Courtney's 23rd Birthday!

Yesterday was Courtney’s 23^rd birthday! The day began with a knock on our door and 40 kids waiting outside…

(Lyrics: Happy Birthday to you, we’re singing. Happy Birthday to you we’re singing, Courtney. Happy Birthday to you, we’re singing. For today we have to rejoice, for our auntie is a year older today. We wish you so many more years, halleluiah. Happy birthday to you we’re singing… Hip hip HOORAY!)

What a sweet way to start off your birthday! Then there was another knock on our door- BLUEBERRY MUFFINS! I knew this was Courtney’s favorite breakfast, and we had a packet of batter mix, so I asked one of our missionary friends to make the muffins in her kitchen and deliver them in the morning. Courtney was delighted, and we ate the muffins very slowly so that we could fully enjoy them :)

Shortly after finishing breakfast, Courtney said she missed the kids already and couldn’t wait for them to get home from school. That’s when I brought out these…

All the kids made her birthday cards that were SO SWEET and also hilarious.

On Thursday mornings, Courtney and I go jogging. It’s really relaxing for us to get in some exercise and do something that refreshes our minds and bodies. So we did that next, then came back to shower. After a little while of laying around and chatting, I got out my laptop and handed it to Courtney. On it was a PowerPoint presentation containing pictures and messages from many of her family and friends back home. Courtney almost immediately burst into tears, followed by laughter, followed by more tears, followed by more laughter, and on and on. The messages were full of fun memories, encouraging words, and well wishes. I know I keep saying this, but it was just so sweet!

Huge thank you to all the people who sent funny pictures and loving messages! You made her day!

After lunch, we went to spend time with some of our friends who are also American missionaries here. They made Courtney BROWNIES and homemade ICE CREAM. Y’all, brownies and homemade ice cream. There are just no words. Spending time with these wonderful friends is always a blessing. They shower us with love and care every day, but they really went the extra mile for Courtney’s birthday! Here’s a picture of Courtney about to blow out the candle on her brownie!

The rest of the afternoon we just hung out with the kids like usual. Courtney got lots of extra hugs and smiles, and she was also lucky enough to get water poured on her throughout the day… a little tradition here!

After dinner, we had a party! There was dancing, a cake, and lots of kind words to celebrate Courtney. The coordinator of the orphanage asked for two volunteers- one boy and one girl- to stand up and say something they know about Courtney. Here were the two responses:
-Kemi, age 10: “She is beautiful, and she is gentle. And she always likes to be teaching people.”
-Tavershima, age 16: “One thing I know about Courtney… I know that she likes to associate with everybody. Even when you don’t want to talk because you are sad, she will try to come closer to you and make you feel happy.”

Courtney with Kemi

Courtney and some of the boys

Overall, it was just a wonderful and special day. My hope is that Courtney felt how adored she is, from one end of the earth to the other. Happy Birthday, Courtney!