Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3
Yesterday we celebrated Nate's 12th birthday! His first birthday with us is super special for many reasons. Nate and James were the first of the 4 to be released last June after 6 weeks of intense prayer. In July, Sue contacted us and said that we had to choose their birthdays so that birth certificates could be made for them.
It is a totally surreal experience to have to choose a birthdate for an older child who has already lived for so long.
Nash asked for Nate to share a birthday with him, but I really felt like he should have a special day all to himself.
I prayed and asked God to tell me exactly when his birthday should be.
I clearly heard Him say 8-5.
8 is the number of new beginnings.
5 is the number of GRACE.
So we had his birth certificate created with his birthday as August 5.
Traditional birthday breakfast! -- Mercy has been wearing her tiara since her birthday on July 4th. :)
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Fast forward to December when Pochi, his orphanage director, came to visit us from Ethiopia. We were just so happy to meet each other and were talking about many things. Sue called to ask when Pochi would be leaving our house so that she could book her plane ticket--- Sue is the MOST awesome agency director ever--- just so you know--
She had me ask Pochi when her birthday was so she could make the reservation and when I asked Pochi she said,
"August 5."
"Wow-- no way!-- That is the same day I chose for Nate's birthday!" I told her.
"No," she said,
"You didn't choose that date--- he is the only one who knew when his actual birthday was and it is August 5th."
He had never even celebrated it before and had no real idea how old he is, but he knew the day he was born.
Nate knew and God knew ---
And God wanted his mama to know--- when I asked Him.
Nate asked for a family birthday-- and a cookie cake with black chips. :)
Happy Birthday Nathaniel Simeon!!
You bring more joy than you can ever know-- the plans God has for you are beyond what I can comprehend now.
You are loved and cherished forever!!
Luke 2:25 is the verse that inspired his name---
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout.
He was waiting for the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
10 comments:
Happy Happy Birthday Nathaniel Simeon!!!! I learned while in Ethiopia that many of the children actually do know their birthdays (even younger ones) although they are typically not celebrated. They are also typically told they don't "really" know their birthdays by government and some who work in the orphanages... so they are made to think they are wrong... too bad.... I learned almost always the children were right about their age and birthday but by the time they were adopted it was always wrong on the paperwork... because no one put any stock in what these kids know about themselves. I learned to ask them and believe them. God cares so much about the little things... this time He wanted Nathaniel Simeon's knowledge about himself to count for something... to be important... so He spoke it to you... so glad you listened!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATE!!!!! So wish we could have been there to celebrate with you!!! Next year :0) Thank you for letting us crash in your room last week!!!
love you all!!
Caleb, Becca and Sakari
Happy Birthday Nate!! You are such a blessing! God has great and mighty plans for your life. You are going to grow in wisdom and grace and be a strong leader. Blessings on you!
Happy Birthday Nate! Hope you had a great day celebrating your first birthday in America. He shares a birthday with my daugther Adanech as well. We actually picked her date because she had no idea when her birthday was. She just turned 11.
Happy Birthday Nate!
sweet nathaniel love to see you smile, happy birthday! wish we were your neighbors
Happy Birthday from Germany! What an handsome boy you have there.
Happy birthday to precious, Nate!! I love love love his birthdate story. You are such a special family and we love you all!
Great birthday pictures! I love all the big, beautiful smiles! Your home looks like a very happy place!!
Your posts always leave me with chills and tears! :)
Happy Birthday to Nate!
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