Entry #6

Happy Birthday dear Makia!

For most of us, assumption on my part, our kids birthdays arrive like this....

1.  A couple weeks prior, we have brainstormed the 'theme' .

2.  Asked our child about a 'wish list'.

3.  Purchased and sent out invitations....etc etc...

Tonight was a different kind of birthday party.

Makia turned 9 today, September 30, 2008.

Five years ago, she was dropped off at a homeless shelter with her 4 siblings by a mother she would not see for many years to come.

The Lord works in mysterious ways alright.

He had a plan that these 5 precious children would not be left abandoned.

Makia's youngest brother had a different dad.  This dad, who disappeared before his son was walking, had a Believing mother.  And this grandmother clear across the country, upon hearing the news, packed her bags and headed to rescue her grandson.  When she arrived and realized that all 5 children had been abandoned she did what she believed was the only thing there was to do.

She took them all in as her own.

That was 7 years ago.  

Grandma "Sharon" has spent the last 7 years moving from one subsidized housing apartment to another, doing the best she could do.  While she is unable to provide them with much as far as 'wordly pleasures' go, she has passed on a genuine love for the Lord that amazes me.

A few months ago I was driving these kids around when the oldest daughter, 12 mind you, said, "Coach Julz, I just get frustrated with myself!  I've got to hurry up and read the WHOLE Bible before Jesus gets back.  I've read a lot of it, but I still have a lot left!  How much have you read?"

You can imagine my speechlessness.

Ok, so tonight, we celebrated Makia's 9th birthday.  It was beautiful.  We charred hot dogs over a campfire, jumped too many kids for safety on a sagging trampoline, and were led by the most off-key 2 year old - as we sang the loudest Happy Birthday Cha-Cha-Cha you've ever heard.  

Our family has many colors, many stories, and much love.

Happy Birthday Makia.  

You are not abandoned or forgotten.

You are loved.

And you are a beautiful child of God.