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Dear Em --

This is one of my favorite memories of you from this past year, when you were 10. This was the weekend we were in Philadelphia helping some college kids with some service projects. Even though you were *only* 10 ;-) , you jumped right in and served as best you could, with people that were twice your age. Compassion and empathy are strong in you - don't let the world make you squander those gifts. You love to help others but don't like to clean your room so much. I think we can live with that.

I think we are in for a big adventure this year. So keep reading your Bible and using it to get to know God better. It's a big world out there - life is full of the unknown and mystery. But even though we don't know everything that will happen, we can trust in Him who loves us and creates all things for good and who wants to use us to help bring that good everywhere.

You still love animals. Your puppy Phoebe knows it. As well as the guy that sold us double the number of hermit crabs for the same price.

Love, DAD