you just blame think that is a crazy dream made up by those who need to live in a fantasy world...but I know He is real...you see...without Him...I wouldn't be here...I'm not talking about Him creating me and giving me life (which He did!)...I'm talking about when I was at my lowest to date...He raised me head and eyes to Him...He sustained me when I thought there was no hope...and nothing left to sustain...when you might ask, did this happen...years ago...the past few months and all the times in between...Oh some of those times were much worse than others...but I need Him...I need Him to help me out of bed...to face a very scary world...He has done and continues to do more for me than I could ever hope and certainly more than I deserve!

I've know I've been in a foggy place for a while now...yesterday...God reached deep into that fog...He spoke to me as clearly as if His audible voice whispered in my ear...He reminded me...this time I have put myself in a cage of my own making...don't get me wrong...that is not always the case...sometimes life is hard b/c of illness...or b/c of result of someone else's actions or choices...but this time...I've done this...and He has promises throughout His word for ways out of these struggles when these times arise in our lives...so...will I walk in His freedom or my own imprisonment that I've created...

I've struggled with my hip for the last few years...Scott can pull on my leg and it will help but the answer...every time...is to make an appointment and go to see my chiropractor..and sometimes  is is quite painful for her to get things back to where they need to be...Yesterday God used even that silly illustration in my life...I want a quick fix to my problems and hurts...but I need to simply go to Him...it may be painful...but in the end...He heals...

This was said in church yesterday...I'm I guilty of do things FOR God but not spending time WITH God? Have I started following from a distance...that's human nature isn't it? If we are afraid of being hurt or if we are weary...we begin to lag back...following still...but from a distance...pain is real...but then I think of those in other places...who have gaping wounds or who have lost their lives because they choose to follow Jesus...then I think think of Christ...and what it cost Him...so that I could follow Him...yes it's true pain is real...yes it hurts...whether it is physical...emotional or both but He Is Worth It!

There is a freedom that is unexplainable for those of us who call ourselves Christ followers...so...do I want out of this cage I've created myself...I need Him to help me to overcome somethings...but again...He reminded me...He is everything I need and He has supplied everything I need...

I want my husband to fix it...but he can't, I want to fix it myself...and honestly I can't either...I can't ask my pastor to...or my church family to...I can only fall before the throne...trust and obey...and allow Him to do a great and mighty work that gives me freedom and Him glory...

I can ask however, for prayers...they would be much appreciated...I would share the specific struggles...but really does it matter...I have mine...you have yours...and He desires to be glorified through the healing process...

Psalm 32:7-10 take time to read it today...

Thankful for His love...

Heather Michelle...

Another birthday...another year....I know this particular year has had it's challenges...my prayer for you is that you can see God's hand in it even on the hardest of days...to know...believe and claim the truth that God has you planted in your place for His greater purpose...

I'm so proud of the woman you are...the wife and momma you are as well...my greatest fear in life...or at least one of them...is that you kids would have my parenting skills...I'm so thankful you do NOT...you are a loving momma who doesn't mind making a mess in order to make a memory...and you teach them about the real truth of life...Jesus...

I pray this year is extra special for you as you seek God's goodness and grace in and through you this year...your verse comes to my mind this after noon...John 11:35...may you weep over that He weeps over and may you find joy in what brings him joy...Ps. 16:11...joy...in His presence!

I love you so much...have a great day!

Love,
Mom

Around the world with the Lord...

We've been home now for 3 days...I've tried for 3 days to find the adequate words to share...I still can't seem to find them...We've had it said to us that they don't know how we do it...or maybe even why we do it...our answer...how can we not go...or why would we not? To be honest we are so humbled that God would allow us to go...that He would trust us with His message...that He would equip us...that He would provide for us to go...that He would allow us to be just a very small part of all that He is doing globally...

I think one of the next questions people would ask is...what is the hardest part...not sure you will really want to know the answer but here goes...

The hardest part...is coming home...to a place where my biggest fear is I'll become more complacent...to a place where, really, we have such freedom to worship without fear...and yet we don't or if we do we take it lightly or we choice something else instead...please know, I'm not saying that is true of all...but as a culture I believe it to be more true than not...

Between the men and the women we had 75...many of them quite old...they walked as far as 3 hours...one way...to come sit on a concrete slab for another 4 hours to hear God's word...they had a 15 minutes break in the middle...then a journey of up to 3 hours back home again...they did this for 3 days straight without falling asleep in the middle...or wiggling...or whispering...would I...would you? How desperate for God are we really?

Desperate is the word that God continues to throw at me the past few days...am I desperate...for Him...more than anything else...more than doing life with Scott...or being with my family...or leaving the comforts of home...

We had a family come minister to us for several years...as they were praying about coming to McDonald County...they were asked why would you go...God began to bring our faces to their minds...and they very clearly began to understand...why wouldn't they?...that is a God kind of answer!

So today I am seeing the faces of those precious ladies I had the honor of spending time with and sharing God's word with...those faces, where some are more seasoned believers than others...those that still had a bit of questions in their eyes...and all of them having...a hunger for the word...for these ladies,they attend church...and have  been discipled...but this was the first time they had a teaching JUST for them...I remember they first "conference" I attending as a believer...to date, none have surpassed all that God revealed to me that weekend...Lord...continue the work in the lives of the ladies...give them courage to share...help them to be strong with the pressure that comes from their unbelieving family...and friends...and Lord...take me back...over and over again...

14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” Romans 10:14-15

34 years...and counting...

Can I just say how blessed I am as his wife...as his partner in life...where did the time go...I remember peeking out the front window of my house...so nervous...never in my wildest dreams imagining how that night would change both of our lives...how we've both changed over the years...for the better I think...

A few things I love about him...

...the way he reaches for my hand during prayer
...and during worship...

...the way he loves life...and can find humor in almost every situation...almost!!!

...the way he prays just before we go to sleep...

...the way he was and is with our kids...a father with great love...helpful...always there for them...even now as adults...all they have to do is call dad...

...the way, even when his body hurts...he takes time to play with the grand kids...the pride in his eyes when one of them wants to learn about his work or thing he is tinkering on...or when he tells them things about Jesus...

...his passion for the nations...and his sacrifice that comes with that...

...his drive to experience life to it's fullest...from skydiving...to eating gross stuff to impress a student...to simply teaching me about laughter...

We celebrate 34 years today! We both have often said we thought we were in love when we married...but the honest truth is, we had no idea what love was...but then one by one people and things came into our lives to teach us about love...Scott had a better grasp than I did simply because he already experienced the love of Christ...but we both still had so much to learn (and still do...I hope we NEVER get to a place in life that we think we have not reason or purpose to keep learning lessons!)...As our babies started to come I began to get more of a pictures of love...each one them taught me a little more about it...and then I met Christ...and a whole new world opened up for me...and really for us....because...now we had a world to share...a world where grace abounded (and we found/find that is so very needed to survive!!!)...a world where, as Scott and I would grow closer to the Lord individually...we would grow closer together as a couple...a process that...with many flaws and mistakes...our children watched lived out before them...

Scott asked me last night...where did 34 years go...I think at times...he wishes for more than we have...a little land...not have to still work quite as hard...but I look and see so much more...I see us...still standing by the power of Jesus Christ...I see 4 grown, amazing adults...that we both had a part of...who love Jesus...who have mates that love Jesus...and Michael being the husband he is to his sweet Beks...while we are not perfect people...he saw a husband live out sacrificial love...a trait that Michael absolutely  has like his dad...I see their dad in all of them...I'm thankful for that...grateful for the heritage that comes from him...to them...we are such a blessed family...

...by his example to me, Scott has allowed me to understand that I'm loved, cherished and adored by the creator of the universe...and that creator...gifted me with Scott...who this side of heaven...loves me, cherishes me and adores me like no other...

here is to another 34 years...I'm in love!!!

Birthday Twins!!!

Well Rylee and Caleb are 7 years old today!!!! It is so hard to believe it!!! They bring such joy to our lives...Rylee lovin' on her babies...I think she will grow up to be a GREAT babysitter and an even better momma someday!!!

Caleb...is the little man...sometimes very serious and other times crazy with giggles! I can't wait to see all that God will do in him...and her over the coming years...

They were at the house the other day and we were watching a IMB video...the video asked if you had ever done anything that changed your life...they both piped up...YES...oh...what was that...we went to Peru and told people about Jesus last summer...and played with the Peruvian kids...well said twins...well said...how many of us can say by the time we were 7 we experienced something that changed our lives!!!

Happy Birthday Twins...
~Love you so much~
Grammy

Happy Birthday Cas!

Another year has come and gone...life just keeps going doesn't it!?!? I know I always say it but it's true...I can close my eyes and see you with your baby doll...loving it and momma-ing it because you have always been a momma...I'm sorry for that...and thankful for it too because you have had lots of practice and now look...you are...according to Camden Isaiah...are pretty much the best mom in the whole wide world!

I pray today you feel loved...you enjoy your classroom...your teammates appreciate you a little extra today...you know you are valued...by all of us who are honored to call you ours! But more than that I pray you know how much God loves you today...just a fresh reminder that you are a child of the One True King...a precious person to Him who is held when you feel alone...who He finds joy in...and who He has equipped for such a time as this!

I love you...have a blessed day...and have a GREAT date night tonight with that boy that stole your heart so many years ago!

Love,
Mom

Ayden Parker...

Oh my goodness...where has the time gone...I can remember when you were the only one...the one who made me a grammy...something I have always looked forward to becoming...and now you lead the pack of 6!

Sometimes, Grammy can close her eyes and still see you riding old bucky...and singing your sweet songs...and then other times...I'm afraid to blink because next you will be an official teenager...then driving...then graduating high school...going to college...and along the way somewhere you will meet that special girl who will still your heart!

Poppy and I are so proud of the young man you are becoming...you are always ready for a hug and a quick "I love you". We pray that God grows you in great ways over the next year...we love you so much buddy! Enjoy the night with your family!

Love you...
Grammy and Poppy!!!!