Happy Birthday

I love my Birthday cake... Please help yourself it is virtually delicious !!

I find it such a blessing to celebrate my birthday on a Sunday, the day I was born fifty years ago. I don’t know what fifty is supposed to feel like, I really do not feel any different and in fact I have been celebrating almost all week (smiles). I still feel young at heart, in my attitude, mind, and outlook on life.

There were so many times in my life from the time I was five months old for whatever reasons I have been in situations where I should not be here on earth. But unbeknown to me God had plans for my life, even now living with an illness that has no cure, the Lord continues to assure me that he is not finished me yet.

I am the youngest of five children; I share the same birth date with my older sister. We are so close till this day, and I when I was born I was her real life baby doll. She has always taken care of me, even till this day. On May 23, 1960 a tsunami hit the Big Island of Hawaii; we were both in our rooms sleeping soundly.

My mother assumed we went with my father to visit my grandparent’s, so she took my brothers and left to get to a safer place. We were later rescued by my dad and a security guard, our room filled with water, both of us soaked to the skin. My mother told me I was really sick with pneumonia, I look back and think of how we both could have also perished on the same day.

In 1978 I had to go under go a six hour emergency surgery due to an accident, my parents were called and told I was not going to make it and that they should come as soon as possible. But once again by the grace of God I survived the operation and after a long recovery I was able to go on with my life. In 1997 I was diagnosed with a severe liver illness which there was no cure for. In 2006 I was told my liver was at a stage 4 ( there is no 5) I underwent Chemo and severe treatments that ended up not working.

This just a part of my testimony, the rest is still unwritten and when the time is right the Lord will let me know.

Today as I celebrate my Birthday, I am thankful for these lessons I have experienced during my journey…

Life is to be lived by the moments; powerful things can happen and be discovered in the moments. We end up missing them because we don’t take time to stop and enjoy the simple moments in life,

Forgiveness heals and frees the soul, graciously accepting forgiveness, is just as important as forgiving others. We have been given a precious power; we must receive, and give it generously, and often.

The most blessed gifts in life are family and treasured friends.

My greatest spiritual gifts from the Lord are compassion, and encouragement.

Looking back on life without regrets, allows me to look forward with gratitude.

The power of prayer is not the result of me praying, rather, the power resides in God whom I pray to.

Never stop praying for, or give up on loved ones.

The way your life turns out truly depends on the choices you make along the way.

The Joy Of The Lord, has been, and will always continue to be my strength.

Written By: Lorie A. Yocum January 10, 2010