A Day to Remember

Abby has been waiting so long for this day to come. I think it probably seems to her like she's been waiting f-o-r-e-v-e-r. But today we finally made it to the new American Girl store in Seattle. We went with three of Abby's friends from church and their moms. It was such a special day. Abby was so thankful and so thrilled to be there, that it made me so thankful and so thrilled to take her there.

I know that American Girl dolls (and their endless amount of accessories) are a little on the expensive side, but I honestly just love the innocence and sweetness of these dolls. They are not "dolls" that look like girls pretending to be grown women. They are sweet dolls for sweet girls, and I will gladly support any interest of Abby's that encourages her to be a young, sweet, innocent girl.

Love

I am in love with this blog. I love it because it makes me cry. And feel sorrow. And feel hope. And feel the love of my Savior, which makes me long with all of my heart to love Him more and serve Him more. Because I am nothing, and He is everything.

A most beautiful, powerful prayer for a daughter was on the blog this morning. It so powerfully spoke to my heart. THIS is what I want for my beautiful daughter. THESE are the things that matter.

Father who breathed into this daughter…

I pray for this girl being formed into eternity….

May the wind always be in her hair

May the sky always be wide with hope above her

And may all the hills be an exhilaration

the trials but a trail,

all the stones but stairs to God.

God, clothe this girl in a gown of grace
Grace, the only dress that makes beautiful,
the style of Your spirit.

Nourish her on the comfort food of the Word,
Word, that makes her crave more of Christ,
have hunger pangs for Him.

Enclose her in communion with You
You, Love who makes her love, who folds her heart into a roof
that absorbs storms for souls,
that makes her tongue speak only the words that make souls stronger.

May her vocation in this world simply be translation

Translating every enemy into esteemed guest
Translating every countenance into the face of Christ
Translating every burden into blessing

When it’s hard to be patient… make her willing to suffer
When it’s ridiculous to be thankful … make her see all is grace
When it’s radical to forgive … make her live the foundation of our faith
And when it’s time to work… make her a holy wonder.

May she be bread and feed many with her life and her laughter
May she be thread and mend brokeness and knit hearts
May she be dead to all ladders & never go higher , only lower, to the lonely, the least & the longing
Her led of the Spirit to lead many to the Cross
that leads to the tomb wildly empty.

Oh, and raise me, Lord, from the deadness of my own sins to love this beautiful girl like You do…

In the name of Christ who rose

and appeared first

to one of His daughters…

Amen…