Birthday Blessings

Many of you know that Karen had a rough week last week and caused a few other people to have a rough week as well. You'll be glad to know that things are on the mend. As evidence, I give you her birthday yesterday. At her new home, they celebrate by inviting the people from the other house (both men and women have houses, two miles apart) for a birthday dinner of the honoree's choice and then have a little fun time together. For a while, just to be obstinate, K did not want the fellows coming over, which would have hurt them as well as bewildered them. She also has not wanted anyone to sing happy birthday for several years, even as she writes out wish lists years in advance for b.d. and Christmas presents. The housemother and I worked out a compromise. The fellows would come but they would not sing happy birthday. Everyone enjoyed chicken enchilladas (though K said they weren't quite as good as Reuben/Deb's) and then instead of singing, they read Numbers 6:24 as a Birthday Blessing, and retired from the table to play Uno. Phone calls, cards, and small gifts (though I don't think any were from her list). How wonderful is this?

And to add icing to the cake (ouch), a new baby for her to love, at least virtually, was born on her birthday, the fourth child of a missionary family from Northview (and sixth grandchild of my dear friend G, Ellison David Dueck. Blessings abound!