IT IS RACHEL’S BIRTHDAY!
Guys, today is a very special day! It’s not often that I (Grace) get the chance to step up on this platform and give a shoutout…. but when I do, it is typically in honor one thing: RACHEL’S BIRTHDAY!
I feel like you guys could write this post as well, or better, than I. I know that Rachel has done something special to encourage each one of you reading this today.
- She sends cards through the mail by the hundreds.
- Texts of encouragement by the thousands.
- Spring 100 shirts by the 10’s of thousands.
- Emails.
- 1-1 encouragement.
- Food.
- Really good food.
- Reallly really good food…
- *discontinues daydream about weekly pizza night*
ANYWAY!!!
I am going to share something special Rachel has been doing for me recently… and in the comments section I want you to do the same… Tell me one way that Rachel has encouraged you.
Here’s mine:
It’s been hot lately (triple digits, brick oven, etc) and farm chores have been intense. My auto-waterering system is down and keeping hundreds of gallons in front of the animals has been a chore that was almost too much to handle. Rachel saw that the workload was bogging me down and she took over watering all of the four-legged animals on the farm. It has looked something like the picture below, except I try not to sit around that much. Lol.
Ultimately this day is not really about Rachel… none of use would be capable of anything good apart from Christ; but it is really an encouragement to see His ability to work through people. As Rachel’s sister, it has been a huge blessing to be a recipient God’s good work through her!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RACHEL!!!
“…being confident of this very thing, that He who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the Day of Jesus Christ.” Phil 1:6
Rachel, I wish you the happiest of birthdays today. I think it is awesome how you have lifted the load for your sister by watering the animals. I know that is a mighty task indeed and it does remind me if the account in Genesis with Rebekah watering the camels. It is very hard work and it is obvious you have hard work ethics in you.
You have been an encouragement to me through the posts you send, the verses of scripture you use, and the letters I have received in the mail that are handmade and hand-written! I can tell that you work tirelessly for many hours. I’m still not sure why some dashing, godly young man hasn’t scooped you up, but I know that you continue to joyfully serve your family. I haven’t ever tasted any of your home baked goods, but the pictures have made me long to do so. Thank you for the blessing and encouragement you are to so many people. May the Lord richly bless you and your day. Love in Christ, Yvonne
Yvonne!! Praise the Lord.🙌🏻 So thankful He has used me to encourage you! What a blessing to know.🙌🏻🥰♥️ The Lord God truly is faithful and able to use us even in our weakness!! So humbled by His goodness and excited to see what the days ahead hold. Hehe, if ever The Lord has a dashing, godly young man come scoop me up… y’all will be hearing about it!! 😅😉 Thank you for your birthday wishes and sweet encouragement!! You are a blessing!!
“Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.” Psalm 63:3-4
Rachel!!! I hope you have an incredibly blessed birthday!! You are such a treasure and an amazing friend, and I am so thankful to the Lord for YOU!
One of the countless ways Rachel has encouraged me is how she faithfully prays for me and listens whenever I need it! She is such a blessing and encouragement in the Lord, and knowing she’s praying is such an encouragement to me❤️
THANK YOU so much, Anna!😍 You have helped make my birthday the BEST YET. I thank the Lord for YOU and your faithful prayers + encouragement!!🎉 You are a true blessing and I am so glad to know you!! May the Lord richly bless you for your sweet kindness toward me and faithful service to HIM! 🤗🧡
“The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.” Psalm 145:18-19
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Ps. 1:1-3
😍😍😍🥳🥳🥳
Amen!!!!!!!!!!! “his leaf also shall not wither”. That promise has always blessed me. Reminds me of a few favorite verses in Jeremiah:
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
Praise the Lord! 🤗🧡
Happiest of birthdays to YOU, Rachel!
Today is also my baby brother’s birthday and my sister-in-love’s! It would have been a fine day to have a baby…but I’m thankful that we didn’t go into labor last night, so that Joseph and I can get some last minute cleaning and getting rid of things while the children are at my Mom’s! 😁
Rachel, you have (and are) a GIFT of encouragement and I believe you invest your talent/s well! Thank you for the cards you have sent both myself and the girls in the past. ❤️ And I’ll always be thankful for how you and Micah welcomed me as a stranger at my wedding and did my hair and photography!
I would agree with someone above too – I’m thankful for your prayers. The LORD is the only One who can heal us…it is amazing how He uses frail man to co-labor with Him…
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay,
to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-18
As you’ve encouraged me several times in the past, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
This is the Day that the LORD had made, may you and those with you rejoice and be glad in it!
Love,
Rebekah for the Perkins
☺️🥰🥰🥰💕💕💕
Rebekah! What a joy to hear from you. Happy baby is giving you that extra day to clean up and prepare!! 🥰🙌🏻
Aw, thank you so much, Rebekah! Praise the Lord. It has been a daily prayer that HE would use me to encourage others. I am so thankful and very humbled to hear He is answering! It is truly a testimony of HIS GRACE. Just as you shared, “to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”!! I still remember back to your wedding day so often. Good memories and such a blessed celebration of God’s goodness!! ♥️🎉
THANK YOU for the sweet birthday note. It truly made my day!! 🤗🙋🏼♀️
“by the grace of God I am what I am…” 1 Cor 15:10
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHEL!! Need I say more?!…🤩🫶🏻🫶🏻😜❤️❤️👏🏻👏🏻🎉🎉🥳🥳
TRULY thankful for you, Lydia!! 🥰🤗
” I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers” Philemon 1:4
Happy Birthday, Rachel! May the Lord bless you today and always! Thank you for being my BFF!
Thank you for being my BFF. Through thick and thin!! 🙋🏼♀️🧡 Thankful for you!! 😄🎉
“Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear” Psalm 10:17
Happy birthday Rachel! Enjoy your special day😎
Thank you for making it so special, Joel!! And for taking my pictures.😅🥰🤗
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” 1 Thes 5:28M
Happy happy BirthDay to one of the best sisters in the world!!! You’ve been such an encouragement to me!!! Thank you for always helping me with my phone troubles…😅🤭🫣 you’re a technical genius.♥️
The encouragement is mutual! So blessed by you, Ruth!! THANK YOU for making my day with a birthday comment. 😁🥳🎉
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Gal 6:9
Happy Happy Birthday to the best sister ever!!!!🥰🥳🎉😘
Rebekah, you have made my life all the sweeter.♥️ You have blessed me beyond words!! THANK YOU for being there for me.🥰🤗 You’ve been a faithful sister and friend!! THANK YOU for making my birthday FABULOUS!🙋🏼♀️🥳
“O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.” PS 34:3
Happy Birthday Rachel!!🥳🥰😀 1 way Rachel has been an encouragement to me is the scriptures she shares with me just when I need it, and her beautiful random cards she sends encouraging me in the Lord.🙂
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!”. Lamentations 3:22-24 🌸
Caroline,
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!♥️♥️♥️ For the birthday blessings. Your card came in the mail and made my day!!😍 The scripture you shared was just what I needed for the day. 😄 Your comment was such a joy to receive too. Oh, I do love blog comments!! 😁 You have been a sweet encouragement to me and I thank the Lord for you. :) Isn’t the Lord good to give us edifying friendship?? 🙌🏻🎉 I truly thank Him for YOU! 🥰
“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Ps 34:8
Aww…you’re SO welcome!🥰 I’m glad it was an encouragement to you, and I thank Him for YOU everyday!!🥰 Thank you for sharing that verse! 😃
P.s. thank you for that scripture from Lamentations!!! 🥰😍
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RACHEL!! 🎉🎉🎉 I would have to say the same as Caroline…you have encouraged me so much with the lovely cards you send and for the Scriptures you share. Thank you for being an example “in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” May the Lord bless you on your special day! ❤️❤️❤️
Amanda, THANK YOU! 🧡 You are so gracious and so encouraging. THANK YOU for your godly example and perseverance!!🙏🏼 The Lord is using you to encourage me and so many others. Praise the Lord!! I rejoice to know His light is shining through me. His grace truly is sufficient and I am humbled by His goodness. May He bless you as you have blessed me in so many ways!! THANK YOU for the Birthday Blog Comment!! 🎊🥳🙌🏻 Such a day maker!!
“The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” Ruth 2:12
Dear RACHEL!!!!!🤗🤗🤗 The HAPPIEST of Birthdays to you, dear friend!!🥳 I hope it has been super duper special so far, and continues to become even more THE BEST YET!!! How can I express what a blessing YOU are??? I echo so many others in that your random cards + notes of encouragement, GOLDEN nuggets of Scriptures shared🧡, almost DAILY texts, heart-to-hearts, and ALL of your prayers have been such an immense blessing in my life!! I’m so thankful we get to grow together on this journey, looking unto Jesus! Thank you for being my SEJSF!!🥰 Now, enjoy some cake for all of us.😋 Love you!
P.S. What gorgeous birthday photos!!😍😍😍
“Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope…You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:9, 11)
Martha Joy… THANK YOU!! ♥️ For your birthday blessings, friendship, and faithful encouragement. Isn’t it such a blessing to be able to encourage and pray for each other?! What a joy to have you as a SEJSF!!! 😍🥰🥳 THANKFUL for you, my friend!!
P.S. Aw, thank you!!!!! Joel is such a great photographer. 💖🙌🏼😄 Thankful for him!!
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;
and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him,
and he shall direct thy paths.-Proverbs 3:5-6
And thank you for taking over the blog today, Grace, so we could all wish Rachel a happy birthday together!!🤗 She is a GEM indeed!!❤️ Praise to our Father above for His good and perfect gifts (James 1:17)!!🧡
Happy birthday!!! Be blessed!!! As you have blessed me all the days of your life:):):) thanking the Lord today for your many gifts…thinking much of how steadfast you are…and kind…and merciful…and forgiving! Praying today the Lord will bless you in every good and godly way and grant your heart’s desires🙏🏽🙌🏽💕❣️❣️❣️
“Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!”
🥰♥️🤗 thank you, Mom!!! Wouldn’t be here without you. Guess this really should be your birthday!😉🤭 Daily encouraged by you. Thank you so much for your birthday blessings and prayed!! They mean so much to me. 🙏♥️
”O Lord, open thou my lips;
and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.” Ps 51:15
Happy Birthday, Rachel!!!
By the grace of God who dwells in you, you are the embodiment of a Proverbs 31 woman. This will probably make you a tad bit uncomfortable, but it’s not flattery, it’s true: you are an industrious, kind, thoughtful, energetic young woman, and the fact that you love the Lord comes out in your life! You honor and glorify God!
I have been a recipient of some of the things Grace listed. You have never watered my camels, but you have sent me homemade cards, which I always keep and display on my desk for weeks, and you have sent numerous texts of scripture verses that very often meet a need (sometimes crucial) at the time!
You have been a friend that feels personal and real, and I thank you for that.
One of the biggest blessings about you is you have the gift of encouragement, and you use it in many, many lives, including mine.
Thank you, my friend!
✨Sheri,
Your comment was so incredibly humbling.😭♥️ WOW! I am reminded of Ephesians 1:19 which mentions “the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power” Praise God for power and working in us. It is only HIS strength made perfect in my weakness!!! My theme verses this year has been 2 Corinthians 12:9-10:
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
So thankful He works in us and through us. Any good in me is His strength being made perfect in my weakness! PRAISE the Lord!! 🙌🏻🧡 I am so thankful for you, Sheri!! I have been able to reach out and seek your wisdom and share prayer requests. You have been such a beautiful friend and example to me of a woman diligently seeking The Lord and surrendered to His will. THANK YOU! May the Lord richly and abundantly bless you for your kindness. 🙌🏻💓
“Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.” Psalm 115:1
Joel, I just read that you took the pictures of Rachel–fantastic job! They are all beautiful!
And thanks to Grace for doing the blog this time!
I was sitting here trying to figure out how many years I have known this wonderful young lady. I figured it’s nine or ten years at least and I can’t begin to tell you what Rachel means to me. I had a G of G question that she helped me with and we’ve connected ever since then. She has been my prayer sister through many trials and tribulations in my life. I admire her strength and her devotion to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She has helped me to grow closer to Him through her encouragement and her prayers. I am so thankful for the many beautiful cards, that I know are made with such love, that seem to come to my mailbox exactly when I need them. How does she know? Rachel I love you and your family so much and I know if we hadn’t connected all those years ago my life would not be complete. I thank God for you every day. May HE Bless You Always and HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETIE 🎉🎂🍦🎈🎊🎁❤️
Love from Aunt Barbara
Aw, your birthday blessings are just such a blessing!! 💓🤩🥳
Praise the Lord for our good long Friendship! What a gift it has been. The Lord has been so faithful.🙌🏻 I knew the day we adopted you as honorary aunt, we were in for a good thing!! 🤗♥️ It has been such a blessing to be able to encourage, pray for, and run this race of life with you these past 10 years, Barbara! You have been such a gentle, caring, always praying friend. THANK YOU! Looking forward to many many more years of friendship!!😁
“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.” Psalm 145:3-4
Happy Birthday Rachel!!!! Truly one of the best sisters a guy could have!
NATHANAEL!!!!! You are the best. THANK YOU for making my birthday so special. Ahem… and memorable!!! 🤓🙈🙋🏼♀️
“The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.” PS 145:8
Happiest of birthdays to you, Rachel!🤗🎂🥳
I hope your day has been extra special!!☺
You have been such a blessing from the Lord with your prayers for me and encouraging texts, cards and messages, often sharing Scripture just when I need it!☺🙏💕 God is so very good and merciful to us!!!🙌❤
Blessings to you, sweet friend! 🤗
Philippians 4❤
THANK YOU so so much, JILL! 🤗💓 You have been such a faithful encouragement. I always smile when I hear from you!! 🧡 Amen… God is sooooooooooo very good and merciful to us! Thankful for you, my friend!! 🙋🏼♀️
“The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works” PS 145:9
Happy birthday Rachel!
Thanks John!! 🙋🏼♀️
“Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.”Ps 4:5
Happiest of birthdays, dear Rachel!!!💞🥰🥳🤩 You have blessed me in so many ways!! Thank you for the wonderful example you are of a godly woman! May the Lord continue to bless you as you seek Him! Love you!!🙌🏼♥️♥️
“…Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD and his strength, Seek his face continually. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, His wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;” 1 Chro. 16:10-12
Aw, praise the Lord!! 🙌🏻🧡🥰 I have so loved getting to know you even better this past year. You have blessed me!! With you hospitality, late night beach/patio chats, your desire to serve the Lord and be surrendered to His will, and all the drama in between!! 😁😘🤫 Love you too, NAT. THANK YOU for being my friend!! 🤗💓
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy” Phil 1:3-4
🤫🤐😘♥️
Annnddd, you are STUNNING!! Gorgeous pics!! You are beautiful inside and out!!🙌🏼😍😘🤗
🤗 THANK YOU! praise the Lord.😅 If you know me you know I am completely intimidated being in front of the camera and not behind! 💓
Bless your heart! You are blessed with the ability to look natural even when you don’t feel it!😍♥️
I hope you had a wonderful birthday, Rachel!
Rachel has been a blessing to me in many ways through the years we’ve been friends. I’ve been a recipient of the cards and texts, and because of how they have blessed me, Rachel has inspired me to do the same with my friends.
Thank you, Rachel, for always being faithful to minister to so many people!
Hannah!!!! 🙋🏼♀️ You are the one that has inspired ME. Always reaching out and always encouraging!! Praise the Lord for working through us to be that iron sharpening iron and encouraging each other forward. ThankFUL for you, my friend!! May the Lord bless you for your sweet kindness toward me. I am so blessed! 🙏🏼💓
“Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.” Ps 4:7
Happy Birthday Rachel!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH, Hope!!! 💓🤗 You are a blessing!!
“The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.” Ps 138:8