Ok, you MUST take a moment and hear this heavenly song.  I have no idea how old it is or where it came from but I remembered it from my childhood this morning and found it again.  I am re-discovering these beautiful yet often un-played Christmas songs.  I'm going to meditate on this song today.  Thank you Jesus for speaking to me so clearly.  (And thank you dad for teaching me to appreciate beautiful music

Lyrics

 The tree of life my soul hath seen
Laden with fruit and always green
The tree of life my soul hath seen
Laden with fruit and always green
The trees of nature fruitless be
Compared with Christ the apple tree

His beauty doth all things excel
By faith I know but ne'er can tell
His beauty doth all things excel
By faith I know but ne'er can tell
The glory which I now can see
In Jesus Christ the apple tree.

For happiness I long have sought
And pleasure dearly I have bought
For happiness I long have sought
And pleasure dearly I have bought
I missed of all but now I see
'Tis found in Christ the apple tree.

I'm weary with my former toil
Here I will sit and rest a while
I'm weary with my former toil
Here I will sit and rest a while
Under the shadow I will be
Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.

This fruit does make my soul to thrive
It keeps my dying faith alive
This fruit does make my soul to thrive
It keeps my dying faith alive
Which makes my soul in haste to be
With Jesus Christ the apple tree.

My wonderful wife is 22 years old today!  Hooray!  I am so proud of Bridget for the woman that she is.  I am really amazed as I step back and look at her life.  Through thick and thin she continually demonstrates character and Christ-like living.

In 22 Years:

• Bridget has been through terrific difficulties in her family life beginning at the age of four. (Some of you may know more about these than others.)
• Bridget has traveled abroad preaching the Gospel in five different nations. (Jamaica, Peru, India, Pakistan and the UAE)
• Bridget is married.  (Since childhood she treasured the idea of saving herself for one man, her husband, and she did!)
• Bridget is a mother.  Can I get all of you mothers out there to wave your hankies and testify!  Mothers seriously rock!
• Bridget is smart and educated.  She is way smarter than me about a lot of things, this I readily admit.  Just 12 months from now she will be Bridget Ervasti, RN. 
• Bridget is the best wife I could have ever asked for.  She serves without asking for things in return.  She truly loves and is dedicated to our family with her whole heart. 

Bridget, I love you!     

 "Her children arise and call her blessed;
       her husband also, and he praises her:

 "Many women do noble things,
       but you surpass them all."

  Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
       but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

  Give her the reward she has earned,
       and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."

(Prov. 31:28-31)