what i hope you know sweet girl....

 We will not hide these truths from our children;
    we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
    about his power and his mighty wonders.He commanded our ancestors
    to teach them to their children,
 so the next generation might know them—
    even the children not yet born—
    and they in turn will teach their own children.
 So each generation should set its hope anew on God,
    not forgetting his glorious miracles
(psalm 78)

 

i remember vividly that celebration on august 22, 1997.

she was one.

she was a  happy & healthy, loved, toddler

i felt some tender sense of accomplishment

& security.

we were gonna be ok.

the scripture tells us to remind our children of the wonders He has done

the goodness He has given us.

so while some of you that have read my blog from years back will feel you've already heard this story,

it's really for em today.

again.

the story of her 

& how the lord blessed & kept her, and  how His face shines upon her.

i found out i was pregnant with you sweet girl &

we were overjoyed.

your sissy madison was only 8months old and savannah was about to turn 3.

days later daddy gregg would find a lump under his arm that would take his life

months later.

i was so worried about your safety while i carried you as i was exposed to chemo

and all the other things that come with cancer treatment.

we induced you on a week where daddy wouldn't be in treatment.

you looked, & still do, just like him!

the very night you were born

he began to get much worse, even needing care while we were in the hospital after your birth.

days later he began to display symptoms that the cancer had spread to his brain

& as you know, passed away when you were only 10 weeks old.

i had no idea how i was going to raise you three tiny little girls. alone.

but sweet emi, we never were alone.

the Lord saw every tear we cried & heard every prayer.

you three continued to grow & blossom into happy beautiful little girls.

while there are many ways i have failed you girls

there are so many things i've done wrong

however

there is one thing i pray that i've taught you...

you are never alone (psalm 23)

you were always in the palm of His hand ( isaiah 41.10)

He knit you in my womb (psalm 139) while sickness and fear were in our home

He knows the hairs on your head

& He has a plan for your life. ( jer 29.11)

i pray i have always reminded you of how good the lord is

& how he has blessed you ( numbers 6.24)

i called you my angel baby because i know the lord sent you as a 

light to remind me of all those same truths.

daddy & i are so proud of you & who you are

how you love on your friends

how you give the benefit of the doubt

how you are always happy

& most importantly, how you love the lord.

happy sweet sixteen little em

how i love you so...

 

 i will tell of the LORD's unfailing love. 

I will praise the LORD for all he has done. 

I will rejoice in his great goodness

isaiah 63.7