What! Abby's 16? Impossible...

Do you remember when you were growing up and some long lost relative would visit your parents; someone who hadn't seen you in "forever" saying "I can't believe that you are THAT old! Or it was the proverbial, "Why, I remember you when you were just a baby!" That's the way that I felt yesterday as Abby turned sweet sixteen.

At times, in my minds eye, I try to imagine what things will be like when I'm ____ years old and my kids and grand kids are _______ years old. I can remember doing that when Abby was only three and we made our first visit to Brazil in 1994. The future was ominous then; not necessarily in a bad way but full of as yet unrealized adventures and blessings.

Now, Abby's sixteenth year is in the history books (though she just "turned" sixteen, she is in reality actually beginning her seventeenth year, I knew you knew that)and she, mom, and I have been in ministry here in Brazil for a little over ten years. We have been a part of two church plants and have had the opportunity of sharing the Gospel with hundreds of Brazilians.

Sixteen years is Abby's entire life but in reality it is such a short time isn't it. As Sheba's puppies were being born on Friday I said to Abby, when these puppies are sixteen, you will be thirty-two! Wow... I wonder what I'll be doing in sixteen years?