Happy birthday!! When I think of you and this past year, several words come to mind: perseverance, growth, setbacks, and courage. When I asked you last night during our quiet New Year's Eve celebration in Charleston if this year turned out how you hoped, you said no. You are not quite where you hoped to be, we had some hard moments together, and you have not yet attained your learner's permit. Understandably, that has felt so hard because at your age and stage it is a huge milestone. We can see that in 5 years it won't matter what age you received it, but your mind struggles to think like that right now. We have all grown through some hard moments this year, and I pray and believe we are all the better for it.
Despite some hardship you continue to persevere in your studying, in your pursuit of talking with friends at school who don't have a relationship with Jesus and your willingness to try new things. I see how much you’ve grown in doing hard things. I see your courage to do something new as you stepped into JROTC this year and tried out (and made!!) the worship team for youth group. These are pivotal experiences that are forming you and growing you into a woman of courage, discipline and faith.
At your parent/teacher conferences this fall, every single teacher spoke of your kindness, respect and willingness to advocate for yourself. Several spoke of times you’d stood up for your faith and been respected by your classmates. You have made great choices in friends who are spurring you on to be your best. I’m so thankful for your high values and God-honoring stance, especially in the culture and generation you are a part of.
You continue to love rice and all things spicy! This year we discovered you cannot have pork or beef likely due to Alpha-gal Syndrome (from a tick bite). We’re all eating a lot more turkey and chicken!
Your favorite kind of day is still one that allows you to sleep late, listen to music in the warm sunshine and watch movies. Lucky for you, we regularly do only one of those - sunshine! Sorry dear. We hope you will be the better for it and learn to see the beauty in mornings and being active.
Leila, we are filled with hope for your future, and we love you. We see great potential in you, and we believe God is going to use you to bring others hope because of the story He is writing through your life.
Happy 19th birthday, our African Queen!
Love,
Momma
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