It’s another special day in the Stephen Kent Smith family. Ranger Lee Johnston was born into our family one year ago today. Our world has been brighter ever since God sent us this little man, and we know that he will continue to bring us joy over the course of our lives.

Ranger Roo is the son of Chad and Miranda Johnston. Their first child. He has his daddy’s eyes, and his mother’s mouth. He has his daddy’s mischievousness, and his mother’s heart. He has his daddy’s energy, and his mother’s determination. His overall personality is a combination of both Chad and Miranda, which means he has the ability to melt even the coldest heart. Roo has more facial expressions than any kid I have ever known, and even though we are a ways from carrying on a conversation with the little guy we seem to always know what he is saying just by the look on his face. It is easy to see that he already has the ability to call bologna on his full of prunes dad.

I have no idea what Mr. Ranger will become in life. Will he be an Olympic gymnast, or a minister? Will he lead the country or even a corporation with his God given leadership ability? Will he be an humble man of service, or an over the top sales rep? Only God knows. What I do believe is that he will love people, care about people, and help people every chance he gets, because that is what he will see modeled by his parents. Miranda is a people person, a people pleaser. Chad is a servant, a helper, a doer for other folks. If you need either of them to help you all you have to do is ask, and they will be there for you. Miranda has such a heart for others that it upsets her to see someone eating alone at a restaurant, and the repeated refrain in praise of Chad is, “If you need help all you have to do is ask Chad, and he will be there. “

Nonnie and I will be having supper with the Roo tonight to celebrate his first birthday. We will have a wonderful evening laughing at his amazing personality, and we will talk on our way home about how wonderful he is, and what he means to us. Our prayer tonight will be that he grows up in service to, and love for, the Lord. We will close our words to God by asking Him to bless our little man, and to guard him from Satan.

Friends, I’m not over the top in love enough to believe that you will feel the same way about Ranger that I do. In fact I expect that there may be some folks who have stopped reading this post by now because I realize that I can be rather obnoxious when it comes to my kids. However, most of you have your own children and grandchildren, and I pray that they have you wrapped around their little finger. I pray that they are the most important thing in your life, and I pray that you will lead them by your example into a life of love and service to God, and others.

Ranger Lee Johnston turns one year old today, and I know he has no idea what he means to Nonnie and me, so I want to put it into words. I want to write it down in black and white because I have no way of knowing if I’ll be around to tell him when he is old enough to understand. Ranger, we love you very much. You have been, and will always be very special to us. You are a very important part of the light that warms us each day. That light is you, Milla, Major, Mary Alice, your mom and dad, and your Uncle Joshua, and Aunt Amber, with God in the center of it all.

In case tomorrow never comes, I want you to know, I love you Ranger Roo.

Till next time,

Grump