Happy 12th Birthday to Alec

Dear Alec,

The circumstances surrounding your 12th birthday were certainly nothing we could have ever imagined. Last year, we went out to a restaurant and enjoyed the unexpected opportunity to ride an earthquake simulator in Iquique's central plaza downtown. We were among lots of people in both places, and we welcomed our missionary family into our home to sing Happy Birthday later in the day.

In contrast, this year the whole world (without exaggeration) shockingly shut down due to a previously-unknown virus called COVID-19. In Chile, your birthday arrived a few weeks after a state of emergency was declared and residents were urged to shelter at home. Fortunately, your Fisher cousins were able to join us so that at least you had some extra smiling faces around the table!

Through it all, you have been remarkably even-keeled. Perhaps it is because you tend to enjoy being at home and surrounded by predicable patterns. You are a year older and year stronger, especially since you've added a daily round of push-ups to your nighttime routine! In fact, one of your birthday presents was a pair of push up bars to ratchet things up a notch.

School continues to be an enjoyable challenge for you, even as mid-year we look forward to working together with your cousins in what we call the "new schoolroom." You are flying through those assignments you can do on your own. We are proud of you, Alec, as you use your abilities to do your very best and move forward academically!

Among your many good qualities, you are a justice seeker (admittedly sometimes weighted in your favor!) and a rule follower. You can be counted on to quietly get moving on your chores and often as the first one in place with the proper "accoutrements" (as Daddy would humorously say) when it is time for family devotions or other scheduled events. Thank you for that, Alec! I love knowing that you will always willingly and warmly have a hug for Mommy when I ask and that you genuinely appreciate our family. In fact, out of everyone you are often the one who suggests doing something together like a game night or an outing (before the current circumstances) and that makes you all the more sweet and special.

Happy 12th Birthday, Alec Stephen! We are so glad you are our precious son. We are so thankful God chose to send us not one, but two beautiful baby boys from Haiti ten years ago. We can't imagine life without you! Keep your eyes always on Jesus Who loves you so very much!

All my love,
Mommy

Previous birthday posts:

11th Birthday - Alec
10th Birthday - Alec
9th Birthday - Alec
8th Birthday - Alec
7th Birthday - Alec
6th Birthday - Alec
5th Birthday - Alec
4th Birthday - Alec
3rd Birthday - Alec
2nd Birthday - Alec
1st Birthday - Alec