Celebrating his birthday by serving the city

So my husband dreamed of buying a sailboat for his birthday this year.  After the miserable winter weather we've had which continues into spring, I'm thinking sailing at sunset somewhere tropical would be the perfect way to celebrate his birthday.

Aqua cycling in 1992

However, our church was sponsoring a city side service project on his birthday.  Approximately 500 people were going out into the community to do a variety of valuable service projects out of the outflow of the love God so lavishly gives.  I signed my kids and me up to serve at a therapeutic horse farm which would give my husband some quiet time at home for his birthday.  After last weekend's non-stop hosting and entertaining of guests, I just knew that peace and quiet would be the best gift I could give him.  Yet, he refused such a gift and insisted on joining us at the farm.  I would trade a sailboat, yacht or exotic vacation any day for a day of hard work in hip boots with shovel in hand alongside this man who loves God, his family, and the community more than himself.

It poured down rain most of the weekend, and we were scheduled to scoop poop at the non-profit horse farm ministry.  We had committed rain or shine, so we all went together with shovels and rakes in hand in the rain.  Happy muddy, soggy, birthday to you, sweet hubby of mine.

Our boots did not stay clean long.

The birthday boy and his sidekick

Birthday boy and our boy raking up sweet gum balls

Totally in her element with the miniature ponies

Farm girls

Each horse on this farm has been rehabilitated from a place of brokenness.  One horse was missing part of her tongue which made it impossible to feed herself.  She nearly starved to death before being rescued by this farm.  Horses thrive in groups as they form relational bonds with each other.  One horse on this farm has suffered the loss of several beloved horse friends.  He ministers especially well to the hearts of children suffering enormous grief.  One horse on the farm was obese when he arrived at the farm.  His hooves suffered so much as a result that he has to be kept on a paddock without any grass since the sugars in the grass cause excruciatingly painful inflammation of his hooves.  Each horse's story is unique, yet each wounded child who comes to this farm seems to connect especially well with at least one of them.  The horses help break down walls in the broken children's hearts so they can begin to heal.

Farm humor

Our banana child in my poncho - the aftermath

Our work team

My poor husband did not get much fanfare for his birthday this year after his big outer spaced themed birthday bash in which we launched him over the hill instead of into outer space last year.  His presents (purchased online) had not arrived yet, so he had to wait until Tuesday to open gifts.  I made him cheesecake lemon bars instead of a cake, and he served himself on a tacky disposable plate before I could get out the "Party Platter" I made at a pottery place for special occasions or before I could at least pull out some birthday themed plates and napkins.  At least he was eager to consume the sweet goodness that combined two of his favorite desserts.

Sorry it wasn't a very exciting birthday, but at least you got to bond with your kiddos in your most favorite way...in the recliner playing games on your tablet.