I first met David a few days before his 31st birthday in Almaty, Kazakhstan. He then invited us to his birthday party (along with 150 other people) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. I remember watching him dance at his party ... and later learned that although he normally does not like to dance, he was dancing his heart out to impress me (and had severe neck pain the next day to prove it)! Eight years later, we are still celebrating his birthday together ... this time in a different foreign country. Since I knew that today (his actual birthdate) would be filled with language lessons and meetings, I surprised him with a lunch date last Saturday (our first date alone since moving here; the girls were home with a trusted sitter). We both enjoyed some good burgers together (see them in the above photo?) And this Friday, I invited our team over for a "Breakfast for Dinner" birthday party (David LOVES a good breakfast).
In honor of David's 39th birthday,
the girls and I wanted to share
39 things (among thousands)
that we appreciate about him.
the girls and I wanted to share
39 things (among thousands)
that we appreciate about him.
David: is someone who passionately loves God, an incredible husband, a doting daddy, patient, can make us laugh all the time, even-keeled, gives great hugs (Verity specifically watched over my shoulder to make sure I typed this one), assumes the best in others, a great teacher, reliable, resourceful, handsome, wise, book-smart, street-smart, cares deeply for others, cares deeply for the things that matter to God, athletic, sacrificial, fun sense of humor, a talented green thumb, well-traveled, well-read, humble, prays about everything, approachable, unbelievable memory for facts, gives unlimited 'lion rides' and 'nickel push-ups' to the girls, always looking for ways to encourage us, has a global mindset (not ethnocentric), strives to be a wise steward of his "time, talents & treasures", super-involved with the girls, quick to forgive, loves the Word of God & can explain it well, makes a mean omelette, does not easily get stressed out, balanced (works hard, rests hard), makes people around him feel comfortable and #39 is .... _______________.
Actually, the girls and I left #39 blank on purpose. Perhaps you can suggest something to fill-in-the-blank? If you leave a comment here, I'll make sure the honored birthday man reads it!
And before I sign off, a birthday post would not be complete
without also wishing a happy 39th birthday to David's brother, Daniel. Thanks for being such an amazing brother, brother-in-law and uncle to our family. We wish we could be in Memphis to celebrate with you. We all love and miss you very much! Happy Birthday, Daniel!! We hope you have a wonderful 39th celebration of God's blessings in your life!
38 comments:
H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y !!!!!!
David, the boys and I want to wish you the happiest of birthdays. Even though you are not "home"... you are with those that are most important to you. Enjoy your day.... and celebrate all week. And, as Ethan once got in a fortune cookie... "Dance like no one's watching." Ethan still doesn't get that one, but I'll catch him every once in a while dancing his little heart out, looking at himself in the mirror.... he's a mess! Happy birthday, David! We love you and miss you tremendously!
s dnyom rozhdenia tebya, David!!!
I actually remember The DANCE... now I know the real truth. Thanks for being sold-out to God, man!
Euge aka Jenya Semenov
ps. Hello Jenni and the girls!
David,
Happy Birthday, Dear Brother! All that Jenni and the girls said is SO TRUE! I can recall a circumstance for almost all of those tributes...lion rides excluded. ;) The 39th thing I would add is you are one of the Heros of the Faith. I SO appreciate and admire the way you walk by faith and not by sight; taking circumstancess into consideration and still pressing on to follow truth. Thanks so much for living whole-heartedly with Him, David. I love you guys! Jodi
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I completely forgot! Just kidding...
39: being an incredible sharpener. I am certain that I am more like Him b/c I try to be more like you!
I hope that you have a great day.
I love you,
Daniel
happy birthday david!
my contribution to #39 is:
someone who leads by example
you are a great teacher and i hope you have a wonderful day!
liz k.
David has a deep passion for the lost
Happy birthday from Christi, Pradip and Josh!
Happy Birthday, David! (It's Eugene, Anna, Katelyn & Jessica here!) We thought of you last night as we celebrated my birthday a little early. We miss you all and love seeing the updates and gorgeous photos on your blog. Since Jenni & the girls covered #'s 1-38 so thoroughly, so the only thing we can think of is: #39 David knows how to protect his noggin. He knows to wear a helmet when mountain biking (esp. after his bad tumble in Russia years ago!). And Jenni, isn't David well versed in the area of gas (from what you've told us)? Those are definitely things to celebrate about him!
My #39 for David is that he is kind, friendly, and hospitible, even to those he doesn't even know! I will always remember how on my second date with James (who is now my husband), both Jenni and David took time to talk with and briefly get to know James while I finished getting ready. It meant so much to me that my closest friends would make an effort to include James and make him comfortable right from the start!! Missing you across the miles... Love, Auntie Lisa. Have a great birthday, David!
Happy Birthday David! Your heart is #39, because you are a challenge to all of us to seek God's heart and to follow Him WHEREVER He leads (even to the uttermost parts of the earth). Charlotte Peck, for Rick, and the rest of the family.
David,
Happy Birthday! We miss you in the office even though I doubt you miss us :P May you have a rich rich year full of love and laughs and new brother and sisters in the Lrd.
Hi Jenni!
Hugs,
Julie Eshelman
Hi David, Happy Birthday. We miss you guys. Love, Dedie & Jim
Happy Birthday David!! Your example is an encouragement to all of us.
Love,
Mike, Becca, Sarah, and John-Paul
Technically, your birthday is over now since it is the next day there. So we send late birthday greetings to you. I would say #39 is a great servant.
Your blog is fun to read. It sounds like you guys are having an amazing life over there so far. Maybe you'll write a book someday! We're always praying for you.
Love,
Jen, Matt, Lily & Daniel Moore
Happy Birthday, David! I am a bit late in posting a comment, but I hope you had an amazing day celebrating your 39th. We are thinking of you in NYC... Love, Karine and Peter
My #39 is Silly! Funny word for a mature 39 year old...but I love calling your home, just to hear what accent you will answer with!!
Hope you had a wonderful birthday!
Kelly, and the boys...all 3!!
My vote for #39 is brave. That's a lot of ladies in one one house! ;)
Happy Birthday to David. You all seem to be doing so well. Loved the apartment tour, Jenni!
Love,
Sherry Haus
I second the vote for SILLY! David is one of the most serious and silly guys I know. Being in his Sunday School for four years was a spiritually enriching and ab. challenging experience (abs got a work out with all the laughing). I would add that he has great taste...just look at who married. :) What a great family!
Happy Birthday, David!!!!!
I pray that you will enjoy growing in the knowlede of Him as you pour your life onto Him in a new country. I know that He honors your walk and that He will shine His light on your face day by day.
Hiroko (from kansas City. It does feel weird to say that I am in America. I belong in Central Asia...)
Happy B-day Dave!
#39 for me is his love for people. He is never too busy for anyone.
It's great to see y'all doing so well. (Yes, I said "y'all." I got it from Dave.)
We love you guys!
Richard (and Esther)
a good friend,
I don't know if that was written already.. but really!
Thanks David, and very good posts :) i really enjoyed the 10-15 minutes i spent peaking into your lives!!
love ya'll !!
Peter sohn
David puts together a mean STINT Notebook! David, it was a real pleasure working with you last year. You are someone I respect and admire. Hope you had a great day!
John B.
I would have to say spontaneous. David is always ready to join in or encourage something new and different. When friends and family are involved you always make it a point to participate in all activities. I am especially grateful that we experienced Disney Land together last spring and rode the HULK (I think that was the name of the rollercoaster). We miss you and the girls so much. I am blessed to have you and Daniel as my baby brothers. I love you, Anna
(cool idea, Jenni)...
#39: One old dude. Just kidding. Had to throw that in, for some good laughs. But, seriously, you are only one year away from the BIG 4-0...
David, someday I hope I can put into words just how much you and yours have touched our family...
We Love You guys... Happy BDay!
In Him, Jill Bergman for the fam
POPCRACKERS!
I can't believe you're 39!!!! We have two birthdays in our family in October and I still think about how you and Daniel talked about your ROCKtober birthdays! I hope that you had a great day!
We love you guys!!!!
Jack(John), Nancy, Mary Katherine, Sally, Lucy, Polly, John and Frankie
oh by the way..."you had me at #22!"
Hey happy bday, we hope this is the best year ever for you. Thought you'd want to know something significant in our lives..I am no longer a Dolphins fan. They stink! I have one thing to say...show me your lighting bolt. San Diego, super chargers!
Can you guess who this is from..and the prior post. ???
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVID! Jobe and I hope that you have had, (since it is late on the 17th) a really special day.
Our # 39 for you is ONE CRAZY Guy...crazy and full of fun (jankety, jank, jank), and crazy in love with the Lord (being obedient to the Lord's purpose in you and your family's life even to move to the other side of the world to fulfill the calling He has for you and Jenni). WOW...what an example.
Happy birthday from the Madison's!
P.S. We LOVE the blog...we feel like we are so much apart of your lives even though you are so far away. Love seeing your home sweet home!
Hi Jenni...
I am Kelly's friend... Stef.. I have the two kids... Haley and Hunter. Great to visit your blog.... It is so awesome to see what God is doing with you guys!
i love the birthday blog jenni, can't ya'll feel the love radiating off the screen! i love the part about verity doubling checking the list... well my 39th thing i like about you david is that you are the man of my sister's dreams and a pretty cool brother in law... happy birthday brother! ~Jake
You can add courageous to the list too! Happy Birthday David - from another "little house girls" home. LOVED going through your blogs and catching up. What a great place you have. Hope you had an amazing camping trip.
MC
hello william's family~~!!I miss ya'll and love guys so much...I'm so glad to hear that you guys are transitioning so well....I wish you a very happy 39th b-day David...my mom's bday was yesterday (16th) so both of your bdays are one day apart!! how cool is that=)My contribution for # 39.David is a man after God's own heart- like King David from the word: a man who loved to worship,love, and be loved by the Lord. two words: God chaser( like the book)love, irene
Happy birthday David. Apparently, you have many more than 39 things going for you. We wish we were there to celebrate with you all. I'll add "anxious for nothing" to the list. Your contended spirit has always helped me feel at peace around you. Give our love to the girls.
Happy belated birthday David! Rock and Shock!
Love, Jonchao
guess i've been kinda late... but still wanna wish you a belated birthday! I appreciate all the words of wisdom that you've shared -- in fact, i've written them down in my journals and still look back at them from time to time! Oh, and of course I envy your family being in c.asia! Hopefully i'll be able to do that in the future. :)
The word I think we will contribute is..... Focused. I know we don't really know you well but from the few encounters we have had that is what I saw in you. I hope you had a very special birthday.-Doug,Jenn, and Jake
Wow! I get to be the 39th comment for birthday #39! David, I appreciate the way you can bring fun to any situation and also the way you care for people! I hope you had a great birthday and may God richly bless your 39th year!
David is the best floogle binder (spl) dart blower of all time. However I don't know if it was you or Daniel that shot Laura Neyman in the leg. Happy Birthday! "Old Man"
Charles Daugherty and family
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