A Birthday Ritual

March 5, 2015

" Every birthday, not just the ones marking a new decade, is a significant milestone. Every age brings with it three hundred and sixty five Real Life lessons. We turn not older with years, but newer everyday."  So, happy birthday, happy birthday to you.  I've got a good feeling that this coming year is going to be your best yet. Heaven knows you deserve it."  ~Sarah Ban Breathnach

This birthday sentiment is relevant for all of us. Each day on a mission, I turn the page and see who has a birthday in the mission. I call the Elders on behalf on both President Dunn and I and wish them a happy birthday and a great year ahead. When I woke up on March 5th, I got to celebrate a wonderful birthday for my companion.

Well, as President Dunn reached the age of 57 today, we had to celebrate by leaving at 5 am for a 57 Kilometer bike ride. We met our biking friend, Carmen and all three of us pedaled around the Cradle of Humankind for a great start to a birthday...before the day really got started for everyone else.

President Dunn was pretty excited to lead us on a route he had planned.

He even stopped a moment for a photo opp. This is one happy birthday boy!

We have proof that we reached our 57 KM goal.

President Dunn and I paused after the bike ride and enjoyed a little breakfast at Avianto and then onto the mission office.  Our zone leaders were on their Thursday "pick up" rounds and many dropped in to wish President Dunn a happy birthday.

Pictured are Elder Thompson, Van Heerdan, Leman, Pres. Dunn, Elder Wambua, Stilgoe and Riley

Our daughter Emi, found a perfect gift for her dad while she was here visiting in January. She packed it away in our closet, so he could open a gift from her on his actual birthday. This is a great gift for a mission president. It can be used for interviews, small tasks, etc. But mostly it is a reminder of the precious gift of time. Even though we are away from our family for an extended amount of time, we are very aware that time is literally slipping through our fingers, like sand in an hourglass. This gift is a good reminder of how precious time is....and to savor each and everyday.

This message is listed on the cool gift box that the hourglass came packed in.

It’s a matter of time”

Being rich is having money: being wealthy is having time.” “You may search my time-worn face, you’ll find a merry eye that twinkles.” “I am not and old lady, just a little girl with wrinkles.” “Time is precious, but truth is more precious than time.” “All great achievements require time.” “A wise person does at once, what a fool does at last…both do the same things, only at different times.” “You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it.” This time like all times, is a very good one, if we know what to do with it.” "Time is equal to life: therefore, waste your time and waste you life. Or master your time and master your life.” “There is no time like the present.”

We took a good recommendation on a fun new restaurant and enjoyed a nice dinner together at Thomas Maxwell's.
Personal trivia:  We met when President Dunn was just 17 years old, so this special birthday represents 40 years of celebrating March 5th together. We sure have had some good celebrations over the years, but finding ourselves in South Africa, serving a mission, is a highlight. What a joyous place to find ourselves. We felt the love and support of all of our family members. Even though we are far away, we feel very connected and close.