Happy 17th Birthday, Ellie!
It’s hard to believe you’ve been driving for a year now. You’ve done great and it’s been a lesson in trust and surrender for us. We still maintain thinking you were dead in the woods at South Mountain State Park was a legitimate worry. Driving has afforded you some nice independence while also been a big help when you drive your brothers. They also function as policemen willing to report any and every infraction they witness when you drive. We are still debating on whether driving while eating an ice cream cone is legal. The downsides to us of your driving are having less car time to talk and you being away from home more.
Last year, your only wish was for a puppy. Eventually you wore Mom down and we brought Knox home in April. You were right. He has been the perfect addition to the family (even Jack would now agree!) and brings you a lot of joy. You take good care of him and he’s always happy to see you. He just turned one and now you have a birthday buddy.
Travel this year included a family trip to the Grand Canyon and Zion, a mother/daughter college trip, NOLS, and several trips with Dad to look at colleges. You have aptly asked that spring break have NOTHING to do with colleges. Several of our trips involved major travel hassles, like sitting at the gate for hours and sleeping in the Denver airport. This served to steer some of your college preferences in unexpected ways as you consider travel logistics a factor.
Your three-week rock climbing and backpacking trip to Wyoming with NOLS was an amazing experience. It demonstrates your determination, adaptability, and sense of adventure to endure and enjoy such an experience. You seemed to take pride in being a superb cook for your group and you enjoyed creating dishes from your limited rations. Your trip inspired you to start an Outdoors Club at school. You have overcome a lot of administrative and weather-related headaches, and it seems fruitful already.
The college search process continues to evolve. You know what you want—and don’t want—and seem to have some great options. Mom and Dad have enjoyed researching and traveling (& discussing, & discussing, & discussing), perhaps far more than you have. You have nailed the SAT and created an impressive academic resume, so thankfully all you can do is TRUST the outcome to the LORD. He has a perfect plan for you and we know that wherever He leads you, He will go before you.
Despite being over half way through the notorious “Junior Year” you have had a great year. Compared to sophomore year, you seem more adjusted to the work load, have managed your time well, and are deciphering where to prioritize your focus and attention. AP Chem, Latin IV, and AP Calc seem to be your favorites and you manage to thrive with the level of rigor in these courses.
We have enjoyed the friendships you have cultivated and solidified this year. You have good friends and are a very good friend. You make them laugh and you are reliable and loyal. It’s been hard having Reese away but you’ve stayed in touch and visited a few times. We admire how you’re able to connect with each of your friends on an individual level and appreciate the uniqueness and strengths in each of them.
You have been gracious to go to youth group without complaint, despite doing so to help Dad and Noah get momentum going. You have a sacrificial kind of faith. God has developed in you a patient and kind heart that often puts others ahead of yourself. Though you have not had a significant testing of your faith, we hope and pray that you have a good foundation and will be prepared for life on your own in college where you will really have to take initiative to grow in faith.
We count it a tremendous privilege to be your parents, to cheer you on, to encourage you, to challenge you, and to learn from you. As always, we look forward to what this year will bring and to officially shepherd you into adulthood.
With much love,
Mom and Dad
P.S. Don’t spoil Suits
The Barry Patch 