Happy Birthday!!!

It is Mark's 29th birthday today. He is on the edge. Yikes. I am so proud of him. Anyway, it is a Csider tradition to encourage the birthday-ee, every year. So, I am cutting and pasting the email that was sent to Mark. Mark's dad also sent an email about Mark and that appears first.

To Mark, from Mom and Dad:
Happy Birthday! As we carry on the Csider tradition and we reflect on Mark's many fine qualities, one of the first things that comes to mind is his determination. He was determined to graduate from UC Davis engineering program in 4 years, despite that most folks took five. He did it! He was determined to get his PE on the first test, despite that most people have to take the test several times before they pass. He did it! He was determined to get a local engineering job, he did it! On another quality, one of our fondest memories of his very rambunctious younger years, when he was sooo determined to be his own kid, we were shocked when he received the year end citizenship award at kindergarten graduation. He stills deserves a citizenship award. We really like the love and respect that he that he shows to Amy. We really, really, really like the the grandchild (with a little help from Amy) that he gave us!!! But at this point in his life, what we like most about him is that for him and his house, they serve the Lord (Josh 24:15).

From Judah

i love my daddy because he is clearly taken with me. he is always trying to spend time with me and he prays with me before i go to bed. he sometimes says the same jokes over and over, but my mom says that her dad does this, too. anyway, happy birthday, pops! i love you a lot!

From Lydia

Mark is a good brother in law. He is very funny. He is generous. He is nice to Judah and Amy, a good husband and dad. He will let Amy's siblings around the house, mostly Natalie. He is kind. He has a tender heart, when he cried on his wedding and when he cried after Judah's birth. He will be a really good dad when Judah grows up. - Lydia

From Micah

Mark is a very hard working man and will do anything for Amy and Judah. He is an extremely godly man and it is quite evident that he is a man who seeks to follow God all his life. He is a funny fellow, and an overall pleasant and outgoing guy. I know he loves Amy and Judah, and that he cares very much for them. He's easy to talk to and is also an A's fan, which make him even more likable. He cares a lot about the ministry, and about the high schoolers in Flock and their salvation. God is a constant in his life, as are many other outstanding qualities. I'm glad to have a great brother-in-law like Mark.

-Micah

From Abby

Mark has been very fun to get to know since he and Amy have been together. It's cool to see him and Amy because he loves her so much and would do anything for her. He is always concerned with her and her pushing herself too much when she is sick or hurt. He just loves her a lot and that's nice to see. It's also fun to see him as a dad. He loves Judah so much and always wants to hold him and I think that's neat. I knew he would be a good dad and I'm excited to see what he is like once Judah gets older. Mark is very hospitable whenever we come over. I know he hears that like every year, but it's true. He cares that we have a good time at his house and is always talking to us about life at school and what not. I just appreciate that he really cares for his family and not just for the physical things, but is mostly concerned with their relationship with the Lord.

From Natalie

Mark is a good brother-in-law! He is a really nice guy, and a really good wife (Editor's Note: I think that Natalie meant "husband.") to Amy. It's cool to see Mark as a dad, and it's neat to see that he loves Judah so much. I'm excited to see him and Amy and him raise Judah as he gets older. Mark is very hardworking, and whenever I go to his house (which is a lot!) and he's home, he's always outside working or doing some form of work. He's a servant, and has done Flock for a long time, and before that he did Rock. He's a very nice guy and a very loyal friend. He loves the Lord, and that is clear from looking at his life. Happy birthday, Mark, love ya!

From Charissa

What I appreciate about Mark: Mark is a great brother-in-law. I love that he's really kind hearted, but he tells things like they are. I love that he loves Juju-bee. I appreciate how he treats Amy so well, and loves her a lot, too. I like how he goes to the Lord about everything, and that he has a lot of wisdom to give. I like that he leads his family really well. He's a hard worker, and I appreciate his persistence (sp?) in trying to find a new job. I appreciate his love for the Lord. He's always really loving towards us, and I'm glad that we can be close to him. Have a great birthday! Love you, Mar.Love, Charis

From Sam

a couple weeks before i left for la, i enjoyed being able to spend some time with mark, amy and the kid . upon doing so, the thing that resonated in me was the way their home felt. i have spoken with mom about it, along with several others and each time i do, i'm swept up in a sort of nostalgia. it wasn't a religious experience, but it was pure; that being the operative word i use in my descriptions. i felt spiritually rejuvenated because there was a wonderful sense all around that God was the linchpin. there were many times i remember desiring the same for myself and wherever i was going to live in the future. to know that a kid is being raised in such an environment gives me a warm peace. mark is one of the two primary factors that makes this happen. i appreciate his work-ethic. as i spent the last two weeks of my college career juggling three summer courses and a full time graveyard job, mark was a great reminder to constantly persevere. in this way, amy's choice in mark makes perfect sense being that dad is the same way. the fact that mark bears many similarities to dad--be it an easy-going attitude or in prudent wisdom--makes me very proud to call him my brother-in-law (and sometimes my father). on top of that, knowing my sister and nephew are in such good hands gives me a similar feeling to stepping in their home. so happy birthday, mark. if you aren't always able to live up to such accolades, i'll be really disappointed.samuel stephen csider

From Elijah

Mark -

Happy birthday. I appreciate your generosity when kathy and i come to town and you open your house for us. You love Amy and you love the Lord. You're leading a family of God, which is more important than any job, house or any amount of money or success. You are fathering your first child in the eyes of God. I know sometimes I think you're a bit silly with how much due diligence you perform on making some sort of move, for instance, purchasing a vehicle, but, I like that part of you as well. You're a gentlemen and you have some qualities that remind me of my dad. To be reminded of him must mean you're a pretty good person.

Happy Bday Mark.

E


From Kathy

Mark is a fastidious type with an eye for detail. While he may not be the most sensitive guy in general, he is very tender and caring with his family. He also has vastly improved his capacity for humor and quick wit, which I am sure we all get a kick out of. He is always very generous with his space and welcomes most (all but Sam!!) into his home. Furthermore, he clearly is a strong spiritual leader, not only influencing his family, but the students he works with, and really all those around him. He possesses many quirks and can be an "oddball" by the general Csider Standards, but he is great and fits in just fine. He could be a Cool Cat. And he likes the Simpsons...

Happy Birthday!!

-Kathy

From Art & Kristy

for Mark:once again, we know that we don't see you often but when we do its always when we are staying at your house. We appreciate what a good husband you have been for Amy and what a blessing you are to our entire family, even though you technically aren't a Csider. Thank you for always letting us stay at your house, although we don't know exactly how Eli and Kathy and apparently some other friends of yours wants to stay at your house this Christmas, but may we remind you that we are a very low maintenance guest and that Kristy is very quiet despite all the water that she uses for her showers. Thanks for Judah too!

From Amy

of course i have so much to say about mark. but, my time has been frittered away this week. so, i'll do my best to write down my thoughts that have been percolating for some time.

i was telling mom this yesterday. one of the things i really appreciate about him, is that even if he is not the biggest fan of a person, he never outright dismisses that person. it is always interesting to me because he doesn't disregard somebody's thoughts/opinions just because he doesn't agree with that person in other respects.

i also appreciate that he pretty much likes everyone. he doesn't really have major problems with people (usually because he's too distracted to pick up on anything annoying). but, i love that, because it encourages me to be less hard on people, too.

i also am grateful because he is so cornball. he is constantly saying dorky things because his heart is so tender. for instance, i was playing the paul pots youtube thing the other night, and i was watching him in the computer screen. his face was reflecting how much the music was touching his heart, till i thought he was going to shed a tear. i asked him if he liked it and he nodded his head (violently). and of course, not too long later, he was searching the music channels for opera- only to decide that he really doesn't like opera as much as he likes paul pots.
Click here: YouTube - paul pots

i am thankful that he handles adversity with staunch trust in god. and i have gotten to see how his faith in the lord is so strong even in the middle of something that has been hard. he really practices what he preaches.

there are really so many qualities that i admire in him, so i won't go on and on (i know, i know, too late). but, when i reflect on what the lord has done in my life, i am so grateful for mark, because he is exactly what i would've wanted in a husband- right down to his lanky body and muscular biceps (tee hee- i know he would say, "they're not big. i'm weak.") anyway, i love you, mark. i am so blessed because of you. happy 29th!

From Barbie

Dear Mar,
I really appreciate that you are a good listener (at least you appear to be if you're not watching the A's game) and that you are social and easy to talk to. I appreciate that you're a hard worker and like to do things right the first time and get the best quality of whatever even though you're the slowest decision maker.
Happy Birthday.
Bar

From Gene

Happy Birthday, Mark!

This past year has been a special one that I’m sure you will always remember. Not only has God continued to move you to maturity in “ordinary” circumstances, but this year He has chosen to shake things up a bit. “Ready or not, here it comes!” He has blessed you with a son and given you a new role as a father. Then, to top it off, He moved you away from a long-held job into a brand new one. You’d think He’d give you at least a year or so to adjust to the little guy before tossing you into a different work world.

But that seems to be God’s way. Things come in waves and His grace sustains us even though we feel the fear as “our boat” is tossed, creaky, and, beginning to spring a leak or two. Hang on and hang in there. The journey has just begun. Remember that, as you feel the panic and pressure of seemingly endless responsibilities, He’s in the boat with you—sleeping peacefully in the middle of the chaos. The great thing is that He doesn’t mind it if you wake Him up to tell him about it. Then, better still, He has the power to calm the storm without and within.

As I thought of you this birthday, this verse came to mind:

I John 2:14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

Have a great birthday,

Gene

From Cathy

I am so thankful that Mark is a part of our wacky, eccentric family. Though he is somewhat corny, he fits right in (as Kathy said) because we're so nutty ourselves.

I remember when we lost Judah's first pacifier on a walk. Mark was sad about it--because, believe it or not, it was Judah's first pacifier and somehow, to Mark, it had sentimental value. I don't know if he had planned to save it for the next baby or bronze it.

I admire (so much) his walk of faith. As Amy said, he lives what he talks. He is generous with his house. Our family has been in and out constantly. Sam loved his short stint there when Mark and Amy graciously let him stay for a couple of weeks before his move to LA.

Thanks, Mark, for your example of a man (yes, man) who loves his God and his family. Thanks for your perseverance and your work ethic. Thanks for your consistency and your generosity. Thanks for your tender-heartedness and for being fair minded. Thanks, too, for having a part in giving us Judah! BTW, I have replayed the phone call you made to us after Judah was born countless times. Your voice was choked with emotion, and in your typical loud fashion (a cross between a robot and a human being) you said, "Cathy? He's here." It was very sweet, but in all the excitement, you forgot to tell me his name!

You're a gift to Amy--and to our family. There were no red flags when you and Amy began to hook up--and there still aren't.

May this year be one in which you draw closer to God. Hopefully, it will settle down somewhat, but this life tends to be one wild ride. However, as Gene pointed out so succinctly, Jesus is minding the storm. Here's to having less of them, though!

Happy Birthday!

Love,

Cathy