Happy Birthday Max

Today is our little guy Max's third birthday. Happy Birthday Max! You are a constant joy to your mother and I. There is so much we hope and pray for your life. No greater prayer could we ever have at this moment for you than for you to come to know Christ as your personal Savior. We pray that as God grows you in stature and wisdom that He also grow you in love and understanding of who He is. We know that God has great things in store for your life. Your story though very early has been written and will continue to be written by God. A little over three years ago your mother and I were ready to go on vacation with your Papa and Memaw to New York City to be a part of Billy Graham's last crusade in Central Park. Just days before we were to leave we received a call from a very courageous 19 year old young lady who was willing to make one of the most selfless decisions, and that is place you in our lives in hopes to give you a better life. Words can not express how over joyed our hearts were. It was the answer to years of prayer. Your mom says it best "you were not made by us, but you were certainly created for us." We pray that as you grow you will embrace your adoption as God's story and you will come to realize that as children of God we all are adopted into His family.

We had just over two weeks to prepare for your arrival. What joy filled our hearts as we rushed around the city to get everything finalized for your adoption. The waiting in the hospital was absolutely crazy. Your mom and I prayed, we talked, we laughed, we cried, we could not wait to hold you, to take you home, oh and we also watched the Yanks who were playing the Indians that day and won...(don't worry you and I are going to spend a lot of time talking about Yankee Nation...). While we were in the waiting room the passage of Scripture that the Lord led me to was Acts 17 where it is written that Paul and Silas had turned the world upside down for the sake of the Gospel. One of my constant prayers for your life has been just that. That you would live a life as big as God is that will turn the world that God places you in upside down for His glory and His renown. Your name Eliott Maxwell has great meaning. Eliott means "close to God" and Maxwell means "righteous". May those be qualities that will always be seen in your life as you grow and mature into the man God desires you to be.

Max 18 months ago you were diagnosed with autism. It has been a long road for your mom and I, but God is faithful and we know that nothing in all of creation is greater than Him. We have already seen God's mighty hand at work in and through your life. Max, your life inspires your mom and I so much, and God has used your story in great ways. With everyday that passes we see more of God's healing and grace in your life. Your smile is contagious and your laugh fills our hearts. We will never stop believing that God will have victory in your life.

Today as you turn three and as the days to come follow we want you to know that we love you. We thank God for you and above all we pray that you will come to see for yourself that God loves you too and He has demonstrated that love by sending His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for your sins. Happy Birthday Max!!! You are my best friend, try not to say that in front of Jamin too much, he's sensitive (don't worry we'll talk about that too...). My advise would be to be nice to Jamin especially since it is evident you have quite a crush on his daughter Ellie.

We love you Max. Thank you for teaching your dad so much.

"May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace." Numbers 6:24-26