Cara Michelle

30 years plus 30 minutes ago, our first daughter was born.

JOY overwhelmed us.
Cara = joy (Greek), friend (Gaelic), love (Italian).
Cara, thank you that from the moment of your birth to this very day,

you have been all these things to your Dad and to me.

This past weekend Cara's little sisters again looked on as Cara blew out the candles on her (and Jon's) 30th-birthday cake - quite a blaze of glory compared with this twelfth-birthday cake (days after our arrival in Israel).

"Kindness opens in each heart a little heaven" - today's words on my desk calendar, and the perfect caption for Cara's life. As is this precious moment from Cara's wedding day 10 years ago. A little girl passing by, noticed by the beautiful bride, and made to feel so special. Thank you, dear Cara, for your legendary generosity, kindness, and thoughtfulness. Thank you for the difference you make in our lives and in the lives of everyone around you.

So many exciting things to celebrate these past few months: a move from apartment to house, a 10-year anniversary, Nathanael's adoption, and Cara and Jonathan's 30-year birthdays. Congratulations, dear little family, on all these milestones in your life together!

And finally, one more milestone - a dedication!!!

God bless Nathanael Josh James,

brother to Michaela Joy, son of Cara and Jonathan,

child of God!