As I told you a couple of months ago, this is the year I turn 49.95 plus tax. I’m not letting a single opportunity pass to do sappy posts to those I love, because that is what you can do when you are THAT age. So today I offer Sappy Post #2 on the occasion of Bree’s 22nd birthday.
Dear Bree,
Today is your 22nd birthday, and it is my privilege to be part of your life in this season. As is often the case with God-ordained moments in this life, I had no idea how much my life and heart would change when I met you. You, and God, have rocked my world.
Three and a half years ago, I had my first encounter with international students. My heart was immediately taken with the opportunity that lay before me. Tens of thousands of students from around the world study in the US each year, and the vast majority are never in an American home. What a shame! What an opportunity we are missing to show the love of Jesus to them. Immediately, I knew God was calling me to get involved.
When I called Young Harris College to see if there were any international students attending there, I was stunned to find out there were over forty from a wide variety of nations. Thus, began the intersection of our lives.
As you know, my Bible study girls and I began doing a few small things to reach out to the international students at YHC. Soon, my friend, Kathryn, became a host mom to a delightful, young Kenyan boy. I was a bit jealous, because I wanted so much to connect with one of the students. I prayed that the Lord would make that connection for me. At the end of the school year, we made goodie bags for all of the students. In each bag, I put a letter with my name and email address on it in hopes that if any of the students were going to be local for the summer, I could get acquainted with them.
I received ONE email saying that YOU were going to be in the area for the summer. We met for lunch and I was so impressed by you. Mature, smart, beautiful, funny, and so far away from home. I told you that perhaps we could keep in touch over the summer. We did.
Over the course of the next year or so, we texted back and forth, had dinner at our home, made biscuits, got pedis, shopped, and talked A LOT. With every conversation, my heart engaged at a deeper level.
By choice, I never had a child of my own. My fear was that with my horrible control issues and history of anorexia, I would completely ruin a child, emotionally and physically. Because of that, I never understood how very much of her heart a woman gives to a child…..until you came into my life.
It was never my intent to be your mom. You have a wonderful mom, and she loves you so much. My hope was to be your friend, your confidante’, a safe place. I hoped I could offer you a little bit of home while you were so far away from home.
Never in my wildest dreams did I anticipate that my heart would receive so much joy and blessing. I love you as if you were my own. When you laugh, my heart rejoices. When you weep, my heart breaks. When you speak in that beautiful Australian accent, I listen, because you have wisdom beyond your years. You have taught me to be less selfish. You have definitely held my feet to the NO-COMPLAINING fire. Your presence in my life has made me a better woman, and reminded me of why it is important to create and leave a godly legacy.
My heart wants God’s very best for you, and I know that He has amazing things in store for you, Bree Gleeson. So, as you turn 22 today, know that you are deeply loved by Greg, Jesus, and me. You will always have a second home with us for as long as we walk this earth. You are a blessing to me in a thousand different ways, and I’m honored to be part of your life.
Happy Birthday! I love you to the moon and back.
Leah
