Happy Birthday, Jess!

My baby is 19 today! As for most moms, this creates a moment of pause. Can it be that so many years have passed so quickly? I know that many moms of small children tire of hearing some of us older moms telling them to enjoy the moment because their children will be grown before they know it. But it is so true!

This morning I am wondering how it is possible that the years have passed so quickly and I don't feel a day older (okay, maybe a day or two). This morning I am not doing the traditional french toast breakfast, instead I am calling her at college before she goes to her 8 a.m. class.

Jess came to us late on a Saturday night January 14, 1989. She was 3 months old and it didn't take long for all of us to fall in love with her. She was with us until Oct. 16 (a week after her first birthday) and then because of legal issues she left us for 8 months. It was the worst and longest time for our whole family. Together we prayed for this child - we committed to protect her and love her as long as God would allow - we stood together at court hearings every month for 8 months and we stopped everything in our lives when we were told that we could have visits with her. For this child we prayed!

God heard our prayer and allowed us to be the ones to open our family to her - to love her - to see Him work out a special plan for her - to make her our daughter forever!

Today she is 19 - she is a college freshman - she loves the Lord and she loves her family - she is growing a heart that has a passion for children and for people who are hurting.

Today I thank God for the woman that she is becoming and for grafting her into our family.

We love you Jess!

Happy Birthday!