
Anyway, I am writing this because my beautiful girl is 20 years old today! That is so hard to believe. More than that, in the past year she has grown so much emotionally and spiritually that I can hardly believe it. She left us last September to go to Buenos Aries to study for one school year. She boarded the plane capable but uncertain - even a little shy and afraid. When she came back she had plans to go away all summer for another experience as a ministry intern in Albuquerque, NM. Alicia has been such a gift to us for years, and now after her time in New Mexico, many others know what a blessing she is.
I know this because they told us over and over as we went there to surprise her last week. This past summer was not an easy one for Alicia. Ministry is often full of challenges and Alicia saw more than her share of challenges in this past summer in Albuquerque. She walked with students through hard times and loved kids who felt unloved. She struggled with how to help hurting families and kids who felt that they didn't matter. She was a blessing in the midst of long-term darkness with kids who felt abandoned and lost. In short she sought to show Christ to kids who desperately needed to see him - and they saw him in her.
In 3rd John, the Apostle of love writes: "It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in truth." When I reflect on Alicia and the journey on which she continues, I understand what John meant. He speaks of faithful disciples as his children. In my case my beautiful daughter is a faithful disciple. I could not be more proud or happy to call her my own.
None of this comes as a surprise to me. I am overjoyed that she has continued to be the person I have known her to be. Alicia, you have stretched me and continually challenge me to hold on and practice those values that your Mom and I have prayed would be yours. It wasn't that long ago that I found myself on Thanksgiving Day driving around town looking for some random homeless people to invite to our house for Thanksgiving dinner. This was only because of Alicia's prodding. It was a great idea . The meal we shared with two men that day was richer than if they had not been there. The football we watched together and the pie we shared that afternoon were a milestone of experience for me. Alicia was the reason because she wanted to honor Christ by giving back what we were blessed to have. That's my Alicia bean!
My eyes well up and my throat has a lump thinking about how God has blessed me with 20 years of you! I am grateful and excited to see what adventures the next twenty years will bring. To say "I love you" doesn't seem to capture enough of what I feel, but it is true and I do!
Happy Birthday to my amazing daughter!