Emilie Elise Black is 15 years old today.(Feb.13)  Her brothers tease her that she can still fit into the same life vest she wore when she was learning to knee-board  when she was seven.  Caleb (10) and Michael (14) call her their "little sister".  She has  gotten taller, but she is still a tiny thing, but don't let her size fool you, this girl is a powerhouse!  Right now she is living in a tent in the bush next to 2 lions, (don't freak out Grandma's the lions are behind two fences).  Everyday Emilie gets to go to our Care points with the WR team and work with the children she loves so dearly. Seth Jr. is on that team and is apparently spoiling her with a special birthday breakfast, and her big brother Tyler is heading down to pick her up for our family party tonight.  Tomorrow, by her own choice, Emilie will head back down to bush to sit in the dirt with the "least of these".  Her heart has been broken for the orphans of the world, she has been forever changed.  She has her "special" little ones, like "John," that she named after her birth father.  When we are away from Swaziland for more than a few days she talks of all the babies, she worries about them, prays for them, and yearns to be with them.  She is a gifted and patient pre-school teacher.  Her Daddy would say watching Emilie this past year has been like watching a tiny bud blossom into a vibrant and colorful rose. 

When Emilie lost her birth father when she was just shy of three years old, I honestly thought I lost Emilie as well.  Her trademark "sparkle and fire" left her, and although I never stopped praying for her healing, I was discouraged and fearful we would never see the REAL Emilie again.  God has exceeded all my dreams for my baby girl, He has not only healed her, and He is making her a giant in the Spirit.  God also has given her the perfect earthy father,who for the last eight years has stretched her, challenged her and loved her unconditionally. 

Happy Birthday Emilie, never let anything steal your unique sparkle and fire again, go take the world little girl…it is what you were created for,

Love you more than you could ever know,

Mommy