July 29, 1940

JULY 29, 1940

Can it be 80 years ago today that a baby girl was born in Lexington, Missouri to parents who loved God and honored His Holy Word?!  She did not yet know that beautiful scripture in the 139th Psalm --- "Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.  My substance was not hid from Thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in Thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them."

She did not know there was an "Unseen Hand" that would lead through ways she could not see.  She did not know this blessed "Unseen Hand" would eventually lead her to a college in Oklahoma where she met a guy from Texas her first day on campus!  She was not impressed, for Texans with their big cowboy hats and boots were a little overwhelming to a simple farm girl!  But the "Unseen Hand" was still leading, and during the college revival she heard someone praying quite loudly at the front of the church as she was walking out of the service.  She asked who that was, and they said -- "That's Gene Hood from Texas"!

Right then something welled up in her heart, and she thought -- "I would like to marry a man who can pray like that"!

The "Unseen Hand" continued to lead to the marriage altar, and to over 50 years of ministry as we endeavored to keep holding tightly to the "Unseen Hand"! 

And so today, on my 80th birthday, I want to sing --

     "I am blessed!  I am blessed!  Every day that I live I am blessed!

When I wake up in the morning 'till I lay my had to rest --

      I am blessed!  I am blessed! 

And it was a SPECIAL BLESSING to have the entire family here for a few days to celebrate my birthday!  They planned everything, did all the work, and I just reigned as a queen upon her throne!! 

And now, I would like to end this little Birthday Blog with this invitation to each of you --

     "Come and go with me to Glory Land!  They say those walls are Jasper and those gates are made of Pearl -- And in that land there'll never come a night --

      There with the flowing river and the streets all made of gold --

Jesus Christ, Himself, will be the light.

      Glory land!  Glory land!

Come and go with me to Glory land!"