12

Happy 12th Birthday, Michael!!

Today we celebrate you, and the life God has given to you.

We celebrate the joy you've brought to our family, 

and to so many others, too!  

The following are some of my favorite shots of Michael over this past year:

Last Easter with his good friend, Pau

A theological discussion with Pak A

And on Pak A's motorcycle!

Visiting a monkey preservation

With a friendly guy on public transit

With Mark overlooking rice terraces

Learning to surf

First year on the trumpet

Wave boarding with J.

On the back of Kuya Ronnie's trike

Enlarging the drainage hole in Filipino work-gear

Celebrating a Bible translation with Matigsalug boys!

With Tsinelas, our cat, and his big sister Amy

Walking to church in the village with Dad and Mr. H.

and with all the men in batik at church!

Making friends in the village...

...and leading the pack of boys to play a game of Frisbee

In a relay at school

and placing in a Christmas city fun run

At Christmas with his little buddy, E.

 You have made friends of all ages wherever you go, Michael.

We look forward to seeing what new friends you'll gain this year!

 But our greatest hope is that you will find in Christ your closest friend of all...

...there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:24

May God bless and keep you every day of your 12th year, Michael!

For some fun photos of Michael's birthday, visit Elise's blog!