I Wasn’t Supposed To Grow Old!
Over the last twenty-four years that I’ve had ALS, Mary and I have learned to take one day at a time. But this day, October 5th, is noteworthy because it happens to be my 60th birthday!
I was diagnosed just weeks after my 36th birthday. The prognosis was that I’d be dead before turning forty. My 40th birthday was a big deal. My 50th birthday was a bigger deal. But now I am 60!
“Do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34).
Like the manna in the wilderness, God’s grace is only sufficient for today.
Taking this trial one day at a time, with God’s grace and the prayers and help of family and friends, we’ve been able to cope for over 8700 days. If you’re going through a difficult time right now, focus on today, and God will give you new strength tomorrow morning.
“The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23).
The picture below was taken in 1996, a month and a half after I was diagnosed.
![](https://unshakablehope.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/christmas-96.jpg?w=604)
That Christmas was bittersweet. We packed up our minivan and drove to Wisconsin and then Chicago to spend Christmas with my family. While staying with my sister’s family in Wisconsin, I took the first of probably a thousand painful falls.
I woke up before everyone else that Christmas morning and tried to sneak downstairs to get my video camera set up. Apparently, my legs were not fully awake and gave out at the top of the stairs. I rode my tailbone down the stairs and woke up everyone in the house. My tailbone hurt for months. I followed that with a few falls on icy driveways. Physically speaking, it went downhill from there. But, spiritually, I began to grow in faith.
“I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18).
Does the above verse include getting ALS at thirty-six, losing your career, becoming paralyzed, unable to eat, helpless and voiceless? A million times, YES!
As the Bible says, our lives are like a vapor that appears for a little while and then disappears. It’s eternity that matters. The more we focus on eternity, the smaller our problems seem.
“We do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
As you’ll see in the picture below, sixty years of life and twenty-four years with ALS has caused a lot of decay on my outer man:-)
I often wonder how anyone could have hope, joy, and peace, relying on the temporal things and the decaying “outer man”? More than that, why would anyone want to do this when Jesus suffered, died, and rose from the dead to offer you unshakable hope?
This is what I’m asking God for my 60th birthday gift – that just one person would read this post and make a commitment to follow Christ as I did thirty-seven years ago.
“For God so loved (your name here),that He gave His only begotten Son, that (your name here) believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16).
“Christianity asserts that every individual human being is going to live for ever, and this must be either true or false. Now there are a good many things which would not be worth bothering about if I were going to live only seventy years, but which I had better bother about very seriously if I am going to live for ever.” – C.S. Lewis
My siblings and their families planned to come down to celebrate my 60th birthday, but the pandemic put an end to their plans. I still had a wonderful birthday celebration with Mary’s mom, our girls, son-in-law, and grandkids.
![](https://unshakablehope.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/family-2.jpg)
To the family and friends who have already sent me birthday wishes and gifts – Thank You! Your messages are humbling. If wealth is measured by the love of family and friends, I am the wealthiest man on earth.
Posted on October 5, 2020, in Uncategorized and tagged ALS, Bible, Cancer, Christian, Christianity, Depression, encouragement, Faith, God, Hope, Jesus, MND. Bookmark the permalink. 215 Comments.
Just read everything and feel blessed. May Bill Rest In Peace.
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Sorry I’m late to your party, but happy 60th! I pray your life is filled with miraculous revelations from our creator!
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Thank you, Teri.
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Hello Bill and Mary! Thinking of you and praying for God’s special blessings. Sending you both warm hugs and much love.
ann
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Thank you for your prayers, Ann. We feel them.
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Happy Birthday Bill. God obviously has a plan for you. Take Care my friend.
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Thank you, Tony. It’s great to hear from you. I hope you are well.
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Happy Belated Birthday Bill. I’m so sorry this is late but you’ve been on my mind and in our prayers a lot recently, so I thought I’d check in. I am thankful for your life Bill and loved the photos of you all. I hope someone gave their life to Christ after reading this powerful testimony of God’s grace. Blessings to you and yours….you’ve blessed my heart today.
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Thank you for checking in and reading this post, Vivian. I’m glad you were encouraged.
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Beautiful, inspiring post 💕
I see in you so much of my longed for ever deepening relationship and faith….I see it too in my friend Jeff Lester. He was diagnosed just before his 27th birthday…28 years ago. He wrote a book, Living As A Dead Man:Life Lessons Gained from Losing One Life to Receiving a Greater Purpose.
You are both inspiring, encouraging and powerful voices
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Thank you for your encouraging words, Laura. I read Jeff’s. As it is in my case, his wife is the hero of the story. He is on a vent, I don’t know how she takes care of him. She’s amazing.
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Bill, I just read your birthday story. I was so inspired by your deep Catholic beliefs and your positive attitude on life. You have included many passages from the Bible that align with your life and parallel with the many aspects of your disease. I applaud you for your deep religious conviction. You are in my thoughts and prayers especially since you recently celebrated your 60th birthday. I am hoping you had a very blessed birthday. You are living your life as Jesus did. I am honored to be writing to you. You are indeed a living saint. God bless you, Bill. Happy belated 60th birthday. Your family is beautiful and very lucky to have you as a husband, father, father-in-law, and Grandfather. God bless you, Bill!
Cindy Strasser
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Cindy, Thank you for your birthday wishes, your kind comments, and especially for your prayers. BTW, I’m not Catholic, just a follower of Christ trying to live by His word.
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Happy belated birthday, Bill! You have a BEAUTIFUL family and an even more beautiful life. The place you are right now, God circled on a map for you. 💕 Hugs & blessings dear cyber-friend!
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Thank you for your kind message, Dawn Marie. Sometimes I feel like I’m in uncharted territory 🙂
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Happy 60th, Bill. Your words always bless me. My 60th is coming up in March and you’ve reminded me what matters most in my life–faith, love, and hope.
God bless you and your beautiful family, dear brother. 🦅
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You, turning 60? No way!
Thank you for stopping by 🙂
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The years have flown by fast. We’re 60 years closer to Heaven. Now that’s worth celebrating. 🙂
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That’s definitely worth celebrating! I’ll meet you there.
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“Physically speaking, it went downhill from there. But, spiritually, I began to grow in faith.” I am encouraged by you to go even deeper in my faith. Thank you, Bill. And a very happy belated birthday.
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Thank you, Dee.
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You’re very welcome, Bill.
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Happy belated birthday! I m in awe reading your testimony. I feel your day to day is the way to just givie me hope. These days are just Hit or miss of good news! Thank you for yours.
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JoAnn, thank you for your birthday wishes and for your encouraging comments.
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Happy belated birthday. Love your attitude and steadfast faith, your life testimony truly embodies your name (Unshakable Hope). Truly inspiring, thanks for sharing.
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Thank you for your birthday wishes and for your encouraging words.
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No problem.
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Happy Belated Birthday! Praying it was a blessed day!
Beautiful family! God loves you!
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Thank you, Gail. I had a great birthday.
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PTL 🙂
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Amen!
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I am late to the party, but I know you had a blessed birthday. Your family is beautiful and your faith is God is a refreshing and renewing hope for the rest of us.
I think of you often and I feel privileged to read your writings.
Be blessed!
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Thank you, Pene. I did have a blessed birthday. God has blessed us.
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Happy 60th! Only God can orchestrate such a beautiful life. Thank you for sharing it with us!
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Thank you, Laura.
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What a beautiful family, may the LORD bless and protect you all, as you bless others with your wonderful posts. Happy birthday💕
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Thank you. I had a great birthday.
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Nice Article.
Congrats on your nomination:
https://infirmierishimwe.com/2020/10/11/the-blogger-recognition-award/
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Thank you.
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As usual, Bill, you’ve inspired me but also got me teary-eyed. Thank you for posting the pictures. What a beautiful family you have! I’m so grateful to share in this life of trials with you and Mary. What you said is true – we are the wealthiest people in the world if you could measure the gifts we’ve been given in Christ monetarily. I feel so, so blessed today. Thank you for this wonderful post.
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Amen, Terri. Christ saved me from hell. Whatever I go through in this life, I’ll be eternally grateful for that.
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Happiest of birthdays, Bill. What a privilege the Lord has given you to see your life through His eyes and not the filter the world could put on it. Your family is beautiful–their persistence to love, care for, encourage, be present with you and the Lord in all of this is beyond spectacular. The sweet fragrance of the Lord is so much a part of this picture. Thanks for sharing your reality. And may you experience the closeness of the Lord’s presence and the depth of His joy each and every moment of your life. It’s been a privilege to follow your journey.
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Thank you, Dayle. I am definitely blessed with a loving family, including sisters in Christ like you.
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I love the passage you quoted in II Corinthians. One of my favorites.
I am so happy to see that you have received SO MANY birthday wishes, and I’m adding my own. God bless and keep you until He takes you home!
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Thank you, Linda. God has been blessing us and keeping us and I know He will continue to do so.
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Happy belated birthday and, more importantly, happy forever, Bill! I’m praying your 60th birthday wish is granted 60 x infinity!
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I like that prayer. Thanks, Mitch.
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Happy belated birthday to you. Thanks for sharing that wonderful pic of you and your family. This is a perfect reminder that God has the last say. He is what he says the Alpha and Omega. You are alive because he is not finished with you yet. To God be all the glory. Continue to live for him in Jesus name.
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Thank you, Sheila. You are right, God has the last say.
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Reblogged this on alighttomyway and commented:
Please take time to read this post. I pray it will speak to your heart like it spoke to mine.
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Thank you so much for the reblog, Connie.
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This is one of those times I wish there was a “love” button! Happy Birthday, Bill. I would love to repost this and pray with you that someone will read it and give his or her life to the Lord. Thank you for your faithfulness and insight, and your willingness to share your journey. God has used it to speak to my heart, and to grow me.
Connie
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Thank you, Connie. There’s not a “love button,” but I feel the love in your words 🙂
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Bill,
The Lord still has a wonderful work to fo in you. Have a fantastic 60th!
In Christ,
Gary
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Thank you, Gary.
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Dear Bill, I’m so glad you had a Happy Birthday with your lovely family. Your words are a true blessing to us all – thankyou. Nick Vujicic once said that being ‘more than a conqueror’ is having the victory over something that’s still there in your life. Well, you are certainly ‘more than a conqueror’ and thank God that His light shines so brightly through you! You don’t know how much your words have pointed me to Jesus Christ. God Bless you.
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Thank you so much for your humbling comments, Christine. Nick is an inspiration.
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Happy belated birthday! Grateful to God for you and your blog.
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Thank you, Tina.
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Happy belated birthday, Bill!! I hope you enjoy my accidental alliteration. 😆
I have been SO busy in my analog life lately (long story but the nickel version is we have a high school junior and senior plus i am working part time and making up a photography curriculum). Anyway, thought i would check on you and am just in time to wish you a late birthday!
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Thank you, Heather. I remember teenagers. 🙂 God bless you.
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Ha! Thanks. They are so much fun, but boy do they have a lot to do!
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Happy Birthday and I just prayed for God to sustain you
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Thank you, Jim. Your prayers help.
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God bless you
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Happy Birthday Bill! You look great for an old man! Thanks for the inspiration. Give my love to Mary.
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Thank you, Leanne. I am old 🙂
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Happy Birthday, Bill! You have a beautiful family and a beautiful spirit. I’m so thankful for God’s work in you and through you as I know you are blessing many. And so thankful you have grown through your trial so you can be an example to us!
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Thank you, Barb. I’m not thankful for the trial, but I thankful to God for sustaining us.
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Happy Birthday! You are inspiring.
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Thank you, Jolie.
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Dear Bill …. Happy 60th Birthday! 🎊
Thankful for your steadfast example of “ The Joy of the Lord is YOUR Strength “!
Sincere thoughts & prayers
As you press on Philippians 3:15 your presence in this life is
So purposeful.
Believing with you for numerous salvations…. ( and I know your words are ) to God be the glory !
Love to you & Mary …. entire BEAUTIFUL famIly !
Joe & Pam Queck
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Thank you, Joe and Pam. It’s good to hear from you.
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Dear Bill and Mary, I have shared your posts with many people. You are a miracle that God is using to speak to everyone about faith and long-suffering,.
Thank you! And Happy Birthday!
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Thank you, Nancy, for your encouragement and for sharing.
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Congrats to making it to 60! God is good! These words were very encouraging.
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Thank you, Amber.
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Well I think we can all understand why God in His infinite wisdom has kept you on this earth longer than the doctors assessed! His hand is clearly on you and you are a wonderful encourager to the body of Christ!
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Thank you. God definitely determines our days.
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God is amazing!!!! 🎂🎁🎈🎉🎊
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Amen!
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Happy 60th Birthday Bill! Celebrating you and your life! It is amazing what happens when you are sold out to God. Your internet ministry to so many is a blessing. God determines when we are born and when we finish our earthly sojourn. It is amazing how God has sustained you through so many challenges. Blessings and love to you, Mary and your family!
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Thank you. Life is full of challenges for all of us and God gives us just enough grace to sustain us through the trials.
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You are welcome! 😋
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Happy Birthday Bill! You amaze me and it is beautiful how the Lord uses you to spread His great message of love!
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Thank you, Elaine.
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Testimonies are powerful Bill and there is none more powerful than yours. Your blessings in eternity will be huge, meeting all those you have impacted on this earth in your new body.
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Thank you, Ron. I am so looking forward to that new body! 🙂
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Happy birthday, Bill.
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Thank you, Liz.
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You’re welcome, Bill.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY BILL.
May your post bring many to Jesus
Grace Peace and Love to you and Mary.
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Amen! Thank you, Crissy.
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Happy 60th Birthday Bill. Your faith inspires me so much.
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Thank you for your encouragement and your birthday wishes.
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Praise God for His witness in and through you! I also pray that the Lord uses your testimony in the conversion of a precious soul. I want you to know that it was through that exact means (John 3:16 with a fill in the blank for your name) that the Lord delivered me into His kingdom when my last resistance succumbed to His love and I put my trust in Christ. What a beautiful day and a beautiful memory when I first tasted joy. God bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you!
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Thank you, Craig. That’s a great testimony. I don’t believe it’s possible for us to feel true joy until we “get right with God” through accepting Jesus.
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(Oh, I will save your marbles for you). Bryan ☺️
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Thanks, Bryan 🙂
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Bill, at this rate you are going to outlive all your readers, including me! I was going to send you a card and a bag of marbles, but I only know that you live somewhere here in Texas. Anyway, here’s how your card reads:
“A marble here, a marble there,
in time we lose a few
But here’s a gift to resupply
the ones misplaced by you!” 😁
Happy 60th my brother!
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Haha 🙂 I love that. I have definitely lost more than a few marbles. Thank you.
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Many happy returns of the day.🌹🎂
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Thank you, Francis.
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Happy Birthday to you, and Praise God for the grace that He shows through your life! I join you in praying for at least one soul to turn to Jesus here. But I know that many will rejoice with you in Heaven because of the way that your life impacted them for following Jesus. You have touched my life just in the short months that I have read your words here. Thank you.
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Thank you, Bettie, for your heartfelt message, your prayers, and for your birthday wishes.
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Happy Birthday Bill!
I have a close family member who is a teacher. She had a long and distinguished career. When she got a tad older, approaching your age, she began doing library work. One of her duties was to teach classes in the library about once a week for kindergarten kids. They would have story time and whatnot. She told me a story several years about one of these story time sessions when somehow or another the topic of her age came up. You know how kids are. “Well how old do you think I am?”
One little kid said, “Twenty?” She laughed. “No, a little older.”
“Thirty?” “No…”
Other kids started chiming in. “Forty?” “Fifty?” They couldn’t believe someone could be that old. Finally, one little boy broke all protocol, bypassed the step-by-step process, and loudly asked, “A hundred?!”
She laughed all the more and said something like, “Yeah, right, that’s it…” To which the little boy proclaimed even louder, “She made it all the way!!!”
And you, my brother, have made it all the way to 60, and you were never supposed to do that. And stating the obvious, this is a great achievement. And knowing your determination and faith by the posts you write, and also knowing you have a comparatively rare gift of continuing on down the road regardless of circumstances, I’m pretty sure you are going to make it all the way, whatever age that ends up being. The Lord knows.
It makes it easier knowing He is waiting to greet us on the other side. In the meantime there is ministry work to do. You do this very well. These posts you write are so wonderfully encouraging, heartfelt, and positive. Isn’t it amazing what great doors open up when we try our best to be positive and faithful? And always honor the Lord Jesus?
He showed us all how it is done. And you also show us how it is done by the life you live following Him.
Blessings to you Bill on this great day, and blessings to you also Mary. You have shown an entirely new level of faithfulness and love. Blessings to your beautiful, loving family as well.
May we each make it all the way.
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Thank you, RJ, for sharing the funny story and for your encouraging comments. “A hundred” would have been the kids’ first guess if it was me 🙂
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Happy 60th Birthday!!
I hope your day was filled with love and joy.
I pray for those who are lost, and I pray they know God as their Lord and Savior.
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Amen! Thank you, Sandy.
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Happy blessed birthday, Bill!!! ~ Vanessa
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Thank you, Vanessa.
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Happy Birthday
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Thank you.
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Happy Birthday! What a wonderful testimony you have!
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Thank you, Theresa.
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If you were to meet all those whose lives you’ve touched and introduced to Jesus… there would be a crowd of people impossible to count…. May God bless you Bill and Mary .. and Happy Birthday!….. Diane
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I hope you’re right, Diane. I am looking forward to meeting you there. Thank you.
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Me too Bill !
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Happy 60th Birthday 🙂
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Thank you.
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Absolutely beautiful!!!
Happy birthday, dear brother in Jesus!!!
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Thank you.
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Happy Happy Birthday! You are truly a blessing to everyone. I am so glad I found your blog. I’m praying for you right now. 🙂
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Thank you, Mimi, for your birthday wishes and for your prayers.
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I am beyond overwhelmed! Look at your beautiful family! What a gift indeed you have in them and their Love! Many more would be in the picture I’m sure if Covid had not hit. I wish you so much happiness and thank you from the bottom of my heart for your words of encouragement and insight. You may not be aware, but some of us thrive on your wisdom and easiness with scripture. You know exactly what to say and when to say it. I can only wish to have a scrap of that ability. I struggle with knowing what to say. I am finding it easier to come up with something the more time I spend in the bible, but you, my friend, have mastered it! GOD BLESS YOU, AND YOUR WHOLE FAMILY!
LOVE AND HUGS,
Lynda
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Thank you, Lynda. Mary will back me up on this – I definitely do not always know what to say or how to say it 🙂
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Hi Bill – i have never met you. I know Paula … so I know everything about you! 😉🤣🎂
Happy 60th Birthday! Love and Strength -Wanna Hadnott
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Oh no 🙂 Thank you, Wanna.
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Dear Bill. ~ humbled again, almost beyond measure and words ~ in wonder at our Father’s continued witness in you and Mary. Blessings for this birthday and the days, if not years, ahead. Praying your prayer for a lost soul, if not more, will be answered.
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Thank you, Fran. Also, thanks for the book you sent. We are praying for you.
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You are welcome. You and Mary continue to be an encouragement for my writing. Thank you for your prayers. Much love , prayers, and blessings from here/
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Thank you for your prayers, Fran.
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Another happy birthday from this corner of the USA! And with many others I celebrate with you your lovely family. What a handsome group you make! Your testimony of God’s faithfulness and lovingkindness (Lamentations 3:22-23) to you is so powerful, given your circumstances. Praise God for you and Mary! You two are huge encouragement to all of us.
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Thank you, Nancy.
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Happy birthday, man of God!
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Thank you, Jean.
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Happiest of Birthdays!
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Thank you.
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Happy Birthday Bill. You have a great looking, loving family, for sure.
Our Pastor has started a series on Apostle Paul’s letters from prison. Yesterday was the beginning of the series, starting in Philippians.
I read this again today, and a brief time later received the email with your post. The two clicked together in my mind, as you epitomize Paul in my mind. Paul was in a prison physically, while you are in a physical prison.
Philippians 1:3-5 brings you to mind perfectly.
Philippians 1:3-5
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,
You are thankful for others, praying for them, and you do so with joy, regardless of your own situation and circumstances.
Bill, you have a continual Holy Spirit Joy that is contagious as we, the readers, are blessed by your words. I am so thankful for you, and thank Jesus for you and the powerful ministry He has given you, and for your obedience in following His leading.
And we know that you are living proof of Jesus has begun a good work in you, and He will complete it. He is not finished working in You, or through you to others yet. Praise Jesus!
Philippians 1:6
6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
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Thank you for your birthday wishes and your humbling thoughts, George.
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Happy Birthday! We serve a mighty, and gracious God! Your courage is inspiring! Blessings for a wonderful birthday that celebrated God choosing YOU! 🙏🏻🎊🎉🎈
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Thank you, Lisa.
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Do you have room for one more Happy Birthday? What a lovely family you are blessed with and who knows…maybe we will all go together to our forever home.
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Thank you. I would love to be raptured out of this wheelchair!
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God bless you and your family. Happy birthday!
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Thank you.
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You are such an inspiration. God bless you, Bill! and Happy Birthday!
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Thank you, Rob.
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Happy (ie, blessed) birthday, Bill! Great photos, both of them! I just turned 74 two weeks ago, and, like yourself, hadn’t expected to make it this far, since my doctor told me three years ago I’m in the “last stage” of this disease. But I know others have been praying for me; no doubt that, coupled with the grace of God, is why, one day at a time, I’m still here.
As you, one day at a time, are still here!
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Thank you, Allan. I am glad you’re still here.
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Happy Birthday! May God continue to bless you and yours each and every day!
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Thank you.
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Happy Birthday Bill!!!!
I for one am certainly looking forward to the day we can all celebrate life forever. I’m so glad that our families met and you have showed me how to keep going. Despite my anger, fears, frustration and tears.
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Thank you, Tammie. Stephanie is whole, in peace and full of joy. If I died today, I want my family to enjoy the rest of their lives. I know this is what Stephanie wants for her mom and dad. I am praying for you, my friend.
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4).
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Bill, joining you in prayer for MANY to come to Christ through your amazing testimony.
Happy Birthday, my friend.
Blessings and you and yours.
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Amen! Thank you, Beckie.
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God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform— William Cowper
Happy Birthday 🎉!
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Thank you.
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Happy Birthday! May the Lord bless you with many more! 🎈
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Thank you, Deborah.
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Happy Birthday old fella! The big six zero! What a beautiful picture of family and what a witness both you and Mary and your family are, to the grace, wonder and love of God. God’s Holy Spirit melted my heart when I gazed upon all of you and witnessed to me of the love that God has for all of you. Some glorious day Bill and Mary, we shall meet face to face and I know we will not have tears of sadness but it’s going to be darn hard not to have tears of joy. I was feeling a little on the empty side this morning during prayers but that has surely changed now. Thank you so much for your witness, and being who the two of you are. And thank you dear Lord for your gracious faithfulness (Matthew 19:26). Love you all in the Lord. Hope this day blows your socks off! Blessings!
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Thank you, Bruce. I am looking forward to meeting you.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! What a beautiful family!! Praying that your story will lead the lost to faith! Thank you for sharing your day and family!
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Amen! Thank you, Mandy.
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Just goes to show you Bill that it’s never over until the Lord says it’s over.
When your assignment here has been completed, then and only then will you take your last breath here and your first breath in Glory.
Happy birthday my dear brother!!
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You’re so right, Ron. Thank you.
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Happy Birthday Bill. What a beautiful family! As I always say, YOU ARE A BLESSING to all of us. Your heart, love, and faith in the words you share with us, are God’s blessings to us through you.
Love and hugs,
ann
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Thank you, Ann.
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Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday, Dear Brother Bill……
Happy Birthday to You! ❤❤❤❤
Yaaay we are now in the same decade, although I am closer to the other end. 😀
HAPPY SUPER SIXTY!!!!!!
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Thank you, Linda.
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Happy Birthday Bill – very moving post. Perspective for my whining about my job (boohoo). Hope we can all see you soon. Love to you & Mary 💕💕💕💕
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Thank you. I’m glad you gained perspective 🙂
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Happy Birthday Bill. Praying for you now (can’t sleep it’s 3.25am 😂). The day looks wonderful. Lauren was so excited. What a wonderful photo of you all, it’s so nice to see you all, especially you and Mary. You have a beautiful family ❤️
I feel this verse for you as I type, thinking how it’s 25 years of ALS, a silver anniversary year so to speak and I hear as I type ‘“silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.’ He jumped to his feet and began to walk.’ Acts 3:6-8
And what encourages me more is that my Bible was open at Judges 4:4, and so I had to turn the pages to find the scripture I quoted in Acts. I turned a lump of pages together (big study Bible in front of me) and I turned straight to the scripture I just heard for you in my heart. I will take a photo and send to Lauren.
So I continue to pray in line with what God just showed me.
Blessings and happy birthday.
Beth 🌷
PS: If this is a duplicate message – apologies. Technical issues 🤓
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I’ve been awake since 2:40 this morning and it’s now 12:30. My eyelids are getting heavy 🙂 The healing in Acts 3 is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. Thank you, Beth.
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May be time for an afternoon nap for you 😁 4.45am here. I’m heading off to try for an hour 🌷before we attend a zoom meeting this morning. Enjoy the rest of your day. And happy birthday again 👏💐
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Happy, happy birthday Bill!! Your post is lovely, as always!! Makes me cry. What a beautiful family you’ve got. I just wanna give you and Mary a hug. So, I’ll send a virtual hug instead. Thank God for your life and powerful testimony. God bless you Bill and Mary. ❤️🤗
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Thank you, Meghan. Virtual hugs will have to do for now 😦
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Happy Birthday. Wishing you all the best.
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Thank you.
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You continue to be an inspiration to me! Happiest of Birthdays to you, Bill!!
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Thank you, Tammy.
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I cannot love this enough💕
Happy Birthday Friend! Hope your day is as blessed as the ways you bless us.
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Thank you, Laura.
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Happy birthday Bill! You have a beautiful family! Thank you for all your kind encouragement. God bless You and Yours. 😊✨
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Thank you, Ellie.
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Happy birthday Bill! God has had a plan for you all these years!
Joe
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Thank you, Joe.
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Yesterday, I heard this saying and thought of you… “It all will be good in the end. If it’s not good now, it’s because it’s not the end yet.”
I am praying with you, friend, that this blog will help people make decisions to follow Jesus, our ultimate good end. For in the end, He is the Only One and all that matters. Happy Birthday, Bill, on this incredible milestone!
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I like that, Heidi. Thank you for your prayers.
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Wow Bill, 60. We can shake our heads at 60 …100 years from now.
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Amen, Gary. I can’t wait!
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Happiest of birthdays, Bill! What a fantastic picture of the family. I’m not bias one bit. 😉
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Thank you, Haley 🙂
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Happy 60th birthday Bill!
You have blessed my walk, and I am thankful that you are among us.
Incidentally, I have a post that’s about C. S. Lewis that may interest you.
http://leeposkey.com/2020/04/22/cs-lewis-the-most-beloved-heretic/
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Thank you, Lee.
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You’re welcome Bill 😊
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Happy Birthday, and many more blessings in the Lord Jesus!
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Thank you, Dora.
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Happy Birthday 🎂🎊🎁🎈🎉
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Thank you, Sally.
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“If you’re going through a difficult time right now, focus on today, and God will give you new strength tomorrow morning.” Tremendous truth here.
The happiest of all birthdays, Bill!
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Thank you, David.
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Happy birthday Bill!
Thank you for all of your encouraging words, you are such a blessing to everyone who reads them.
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Thank you, Kimberly.
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Happy birthday!
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Thank you, Michael.
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You’re welcome, such an amazing testimony
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Happy Birthday… “Wonder of Wonders”… ( miracles 😏)
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Thank you.
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Happy Birthday Bill and thank you for the continued inspiration.
Love You
Vin
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Thank you, Vin. Love you.
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Happy Blessed Birthday, Bill!! You are such a gift to us. I am thankful for seeing God’s hand on you. Your faith inspires my heart greatly. Thank you.
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Thank you, Debbie.
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This is a great testimony, Sir. God is good!.
Wishing you a blessed new year. 🤗
Happy Birthday!
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Thank you, Mercy.
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