It is the birthday of the devastatingly beautiful and artistic Beth Caldwell Barr, born in 1958 in Ellwood City, Pa. Her father, a Presbyterian preacher, had recently become the pastor of Venice Presbyterian Church southwest of Pittsburgh, but her parents were attending the New Wilmington Missionary Conference and drove to Ellwood Citys hospital when her mother went into labor. Beth enjoyed a carefree childhood in rural Pennsylvania. Although she often played with her three siblings in the cemetery which was between their house and the church where her father pastored, her friends found the cemetery scary and Beth had a hard time getting them to come to her house after school. Inquisitive and friendly, she was a precocious child who often was too talkative in class. She relished the times her father would come to school just to she how she was doing. After attending Canon McMillan High School, where she played baritone in the marching band, she attended Grove City College. While she excelled in the classroom, she often stayed up late studying only because (like in elementary school) she couldnt buckle down to studying until she had socialized with friends. She graduated with a communications major, was involved in the leadership of a campus ministry organization called the Salt Company, and enjoyed taking part in several plays through the schools theater department. After college she joined a college ministry organization named the Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO), working with students at Robert Morris College (now University) until she met the winsome, charming and captivatingly funny Jim Barr who swept her off her feet. They were married by her father in 1982 and she moved to Greenville, Pa., where Jim was living. In 1984, soon after having their first child, they moved to Virginia Beach, Va., for Jim to pursue further education. As their family grew, Beths energy and creativity was applied to the discipling of young minds as she lovingly took on the task of educating her children -- four daughters and three sons -- at home. Over the next 25 years she lovingly attended to each childs needs, prayerfully incorporating biblical principles as she built on each childs strengths and helping them discover Gods gifts in their lives. Although it was a struggle for the family to live on one income, their home life was filled with lots of reading, story-telling and backyard fun. Seeing her five oldest children graduate from college (two more to go!) gave her a great sense of accomplishment as, she noted, one of the greatest fears of a homeschooling mom is that you are forever ruining your childrens lives. But each one stands as a living testimony to her untiring love and commitment to raising them in the fear and admonition of the Lord. With her youngest two nearly finished with high school, Beths time and energy has been directed at much-delayed personal artistic projects, opening her home to friends and visitors, and the tasks associated with a new season of life -- grandparentood. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DEAR WIFE!!!!
Posted on: Wed, 06 Aug 2014 16:32:33 +0000
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