My dear, sweet son;

Twelve years ago today we started this journey together.  It hasnt always gone as planned, from your life and death extraction, to you desperately not wanting braces.  In life you wont always get your way. But here are things that i pray for you.

My Precious Jul:  your heart is deeply compassionate and loving and i pray that you will not lose that along the years.  That your heart will keep you going in the direction God wants you to go.  You have such perseverance for the things you want to do, remember that hard work does pay off!!!  You have the ability to become anything and everything you want to be.

This past year you have matured in ways that excite me.  You recognized some things you wanted to change, and you did.  You took on responsibilities at church in a way that shows off your talents.  You love people, and people love you.  You have a deep heart and you are learning more and more what you can do.  Keep doing it.

My biggest hope for you is that your relationship with God grows more and more.  That you know His desire for you, and that you get in on His 'big secret'; that He is changing the world, and that you are invited to be apart of that and change it!  Through you He will do many great things.

You are becoming a man before my eyes!!!  Become one of integrity.  Become a man that others will look up to.  Love, peace, patience, kindness, gratefulness, kindness and self control.  Grow more into these.  You are developing them already in such a wonderful, beautiful way.  Dont be afraid to ask for help, we still want to help you.

I love you.  We love you.  Happy 12th birthday!!!