05 August 2012

something different.

Hello all, this is Jared - Rebekah's husband.  Not that I really have to say that for regulars who know all about me from reading this blog *ahem.

I wonder if you could help me out with a little birthday present for my lovely wife.  It is her birthday tomorrow - Monday, August 6.

If you regularly read this blog, would you be so kind as to post a comment?  It could be as simple as "Hey Rebekah, this is ____________, Happy Birthday!"  Or better yet write a paragraph or two.  If you don't mind leaving your name, that would be great.

I'd like her to be blessed by getting to hear from all of you who benefit from and appreciate her writing.  I don't know exactly how many of you there are, but quite a few I know.  Rebekah enjoys doing this and does it very well, but sometimes it is a labor and she wonders if it is really worth it.  I think if she would hear from every one of you, it would be a great encouragement.  Let's see how much the "Comments" tab can handle!

And now, this is my note:

Babe, thank you for thinking hard about things and thinking about hard things.  Thank you for taking the time, in this busy busy world, to carefully put those thoughts into words for others to benefit from.  Thank you for being such an awesome cook! (that's selfish, I know)  Thank you for your strong desire to do excellently with what God has given you.  Thank you for loving me and bearing with me.  Thanks for making our home such a wonderful place to be.  Thanks for marrying me.  I love you - Jared.

48 comments:

  1. Happy birthday, Rebekah. I am blessed by your careful and intentional words on hard and beautiful topics. You are a gifted writer, and I am always encouraged by your thoughts. You are also witty and funny and I know I can always come here for a good laugh. More than any of those things, you are a woman who deeply loves and fears God. I respect you greatly and want to be like you when I grow up.

    Love, Shannon

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    1. Thank you for your kind encouragement, Shannon. Really, let's do lunch before you leave!

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  2. Hey Rebekah,
    I wanted to write you a little message and saw that Jared gave an opportunity on your blog--how neat! I wish you a very happy birthday full of joy and love because of Christ. You know my children treasure every moment they get with you, fighting over who has to actually go out with mom instead of staying home with you:) No offense. I treasure the little chats we get to have about God and what He's doing and what He's done. You've blessed me with your words on many occasions, which can only happen because you stay near to Jesus. Thanks for blessing us! Love you,
    Brenda

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    1. Ah, Brenda, I prize our time together just as much! It was an unexpected blessing to gain your friendship- I had thought I was just coming to help out with the kids, and I got a whole lot more than that. :)

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  3. HIPY PAPY BTHUTHDTH THUTHDA BTHUTHDY :)

    I love you,
    Rachel

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  4. Hello Rebekah! I have loved reading your blog! Not only are your recipes inspiring and delicious-sounding, and your natural living posts are sensational, but I am also so encouraged by your meditations on God's will and living the life He's given you well and cheerfully. Even though I have not experienced the same trials as you have, I have lost one child and I know the pain you have must be great. Your patience and hope are a wonderful encouragement to me. You are in my prayers. Happy birthday! Love, Anna

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    1. Thank you, Anna. I was excited to discover that you had a blog as well- what a blast from the past. I am so glad that the Lord has blessed you and Josh with this newest baby :)

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  5. My dear Rebekah,

    At the behest of your amazing husband I'm leaving you a comment here to wish you the merriest of birthdays. (Of course, I'm doing it of my own volition as well :P ) I hope this next year will be filled with more blessings and joy than the last. I miss you and the random talks we'd have when we were still all settled at Hillsdale. Happy happy birthday my dear!

    Also, I do really appreciate your blog. I keep bookmarking your great cooking advice and recipes that I will try at some point, and I always look forward to the weekend linkage because I feel like it gives me a sneak peek into what you're thinking about at the moment. It's kind of like a silent conversation, although I'm definitely not doing much talking through comments, haha. :)

    -Gwen

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    1. Gwen, thanks for your encouragement and friendship! Yes, go ahead and talk back to me ;)

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  6. Happy Birthday Rebekah,
    I really enjoy your blog. I think I stumbled on it through the paleo blogs i read. Anyway, have a great day. We have almost finished August 6th here in Australia. Blessings.

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    1. Thank you Mel! What fun to get birthday wishes from Australia.

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  7. Oh Rebekah, I hope you have a wonderful birthday! Yes, you did marry a good one....very thoughtful of him. I certainly do hope someone makes YOU a delicious meal and cake today, although judging from your blog, you would probably enjoy doing it yourself! (Not me....although you do help to inspire me.) I appreciate reading your very informative and thoughtful blog. I love all the fun links too....so varied and things that would take me days to find. What I enjoy most however, is your sense of humor....and the little glimpse inside your life. Thanks for taking the time to share what God is doing in your heart and life. You, my friend, are a blessing! Love, Gina

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    1. Thank you for the sweet encouragement, Gina. Jared and I partnered up in the meal-making... I enjoyed my part of it, yes, but I left the flaming grill to him. ;)

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  8. I am so glad Jared said it was your birthday, because it gives me the opportunity to tell you how much I've enjoyed getting to know you! (Is that a comma splice?) You are such a cheerful young woman, and I love getting to interact with you every Sunday, even if it's just for a few minutes. Have a wonderful birthday!

    Melissa Stoltzfus

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    1. It is NOT a comma splice. ;)

      Thank you, Melissa!

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  9. Happy Birthday dear sister-n-law (but I mind as well leave out the n-law part because that's how I feel about you... as sister!) I am so very grateful that we not only get to walk with this life as sisters in Christ, but being a part of the same church and the wonderful Randolph clan. I love that you think, feel and act deeply on the stuff that matters. And, although you may still have an opinion on the "minor" things, you can defer to others and/or put your preferences aside. I love that you love Christ. I love that you are gifted in so many things I am not and therefore I can get to benefit from your excellencies :-) I love that you serve in the very area that has been such a trial... children... because you desire to honor God by serving others where there is a need. I love that our girls love their Aunt Rebekah (and have so many things to say when they see you! :-) and that you love them. Thank you for desiring to do all things excellent -- this brings honor to God. I could go on and on... Much love and affection, Lori

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    1. Ah... I love you right back! I remember when you and Lane took us out for dinner while we were still dating, and just enjoying your company even though I hardly knew you. :) It has been so good to be welcomed into the family.

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  10. Happy Birthday Rebekah!! You always encourage me and I've enjoyed writing you :) love, Megan

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  11. Rebekah! Happy Birthday to you! Bonne Anniversaire a toi! Even in our one conversation on the porch that one night many months ago, I left with my heart very full from the interaction with you. I think God is doing a great work in you, not because of you, but because He is great. Keep pursuing Him. Keep thinking hard about Him (I love that encouragemnt from Jared!). He will never fail you. Smooches! Sara

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    1. Oh Sara, thank you for the encouraging and thoughtful words you always give. I think that the Lord has given you wisdom and I'm glad you are willing to share it with me.

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  12. Thanks for your very thoughtful comments on life. I found it particularly helpful to read the 51 Weeks series. To be honest, though, one of the main reasons I read your blog is to get my weekly fill of Jared/ridiculous Wilhelm family quotes. Gives me a little taste of home. :)

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    1. In equal honesty, it's one of my favorite parts to write.

      Come home soon! Maybe we'll have our own house by then!

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  13. Hi Rebekah, happy Birthday!! What a sweet husband you have! You are truly a gifted woman and it comes through on your blog. I love your recipes and your witty words. Probably my favorite thing you wrote about was your series on beauty. I keep hoping to see another installment there!! Hope you have a great day.
    Love,
    lori

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    1. I've been thinking about the beauty topic again, so if I have any ruminations worth sharing, I will! Thanks for your friendship and uplifting words to me, Lori. That has been a real gift.

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  14. Rebekah! Happy, happy birthday! You have been such a blessing to our family over the past year (+). Maddie and Emma love spending time with you. Their faces always light up when I tell them you are coming over and immediately start discussing all the things they are going to do with you that day. Emma sure has come a long way! Ha! :) It has been an absolute joy for me to get to know you as well. I love being able to chat with you and have benefited so much from your wisdom and unwavering faith in God and His perfect plan for your life.

    I also love that we spell our name the same way! :)
    xoxo, Bekah

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    1. Oh Bekah, just as I said to Brenda... when I first started coming to your house I figured I'd just help out with the kids and be on my way. But wow, I got a friend in the process! Thanks for your many encouraging words to me. Thanks for your prayers. :)

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  15. Happy Birthday, Rebekah!! I love reading your blog. Your posts encourage me, make me think, and make me laugh. I feel like they give me a peek at how life is in between our letters, and let me keep in touch with how you better even though we are too far away to visit in person. Have a wonderful birthday! :)

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    1. I miss you, Gretchen, but I love when you leave comments on my blog because it reminds me that we can have a small connection! That and our snail-mail letters. (Oops, I think it's my turn to write...) love you.

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    2. No worries...It is actually my turn to write, and I sent a letter off on Monday! :)

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  16. Sweet potato pancakes. This is ridiculous.

    THANK YOU.

    I will reply to you individually as soon as I can :)

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  17. Dear Rebekah,
    I edit my blog subscriptions ruthlessly, but yours keeps making the cut. It's a little substitute for how I imagine it would be to live nearby and sometimes drop over for tea.

    But far more important, on your birthday, is thanks to God for your life. Despite your high awareness of its imperfections, it is beautiful and blessed to all who are granted a chance to know you. May you have many, joyful more.
    Love,
    Joy

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    1. Thank you so much, Joy. If you every come this way, we'll have a real cup of tea. Till then, I love reading your blog and am glad you enjoy mine.

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  18. Dear Rebekah,

    When I first met you, I knew you chiefly for your facility at posting on online forums articulately AND often - a winning combination that always eluded me. I so enjoyed living near you for three years in college so as to enjoy a face-to-face friendship, but now that the distance pushes us back into virtual communication, I appreciate your insights even more, hearing them expressed so charmingly, thoughtfully, simply yet fully on your blog. Your blog is literally at the top of my list of blogs for everyday reading, and your friendship is one I hope to cherish for as many years as God gives us. May this next year be particularly full of joy for you and well-thought words for the benefit of the rest of us!

    Much love,
    Laura T

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    1. Laura, I admire you so much and you probably have no idea how much your friendship meant to me in college! I am so glad that we are able to continue it though we're far away.

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  19. Happy Birthday Rebekah! I appreciate your willingness to share in care group and to ask thoughtful questions. You are a hard worker in your home and you are always out and about serving others. THank you for the many ways that you serve (and allow your husband to serve) our church family so well. Hugs!

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    1. Thank you Becky! You are one of the hardest-working homemakers I know-- I am honored that you would see me in the same way :)

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  20. Happy Birthday, dear Rebekah!! I love reading your thoughts. Following the trails of your thinking. I can remember back to when you were a very young girl. There was always a spark of intelligence in your eyes. And I love that you have not only developed your mind....and your thinking....(love how Jared put it---you think hard about things and think about hard things)....but you have also embraced a life of serving others. The combination is shockingly profound.
    I love your humor.....your love of literature.....and your love for God. It is so encouraging to me. I wish we could clone you!
    Happy, happy day. May the Lord give you your heart's desire.
    Your,
    Cynthia

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    1. Oh Cynthia, I want to be you when I grow up. (I really do.) Thank you for being my friend. :)

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  21. Happy birthday, Rebekah! Thank you so much for all the work you put into your blog! God has used it numerous times to encourage and refresh me - sometimes through your thoughts on scripture (some of the topics you have discussed are so, so pertinent to me), sometimes through your ability to see and point out the magnificent beauty in everyday life (may we ever have eyes that more clearly recognize God's varied grace), sometimes through your humour (it's good to be reminded of all the joy in life on days when joy isn't very obvious), and the list could go on and on. Thank you. (o:
    ~ Cameron W.

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    1. Cameron, thank you! I miss seeing you almost every day-- yet I'm grateful that technology gives us a way to connect. :)

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  22. Dear Rebekah,

    Happy birthday! I don't even remember the way that I found your blog, but I have been a subscriber for some time now. I love your witty sense of humor and your delightful recipes. Thank you for taking time out of your day to type out a few words for the world to read.

    All the best,
    Char

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  23. Happy birthday, Rebekah! I simply love your blog. Your words, your insight, your recipes, your quotes, your writing -- they make the day better. Thanks for sharing a window into your life -- thanks for living your life with grace and for others. I wish I had known you better at school, but I'm so glad to know you here. I hope your day, and the whole of the coming year, are full of blessings and blessings and blessings.

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    1. Wendy, thank you for the sweet encouragement!

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  24. It appears I'm late to the party, but I stil want to join in. I love that you are using so many of the gifts God has given you in your blog - a thoughtful mind, wit and humor, well-crafted words. And, I love that your entries are both a window into your soul and your "everyday" life, and that both reflect your intentional pursuit of God's will.
    Much love, Irene

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