30 thirty years ago today Allan & Joyce Penduck gave birth to their second child, a boy that weighed in right around 9lbs who they named, Charles Alexander Penduck.

The boy was born with his tongue tied (meaning the end of his tongue was still attached to the bottom of his mouth). The doctors did not want to do anything and told the parents he would speak with a lisp! The mother, Joyce insisted that the doctors operate immediately on the new born. Even though today this might be a routine procedure, back in 1979 this was not. The doctor objected to the mothers request. However, the mother demanded the doctor by saying, ‘his father is a preacher, his grandfather is a preacher, his great grandfather is a preacher and he will be a preacher. What good is a preacher without his tongue? Therefore, you will operate on him and operate on him today!’ So the doctor begrudgingly did what the mother asked. The operation went well and their were no complications!

Today Charles Alexander Penduck (which is me! And yes the secret is now out that my first name in Charles!) is feeling a moment of destiny. My job is working at a church! My calling is to tell of the love, power and joy there is in Jesus Christ. I believe what my mother insisted 30 years ago has already become true. However, I’m feeling a moment of destiny because I believe the coming years in my life are going to be ones where I am going to start to fulfill the destiny I was designed for. The dreams of a young mother and father will be seen in reality and the vision of a young man will be finished and completed.

How will this destiny look? I have no idea. Thirty once scared me, now it motivates me! Thirty once seemed so old, now it feels so young. Thirty once seemed so mature now it seems so immature. Thirty once seemed so equipped, now it seems so inadequate. However I feel today does not stop me from knowing that my life is not in my hands, I have a destiny to fulfill and today my life is surrendered to God, his will, his way, his path and his dreams!

I cannot wait to see what the next ten years holds! Thanks to everyone who has helped me along to way so far, and thank you in advance for everyone who will join me along the way in the years to come (starting to sound like an Oscar speech!), but lastly, thank you to my wonderful wife Raquel for your motivation, inspiration and darn good meals!! Thank you for believing in me and thank you for choosing to stand by me wherever our destiny leads us!

I wonder what my blog post will look like on my 40th birthday?