Lolis with one of the biggest smiles I have ever seen!Lolis joined our family this past December, which means that this was her first birthday as a part of the Zaragoza family! Not only was this her first birthday as a part of our family, but .... Let me help you eavesdrop on a conversation earlier that week between Lolis and several other family members.
It was lunchtime and Lolis was seated at the lunch table with Diana and Martha. Magda was nearby.
Diana and Martha: Hey, Lolis, it's going to be your birthday.
Lolis: Yeah, my first birthday!
Magda: Not your first birthday, it's your 13th birthday.
Lolis: No, it's my first birthday because I've never celebrated my birthday before!
Can you imagine turning 13 years old and having never gotten a birthday present or blowing out the candles on a birthday cake?
As is tradition in our home, Grandpa and Grandma Claassen (Julie's parents) called Lolis on the morning of her birthday to sing their rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday to You". I talked to Mom after that and she mentioned that she had asked Lolis if she was going to have a party, or a cake or presents and that Lolis just kept answering: "I don't know. I don't know. I don't know." "Of course, Mom," I answered, "she doesn't know what to expect because she has never had a birthday before!"
As Lolis' mother now, what makes this thought even more painful is not that she missed out on 12 years' worth of presents and cake, but the fact that NOBODY HAD EVER CELEBRATED LOLIS' LIFE BEFORE! She is a precious creation made in the image of our Almighty Father! Her laugh blesses our life daily as well as her silly antics as she learns more about just simply living a free life!
So, Lolis fully enjoyed hearing us sing "Happy Birthday" in English and Spanish and then opening up her birthday presents. She had asked for an MP3 player and was so excited about getting one that she took off to put in the batteries and have her sisters upload songs and forgot to eat a piece of her own birthday cake! So, next year won't be Lolis' first birthday any more, but it will still be the first time she would have eaten her own cake, because she forgot to do so this year!
Lolis after the traditional "biting of the cake." Here in Mexico, after singing "Happy Birthday", the birthday person takes a bite out of the cake and the people around him or her push her face into the cake. Don't ask me why! Do most traditions make sense? Most of our kids balk at biting the cake, but since Lolis had never had this opportunity before she was more than willing to participate! She came out looking like a clown with the red frosting on her nose and the white frosting around her mouth!The following day at church was even more meaningful as it was the first time that Lolis participated in the liturgical dance team. She had been practicing for months, but her coordination skills and obedience had to catch up for the first 12 years of her life when her development was hindered by her circumstances. So, she was finally ready to participate! It was extra special since she had just turned 13 years old!
Lolis, Martita, Diana and Erika ready to dance before church! Talk about beautiful!
Lolis concentrating on the liturgical dance routine!Her MP3 player was her birthday gift on Saturday, but she gave me a very special gift on Sunday watching her praise the Lord through dance! Wow!
Martita and Lolis dancing together! After they spent two years separated from each other it is such a joy to see them worshiping the Lord together!We praise the Lord for Lolis' life! We praise the Lord for bringing her into our lives and family! We praise the Lord for all He is doing in her life! We praise the Lord for your lives and the way that He has used your prayers, your giving and your participation in the ministry to make Lolis' transformation-in-the-works possible!
Martita (far left), Lolis (next to Martita) and Diana (far right) dancing during the church service!Guess what? We aren't the only ones who rejoice over Lolis' life! Read this incredible verse!
"The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."
Zephaniah 3:17
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."
Zephaniah 3:17
2 comments:
Beautiful! :) The post was so wonderful to read. I am glad that she enjoyed her first birthday and that there wasn't akwardness about it or hesitation. :) I see the changed the dance outfit to gold. Everyone looks so united! Love it! :)
Tell the family I said hello and that I miss everyone! Thanks for posting Julie! :)
I love reading your posts about your kids, Julie! You´re such a great mom! I love you!
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