Eleven years ago today, a very courageous woman in Seoul, Korea, gave birth to a beautiful baby girl with a head full of black hair. The birth wasn’t easy. And as soon as the baby was born, she said good-bye to her infant, knowing she may never see her again.

That beautiful baby girl became our darling Alyssa three months later. Happy birthday, sweetheart. You are beautiful inside and out, loving, compassionate, kind, hard-working, caring and you have a strong love for your Lord. We couldn’t be more proud of the lovely young woman you are becoming.

And to that brave young Korean woman, thank you.Thank you for giving her life. Thank you for making that difficult, courageous choice that made her our daughter. I wish you could know her. You are in our prayers today as always, that you may have peace about your decision, that you would rely on the Lord for your strength, and that somehow you will know your daughter is safe and healthy and loved.