Happy 90th Grandpa!

This past weekend we had the privilege of going to my Grandpa Hornish's 90th birthday party. He is not my flesh and blood grandpa, but from the time I was little we always called them Grandma and Grandpa Hornish. In fact, I honestly believe that were it not for their prayers I wouldn't be where I am today!

Grandma and Grandpa Hornish were extremely influential in my parents walk with Christ. From the time I was very young (actually even before me), Grandma and Grandpa mentored my mom and dad and several other young couples. They discipled them and gave them guidance and words of encouragement and direction. They called their young disciples the "dumb sheep". I remember asking mom, when I was younger, "when are you getting together with those dumb sheep? I want to see Grandma and Grandpa!" We loved them and loved being around them.

At the party on Sunday some of Grandpa's life story was told. I remember hearing one story many times. My grandpa was a farmer and a big farmer at that. And he was good at what he did. In the spring of 1974 a tornado came through and destroyed their entire farm. They lost everything, crops, machinery and barns, it was all gone. Grandma still tells the story of Grandpa going to the door on April 4, 1974, the morning after the tornado, opening the door and then closing it again and saying, "I guess we should start by talking to the Lord". From that day until this one they have prayed and read the Bible together every morning. Grandma did say that the prayers have gotten much longer, but that day in 1974 is when they began.

I remember several times when we were younger that dad would call Grandma and Grandpa and ask them to pray for a decision that we needed to make. I remember my sister calling from overseas and saying, "please call Grandma and tell her what I am doing, I need her to pray". We would make sure to let Grandma and Grandpa know every time we went on a mission trip because we knew they would be faithful to pray for our time there.

What a wonderful example of Christ Grandma and Grandpa Hornish are.

Happy Birthday Grandpa!