Sunday, August 21, 2011

let your light shine, sweet em



sweet em,
this has been such an incredible summer for you!
i have seen you ~
grow in your relationship with the Lord
make brave decisions
challenge yourself academically
travel overseas for the first time 
never complain when you broke your ankle early on in your mission trip
be called a leader by your new teachers
laugh out loud every day
desire to know scripture
& make it come alive both in your life 
but also in the life of your friends



i am so proud of you
& i'm proud of who you are becoming.
i'm proud that you have a cheerful spirit
& find the good in everyone.
i'm proud of quickly you forgive
& move on.
i'm proud that you don't dwell on the negatives
or the mistakes of others.
i'm proud that you want to be a good girl
& show your friends the love of Christ.
i have so much to learn from YOU!


while i love to watch you getting dressed up to go to a party
or cheering on the junior varsity squad
while i love hear you laughing down the hall
& see all the encouragement notes from your Peru trip taped on your mirror
the thing i am most proud of 
is your child like faith in Him
&
your desire to worship Him with your whole heart.

after sending off big sissy to college
& watching her desire to surround herself with others that love Jesus,
i am even more keenly aware how the greatest joy i can truly have
is knowing my children walk with the Lord.


these next four years in high school can be some of the most wonderful years
&
yet they can be some of the hardest too.
i pray you stay strong in your convictions.
that you surround yourself with friends who are spiritually like minded,
as iron sharpens iron.
however, don't isolate yourself from those that don't yet know Jesus.

In the same way,
let your light shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven!
matthew 5.16

happy happy happy 15th birthday angel baby
i sure do love you!








11 comments:

Amy said...

Beautiful thoughts towards a beautiful girl. HB Em x

Maggie said...

Happy Birthday Emi!!!!!!!!!!

Jodi said...

She is becoming a beautiful young woman! Happy Birthday Emi!!

Beautiful pictures, Paige, I love her smile!

Beka's birthday is next week; it's crazy how fast our girls are growing up!

Take care!
Jodi

CarolinaGirl said...

You made me cry! You are amazing. I hope I can be half the mom to my daughters that you are to yours! Happy Birthday to your beautiful girl!

Shannon said...

Beautiful words!
I hope Emi had a wonderful birthday. She looks so pretty in those pictures :)

Jen Kershner said...

A lot of new stages going on in your house this year! She is such a lovely girl. Inside (where it really counts!) and out!

traci said...

she's so pretty. happy birthday to your beautiful girl.

Unknown said...

these photos are lovely just like your sweet daughter! happy birthday! i hope you are well!! xo susan

Bravehearted Beauty {formerly LLH Designs} said...

So, so precious! Live your heart for the Lord and for your girls. Happy 15th to your Em!

Xo,
Linsey

Coastal Health and Home said...

Happy Birthday! :)

Kerri said...

Beautiful words for a beautiful girl! I am writing this with tears of joy in my eyes! I can relate so well because I have two little girls and I hope they grow up to be as beautiful on the inside as your daughters!