And Then He was EIGHT

Birthdays abound at our home from just days
 before Christmas until the end of March.
And there is a period of 7 weeks where 6 
of the kids have birthdays. 
Well this little guy, that many of you prayed home, 
has now turned EIGHT
{where in the world have the last four years gone?}.
On Isaiah’s birthday, 
I went to peek to see if he was awake yet….
he shares a room with Graham and Elijah…. 
and I found Isaiah he already sitting up in his bed
waiting!
His smile when he saw me peek in was priceless.
He could not wait to celebrate his special day…..
{That’s his Spiderman book bag that Emma 
made him hanging behind him.}

His request for breakfast?
Chocolate chocolate chip muffin, so I found a recipe on the internet and doctored it up with a little fiber {our colons all thanked us}…

There is a not a day that goes by that we don’t 
see Isaiah’s tender heart. 
We often find him laying on the ottoman beside
 Ruby whispering to her or gently kissing her cheek.
He prays with such sincerity, we often shake our heads at the grown-up things he includes in his prayers.   He sounds like an adult most of the time.  Outspokenly passionate for the orphan, he remembers all too well.  His story painful.  
BUT GOD.
Such a good plan for our little treasure.  A miracle rescue that only God could orchestrate.  And as I’ve said before, if you ask Isaiah what God can do….he quickly responds:  “He can move the mountains!  He moved them for me to come home!”
Would you join me in wishing our precious mountain-got-moved-by-Amighty-God-miracle a very happy 8th birthday?
{Come on lurkers – even you can do it!}  

164 thoughts on “And Then He was EIGHT

  1. Happy Birthday Isaiah! You are such a bright shining light. The Lord will use you in a mighty way…keep walking with Him and let His light continue to shine in you!

  2. Happy Birthday Isaiah…Wow…8 yrs old! How exciting. Hope you have a super day you are such a super boy!

    Happy Birthday to you…
    Happy Birthday to you..
    Happy Birthday dear Isaiah..
    May Jesus Bless you!

  3. Happy birthday to your beautiful Isaiah! I believe that God is going to use that tender heart to do amazing and wonderful things with his life! Hope he has a wonderful day! 🙂

  4. Happy birthday little man. You inspire me. You are a great growing up little man of God and we are so thankful that you love Jesus! Keep growing and showing others to Him.

  5. Happy birthday, Isaiah! It's a great day for an 8th birthday. Hope that you get to go to a Diamondbacks game sometime this year (one of our favorite things to do when we lived out in Phoenix!)

  6. Happy birthday sweet Isaiah! I hope you keep on smiling that amazing smile!!! Have a wonderful birthday buddy! (:
    Birthday wishes from Nebraska~
    God Bless <3
    -Kirstie J Bikakis

  7. HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ISAIAH!! What a big boy you're becoming! 8 is a great age and I hope you have a really great time this year being 8! I'm so glad you get to celebrate in a house full of family who love you so much! Have a great day!!!

  8. Happy 8th birthday Isaiah! I hope that you had a wonderful day and that your year will be filled with wonderful memories. I have a son from China who will be 8 in just a few weeks. He has also been home 4 years. The 2 of you look very much alike (very handsome) and he also has some uniquely created by God, hands and feet.
    Blessings and birthday wishes from the Hand family in Georgia!

  9. ¸.•*¨*•♫♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ BIRTHDAY DEAR ISAIAH ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!! Wishing you all of God's wonder and joy on your special day!!!!

  10. Happy Birthday Isaiah! Keep smiling – you have a beautiful smile! Love those dimples! 🙂

    By the way – a chocolate chocolate chip muffin is a great choice! One of my favorites.

    – Luann

  11. Blessed Bday Isaiah! Praying for the same God that rescued you to lead you to greater heights each adn every day. Linny I would so love to read Isaiah rescue story. Where do I go for it?

  12. Alrighty, Isaiah, Happy Birthday to YOU! As you know, God has awesome plans for your life. AND He gave you a pair of the world's cutest dimples. God bless you, Isaiah. Hope your special day is as wonderful as you.

  13. Happy Birthday, Isaiah! I love seeing your smile in the pictures that your momma posts. Your smile radiates what is in your heart, that you love Jesus very much. Hope you enjoyed that yummy breakfast and the cake, too!

  14. Isaiah, we are so thankful to know you and your family. Your sweet, thoughtful spirit shows clearly to all who meet you. May God continue to bless you and show His glory in your life. Many blessings to you. McLemore Family

  15. Happy Birthday precious Isaiah. I dub you God's mighty boy who will grow up to be a mighty man of God. I have a precious granddaughter from China. She is 6 and Oh my can she belt out Blessed Assurance. Happy Birthday.

  16. Isaiah's smile ALWAYS melts my heart and helps me remember why our hearts turned to looking at boys on the Waiting Children's List! 🙂

    Happy, happy 8th birthday Isaiah!

    Hugs,
    janet and gang

  17. Happy Happy Birthday Isaiah!! Gos is certianly smiling down on the fine young man that you have become. WOW. I hope your day is been a fun fun day and that you had lots of sunshine to enjoy outdoor play. PS I went to Uganda last year with your Dad, Emma and Graham. Friends in Christ, Ellen W

  18. We've got 7/9 of our birthdays between Nov 16 and Mar 14 so it's an exciting season for us too. Happy birthday Isaiah! Your face radiates joy and sweetness. What a precious gift you are!
    Love the Casteels

  19. Happy Birthday Sweet Isaiah. I thought your birthday breakfast looked yummy! What a great start to your day. May God Bless you richly this year and in all the years ahead. Thanks also for being such a great big brother to Ruby and your other siblings.

    Carrie

  20. Happy Happy Birthday Isaiah! I just love that name it is so special! Names say so much about a person and your name means "the Lord helps me" that I think he does little Isaiah! I believe and pray that you are destined for great things; and that the Lord will help you. I pray the Lord's blessings on you and thank Him for your coming home four years ago. Amen

  21. Happy birthday miracle boy!!!! May you always stay close to our Mountain Moving God!!!

    Lots of great birthday wishes being blown to you all the way from Pennsylvania 🙂

    -Jennifer in PA

  22. Isaiah – Happy Birthday!!!! We love your smile and your love of life! We pray that this coming year is full us His love and laughter! Happy happy birthday, love Noah, Jadon, Hannah, and Alemnesh

  23. Happy Birthday, sweet boy!! I was one of those from our church who fasted & prayed for God to move the mountains ( & change the decision of the Chinese government) to bring you home. What a joy & treasure you are! Your smile is the brightest, most happy smile I've ever seen. Your whole face lights up when you smile & that makes me smile!! Enjoy your special day, Isaiah Samuel!

  24. Happy Brithday Isaiah!!! I must say that while I have never met you, you sound like a wonderful, Godly, boy. May God bless you in the comeing year and use your life story to move other people's hearts for adoption.

  25. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. ISAIAH!!!! You are such a blessing to your family and those around you! Stay sweet for JESUS and keep lovin' on the orphans!!!

    Big hugs!

  26. That first picture is the cutest picture ever! The anticipation and excitement in his sweet face is priceless. So priceless, in fact, that this lurker just had to say, "Happy Birthday, Isaiah!!"

  27. Isaiah,
    Happy Birthday. I hope your day is filled with love, laughter and lots of cake. You look so wise and your smile is such a light. May you continue to seek Him and grow in wisdom and stature with God and men. I hope one day we can meet and we can tell you in person how you and your beautiful family has blessed our lives. Have a great day sweet boy. Love L and my three from Florida.

  28. Happy birthday, Isaiah!!! I will never forget following along as your mommy and daddy brought you home!!! So glad you had such a special day! : )

    Love, your friends in Michigan,
    the Gilliams

  29. Happy Birthday, Isaiah!!!!!!! I hope you had the best birthday ever!!!! Your muffin and your birthday dessert looks sooooo yummy. Hope you saved me a bite. 🙂

  30. Happy happy birthday Isaiah. You are really truly a special miracle boy with the most beautiful smile and dimples I've ever seen. I love the looks of that yummy birthday cake and wish I were there to eat a piece with you. I hope your day has been blessed greatly because you are a great boy with a Great God! Love you, Martha in SC

  31. Happy 8th Birthday, Isaiah! Celebrating with you in Texas! 🙂

    "May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your heart and strengthen you in every good deed and word." 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

    Always remember that NOTHING is impossible for our Almighty God!!!

  32. Happy 8th Birthday to one special boy! The Lord loves you and has a plan for your life…always follow Him!

    This is what the LORD says—
    your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
    “I am the LORD your God,
    who teaches you what is best for you,
    who directs you in the way you should go.
    Isaiah 48:17

  33. Happy Birthday, Isaiah! Your smile is so precious (love your dimples!)and shines so brightly for Jesus! You are one very special and dearly loved eight year old! Have a blessed and happy day! <3

  34. Happy Birthday, Isaiah, you handsome little man! It looks like you were celebrated in a wonderful way.
    God bless you always. Keep your tender heart.
    Love and Happy Birthday wishes from Texas!

  35. Happy 8th Birthday!!! I love seeing pictures of you buddy, because you have the best smile! Praying for you and your family n' sending bunches of love from Michigan! -Alisha

  36. Happy Happy Birthday sweet boy! That smile is awesome! You are a blessing to everyone who knows you. What an awesome little guy you are. May God continue to bless you and all who know you.

    Have a GREAT day!

  37. Delurking especially for Isaiah!
    Shhh…. don't tell anyone I was here!!
    It's a secret.
    BUT, your birthday is NOT a secret – and I hope you have a wonderful day filled with blessings because you are a dearly beloved child of God.
    Happy Birthday Sweet Isaiah – may the Lord bless you richly and may you serve Him all your days.

    *Ok, now I am sneaking away again, back to my little hidey hole where no one can see me.*
    SHHhhhh!!! 😉

  38. Happy Birthday precious son of God! Your name is special and God has beautiful big plans for you! Keep praying for the things he places on your heart.

    Carrie and Family

  39. Happy Birthday to a very handsome young man! Very excited to see what the future holds for you. I'm sure He will use you to move even more mountains!

  40. Happiest of happy birthdays, Isaiah. We are praying for you to grow more in your sincere faith this year. We pray that God blesses you today and every day.

    /hugs from Alabama!

  41. Isaiah, A happiest of belated birthday's to you! I teared up when I read what your Mom wrote about your prayers. I think that was one of the coolest things I have ever heard a parent say about a child! But my tears didn't last long because when I came to your birthday dessert picture, I couldn't help but smile…your so handsome dimples make me have to smile with you!!!!

  42. What a sweetheart! Isaiah, may you continue to grow and learn in the knowledge of our Mountain Moving God. Our world is blessed because you are here. Happy happy birthday young man.

  43. Isaiah, i'm alittle late but i too want to congratulate you on your eight birthday, wishing you many many blessings for the year ahead of you!!!!!!!!
    I love how you all fit on the bed together, smiling 🙂

    Adriana

  44. Isaiah!

    So happy that you had a wonderful birthday!

    I first "met" your family here online when you were the "baby" of the family.

    I know God has amazing things planned for you – He has already moved mountains for you!

    I was so happy to meet you when you came to visit Ty – you are a gift from God!

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