Dear James,

You are finally a teenager! We now have 3 teenagers in our house. We only have 7 more to go until all of you hit that milestone. I know you have been anxiously awaiting the day to officially be a teen. Well, buddy, that day finally arrived!

A lot has changed the last few months. We bought a 92 acre farm, sold the only house and farm you have ever known: the home that we built and moved into just a few days before you were born. Now, we are living in an 1800s log cabin. It’s a special cabin. It’s the cabin your daddy and grandparents took down, moved, and built back on a quiet little lot at the lake. You have taken all of these recent changes in stride. Evicting a few bats in the cabin was probably one of the most interesting things to recently take place.

Since we moved, you have enjoyed looking for fossils in the creek. You have went swimming and fishing at the lake. You’ve spent the week at teen church camp where you made some big decisions for the Lord. And, on your birthday, we even found a few hours in all of the busyness of working on Heather’s camper van conversion to celebrate you turning 13! I love how you just go with the flow and have the same level headedness in all situations.

I will never forget a few days ago when you walked past me and said, “Mom, watch when you shut the gate because their is a rattle snake in the weeds by it.” You never screamed. You didn’t make a big deal out of it. You just kept on walking. Jacob on the other hand immediately went on the prowl. He snapped a few pictures of what we learned was actually a nonvenomous snake pretending to be something he wasn’t.

Thankfully, you aren’t like that snake. We always know who James is. Unless you are telling jokes or picking at your siblings, you are calm and collective. You study your Bible verses until after midnight most nights, and you always always come and tell me good night. Most nights, you will stop by my room 3 or 4 times before you go on to your bed. You are definitely a night owl like your mama.

I hope you continue studying those verses each night before you fall asleep. They will carry you through any situation that you might face in life. Hide them in your heart, and you will go so far. Keep letting your light shine for the Lord and share those verses with others who cross your path. Let the Lord use you no matter where you are. We love you!

Love Always,

Mom ❤️

Romans 12:1 -2: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

James’s Birthday Interview:

How old are you? 13
What is your favorite food? Japanese food
What do you hope you never have to eat again? Tomatoes
What is your favorite thing to do? Go to church camp
What is your favorite animal? Raccoon Dog
What makes you happy? Mom
What is the best memory from when you were 12? Church Camp in NC
What is one thing you’d like to do while you are 13? Go on a cruise
What would you like to do when you grow up? Youth Pastor
What is your favorite song? I Have Been Blessed
Where is your favorite place to eat? Japanese
What is your favorite book? Bible
Where would you like to go on vacation? Alaska
What would you like the world to know? Love Jesus