Happy Birthday, Ike!

Sunday, August 24, 2014



Ike turns 23!

Ever since I can remember, he and I have been the best of friends. We have so many fond memories of countless hours spent roaming the fields and orchards near our California home, sitting around doing schoolwork together, cooking together, planting gardens, loving on our dogs and cats, and spending many early morning hours playing chess.

Ike is an incredible companion and the kind of friend who sticks with you through thick and thin. He has a steady, easy-going way about him, a quick smile and ready laugh, and a truly rare strength of character. He is highly skilled in many areas, yet so humble that many people don't even know he's a licensed attorney (currently working via a virtual law office with a firm in the southwest), an accomplished musician, a future private pilot, an entomologist -- and did I mention that he's almost done with pre-med and is on his way to becoming a doctor? 

But Ike isn't just about book study; he’s a can-do guy who grew up building fences, digging pools, and constructing outbuildings and additions to our house in the country.  He's always loved the land, loved getting his hands dirty, smelling the clean fresh soil, planting in the spring -- mission work in a frigid climate has entailed a lot of sacrifice for a guy who loves the outdoors, yet even in icy winters, he hikes snowy island cliffs and warms up for studies by chopping wood for the fire or cooking tasty food. One of the things we miss most about California is our animals. Ike had a goat back then, a wonderful bristly old goat we called Friendly, and he always took excellent care of her, as well as of all our other animals.

Ike also has a gift for leadership. He’s the go-to guy for us in many areas; he has a gift for reading people, drawing them out, and caring for their needs.  I look forward to seeing how God will continue to use him in the coming years. His passion for following hard after God is an inspiration to me.

I love Ike more than words can say. 

 

Feel free to leave a comment to wish him Happy Birthday!
 

23 comments:

  1. Sending Ike a California boatload of wishes for a (belated) very Happy Birthday and a joyful and productive coming year!

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  2. Happy birthday from Muskogee, America. Lots of good memories about road trips and ice jumping and three skis and etc.

    Caleb H.

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  3. Wow, Ike. 23!!!! Wow! I'm sure that your parents feel like it was just yesterday that they were cradling a future bug
    -collectorattorneyphysicanbrotherson.....amazing man of God. I am so grateful that we know you. I appreciate deeply the way that you have loved our family with your intimate words and your real prayers for us. Thank you for your open armed hugs and your brilliant smile. I can't wait to see what else our Father has next for you.
    Happy birthday to a gifted and dear man that I am happy to count as friend. I Love You. Carolb for Tim,Mac,&Gus

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  4. Happy 23rd Birthday Ike!

    From mock-trial to pre-med, missions to music; you have shown the Love of Christ by your testimony. We have thoroughly enjoyed our visits together and are blessed recipients of His love through you.
    May Jesus Christ continue to lead and guide you in this coming year.

    In Christ,
    The Barth Family
    Eph 3:14-19

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  5. Happy 23rd Birthday, Isaac! What a gift you are. May this next year of life be filled to overflowing with His Kingdom, and may you continue to hit the mark of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus in ALL that He calls you to. God bless you.

    Emily Milnes

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  6. Dear Isaac,

    I hope you have the most wonderful of birthdays! I admire you and thank God for how you have prayed for and encouraged me faithfully over the past several years. May God bless you in the coming year!

    Love,
    Sharon Hambrick

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  7. Ike, Ike!! We miss you already! Happy happy birthday from Mrs. P. (as in Proch). I really just discovered (this trip) that what Ems says is so true. During music night, what a joy it was to watch as you chose an instrument, then picked it up to play whatever tune was being sung at the time. Wow!!! We have seen you make bikes, tame wild and ferocious baby goats, love your family and ours, and most importantly, love the Father with an amazing strength and beauty.
    We will wait with bated breath to see you and yours again. Happy happy bday. So grateful to be called your friend!!
    much love in Him,
    Mrs. P

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  8. Happy Birthday Isaac!!! We're so blessed to know you and your family! I pray that God uses this next year of your life to grow and strengthen you for His Kingdom and the work He has for you :)

    ~Amy, for the Kerschner family

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  9. Happy Birthday, Son! You are a steady source of joy and peace in our home, with a hearty laugh and a love for adventure. May you follow hard after God this year.

    Love, Mums
    Isaiah 26:3

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  10. Happy Birthday from the other Mrs. P. (as in Prislovsky)! Stephen and I are sitting here enjoying the kind words written about you by your sweet sister and the beautiful slide show! They are serving to make us miss you all even more than we already do! May the Lord bless you this year with courage, patience, stick-to-itiveness, safety, joy and peace! We can't wait until the Lord brings you and yours back our way. :)

    In Him,
    Mrs. P.
    ~~and Stephen too! :)

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  11. Happy Birthday Isaac! We had such a blast getting to know you and your family better this last visit! We so enjoyed all the wonderful and encouraging convos! We hope this year is full of abundant blessings and many, many opportunities to share the love of Jesus Christ with others. Hope to see y'all soon!
    Love, The Bairds

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  12. Happy Birthday! May they year ahead bring you new adventures and friendships! Wishing you many blessings
    -Sandi for the Olson Family
    “In friendship...we think we have chosen our peers. In reality a few years' difference in the dates of our births, a few more miles between certain houses, the choice of one university instead of another...the accident of a topic being raised or not raised at a first meeting--any of these chances might have kept us apart. But, for a Christian, there are, strictly speaking no chances. A secret master of ceremonies has been at work. Christ, who said to the disciples, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you," can truly say to every group of Christian friends, "Ye have not chosen one another but I have chosen you for one another." The friendship is not a reward for our discriminating and good taste in finding one another out. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each of us the beauties of others.”
    ― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

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  13. IKE! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
    I value your friendship and I praise God for your amazing example of a God centered life! I pray Go gives you an INCREDIBLE 23rd year filled with adventures and experiences that help to strengthen your walk with the Lord!
    Missing Y'all always!
    Much love from down here in the sticks! ;))

    Ezra

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  14. Happy Happy birthday, dearest Ike!!!!
    You are an absolute joy to all of us, and a solid man of God. Thank-you for being such a constant inspiration to me! Tons of love and birthday hugs, Ibby

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  15. Happy Birthday Ike! It is inspiring to see you working so diligently and wholeheartedly towards God’s calling, brother. I can’t wait to have you join me in medical school as we prepare for medical missions together, and I pray this year will be one of many blessings and accomplishments. Keep walking the high road, living each moment with the joy of Christ, and sharing the enthusiasm that makes you such a valued member of our family team. Know that I stand with you.
    - Curtis

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  16. Happy Birthday Isaac! May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and give you peace. Continue to fight the good fight of loving Him over all else. Continue to persevere in the high calling of Christ Jesus our Lord. You are doing well! We are grateful for another year of life for you from the Father of all good gifts and look forward to His continued work in you this next year! Blessings, the Carnett family

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  17. Alles Gute zum Geburtstag! Happy Birthday, Isaac! It has been a blessing to hear of your accomplishments and hear how the Lord is working in you over the past few years! Your testimony has been like Prov. 4:18, "The path of the righteous man is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter til the full light of day." The Lord has great things ahead for you! ~ Lauree Beth

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  18. Well, son, I am sitting here reflecting upon what an honorable son you are, what a pleasure it is to be with you, and how bright your future looks, because of the values and principles which you have allowed God to knit into your very core. You love beauty and light, strength and purpose. You are sensitive, yet firm of heart. You are passionate about maximizing your abilities, and about learning everything you can about God's creation and its intricacies and majesty. I love you, Isaac. May we climb many mountains together in this, your 23rd year.
    Love,
    Papa
    Col.3.2,3

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  19. Happy birthday, Isaac! We haven't had the opportunity to spend a lot of time together, but during our times in OKC and at the bar exam I was blessed by your friendliness, steadiness, and encouragement. May the Lord fill your next year with rejoicing in His mercy as you continue to pursue the ultimate goal.

    Timothy

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  20. Isaac!

    Happy, happy birthday brother! It has been such a blast getting to know you over the past years - I am privileged and blessed to call you friend. Thank you for your encouragement, contagious smile, and always positive attitude. Keep up the good fight - it's a joy to watch you "run the race set before you".
    Many blessings, and hope to see you soon!
    Beecher

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  21. Happy birthday Isaac!!! I hope that you had an amazing day that was focused on celebrating you and the many wonderful qualities and character that you possess. I enjoyed getting to see you and your family during your time at our house!

    Joanna H

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  22. Happy birthday Isaac!!
    I'm being a "Johnny Come Lately" but on behalf of my whole family, I want to wish you a very happy 23rd birthday and year of life. I still remember #23 (and #25) as being some of the most fun, and best years in my life, with great growth in the Lord and in my personal life. We all hope the same thing for you! May God bless you and keep you in His care. It was great visiting with you a few weeks ago.
    John Willing, for all of us

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  23. Happy belated birthday, Isaac!!
    I hope you had a great birthday with your family!! We love spending time with you and your family!! We had another great visit with you! God bless you as you serve Him!! Hopefully we'll see you before too long!

    Lydia and Stephen H.

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