This past summer while Aunt Heather was in Addis*Ababa, we were watching videos on You**Tube of orphanages in Ethio*pia. There was one that touched H's heart in a special way. She found it very sad that the boys at Kol*fe Orphanage did not have many books. And she set out on a mission to change that as much as one young girl in the USA could.
So...she started SHINE...Sharing Hope IN Ethiopia.
And she decided that on her birthday this year, she would have a SHINE party. So as her birthday approached and I started doing my usual Mommy planning, she reminded me again and again that her party was already planned. So I put Nancy**Drew ideas away and started thinking about how to make this a fun party while focusing on the boys at Kol*fe as well. I hope the guests had a good time because H was very happy with her entire day.
I had two tables set up in our living room. (That "no rain in the forecast" forecast was NOT true! So much for outside plans.) At one table, the girls made cards for the boys at Kol*fe. At the other table, they decorated candle holders with small pieces of tissue paper. That was their "treat" to take home. Every time they see the candle or light it, they are to remember the boys at Kol*fe and pray for them.
H designed a logo for SHINE. It is a sun with the acronym in the middle. So I took the sun and put it on her lemon (yellow) cake.
The sun is SHINE-ing. :)
Our birthday girl.
Well, I cut off our birthday girl some but these are all her friends who came today. Cheyenne, Rebecca, Abby, Jenna, Lizzy, Alexa, Helen and Aubrey
(E, C and their friend, Autumn, are enjoying their cake and ice cream at a table in the living room.)
In lieu of gifts ("I don't really need anything new." - H), H asked the girls to give a donation to SHINE. SHINE received almost $90.00. So her grand total is over $110.00 now. Plans are being made to purchase books for the Kol*fe Library. (I'll update on that soon.)
So our "little girl" has now entered the world of double digits. She's 10. She is such a joy. We love watching her grow into the person God made her, seeing her gifts and talents show more and more each year.
We love you!!
Happy 10th birthday!!!!
2 comments:
Happy Birthday, Hannah!
I am so excited to see how the Lord uses your heart to change the lives of sweet boys in Ethiopia.
Love,
Aunt Heather
Looks like you had a great birthday celebration Hannah! Wonderful to see how you chose to celebrate it! We will also contribute. I just need to get my paypal sorted. Will try to do it in within the next two weeks.
Love Aunt Anne Grethe
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