YahYah in the Jungle
Our oldest son, Alex, is on the adventure of his lifetime. He is in Costa Rica on a Discipleship training program. He's with a great mission organization called Answering the Call. We love their ministry and the people. We trust them completely.
Alex worked hard to earn money for this trip. He was also blessed by many family and friends who contributed money and prayers that made it happen. Alex is in Costa Rica for the entire month of June. At seventeen, this is the farthest he's ever traveled. It's by far the longest time he's been away from home.
Mommy misses her YahYah.
When our twins were little, they couldn't pronounce "Alex." They called their heroic big brother YahYah. They outgrew the nickname but I still cling to it. There is a large part of my brain and heart in which little YahYah still lives. Just nineteen months older than Daniel and Trevor, he was always the leader. Beginning when he was 3 and they were 2, his battle cry was, "C'mon, Bruvvers!" They would scramble to follow him climb a tree, pee outdoor or pile things up in order to crash them back down again. They never questioned his plans or if they would get in trouble. Alex was the boss or as I call him, the King of the Kids.
Alex has always been daring, brave and true. Need photographic evidence? This is a picture of him doing a back flip off a cement bridge at Lake Linganore. He flips into the lake at Uncle Dan's house every summer. I can't even watch. Then he sprints the mile back to Dan & Janet's house, just because he can. Now Alex is front flipping off waterfalls in the rain forest. How do I know this? I read it on another kid's Facebook. (The 21st century missionaries use cyberspace.)
Oh YahYah, I see that you are not my baby anymore. You are not even a young man. You are a man. An international traveler. Seeking to hear from the Lord of the Universe. Looking for a plan for your life. Jump, Alex. Run and swim and seek and find. I am so proud of the leader that you have always been and I can't wait to see the leader who will come back to the States on the 4th of July. It's appropriate that you will return on Independence Day. I suspect it's the day you'll be free of your childhood. I might even have to drop the nickname.
6 comments:
You know what? It is so much fun for me to watch your kids grow up! I love your family dearly and know as you and Dave do that God has a plan for each of them. Alex is indeed becoming a young man and God's world is opening up to him in a great way. Isn't it just the neatest thing!! I love the family photo...just need to set the timer and get Dave in on the act! Take care and thanks for being who you are and always for your words of wisdom and friendship! Blessings! Linda L.
Hi Martie,
Krista had this up on the computer when I sat down. Tell Dave hi.
Jason W
Love this one Martie! Peace and Love, Claire
You got me crying on this one Martie! Yes, he is a man - your manchild. A warrior in the making. He's got a good mamma!
Joy
Hey you aren't suppossed to make me cry Martie. love ya-
Hi, Martie--
What sweet sentiments about your oldest baby! You almost made me cry, too. I remember when Alex was just nine...how can he be all grown up now? It almost seems sad to think about children outgrowing their childhood. Aren't they suppose to stay little forever? :-)
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