Saturday, April 08, 2023

Happy 15th Birthday, Alec Stephen


Dear Alec,


What a year this has been for you! As you turned 15 years old, you found yourself in a different country and school and church with a new peer group who became your friends over the course of a school year in the United States. Looking back on last year's birthday post, I was encouraged to read my own words of hope written to you ("... there will be so many rich experiences and ways that God will reveal His faithfulness to us") and recognize that it has truly been so!


We celebrated your birthday in a quiet but fun way as a family. On our list of things to do was visiting the Longway Planetarium in Flint and watching the new Super Mario Brothers movie. You even humored your little brother with an astronaut picture at the former!



As you turn 15, you continue to be our constant reader and complex processor of information. You've excelled in school although Geometry is definitely not your favorite! Chess is, however, and joining the school chess club was a great choice.


So was singing in the high school choir and stepping up to play JV basketball and varsity soccer prior to that. You've made the most of your experiences stateside and we're very proud of you for that!



The week before your birthday, you had the awesome privilege to travel for six days with your 9th grade class and spend that time in Washington, DC exploring our national monuments and numerous museums. We were really excited that you had this opportunity, and hopefully it was unforgettable for you.



On your way home, your classmates surprised you with a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday" at a rest area off the highway. I loved that your teacher Mrs. Lunney sent me the video so we could see your huge smile and enjoyment even while decrying that it was not yet your birthday (one day prior!)


Alec, I often joke that you were our first "bonus baby" because two babies came home from Haiti instead of one like we originally thought - and I am so glad! You make our family more interesting and challenge us to consider more carefully all the "whys" and "wherefores" of life. You look at life from a different perspective but one thing I have really appreciated this year is your growing willingness to observe and listen to others' thoughts and experiences even when they perplex you. Daddy and I believe God has specially created you for a unique and perfect life plan He will continue to show you as you follow Him!

We love you, Alec! Happy 15th Birthday!

All my love,

Mom

Previous birthday posts:

14th Birthday - Alec
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