Ridgell's Originals

Our Julie had her birthday yesterday and as always, I want to take a moment and share why I love her and why I am so proud of her.

Julie is a fighter.  Those of you that know us, know that Julie had horrible health issues the last three years or so.  They could not identify what was wrong and it was a long journey of Doctors, hospitals, and tests.  When they did think they had a diagnosis, it was bad:  congestive heart failure, cancer, and things I cannot pronounce or spell.  Thank God that they were wrong about most of these.  And today she is healthier than she has been in the last 5 or 6 years.  Still don't know everything that went wrong, but they are treating symptoms and we are thanking God.  But here is the thing -- Julie never gave up.  Kept working as a nurse, kept being a wife and Mom.  Kept fighting.

She is a fighter for her faith too.  Not just faith challenges because of health, but anytime life does not turn out like you thought, it is easy to blame God and quit.  Life is hard for all of us.  Julie inspires me to keep on keeping on because I have seen how she does not quit loving God, nor will she give up her faith in Jesus.

She is #3 in a line of 4 amazing women.  Granny, Marsha's Mom, and Julie are really connected.  Julie and Mimi (Marsha) talk every day.  And Avery, Julie's girl, is being molded and mentored by all three of the generations above her.  Julie loves her fam.

She is a nurse because she has a heart for the hurting.  She has always been a collector of the hurting, the lonely, and those in trouble.  Stray animals, kids, and people have always been part of her life.  Love her for that.  Love that in her choice to work at the school she is at now.  Lots of underprivileged kids.

Jules is passionate to share Jesus with our world.  She listens to the hurting. She shares her spiritual journey.  She holds out Jesus as the hope of our world.  There will people in heaven because she cares.

So God thank you for Julie.  Thanks for what she means to our family, especially her kids.  Thanks for the way she helps take care of Granny.  Thanks for what she has taught me about following you.  You blessed us when you made us her Mom and Dad.  Thanks for her health and let her keep blessing others in this world.