🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉and she tried to get me to skip it…

Alright, so I’m not sure sure if Rachel wanted me to skip this post because she’s modest… or because she’s scared to let me (Grace) take over for the day…. but either way she didn’t win!!!!

You guys know they day… JULY 16th!!!! National Corn Fritter Day and, of course….

🎉🎉🎉🎉RACHEL’S BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉

I hardly need to go on: each one of you are here because Rachel has done something special to encourage you.  Whether it’s one of the hundreds (thousands, maybe??) of inspirational cards she has sent, or an encouraging text just when you needs it, or a surprise package full of all your favorite things… or (if you are like me) your favorite cupcakes on a night your really need them… RACHEL HAS BEEN THERE FOR YOU!!!! (and I didn’t even get to spring 100 or all of the million things she does for our house: like dishes until midnight or filling in for you on Saturday chores when you are overloaded with other things).

 

She packs more into one day than most can pack into a 20 days.  I’m still trying to figure out her formula for productivity, because I think I could make a few million off of it.  It’s scary and incredible all at once!

To be honest, as her sister I know that not every day has been easy for her.  But God’s grace has enabled er to keep looking to Him for the strength to press toward the mark for that high calling in Christ Jesus.

 

So, guys, do not leave without leaving a comment!!!  Please tell Rachel happy birthday, and whatever else you want to tell her… just don’t click away until you do!

Happy Birthday, Rachel! We are grateful for you and all you do!

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.   Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.” 

Psalm 37:23-24

About Rachel

"Come now, and let us reason together," says the Lord, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword"; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken." Isaiah 1:18-20

65 thoughts on “🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉and she tried to get me to skip it…

  1. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RACHEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 I hope you have the best day ever!!!!!!!!!!
    You have been such a tremendous blessing to me, Rachel, and I am beyond thankful for you! You never fail to encourage me when I need it most, and are such a wonderful friend/sister to me!!! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!! 💖🎉I hope your birthday is amazing!!!!!

    1. Anna, THANK YOU!!!!! 🙋🏼‍♀️💕🎉 Your birthday comment sailed in making my birthday EXTRA-special and your friendship has blessed me!!! 🎉 Thankful to the LORD for you! 🤗🧡

      How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.-Ps 36:7

  2. Happy Birthday Rachel!!! May God richly bless you always! Sending wishes and hugs!💝🥳🎂🎉🎈🎊🎁

    1. THANK YOU, Katelyn!! 🙋🏼‍♀️💕🤗🎉 God is so gracious!!
      “Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits” Ps 103:2

  3. P.S. thank you, Grace for not letting Rachel win and skipping the post😛 I was looking forward to seeing this post this morning😉🎉

  4. More lovely with each year. Thank you Rachel for helping to make our lives so full. May The Lord continue to bless you! And Happy Birthday!!!!!

    1. Thank you so much, Dad!!!!!!! Your daily encouragement to press forward in the Lord is such a HUGE blessing. 🤗🧡🤗

      “The Lord knows the days of the upright,
      And their inheritance shall be forever.” Ps 37:18

    1. Thank you so much, Sarah! 🙋🏼‍♀️💕
      “I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
      My God, in Him I will trust.” Ps 91:2

  5. You are an angel inside and out, Rachael! The photos of you were absolutely beautiful! May God continue to enrich you with His love as you pour it out onto others! Happy birthday!

    1. You are a sweet encouragement, Tirzah! ☺️💓 Far from an angel but I am thankful to be redeemed by the shed blood of Jesus Christ and the confidence we have that “HE which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”. Praise the Lord and THANK!! YOU for blessing my day with your kindness and birthday wishes!!🎈🎉😍

      “He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.” Ps 55:18

  6. Oh my!!! You look like an angel!!! Beautiful birthday pictures and beautiful happiest of birthdays!!! You know I’d give you up in a heartbeat if the Lord called you to a nobler cause; but I’m so thankful that, for now, you grace our household with all your gifts and energy. Your talents are not just a blessing but an inspiration and I am not only encouraged and comforted by your spirit but, more importantly, sharpened by the heavenly “iron” the Lord has formed in you. I not only wish you a happy birthday but I pray the God Who Sees will increase your measure of faith and make steadfast and immovable “the joy of your salvation”.
    With more love than can be possibly be expressed- your mom:)

    1. 😄😊💝 Thank you so much, Mom!!!!!! Joel did a great job taking the photos. 📸
      So thankful to be here with you all during this season and part of this family. The Lord has truly blessed me through you all and I am thankful! 🤗🎉 P.S. thank you for making my birthday so fabulous!!

      “The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.” Psalm 118:14

  7. Happy birthday, Rachel!

    Thank you, Grace, for the reminder – otherwise I’d forget like I often forget other friends birthday’s. 🤪

    I’m thankful for reminders – and not just about birthdays…

    Rachel, I’m thankful for your faithful planting and watering God’s Word in me and others through your blog and cards. 💕 A few years ago, I began learning, acutely, this truth:

    “But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Hebrews 3:13

    All of that to say, I am thankful and humbled to have been on the receiving end of much encouragement in the Lord from you, Rachel. I will praise the LORD for you!

    May you be strengthened inwardly to run with endurance another year of life and many more to come – bearing fruit all the way!

    In His steadfast love,
    Rebekah for The Perkins Family ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

    1. Aw, praise the Lord! 🙏🏼 He is so faithful to use me as He sees fit! I am humbled and it is truly only “by the grace of God I am what I am” 1 Cor 15:10! Thank you for your kindness, Rebekah! 🎉 And those sweet birthday wishes. 💓☺️ Our God is truly faithful!! He proves that over and again in every single day! 🙋🏼‍♀️

      “This I recall to my mind,
      Therefore I have hope.
      Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
      Because His compassions fail not.
      They are new every morning;
      Great is Your faithfulness.”
      Lamentations 3:21-23

  8. Happy Birthday, Rachel!!! I hope your day is blessed. My birthday was yesterday! 😊

    1. Happy Birthday, JoyLeanne!! My birthday was the day before yours, so I guess it’s a popular week to have a birthday!! :)

      1. @Bethany 🙊🎉 I think you are right! I know so many people who have birthdays this week.😅

    2. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!🥳🎈 I hope you had a BEAUTIFUL BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!

      ‘The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
      The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
      The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”
      Numbers 6:24-26

      1. I totally missed this but now that I’m seeing it, THANK YOU!! I did have a wonderful birthday filled with many blessings from the Lord. 😊

    3. I want to join Rachel and Bethany in wishing you a Happy Birthday!!! I hope your special day was especially blessed and filled with happiness and joy!!
      God bless you!

  9. Oh my goodness… what a glorious day!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHEL!!! 🎉🎉🎉 I hope your day is as special as you are!!! You bless so many people with Spring100 and your blog, and I just love how you live so intentionally for Jesus!
    That first picture of you is sooo beautiful!! You are so beautiful inside and out!!
    Hope this birthday is the best one yet!!!

    1. Sarah! 🤗🧡 My day was over-the-moon wonderful and your comment added to the loveliness. THANK YOU for your kindness and sweet words of encouragement!😄🥳 God is so gracious and I thank the Him for the good work HE has done. “But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” 1 Cor 1:30

      And thank you for the photo compliments! My brother blessed me with an fun evening photoshoot the other night and really did such a great job!📸

      Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.-Ps 115:1

    1. Thank you for the birthday wishes, Sharon! 🧡 You have been a sweet encouragement here on the blog and I thank the Lord for you. 🤗

      “Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.” Ps 65:11

  10. HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR SWEET RACHEL!!!! 🎉🎉🎉 You are such a blessing to me and my family and I am so very thankful for you. I hope that you have a lovely birthday and may this year be one of sweet fellowship with the Lord! :) HUGS!
    (Ps. Thanks for doing this post Grace :D)

    1. Thank you, Bronwyn!!!! 💝😊 You have blessed with your joyful heart and birthday wishes. 🤗 It has been a LOVELY birthday!

      “The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works.” Psalm 145:9

  11. HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS RACHEL!!!!!!!!!!🎉🤗😍🎉😁 I hope it’s your best one yet!!😉🌼🤠🐱 You are beautiful inside and out and Christ’s love shines through you.🤗😊 thank you for being such a godly example to others and for encouraging others in the Lord and building them up.🤗😃You are a blessing to so many and you have been a very big blessing in my life for sure!!!🙂 🤗😁

    Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Proverbs 31:30🌼

    1. Caroline, it was truly THE BEST YET!!!!!!!!😍🎉 My family has blessed me in so many special ways on my birthday. 💝

      Aw, praise the Lord. Any good in me is Christ Jesus and His righteousness. He is so faithful! Psalm 115:1 is a favorite because it is so beyond true, “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake”

      THANK YOU, Caroline! You are a constant ray of sunshine and I thank the LORD for you.🤗🎉 P.S. I think we both share the love of emojis!! 😝🥳💕🙋🏼‍♀️

      “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto His name: bring an offering, and come into His courts.”Psalm 96:8

      1. I’m glad it was a good Birthday!!😁😍👍😺 I love Psalm 115:1!! it’s such a lovely verse!!🌼🙂😀
        Yes, we most definitely share the love of emojis!!🤠🙂🤗😁😍😉🐱👍😺😮😀😃😊😆😶😂🤠
        I’m so blessed to have you as a friend!!🤗 you are such a sweet and encouraging friend!!😁😊

        Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together! Psalm 34:3🌼

  12. Happy Birthday, Rachel!! You truly have been a blessing in my life in so many of the ways that Grace and others have mentioned. I loved your birthday pictures, and your dress is beautiful!!! Have a wonderful day!! <3

    1. Thank you for making my day special with your birthday blessings, Bethany!! 🤗💝 Thankful for your sweet friendship and encouragement.💓 Aw 🙈😊, thank you for the compliment on the dress! 😁

      “Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.” Psalm 40:5

  13. Happy birthday, Miss Rachel!!! Thank you for the Bible verses you share and for Spring100! My family got our shirts yesterday! :)

    1. I am sooooo excited to hear you all received your shirts!! 🤗💕 What a DAY MAKER!! Thank you for the sweet birthday comment, Leona! So blessed by it.💝😁

      “Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified.” Psalm 40:16

    1. THANK YOU, LIZ!!!!!!!! 🙋🏼‍♀️💓🎉
      “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in THY presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11

  14. Happiest of birthdays and God’s rich blessings to you, sweet sister in Jesus!🤗❤ I hope today is an extra special one for you!!🙏🌻🤗
    ❤Psalm 103❤

    1. Jill!! 💕😁 THANK YOU for those beautiful birthday blessings. My day was truly special! God is good!! 🙏🏼🙋🏼‍♀️

      “But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children” Ps 103:17

  15. Dear Rachel!!! Happy, happy, HAPPIEST of birthdays to you, my dear sister-friend!❤🎉 I echo others’ comments, in that you have been such a tremendous, beautiful blessing in my life over this past year! Thank you for countless emails/texts/cards of encouragement, for the “handpicked verses, just for me”💕, for sharing testimonies and heart-to-hearts, for diligent prayers! I am so thankful for YOU and for the love + light that flows from you!!!🌻

    May our Lord RICHLY bless your coming year with DAILY reminders of His love + faithfulness for you; may He lead you beside the still waters and guide you in His path + in His truth, strengthening your faith + delighting your heart. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” ❤ He is faithFULL!!🤗

    Here is a BIG birthday hug!! Such beautiful photos of you, my beautiful friend (aka…SEJSF)!!😉😍
    With love,
    ~Martha Joy

    1. Martha JOY! 🎉THANK YOU for the birthday wishes and blessings!! 💕 Where do I begin?! I am so thankful for the sweet friendship the Lord God has blessed us with!! We’ve gone well beyond the “crusty layer” diving into deep discussions + you’ve learned to decode all my typos 😉 and for that I am so thankful! 😅🙊

      Thankful for YOU and your iron-sharpening, encouraging, joyful friendship! 🙋🏼‍♀️💕 You are truly a SEJSF!! 😁😉🧡

      “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”Psalm‬ ‭23:6‬ ‭‬‬✨

  16. Happiest of Birthdays to this very special young lady whom I love with all my heart. You are truly a blessing sent to me from God above!!! Your wonderful family is blessed to have you as are all of us. Thank you for all the notes and cards that come my way just when I need them most. I have kept every single one and pull them out for encouragement on days where things don’t always go right. I pray for YOU (and the fam) with a sincere and loving heart. Love you with all my heart and more. Aunt Barbara ♥️🎊🎉♥️

    1. Ah, praise the Lord!!! 😭💕🤗 How gracious HE is to bless me with you, Aunt Barbara!!! And I’m so humbled to hear how He has used our friendship to encourage you in special ways. I know it is all and only His amazing Grace working there!!! I’ve been blessed over and again but your encouragement in the Lord, love and prayers. Nearly 7 years now!! 😍 THANK YOU for your birthday wishes!! You are a blessing!! ♥️

      “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,”
      ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭95:6-7‬ ‭✨

  17. Happy Birthday! Beautiful inside and out…and I’m really not sure what I would do without you as a sister and friend and both in Christ! So thankful to the Lord for you! ☺️🎉💕🎉

    1. I’m soo thankful for YOU!! Thank you for putting up with me longer than I can remember and being my best friend all these years. 😉💕😅 How you’ve managed and remained semi-sane is beyond me! 😜 And Thank you for making this birthday so special and delicious!!!! It’s been the BEST to date!🎉🎉🧁😍 Y’all, she makes the best cupcakes!!!!

      “O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.”Psalm‬ ‭95:1‬ ‭‬‬

  18. HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHEL!!!! We so enjoyed Spring 100 this past year and I know that you put sooo much hard effort and work into it!!!! You inspired us to walk/run more with your encouraging posts every week!!! Your life is a beatiful, radiant example of Jesus… thank you for shining so brightly for Him!! We hope God blesses you in this coming year with His love and His joy!!!

    1. Thank you, Barry Family!! For your encouragement in Christ, birthday wishes, and Spring100er participation. 👏🏼😃 You all have blessed me and I truly thank the Lord for YOUR FAMILY!! Praising Him for the salvation that comes through Jesus Christ, our Lord who is the LIGHT of the World! May we be that city on a hill which cannot be hidden!! 🙌🏻💕


      “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.”
      ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭12:2-3‬ ‭‬‬

  19. Happy birthday, Rachel! I agree. Such lovely photos and post. Your joyful spirit for Jesus radiates from your life. May the Lord fill you with much peace and joy as you enter this next year!!! Happy Birthday!!!

    Sarah

    1. Thank you so much, Sarah!!! 💕🤗 Your birthday wishes and blessings made my birthday extra special!! 🙋🏼‍♀️ Thank you for being a long-time faithful friend and sister in Christ!! 🧡

      “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 ‭4:18‬ ‭
      ‬‬

  20. Happiest of birthdays Rachel!!! Hope this day was a blast for you!!! Thanks for being such a great example to me as a sister!🙌🏻😍🧡🎉💕✨👏🏻🧡🙌🏻❤️🥰🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🤗🙌🏻🧡✨❤️

    1. Thank you so much, Ruth!!!! 💕🎉 THANK YOU for daily showing me so much grace. Im so blessed to have you in my life!!! 🤗🎉

      “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.”
      ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭18:30‬ ‭‬‬

  21. Happy BIRTHDAY Rachel!!!! I’d go on but you already know how much I appreciate you!😉

    P.s. Gorgeous pictures! Best yet… you look lovely. The first one is my favorite 🤩

    1. 😆🧡 well, the appreciation is so mutual!!! Thank you for being my grocery shopping partner and bakery buddy!! 😝 And thank you for making my birthday EXTRA special!! #BLESSED to have you in my life!🙌🏻🙏🥳


      “Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.”
      ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭18:35‬ ‭‬‬

  22. Grace, thank you for writing up your praise, and for persevering (though I totally understand Rachel’s desire not to be applauded) to allow us to wish your sister a Happy Birthday!! :-D And thank you, Joel, for taking the beautiful photos of Rachel!! Both of you did a great job!!

    To Rachel, I say a heart-felt Happy Birthday!!! Your life and spirit are proof of the scripture verse that admonishes us: “A man that hath friends must show himself friendly:” (Ps 18:24) Then the verse goes on to speak of our dearest Friend of all: “and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”

    We shine forth the Lord when we bless others. Many times you have been a blessing to me in the Lord, Rachel. God is so good to give us helps along our way!!!

    God bless you!! :-)

    1. “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”Revelation‬ ‭4:11‬ ‭‬‬🙌🏻🙏💕

      To God alone be glory! So thankful for His finished work on the cross and continued good work in my heart. I’ve been thinning of Ezekiel 36 lately where it says:

      I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

      How amazing is this?? It is all the Lord’s doing! To Him I give all glory for any praise received. He has been and will continue to be so faithful!!

      Thank you so much, Sheri, for the birthday blessings and your encouragement in the Lord!! 🎉🥳 The Lord has blessed me beyond measure and I’m ending an utterly perfect day! 🧡👏🏼


      “The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh Him.”Lamentations‬ ‭3:25‬ ‭‬‬

  23. Happy and delight birthday Rachel
    You are so pretty and graceful
    How happy I am to know you as a dear friend.
    💌

    1. Thank you so much, Shenouda! 😄

      ” But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble.”Ps 37:39

  24. Hi Rachel! I just found your blog! Yikes exciting! Anyways it’s a bit late but Happy Birthday from Downeast Maine!

    1. Ah! So fun to see your name pop up in my comment box!!🤗🧡 Thank you so much. I am a firm believer that Birthday wishes are NEVER late but sent at the perfect time!😋 Your comment encouraged me. THANK YOU! 🙋🏼‍♀️

      “Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice Before the Lord: for He cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with His truth.” Ps 96:12-13

  25. Happy birthday to my dear friend and sister in Christ, Rachel,
    I am so thankful for you! I love you Lots! Continue to seek the Lord with all of your heart! May God bless you. Sorry this is a little late! I will have a card in the mail for you soon! Hope your birthday was the best yet!

    1. Thank you so much, Elizabeth! 🤗🧡 It was truly the best yet. God is good!!

      “For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.” Ps 48:14

  26. A belated birthday greeting to you as well, Rachel. I love your sweet and diligent spirit and it encourages me so much when you share God’s word. God bless you!

    1. Rachel!!! 💞 I was so blessed to see your name fly in my inbox and encouraged by your birthday blessings. THANK YOU!!

      Aw, all glory to God alone!! He is so faithful to use this tiny spot on the World Wide Web to encourage hearts through His Living Word. I’m so honored to be able to share it with you!! 🤗💝

      Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.-Jer 15:16

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