Our Miss Emma Joy turned Sweet 16 this past Wednesday July 22nd. What a special day!! I wish I had the ability to show you photos from when the kids were little. Emma was born with a full head of dark, dark black hair that stood straight up. She was so sweet and so itty bitty…all 7lbs. 1 oz. of her.
She and Graham have been buddies for forever -even when they were babies…(Graham was 18 months younger. ) They did all kinds of stinker things together and slowly I will share some of those stories on True Story Tuesday. But for now, I will give you a glimpse into our sweet girl’s life.
This precious girl is such a gift to us. So often teenage girls are moody, not so with Emmy. You can count on her to be pleasant and helpful round the clock, rarely even grouchy. She has a tender heart for both people she knows and those she doesn’t. Sheis thoughtful and goes out of her way to make life more pleasant for those around her. Emma has a really witty sense of humor and makes us laugh regularly.
She is reliable, committed and steadfast. As the lead Sunday School teacher for the 3 and 4 year olds each week she loves to minister to the little ones – and they love her! She is also on the youth worship team and helps where needed in the youth group.
She asked Jesus into her heart when she was just a little girl and then when Emma was about 7 years old she began to pray every single day that one day God would allow her to go to Africa as a missionary and run an orphanage. She bought her own Ipod and had engraved on it: Emma: Ugandan at heart!
Yes, she loves the people of Africa. In less than a full year she has been to Africa 3 times – making it 7 weeks of 49 being there . Emma is also very wise and has a strong gift of discernment. I have told her that it is good to continue to develop that as she will one day, Lord willing, be working and living in Africa.
And when we were planning what type of house to build after the fire, Emma asked if she could have a room large enough to have all the girls share cause she loves snuggling with the little ones. So they will have a good sized bunk room!
The tradition at our house is breakfast in bed……
Breakfast was a bowl of cherries, a bowl of blueberries, my homemade Jewish Mother Coffee Cake (Emmy’s favorite) and a Peppermint Mocha Frappacino. 
Lunch at her favorite place with mom & dad (again, the River Rat) where we watched rafters float by….
Dinner was take-out from the Chinese restaurant……
Autumn (Polly) and Emmy
Emma had mentioned wanting a bike – a cruiser….
Pink for our very feminine Sweet 16 year old….
Happy Birthday Emma – You have brought us such joy!! We, like all who know you, love you immensely!! xo
Happy Birthday,Emma!
Linn, when one of my former students had a house fire some of their friends organized a photo shower. All of their family and friends scoured old boxes of photos, albums, drawers, etc. to find pictures of the family at various events. They also were able to locate some old church directories. If families weren't willing to part with the photo they were scanned into the computer and printed out. I was thinking maybe one of your friends could help organize this for you.
Happy Birthday Emma! You are such a beautiful, young lady both inside and out. I have a little girl who is 3 years old, and I pray that she turns out just as sweet, and loving as you do and that she and I can have the type of relationship that you have with your mom.
P.S. – How is Autumn doing? She looks great in the picture, but I can't recall if there has been an update lately.
~Amy
I think that is such a sweet tradition to have breakfast in bed. What a beautiful young woman.
Linn, I think I'd like to see your drivers license, because no way do you look 50. Beautiful!
I love the bike too. They have one similar to that one at WM and everytime my hubby and I go there I tell him how much I love that bike. Kinda old fashion looking.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMA!!!
P.S. Was just wondering how DW was doing. Haven't seen a post recently. He looks good.
this whole post is amazing, but you know what the best part is? seeing emma and her dad together…God does amazing healing 🙂
Happy birthday to your precious, sweet girl. I bet you can hardly believe she is 16! She is such a beautiful girl.
I hope you got my thank you note? Please know that we are so very thankful 🙂 PLEASE pray–we have run into a few mountains with bringing Hailee home–nothing too big for our God though…trusting!
How wonderful to see Dw in the pics. Please update us on how he is when you have a minute.
Happy Birthday to Emma! Truly one of the sweetest, most adorable teenage girls I have ever met!
Happy Sweet 16 to one of the sweetest 16 year olds around!!!!
Happy Birthday Emma!!! I can't wait to see you working in Africa someday.
That is so so sweet!! I am so touched by what a wonderful girl you have raised! The part where you wrote that she wants a large room to share with the little ones just warms my heart so much!! I wish my kids had a big sister like her!
Gorgeous girl, gorgeous heart, gorgeous spirit, gorgeous family. You are so blessed.
Emma, we WILL meet some day! I want my girls to meet you, so that I can challenge them to be young women of God just like you.
I can't wait to see your African story continue and unfold.
Happy Sweet 16!
Happy Birthday Emma,
You are such a sweet young lady full of love for the people of this world. God bless you.
In Christ,
Janet, Kevin, Ted, Philip, and waiting for Eli
Happy Sweet 16 Emma!!! Hope your day was the best. What a beautiful post your mom wrote for you!
Hi Emma,
Happy, happy birthday sweet girl!!!
God has planted a big dream in your heart…we all look forward to seeing how He works it all out 🙂 and where He sends you to fulfill His plans for you.
Love the bike!!! I was just looking at the same one here in Australia.
Blessings
Chris & Tim
Hi Linny,
Happy Birthday to your Emmy,
she sounds like a wonderful young lady and is cute as she can be.
Nice looking parents as well, and a mom with a very sweet and caring heart, sure her dad is too, don't know enough about him yet since I just signed on as a follower, but looking forward to
hearing about him as well.
Blessings to you all. Hope your son is doing better with whatever his leg problems are!
Blessings, Nellie
Happiest Birthday Emma!
I wish I could have been there with you for those 7 weeks!
Love all the pictures – looks like you had a wonderful day!
Hey Emma, Happy Sweet 16!
I laughed as your Mom descirbed such similar characteristics as mine, right down to the bike 🙂 I just got back from 3 months in Kenya, Africa and am so glad you have such a heart for the people in Uganda.
Keep living your life for Jesus and have a very happy birthday!
Em
Happy belated Birthday to you Emma Joy! What a wonder young woman of God you are. May God continune to grant you the desires of your heart We love you! The Ross's
What a fun, fun, fun day!
Sweet birthday blessings, Emma! Looks like your day was full of all the things you love! Here's to many more!
An (incredibly) Happy Birthday Emma!
Happy Birthday Emma! Here in Japan, we call those "mamasan" bikes because all the little Japanese ladies (mamasans–term of respect for moms and the name the Americans give the great little ladies that come to clean their houses)ride them everywhere in all kinds of weather. Your pink one is one of the fanciest that I've seen! Have a wonderful new year as a 16 year old!
Happy Birthday Emma…what a testimony to who you are. May God continue granting you the desires of your heart and may you get that orphanage you have always dreamt of. Precious in God's sight!!
Happy birthday Sweet Emma. You and Kalyn are that much closer to Uganda, huh?
Loves,
Shonni
Happy Birthday Emma!!!!
Linn,
My daughter (Callie 10) and I read this post together last night. Then, when I was tucking her in she asked how do you raise kids like your Emma. She said she wants her kids to be like yours. Thank you for being such an inspiration to us. You really are inspiring me to be a better mom.
Happy Birthday Emma! What a beautiful young lady you are and a treasure to your family.
God Bless you,
Julie Hoagland
What a precious girl. 🙂 I hope her birthday was as wonderful as she is.
what a beautiful girl she is…inside and out! i will always remember her sweet spirit. happy birthday emma!!
Happy Birthday Emma Joy!! Our little Emma Joy's b-day is July 21st!! How cool!!
Emma you are such a neat kid!! Such a blessing to all! You have a heart of gold!! Your Mom and Dad (and your whole family) sure love you!! Someday I hope to meet you! I love visiting your blog whenever I get a chance!!
God's Blessings to you sweet girl!!
Just popping in quick to say Happy Birthday from Canada to Emma!!
Happy Birthday, Emma! Linny – I referenced one of your posts on my blog just now – I hope that is ok! http://mcnewfamily.blogspot.com/2009/07/another-new-skirt.html.
Blessings,
Donna
Happy Birthday, Emma!!! You are a blessing to your family. You are blessed to be a blessing.
Dwight, you're looking bright & healthy. (Don't you just hate those dull, nobody's home looks? hee-hee) Thanks be to our healing God.
Linny: you have a family that radiates the glory of the Lord.
Have a great weekend, Susan
Linny, I found your blog through my friend Kimmie's site. I have been encouraged by your faith and love reading about your family.
A young woman in our church has developed a heart for Uganda and I thought Emma may be encourage by her ministry. Jamie met a woman in Uganda while on a college mission trip who has an orphange. Since then she and her husband began a ministry to support the orphanage. Her website is http://www.ranchedonjesus.blogspot.com/.
Thank you also for organizing the fast for Cindy. I have met with her a few times at MOMYS retreats over a scrapbook table. She was the first adoptive MOMYS I ever met and I loved talking with her.
God bless you!
Sue