Happy birthday Esther, our determined girl.  She loves to learn new things and is up for challenge of those new things.  We witnessed this as we hiked throughout Alaska.  She always wanted to go on the toughest hike.  

She is back at playing basketball this year and loving it.  She has grown in her skills so much this year.  She is looking forward to playing fast pitch as well.  She also keeps busy with piano lessons and is loving the challenge of it this year.  She is a great leader and her love for games is contagious.  

We are proud of how hard she works studying God’s word this year.  She is working through the book of Romans this year.  Its been challenging but God is moving in her heart.  Pray that she will learn to trust him more and more each year.

Happy Birthday our 11 year old daughter!

-Mom & Dad

Partying with my family for my aunt Linda’s 50th birthday!  What an exciting party!  My cousin asked us to share notes/memories/stories/pictures about how Linda for her 50th.  Loved being able to honor her in this way!

Here is what my family wrote!

Dear Auntie Linda
I hope you have a great birthday.  I don’t know if we will be able to be there.
Thank you for letting us come to your house to play games, puzzles, and dolls.  I forget all the things we have done.  I love you Auntie Linda, I hope you have a great birthday!
Love,
Rahab

Dear aunty Linda

I hope you have a great 50th birthday.  I loved playing cars at your house.

Love Jadon

What to say about my Aunt Linda!  I don’t really have a stand out moment with my aunt.  That’s because she has always been consistently there for me.  Birthdays, school, college, graduation, babies, etc. Over the years we have had lots of fun adventures!  Skiing, exploring different cities, hiking, boating, sledding, cornhole, holidays, etc.  Remembering all of these experiences brings a joy in my heart.  I’m very thankful for the times and the memories that have been created over the years.  Looking forward to more years to come!

The most impactful memory was when she and Dom asked me to be the Godmother of Abigail.  I was only eighteen years old.  My faith was very young and immature at the time.  Yet the confidence this gave me to seek more after the Lord has only increased because of the foundation Linda and Dom laid so many years ago.  They entrusted me to lift Abigail up in prayer.  Something I have taken to heart over the years.  I’m am eternally thankful for the foundation they laid in my life over the years.

Linda has also been an example of the wife and mother I desire to be.  I can remember watching the early years of their marriage before kids, how it changed with young children, supporting her husband through a job loss, and now preparing to be empty nesters.  The love, support, and her faith over the years is truly an inspiration.  

Linda, love you and hope you know that you are dearly loved.  Living the faithful life has impacted my life in so many ways that this letter does not do it justice.  Keep running the good race, your light is shining for the Lord!

Love your niece,

Chris Ireland