Today I feel as if I have about a million things I could be writing about, and in the midst of all that I saw this post by Courtney Davis, another mom adopting from Bulgaria. Great, now there's something else I want to blog about. Well, this one is quick. It's a letter to my 16-year-old self.

Dear (16 year old) Lauren,
You're not alone. Believe me, God is still by your side and if you would turn to Him, He would immediately take you in His arms. Turn to Him. He wants to be the father you need.
Stop giving your parents so much trouble. Seriously, some day you will regret being such a pain in the butt and they will have so many embarrassing stories from it, too. They are doing the best they can with what they have. They are not perfect, but they do love you very much.
Love and sex are two very different things. Don't get them confused, and don't believe that doing the one will get you the other.  Your value is not dependent on how men look at you. Being desired is not the same as being wanted. Being lusted over is not the same as being loved.
Another person cannot make you feel whole. That void in your heart is decidedly "God-shaped." He's the only thing that will fill it. Until then, you'll be chasing something that can't be had and you'll get hurt in the process.
The love of your life is named... on second thought, I won't tell you that. If I did then you might do something differently and then I wouldn't have my son. And believe you me, he's totally worth it.
It's ok that you don't know what you want to do with your life. It's ok that you haven't found your purpose yet. You will, I can assure you of that. It's awesome, and well worth the effort.
You are going to live to be 30. I know you doubt that right now, but you will. So treat yourself well, because this body is the only one you get and you had better take care of it.
Trust but verify. Don't just believe everything you hear. The internet is coming. Use it to your advantage.
Google search will let you find out what's true and what's BS. In the meantime, talk to your friends. They can tell you what's really up.
When something hurts, remember that the only way out is through. And that God loves you and wants to be your comforter.
Someday your sister will be your best friend. Stop wasting time and get to know her now.
Life will be more fun, and people will actually like you better, when you stop trying to blend in. At any rate, what they think of you doesn't matter. Be yourself. Stand out. Someday you will be loved very deeply exactly as you are.
Tell the truth, there's less to remember.
Floss. Quit smoking. Try soccer, you might be pretty good at it. Take up running, you'll love it. You will never get any better at volleyball- it just wasn't meant to be. Art will always be your passion. Pursue it! Listen more, talk less.

Love,
30-year-old Lauren