A Letter from Mom, Happy Sweet 16!

Dear Carmelinda

You are our sweet Carmelinda who turning 16 this today!!!!  Like all parents say, “They grow up so fast!” That pretty much how we feel as we celebrate 16 years.

I remember the first time I laid my eyes on you. My eyes teared up and I was in shock. You were so beautiful. So tiny, 6 lbs 2 oz. The first Sunday we took you to church we dressed you into a white preemie outfit. That was the Sunday we dedicated you to God.

At the hospital

The Sunday you were dedicated. 

I was so ready to be a mom. I had been counting the years and months until that moment. My goal was to get my bachelor’s degree, that way I could focus on being a mom. After 7 years later, I felt like it was time. I mentioned it to dad, hoping for a “yes, I’m ready!” Instead I got, “I’m not sure I’m ready!” I couldn’t believe it! Dad said, he needed to make sure he was ready to be a “dad.” Dad took it seriously, he took three months to pray and ask God to prepare him to become a father. He was working with youth at the time whom some of them had come from broken homes. Dad didn’t want to hurt you with father wounds like he had seen other fathers do. 

After three months of anxiously but patiently waiting, we were both ready. Our friend, George told us, “having a baby is like driving 100 miles and hour and crashing into a brick wall!” We didn’t have to wait long until we found out I was pregnant! I was so so so happy! I think dad was in shock. And yes, our lives changed forever.

But we were so excited it was hard to keep it secret. Our pastor finally told us we better announce my pregnancy before it came out before we were ready. I was eight weeks pregnant by then. Everybody was so happy.

I remember the day when we found out you were a girl! My friend, Lisa, and Grandma Stauffer went with us to see the ultrasound. After the appointment, I bought you your first outfit, the one you wore leaving the hospital.

Before we knew you were a girl, we had your name picked out already. I always knew if I had a girl, I wanted to name her Carmelinda. Dad was in agreement. Your second name, Joy, came later. So thank God you were a girl! 

Carmelinda means a beautiful garden. As we have seen you grown, your name fits you more and more. A garden is beautiful if it’s cared for. But at the beginning one just sees dirt. But the gardener knows there is something beautiful that will come up after some time.

When you were little we didn’t know what you would be like. But little shoots started coming out as you grew. We noticed you liked music. You and I sang a lot together. I played music while you slept. We also noticed you liked animals. We had a chocolate lab named Caleb that loved you from the start. We noticed you loved going out with Dad on dates. You and him have such a special relationship as a result of all the time and dates you and Dad have had. We noticed you liked to talk. I loved to hear you talk and talk and talk in the back seat of the car while I drove. I noticed you loved having tea parties with Grandma Stauffer. You loved watching movies. You loved to travel. You were so creative. You loved coloring and painting. We also noticed you had a love for Jesus. You would lift your little hands and praise Jesus and dance in the isles at church.

When you were two years old, someone prophesied over you, “I see a light and the light just keeps getting brighter and brighter.” This has rung true as we watch you grow and mature. You are an influential person. You attract many people. There is something you hold that others want. Your light is getting brighter.

Once you started school we noticed more changes happening in your garden. You were a fast learner. You loved learning.  You were smart. You enjoyed being with people, especially all the people that came through the ministry. You were so adaptable and made friends easily. You also learned Spanish quickly.

School came easy for you. You have always been responsible and disciplined with your homework. While in middle school, one of your teachers commented that you were the only one in the class that was friends with everyone. That made me feel so proud of you. You loved Lighthouse, the school you went to.

Graduation from 9th grade 

Church was a place you loved to go to. You couldn’t wait until Saturday evening when it was time to go to church. Our church had a wonderful children’s program where you learned so much. Your love for Jesus was evident.

As you have become a teenager, it’s been so much fun. You are a joy to be with. I love hanging out with you. This is where you’re second name becomes evident. Not only are you a joy to be with but I also am filled with so much joy as I see your talents and abilities and gifting’s come out. You are an amazing artist. You play the ukulele and the guitar. You have a beautiful voice. You are good at Math. You are so creative. I also love watching movies with you, especially, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” Oh and let’s not forget about shopping!

We love having fun!

I now see beautiful flowers in your garden. Not all of them are up yet, but their colors are definitely showing. You have been cared for by us and others such as teachers, church, school, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends. Most of all God has taken care of you. He is your gardener. He knows when you need watered or when the weeds need to be pulled out. The weeding part can be a bit painful. But I am certain that with God’s help you’ll be ok.

Today, I see you as a beautiful young lady, inside and out. You have beautiful black hair, dark skin, black eyes, oh yes, that comes from me!  Your personality is full of joy. You are a great communicator (that comes from dad), a leader, smart, creative, sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and you love Jesus. 

God is preparing you for so many wonderful things. He created you for a purpose. He’ll have to reveal that to you in His time. You have so much to give to your Heavenly Father. I see you as valuable in His kingdom.

God is so good to us by giving you to us. Grandma Stauffer told me one time to enjoy each stage with my children. I have tried to do that. And now we enter another stage. It’s an exciting and scary stage for me, I must admit. But I am looking forward to what shows up in your garden in this next stage!

I love you so so so much! 
Happy Birthday, honey! 

Love,

Mom