Today was a perfect day. I woke up at 6:16 a.m. to breakfast that Mark made for me- English muffin, eggs, grapes and banana. That was so thoughtful! Then I took him to work (because we planned to go to dinner later in that area and we thought we'd keep from having two cars downtown.) When I got back home, I took a nap...yes at 7:15. For those of you who don't know me well, I'm NOT a morning person. I woke up again at 9:15 and I thought that was a much more reasonable time for someone to get up. I then spent the rest of the day reading, watching TV and just hanging out. It was raining outside so the option of going to the pool was out, but I enjoyed relaxing at home. Later I got ready to go pick Mark up at work. We went to the Columns Hotel on St. Charles Ave. because I always wanted to know what it was like to sit on the front porch and drink a mint julip like in plantation days.
I had never been to this restaurant before. It is owned by the Brennans and it's a great restaurant named after Aunt Adelaide Brennan was known for being glamorous and fun. 
Adelaide is one of my favorite names, so Mark thought it would be fun to bring me there. Our waiter's name was Roy. He was great. There were about 4 people who wished me a Happy Birthday. The Head Server for our section brought me a tuna apetizer on the house, our waiter brought me an "Adelaide Swizzle" sample on the house, and I got a nice birthday desert that had candles and "Happy Birthday" written in chocolate. He went way over and beyond. I think this restaurant served the best dish of duck I've ever had in New Orleans (and there's a lot of duck in New Orleans!).
When we got home, I opened my presents. One present was a Russian Amber necklace that Mark got from a jewler in town. It is butterscotch in color and very pretty! He also got me a Michaelopolis picture of a white uptown-looking house. Michaelopolis is a popular New Orelans painter. 
Today was one of the best Birthdays ever! YEA!!!!!!!!!! (Mark says that I say that every year.)
It was "camp" hotel-style, which isn't really "camp" I guess, but more of a retreat. We had 5 hours of free time on the beach every day, so I have no complaints! The students had a great time! Spur 58 led worship and they were AWESOME! It was good for Mark to get back in touch with Aaron Ivy, the lead singer. They knew each other during their college days. 
The theme of the week was PEACE. I don't know why I've never thought about this before, but I became profoundly aware that peace is ONLY found in Christ. In fact, the very definition of peace denotes that there was a payment for it. Peace is completeness, and being joined together with something, which is exactly what happens when someone accepts Christ. They are grafted into the promise and receive the inheritance of the Saints. Wow. The bumper sticker is right, "No Jesus, No Peace. Know Jesus, Know Peace." It's that simple. To all of us who have searched for peace through the advice of others, meditation, relaxation, and other post-modern techniques...guess what? We're never going to find it that way. It's not there. Jesus alone is peace. Surrender to Him. He'll NEVER let you down.
My best friend, Lori McLain, is getting married this weekend! So we are leaving tomorrow for Dallas! Congratulations, Lori and Mark (Mark Pierce, that is)! Monday morning we are off to Daytona Beach for a week of YOUTH CAMP! I can't wait to chill on the beach with teenagers! What a great way to make yourself feel young again!