I can only imagine what they thought of me.
A sixteen year old girl, just recently surrendered to the cross even though there had been many years of truth, rebellion had prevailed. And on the journey back to God and his redeeming grace, there was always the refining. So much to refine. The hot fire burning away the sins that had entangled during those years of mutiny, raging against God, the immaturity of a child who thought she knew so much.
I had my sights set on their oldest grandson. I can imagine that they might have worried about what kind of influence a girl like me would be on their grandson, who was also trying to follow God. But I can also imagine that they saw through the façade to a girl who just needed grace. And grace they knew well, practiced so hard, extended so abundantly.

Grandma Dorothy and Grandpa Harry
And even years later, after I had married their oldest grandson, He still used their lives to speak volumes about what true love and grace looks like. During our first month of marriage, when we were still children in so many ways, we stayed in their small guest room on the far side of their home to work and save money to move to Oregon. The steady routine of seeking God, thanking God, and walking with God was always present in their days.
They were veterans in this journey of faith.
They had raised their four children to love God.
They had ministered with their whole lives, not just from the pulpit where he preached for so many years, or in the community where they worked, or with the many people that were drawn to them by their obvious heart for God, but in the prayers said for each of us every day as they sought the Lord on our behalf.
I thank God for those prayers.
Their marriage was a testament to the power of God’s design at work. As Grandma Dorothy served her potato cheese soup and we gathered at the table to pray and give thanks, this family that had eaten this very meal a thousand times over the years, celebrated the majestic in the mundane task of breaking bread together. Their affection, and comfort with each other after all the years together spoke eloquently of a partnership God had brought together to impact future generations.
And they did. Impact future generations. The grace and gentleness they extended to me as a lost young thing at their table the summer I was sixteen and had come to visit Josh, struck me deep. I didn’t have grandparents of my own. I hadn’t known Christians who were mentors instead of peers. I was an apprentice of their wisdom. Of these generations ahead of me soaked deep in the word of God and rooted in humility and kindness.
I was adopted in so many ways.

5 months pregnant with Kaia and her great grandparents
When Grandpa Harry passed away, I broke down and sobbed because I had lost my grandfather. The only grandfather I had ever known. A gentle man who loved to make the grandchildren laugh, who lived a life of integrity, who lived the gospel. I clutched Josh and we grieved raw at the loss of a man who showed me Jesus every time I was in his presence. I can’t wait to see him again when we enter eternity.

Grandpa Harry with Kaia
But for those of us here, remaining each year and aging, we are reminded by each passing birthday of the life we have lived so far. Each candle on the cake represents years in which lives were birthed, friends were met, places on the map were seen, memories were made, marriages were formed, and loved ones passed.
Today, Grandma Dorothy turns 80 years old.
Eighty years of a life devoted to God, to her husband, and her children, to her church, and her friends, to her neighbors, and her community. And to me, a girl who was so very confused and lost but was welcomed at the table anyway. Who was loved, and prayed for and who desires with all of her heart to impact future generations with the grace she has received.

Grandma Dorothy with Nehemiah
Grandma Dorothy, Thank you so much for your beautiful example of what a godly Christian wife and mother look like. I thank you so much for all the prayers sent up on behalf of Josh and I and our children. We love you with all of our hearts and pray you have a wonderful 80th birthday. We pray that each candle flickers with happy memories of a life lived with great love.
Hugs and kisses, from your adopted granddaughter, Alia.
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