Bethany is 16 today.  As scary as the thought of her getting behind the wheel is to me (she’s been looking forward to the prospect of this for years), it is honestly not as scary as I thought it would be even a year ago.  I am actually a little stunned by how much Bethany has matured over the past year.  She has become my most diligent child in many aspects of chores and schoolwork.  I never dreamed I would be able to say that – my butterfly-chasing, dirt-throwing, day-dreaming little girl has become focused and organized and extremely capable.

She has invested more time and energy into hobbies that she loves – caring for her chickens, baking cakes and pastries, making chocolates, and learning to make jewelry out of polymer clay.  She is still a voracious reader, and will happily find a corner to curl up in any chance she gets.

Bethany isn’t often our most compassionate child, but she has demonstrated more thoughtfulness and sensitivity in the face of difficult moments lately.  Interestingly to me – in part because Bethany has struggled in the past to even manage her own chores well – the primary way she seems to show this compassion is by serving.  She will volunteer to make dinner, or start picking up around the house, or take charge of her younger siblings much more readily than she will give a hug or offer words of sympathy or encouragement.  It has truly been a such a blessing to me to see this response in her when someone (often me) is having a hard day or season.

There is so much about Bethany that is lovely and wonderful.  And seeing the young woman she is, and is becoming, is a testimony to me of God’s faithfulness.  Throughout her life, I have felt the most incapable of teaching, helping, and molding Bethany into all God wants her to be, and indeed, even now, I am still convinced of my ineptitude.  But God has worked in her life nonetheless.  She is strong and confident and smart and creative and beautiful.  I am so thankful for the gift that she is and for chance to celebrate her sixteen years today.