My baby girl is 16 TODAY! I remember that first day, rather that first hour of her new life so vividly. My heart swooned, when I finally held her for the first time. I was so full of joy I felt as if I would bust right open. I knew what a gift Anna was then, but God has only made that much more clear how much of a gift she is through each passing day!
Anna is compassionate about the least of these…whether it be orphans in Africa, the poor in Guatemala, the homeless in Atlanta, or the downtrodden in her own home town. If she had unlimited resources, I dare say she’d be pouring it out on others all the time. That’s simply how she’s wired.
She’s choosing to give up four weeks of her summer this year to serve in Uganda on a mission team with Adventures in Missions. She’s been charged with raising the money for this trip and has already been hard at work with fundraising since first being accepted on the team in late fall.
Needless to say, I’m one proud mama. After all my daughter has gone through in her short sixteen years, her life could have turned out so differently…all but for the grace of God!
And so today…I simply want to honor Anna’s 16 years of life with a blog giveaway. Here’s how it works…
From now through 5:00 pm ET on Sunday, January 27, the giveaway remains open. You may enter one, two, or ALL of the following ways, but ALL entries must come via a comment on this post. Otherwise, the giveaway counter can’t pick up your entry.
1) Leave a comment on this blog…can be a “happy birthday” greeting for Anna or maybe you’d like to share about your own Sweet 16 memory, if you have one you remember(ha!). Sadly, my 16th birthday is not very memorable (actually, not memorable at all if truth be known).
2) Second entry: Facebook post about this giveaway and then come back here telling me you did so in another comment.
3) Third entry: Follow me on Twitter at @LeahSStirewalt and then come back here and leave another comment saying that you’ve done so. If you already follow me on Twitter, then simply come back here and tell me you do (again, in other comment).
4) Lastly, Tweet about this giveaway, and then come back here and leave one last comment with the link to your Twitter giveaway Tweet.
That’s it folks – you may enter 1-4 times, provided it follows one of the above guidelines and comes in the form of a comment back here. Now for the prize…
A Jesus Calling Devotional Bible (courtesy of Blue Ridge Broadcasting), two magnetic notepads, and a $10 Starbucks giftcard (not pictured).
Thank you for helping to share in Anna’s birthday giveaway. The winner will be announced on Monday, January 28!
Hello and Happy Birthday Anna. I’m praying for you and your family. May God bless you so good and may He always be your first love!!
Happy birthday to one of sweetest, most compassionate teenagers I know. When people in the world are convinced that teenagers only cause “problems” for their parents, I want to introduce them to Anna and the many teen girls I know who are committed to the cause of “the least of these” and to spreading God’s glory and His message to others. So grateful for girls like Anna (and my own Victoria!) for their hearts for Christ!
Well…….Anna’s much anticipated 16th birthday has FINALLY arrived! I haven’t known Anna for very long yet. As a matter of fact, I just met her in person Thanksgiving. Leah married my brother……and what a blessing to have two new members in our family. Although my first impression of Anna was that she is very quiet (but what young person wouldn’t be when having Thanksgiving lunch with a room full of new relatives), the real thing that I noticed that day, was how much she loves her mom. And that makes her ok in my book, because I know how much my children’s love means to me. And then Anna and I became facebook friends and now I get to see the real Anna……the one that has a pile of clothes to fold and the one who loves her best friend and the one who has a heart for missions……..and so forth. Well, welcome to the family Anna (and of course Leah) and HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNA!
Happy birthday Anna… I can see you are a delight to your mothers eyes… Praise God. You look beautiful!!!
I have a sweet daughter too, Leah 17,, who as soon as she wakes, I am going to give her a big hug and tell her how much I love her and am proud of her too…………Many, many blessings to you today Anna, Enjoy the day and I hope you have a huge birthday cake with lots if icing (my favorite) … May God cover you today and always, kathy
Happy birthday to you!!!!! 🙂
Happy Birthday Anna!
Happy Birthday Sweet Anna . . . I’m so honored to “know” you through your precious Mama!! 🙂 It is obvious through her posts how much you love each other, how proud of you she is and what an awesome daughter you are!! 🙂 More than all that, though, your love for Jesus ♥ shines through!! 🙂 May God bless you in the coming year as you continue to serve HIM! 🙂 {{hugs}} ♥
Shared “you” on Facebook! 🙂
Already follow you on TWITTER 🙂
“re-tweeted” your tweet!! https://twitter.com/ShEiLaLReEd
Anna, Reading the words that your Mother has wrote about you above is so touching!! My daughter will be 14 tomorrow and What an amazing inspiration you are to young girls her age!! How touching that you have such a compassionate, giving heart!! I am wishing you the HAPPIEST BIRTHDAY Ever and I commend you for living such a Godly life!! I know that you do not know me, but hearing “how you are wired” is just PRICELESS!!! I thank God that there are still young women like you!!! Again… Happy Birthday and may you be truly blessed today and always!!
Happy Birthday Anna! I don’t remember my 16th birthday, but I was probably sick. I don’t know why but I am almost always sick on my birthday.
following on twitter @raelena85
Happy Birthday Anna ! Hope you have many many more. I pray that you continue seeking the Kingdom of God and His will for your life. I know from your moms words your heart is for serving God and His ppl. I pray blessings over you and your family.
Wow if only I were 16 again……. On my 16th birthday I went to visit my dad in the hospital, he had surgery .
I already follow you on Twitter.
I left Anna a Happy Birthday comment on her page…does that count? Also, my sweet sixteen was having a car wash for the church and Mama brought me a present every hour on the hour (which at 16 was quite embarrassing). LOL!
And, I’ve shared it on Facebook….