Cinco de Mayo

At my family birthday party.

In Norway

It is great to have been born on May 5. Now everyone in Mexico celebrates my birthday with me. Thanks to all my friends from around the planet who have added to the global warming just by blowing so much hot air in complimenting me this year.

I am very thankful to Gd for His protection, grace and mercy over my lifetime. He placed me in a great family with little resources so I had to learn and earn on my own. On 5/5/1938 I came squalling into a small home located in Ina, Illinois as the second live birth of Thomas Jefferson and Leota Taylor Sweeten.

Dad was very ill and was unable to work and it was at the height of the Great Depression. We did not have much to look forward to at that time so who could blame my parents if they were feeling down rather than excited about my arrival.

My Grandmother Taylor, we all called her "Mom" Taylor, was happy to see me. She loved me and doted on me and reared me with strict Holiness Discipline. She taught me the Bible and how to pray. She also introduced me to world missions and giving to those missionaries. I still do.

At 71 I feel like 21 and am as energized and excited about ministry today as I was at 21. I may not have the stamina to stay up all night and worship God now but I still love to worship Him. And I love to serve the Lord as a teacher and innovator in developing others to serve and love God.

It is a great life. Thank you Lord.

Gary Sweeten