Hey Guys,
I thought I would share with you what has transpired in the past couple days. I have been thinking that if I am ever to find the right gal I'm going to have to change my style a little bit. So I did. I hope you like it!


Before

During!
After!! Looking my best ever!

23 and BEYOND!

Hello Family,

I like this idea, I hope everyone figures out how to work it soon, because I think it's the future of our family. Haha, just kidding. Well I'm 23 now, or as my friend Laura likes to remind me: A million years old! I had a super fun party, and I'm going to post some of the pictures that I took with my SWEET new digital camera. The other highlights from my birthday were grandma Lola calling, Stephen surprising me at my front door, my friend Chori's call from Spain, and mostly all the love that was put into my party, gifts and many birthday greetings. I've been getting back into Morning and Evening by Spurgeon and on my birthday morning the verse was "Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler."--Psalm 91:3 It was a huge encouragement and reminder to see how the Lord has delivered me from so many things in the past 23 years and even more encouraging to know that every temptation that comes across my path has a way of escape! I look forward to this next year and seeing what the Lord has for me. I need lots of prayer as I graduate and make big scary decisions! Love you all...

This photo was during the "entertainment" portion of my party. HAHA Mom blindfolded me and told me a creepy story about a war hero named Joe. You can ask her for details. It was pretty freaky, but hilarious too. You can tell by Mom and Stephen's faces. (Mom was crying from laughing so hard) :P

Answer to Prayer

Last night Jim spoke with Dad, and he told us that Mom had a swallowing test and passed, so... she was able to actually eat food. Of course it has to be pureed, but it was food. She had eggs and sausage and loved it. She did have some stomach problems later, but I guess it is from not having had much in her stomach for a few weeks. Hurray for Speech Pathologists as well, specially Mom's, and Elizabeth who, Lord willing, will receive her degree at the end of the summer .

Dad is doing better, but goes to the urologist for tests on Wednesday. Thanks to Aunt Joanie and Bob for taking him last week.

Well, let's remember to pray for Erin who has lost her job. The good thing is that she is moving to St. Louis.

Love you all.

Record Times

I am going to try to add a post from the Record family. I think this is an awesome idea. I love reading blogs. Several of my friends have one. I am including a picture from the most recent time all of us saw each other....Aunt Joanie and Uncle Bob's reception. It was such a lovely evening. I can get more than one picture to load up. I will have to learn a little more about uploading my pictures.

Welcome to our family blog

While some of you enjoy spending time on Facebook, and thus keep track of each other, I thought it may be fun to have a family blog that can help us keep it touch not just with the Jim Gates family, but with the Browns, Bears, Nesteroffs, etc. I have not read too many blogs, so I am not sure how to go about it, but maybe we can give it a try.
So, here it goes. Hope you all can participate and keep in touch. Hope this is a good way to:
-find out what is going on in each family
-encourage others
-keep in touch
-see lots of pictures
-get to know each other better
-have fun

Since I don't have photos at the moment, I will close, looking forward to seeing how this develops.
Mom