Happy Birthday To My Sweet Mother in Law!

Today my Mother in law turns 97 years old!  Isn't she beautiful?  This is a photo of her yesterday holding birthday flowers.

She's having several days of celebrating (a woman after my own heart!) with family and friends.

Jean has had a amazing life.  She was a mischievous child, often getting into trouble, gave her heart to Christ and walked and served Him all the days since.  

She worked for Youth for Christ in Canada (she's from Orangeville, Ontario for my Canadian friends) when Leighton Ford was still in high school, went to Bible School, and missionary training where she met Tim's dad.  She was in her early 30's then.  They married, and went to Senegal to work with people groups who didn't have written languages.  She had 6 children, four boys, two girls.  Two boys died in Senegal.  She's Grammy to 15 and great Grammy to eight!

The family came home when Tim's dad struggled with depression.  They ended up working at the headquarters of the mission in Florida.  Tim attended junior high and high school there.  His dad died right after his high school graduation.   His parents were married 30 years.

Jean remarried for another 30 year marriage.  She continued to work with the mission, and then retired.  She did volunteer work at the local food bank for many years, Bible studies, caring for people through hospitality in her home, and she did prison ministry for many years.  For about six years she has been suffering with dementia (short term memory loss).  Her personality was always lively and telling stories and now she is quiet.  Her legs are weak, due to strokes, but her spirit is still one of peace and joy.  

I'm honored to know her and to be part of her family.

Today we celebrate her life, and thank God for her!

Happy Birthday, Mom!  We love you!