Camden. I am so glad you waited to celebrate your birthday with us. I hate that we live so far away and miss all the special moments in your life.

You are now 13. Officially a teenager? Do you feel any different? Was it a big day for you? Has it been one of those, “I can’t wait” times? Did it come and go and you wonder what all the fuss was? Were you left disappointed and hoping for more? I know you enjoyed this right of passage by playing golf with your Dad and Grandpa for the first time. Even if it did mean you lost the “ice cream hole.” I have a hunch that while you weren’t thrilled with losing that hole, you were very proud to treat Dad and Grandpa to ice cream. 🙂

Your life will be full of the “I can’t wait” moments. You’ll be wishing for all the fun things that getting older offers but you won’t like some of the growing up responsibilities that come along with it.

Jesus was 12 when his parents had to go looking for him in the temple after they had assumed he was with them. Jesus knew his calling even before he was a teenager but the Bible says he was obedient to his earthly parents and he grew in wisdom.

Luke 2:51-52

Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. ⁵² And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Life will continue to open up more opportunities for you. Not everything you will have before you to choose to do will be good for you. You are responsible to seek God for His wisdom and direction. Sometimes that will come in the form of a parent saying yes and sometimes no. There will be times you will know in your heart what is right and good, when to say no to or to walk away.

I’ll be praying that you’ll have the courage and strength to do what is right and to be obedient to not only those in authority over you but to God.

I love you Camden. Praying for a good year for you and that you find favor with God and man (mom and dad). Remember even Jesus was obedient. Grandma