50

God graciously blessed me 50 years and 1 day ago by allowing Jo Karr to give birth to the amazing man that I call my Beloved and Friend!!!

The day didn't quite go as planned, but we were blessed by time together as a family. We hope to celebrate more this weekend. Of course, our lives aren't really where you would want them to be as you celebrate a milestone birthday, but instead of looking where we aren't I am going to look at what all God has done in Joey's life.

I know that God doesn't allow us to see what all we do with our lives because we would take credit for it, but He does allow others to see. :)

Joey has been in the ministry for 30 years now. Only God knows the impact he has made on the kingdom by allowing God to work through him. God has graciously given Joey glimpses through the years because He know pastors need it from time to time to keep them going, but overall we have no idea. He has helped several churches re-vision and it is wonderful to look at those churches now and see what God is doing. He has a deep desire to disciple God's children and spread the word to those that don't know. He has no problem with working hard and meeting people where they are in order to reach them. I am excited to watch him in the ministry position God has ordained for him!! Some say being a pastor isn't really a job, but having God for your ultimate boss (which He really is no matter what your job!) makes it pretty demanding. God doesn't call the lighthearted into ministry, there is a lot of junk in the ministry. God has brought Joey through a lot in these 30 years of ministry, and I know and believe that it has all been to prepare him for the years of ministry to come. God is awesome like that!! There is nothing that has happened in Joey's life that has been a waste.

Joey has written some amazing studies, and God trully speaks to him in amazing ways. God's word trully is alive!!

I must say that Joey's most awesome accomplishment is fathering 5 precious children. His 3 kids that are here love their Daddy more than anything!! His sons want nothing more than to be just like Daddy. :) His daughter wants Daddy to be her kind. He loves Janie Beth and her journey has changed him for the better! She has prepared him for ministry that he never could have done before. I am excited to watch him with Joy Michelle!!! God is molding him into the man He has called Joey to be, and in doing that God is molding our children as well.

He is an amazing husband!! We have had our trying times, who hasn't, but God has brought us closer than we have ever been, and I love him more now than I did almost 8 years ago when I said "I do". He helps me and cares for me. He loves me as Christ loves the church. I am thankful to have the privilege and honor of being Joey's helpmeet!

I love you, Joey Karr!!! I do not want to imagine my life without you in it! God did a good work August 17, 1960 when you entered the world. And to think that He knew I was coming along down the road a bit makes me go WOW! God really does see the big picture! If you hadn't done anything else with your life, you have brought me closer to God and for that I can not say thank you enough!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY my Beloved and Friend!!!

With his 2 look a likes. I can totally see Joey popping in a picture at Eli's age in the exact same way. LOL

 Doesn't he look good!?! :)

 The awesome stocking my sister Abby gave him. She said he needed a big one. :)

 So, I didn't chose well on the sparkling grape juice. LOL

God is good to me!! Joey is good to me!! I am thankful for the many things he has done in his 50 years and for the road that God has brought him on because it lead to me. :)