April 8, 2013

Eighteen

Today, Austin is eighteen.  Eighteen!!  
I'm not sure how that happened.
Wasn't it just yesterday that the Lord lovingly
placed him in our hearts and home?
How is it possible that we have been on this journey
of parenthood for eighteen years?
We cannot possibly be old enough...can we?  :)



 Just a year ago, we were celebrating the 

fact that Austin was able to come home from the hospital
in time for his special day.
Just days prior, we were not sure if he would 
even live to see his seventeenth birthday.
God graciously allowed him to ~ we are so thankful He did!



 Austin, the LORD has taught you much of Himself.
He has graciously saved you and called you His own.

He has taken you through some deep waters,
and you have come through them because of His grace.
We thank Him for the strength He gives.
We praise Him for His mercies.
What a wonderful blessing it is to know
that you are complete in Him.







How precious it has been to witness

your confidence in our Great God, 
while surrendering yourself to His will for you.
Even if that meant taking you Home to be with
Him while you were still in your teens.
We have been so encouraged to witness your faith in the LORD.
We are thankful that your trust is in Him. 





May the LORD grant that you would have

many more years to serve and follow Him.
May His hand continually be upon you, 
and may you know His leading in your life.
Follow Him wherever He leads.
Trust Him with all that you have.
There is nothing more noble than serving Him.
He alone is worthy.

We love you so very much,

and we count it an honour to have
been chosen to be your parents.
It is a blessing to call you our son.

All our Love,

Dad and Mum XOXO


13 comments:

Nadine said...

What a blessing...Happy 18th Birthday to Austin!

Love & Blessings,
Nadine

Hopes Handcrafts said...

Such a precious young man in the Lord Camille! Happy 18th Birthday Austin...may the Lord touch your heart and bless you this day (literally AND metaphorically-speaking!)

{{Big hugs}}
Julia XX

Ann at eightacresofeden said...

Please wish Austin a very happy 18TH birthday from us all. What a beautiful tribute Camille to your son who surely is one of those sons as the Bible states in Psalm 144.12 who are like plants grown up in their youth. (That's my favourite verse in the Bible!) I continue to uphold Austin in prayer, thanking the Lord for giving your son back to you and asking Him to continue to heal and restore his body and that God would continue to work in his life and use him for His glory. This verse is for Austin.
'But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you' 1 Peter 5:10
P.S What sweet cards and notes the other boys and Emma created for Austin!

Maryann said...

Beautiful touching post, Happy 18th birthday Austin. Will continue to lift Austin up in prayer (and your family)
Blessings and Hugs
Maryann

Sandy said...

Happy 18th Birthday, Austin!!!
What a wonderful blessing to belong to the Lord. Love those hand-made cards, they had such a personal touch!
Love to you.
Trong, Sandy & Uriah

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

Happy 18th birthday to Austin. May you have many more and God bless you in many ways. Hugs to a fine young man!

Camille said...

Nadine ~ Thank you my friend...thank you. :)

Julia ~ Your sweet words made my boy smile...thank you. :)

Ann ~ How precious God's Word is...thank you for sharing such an encouraging verse with Austin. :)

Maryann ~ Thank you SO much! What a blessing you are. :)

Trong, Sandy and Uriah ~ Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet words...looking forward to seeing you all soon. :)

Becky ~ Thank you my friend...I appreciate you! :)

With love,
Camille

Jill said...

Happy 18 th birthday Austin and many many more! Blessings to you all

Jill

Patty said...

Happy Birthday (a day late) to Austin my brother in Christ. Blessings to all.

Cheesemakin' Mamma said...

This post chokes me up. I'm amazed at your family's attitude towards Austin's illness. You guys are such and inspiration! I pray Austin has many more birthdays to celebrate. The homemade cards are so special :)

Camille said...

Jill ~ Thank you for your kind words to our boy my friend...blessings to you, too! :)

Patty ~ Birthday wishes are always a blessing no matter when they arrive! Thank you for stopping by my friend. :)

Jackie ~ Your words are a blessing, as always my friend. It's only because of the Grace and Mercy of our Great God that we have the ability to view these things in this light...HE is Forever Good! :)

With Love,
Camille

Unknown said...

Happy birthday, Austin! Looks like you had a wonderful day celebrating with your family! We pray for you daily and lift you up to our Savior.

Camille said...

Jenny ~ What a precious friend you are! Thank you.

Love, Camille