Sweet Sixteen!!

Linny Saunders95 Comments
Sixteen years ago this past Friday {February 11th} I woke up and began to have a few contractions.  About lunch time, my contractions got even stronger.  Dw and I took a long walk around the Matthews, NC subdivision we lived in.  I could not wait to meet the treasure I had had 
the privilege of carrying almost to term.  
Dw and I were the type to never want to know “what the baby is” while I was pregnant.  
We loved being surprised!!
By about dinner time we made our way to Matthews Presbyterian Hospital.  We walked the halls a bit.  Abigail who was about to turn 12, was with us.  We had asked if she wanted to see her little sibling being born.  So the three of us settled in when I began to feel like I was going to pass out {haha}.  Dw read scripture to me.  Abi sung with me.  “You came from heaven to earth to show the way, from the earth to the cross, my debt to pay, from the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky, Lord I lift your name on high.”  
When it was finally time to push, it only took one!  
And there he was!!  
Surprise!!
Graham Josiah
Dw and I take naming our children really serious.  Either the name has to have a powerful meaning OR be after a person in history whose life has made a monumental significance in Christian history. Graham was named after Billy Graham, a great man of God, with a passion for the lost, who never had a scandal. 
Our Graham is very tender-hearted. He is serious.  Not shy, but quiet, observant.  He loves the orphan.  He loves music.  He taught himself to play the guitar.  He took three drum lessons and plays for our adult worship team {when they need him} and leads the youth worship band.  To say he is gifted musically would be an understatement.  He has spiritual discernment and a prophetic gifting.  Someday maybe I will share about the prophetic dreams he has had.   If Graham has a dream we take it very, very, very seriously.  Each prophetic dream he has had, has come to pass.  
While in Africa last month, Dw called me with a troubling situation.  Dw and I were Skyping and Graham was listening on Dw’s end.  I suggested we fast and pray.  Graham was standing with him.  {He would be be sooo embarrassed if he knew I was typing this}, but Graham said, “I’ve already fasted mom here in Africa.  I want  God to move.”   As I listened to my fifteen year old say this, I thought, “Wow Lord.  I know adults who would never even consider on their own fasting for a situation.”   There is more to the story, but that is for another time. 
We are not sure where God will lead Graham, but he thinks he may be in the music field, with time in Africa with Emma when he is not doing music.  We’ll see.  
In the meantime, I want to honor this precious son, whose heart wants to please the Lord.  Who talks openly with Dw and I about life.  His buddy is Emma.  He loves when the little boys camp out in his room.  Graham Josiah, you are a true joy to our family and anyone who knows you!! 
We are so thankful that God allowed you to be our son…
what a privilege we have…  
 Autumn had the evening off, so that was a special treat…
Isaiah gave Graham a Monst*r drink…Gray-Gray’s favorite…

{Jubilee, Elizabeth and Elijah were all sick…so they went to bed a bit earlier…}

And if you would be so kind….Would you be willing to wish 
this young man of ours a very happy birthday?

95 thoughts on “Sweet Sixteen!!”

  1. Happy birthday, Graham! What a precious son you are to your parents and to God the Father! May the Lord do immeasurably more than you ask or imagine!

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  2. happy birthdat sweet guy. i am typing with 1 hand so this will be short i pray that God will continue to blessyou ase you follow him. Linny I would be so proud too!
    Many Blessings,
    kim

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  9. Happy Birthday, Graham! 😀

    I would love to hear about your prophetic dreams that came to pass, who wouldn't?? Like Joseph of old, that was awesome 🙂

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  12. Happy birthday Graham!!

    As a Christian mother of two little girls it brings me much peace and joy to know that their are young men like you in the world pursuing God and the gifts He has given them.

    Jennifer in PA

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  15. Hey Graham, hope you have a brilliant Birthday. You make your family proud and God smile down upon you. We are in SC but not far from where you were born. It is a nice place and sunny today. Sending some sunshine your way.

    🙂 Debbie

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  26. Happy Birthday Graham! Hope it has been a special one. I always love reading about your heart for the orphan and your efforts on their behalf. You are certainly a special guy that God has great plans in store for!

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  27. Graham, Praying that the Lord continues to do a mighty work through your life… When I read all your mom has to say about you I pray that my boys will have that same fire for the Lord in their hearts!

    blessings!
    SAra

    Reply

  38. Happy birthday Graham! It is such a blessing to learn about you!
    May Peace, HOpe, Joy be with you all the time! May god's grace continue to be with you!
    Many blessings to you and your great family!!! Thank you for being you!!!

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  42. Happy 16th Birthday, Graham!! You have been born in a very special time in history, to do a very special calling. The Lord has anointed you with very special gifts that are being used for His purposes and the fulfillment of His promises! To God be the glory forever and ever for your awesome life! What a huge blessing you are! Happy Graham Day!! In His Unfailing Love!

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  46. Happy Birthday, Graham! Hope your day was fantastic! May the Lord continue to develop the gifts He's placed within you and may they spring forth in due season.

    P.S. I love the story behind your name! Name-giving is important to me, too. 🙂

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  56. Happy Birthday wishes again Graham!!! It was such a joy to get to spend 2 weeks with you in Uganda on the last trip. You are a mature young man that is going to go very far in life because you have your priorities in the right order. God first!!! Blessings, Friends in Christ, Ellen Wylie and fam (hubby Mark, Sarah, Andrew, Christopher, David and Rachel)

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  58. Happy Sweet 16, Graham! Hope you have an awesome day!! You are truly blessed to be a part of such an amazing family! I pray God will continue to use you to reach others for Christ! 🙂

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  59. Graham, What a precious gift you are to your family! Even though I have never had the priviledge of meeting you, I can tell that you are a man of God, and I pray that God will continue to use you for His glory. I can't wait to see what that looks like! You are an amazing young man and I know you are going to be a blessing to everyone you ever meet. Happy Birthday! Enjoy your special day!

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  60. Happy Birthday Graham. It's wonderful to see a young man such as you so in love with our Lord, so in tune with hearing Him and so wanting to serve Him. What a blessing to your parents.

    Linny I sent you an e-mail.

    Reply

  67. Happy Birthday Graham! God bless you not only today but always!!! If the path you take ever leads you to Cleveland TN contact us and you can come worship with us at our church. We love to Praise with anyone who has a Passion to WORSHIP our one true GOD!

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  75. Happy Birthday, Graham! It will be exciting to see how the Lord uses you for His purposes. What a testimony that at your young age you are already being used by Him in powerful ways.

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  77. Linny,
    I just this morning sent a little package for the Uganda team. Thanks for the opportunity to bless orphans!!
    Happy birthday to you,
    Happy birthday to you,
    Happy birthday dear Graaaaaaahhhaaaaammmmmm!
    Happy birthday to you.
    Julie in OK

    Reply

  78. Happy Birthday Graham! We also have a Graham named after the same great man of God. It sounds as if you have similar spirits as well. Hope you had a great day of celebration!!

    The Watkins Family

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  79. Happy Belated Birthday, Graham!
    (Did you do anything other than get your picture taken all day?!? Teasing, I am guessing that your mom takes advantage of the fact that you are one of the few older siblings who actually seems to like getting your picture taken!)

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  80. Happy 16th birthday Graham. How cool that you are one year closer to seeing what God has for your life's work. Keep using your spiritual gifts that God has blessed you with and with and through you will bless others. I wonder if music and Africa are his plan…..it sure will be amazing to see where God leads you.
    Blessings from New Zealand,
    Relle :0)

    Reply

  81. Happy Birthday, Graham! Your mom is right to be very proud of you!

    My package for Uganda will be in the mail this week. Everything is bought; it just needs to be taken to the post office!

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  88. Happy, happy birthday, Graham. The Lord has Blessed you in numerous ways. May you continue to walk in the path that he leads you. Hope your day was awesome!!! Gee, how I would like to have my "birthday breakfast' be a WHOLE cake! LOL

    Another interesting word verification: phonetically – hymn sheet

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  90. Blessings on you Graham and happy birthday. I pray for God to reveal His perfect will to you and that doors will open for you to walk through. Again, hope that your birthday was filled with lots of blessings.

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  93. Hi Graham! I hope your Special Day was full of Joy and Love and All things Good and Godly! You are a very special young man and I look forward to seeing what HE has in store for your life over the years! God Bless You ~ Jo

    Reply

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