From the time she returned home from China last year, this girl has been talking about going back. Actually, she kind of just casually talked to us in phrases like, “When I go next May…” and “Next time, I’m going to…” to try to subliminally influence us which is both brilliant and adorable while also slightly manipulative. In the end, it was also successful; Ashlyn will be very much a part of the team going next month. In fact, she will likely be little miss popularity there among the students like she was last year.

A few weeks ago, her youth leader asked her to share in front of all the kids at youth group about the trip. It would be a great way to encourage them to do a trip too and a great way to ask them to support her. All sorts of greats really that didn’t make her jump up and down like she has been doing about her upcoming 13 1/2 hour plane trip. In fact, she was kinda trying to get out of the invitation. She told us that talking in front of these kids was a lot harder than doing it in China. I get that. These hometown faces pose a big risk to her 6th-grade self. Last week, we took a couple hours after school to connect about it over caramelized honey lattes at Starbucks. And, last night, she did it. She stood up there and shared about how she decided to go in the first place and why her heart is in it.

A handful of people took information home at the end about how to give money to support her. Maybe they’ll give this week which would be awesome, or maybe that information will sit on a kitchen counter for a day or two and be tossed into a recycle bin. But, coming home last night, Ashlyn didn’t talk about that at all. Instead, she was all abuzz about an 8th-grade girl who talked to her at the very end. The girl told Ashlyn that she really liked what Ashlyn said about what led her to “forget her fears” and go to China. She told her that she wants to meet her after this trip in May for coffee (yes, the girls want to meet for coffee, people, coffee) to talk more about it. She told Ashlyn she wants to talk to her about the worries and fears she has and if Ashlyn thinks the God who called her to go might be calling her as well despite all those fears that overwhelm her here.

Ashlyn didn’t want me at youth group last night to see her. I get that. And, she likely won’t invite me to join her and her new friend for decaf caramelized honey lattes. But, man, I wish I could sit in on that meeting and hear those girls talk. No doubt they’d teach me a few things about who He is and who I am as His child.

For the last few years on this day, I have breathed deeply wondering if it will be the last birthday of its kind. You know, the last birthday that my boy is still a boy. I was certain that as soon as we added the suffix teen that we all had entered a new season.

But today, I watched him smile at the sight of the streamers on his bedroom door and giddy to see what I got written on his cookie cake. He asked several times this afternoon how much longer until he could open presents. And, he requested the You Are Special plate for more than one meal.

At 14, his voice is sounding older and he can look me straight in the eye. But, at least on his birthday, he’s still just a boy happy to celebrate and be celebrated.