Happy Sweet 16

What makes a happy "Sweet 16" Birthday? To most teenagers, getting a new car, throwing an expensive birthday party, getting lots of presents are the things that make their sixteenth birthday happy. 

To an orphaned teen in Ukraine, turning 16 means the loss of the chance to ever have a family. To turn 16 is the realization that you are on your own....forever. Turning 16 is not a happy, joyous occasion. When you turn 16 as a Ukrainian orphan, you officially become un-adoptable. Can you imagine the dread that these kids must feel as they approach their 16th birthday? Instead of worrying about if their parents are going to spend enough a car, or if their party is going to be better than their friends, they face the stark reality of NEVER having parents to buy them presents, or throw them a party, or even to say I love you.

Today, our sweet daughter turned 16. Instead of facing this day with dread, our girl was happy to be happy, to feel joy, and to have hope. Why? Because she knows she has a family. She knows her Mama and Papa are coming back for her. For the first time in many years, if not in her whole life, she has a family that cares for her, loves her, and down right adores her. Do you know how thrilled this makes me? 

Ryan and I woke up at 4:30 am this morning to call her while our sweet friend Natalya was with her to translate for us. We were so looking forward to celebrating this special birthday with her, but unfortunately, that was not meant to be. Since we couldn't be there, we arranged for Natalya to bring cake and ice cream to the school for A and her friends to share. When we called her this morning, A sounded so....happy!! She of course was disappointed that we weren't there, and told us how much she misses us. Despite that, she was so excited because she had presents to open, cake to eat, and parents who woke up super early to call and wish her a happy birthday. See, this birthday is special. Not because she is getting a fancy car, or an expensive party, but simply because she is getting....family. She is getting parents, and sisters, and aunts, uncles, and cousins, and grandparents. The gift of family....that is just about the best present you can get, don't you think? 

Happy Sweet 16 to our beautiful, kind, compassionate, resilient, joyful, brown eyed girl! We are so humbled to call you daughter. Thank you for boldly believing that the Lord would bring you a family, by asking Him in prayer each night. We look forward to seeing God's wonderful plans for you this year. We love you!!

"And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive" Matthew 21:22