This amazing little girl turned NINE yesterday surrounded by our adopted overseas family.
The children’s department made much of our birthday girl throughout the day
and then there was much rejoicing as she enjoyed a piece of ice cream cake in the evening among friends.
She had counted down the days and her radiant smile throughout the day was nothing but contagious.
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Rachael,
I could not be more proud of you. Your heart is beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. How you gently care for the little ones that flock around you is just amazing to watch. Your kindness, your gentleness. You see even the smallest ones and long for all to be included. You graciously listen when others just pass on by and you are always willing to offer your arms to help embrace another. Your laugh is contagious and your joy radiates. How you go out of your way to speak well of others, even if they have not been kind to you. How you see the best in people. How you long to honor others in speech and actions. I am just so incredibly blessed to get to be your Mom.
Thank you for daring to embrace people from other cultures, even when it’s messy and hard. Thank you for daring to listen to others when you are not sure if they will stop to listen to you. Thank you for being so willing to offer reckless abandonment hugs to any and all who will receive them.
You lead your sisters so beautifully well. You care for the inner hearts of people, even when it costs you time and tears. You just love so incredibly well, holding nothing back and offering all that you have. You are such an example to me, Rachael, and you encourage me so by just being you.
So here’s to a wonderful year ahead, my dear Rachael. I absolutely thrill at the opportunity to watch you grow and take flight in our Lord. Oh how awesome it is to get to cheer you on as your beautiful heart grows in the Lord.
I just adore you so, Rachael. Happy, happy ninth birthday, Love. And thanks for letting me still call you my baby. =)
Love,
Mommy
P.S. Stop telling people you only have 4 more years until you’re a teenager. Mommy’s heart can’t take it. 😉
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Happy 9 years, sweet Rachael. You are an absolute blessing to our little pack of foreigners.