I Blinked

..and you lost the look of a little girl.

I remember staring at this picture after I took it and thinking, "What a lovely young lady."

I didn't think it would happen so quickly. Is there something magical about ELEVEN?

Just yesterday you needed me to button your coat and brush your teeth and teach you your ABCs. You depended on me for EVERYTHING. And now I depend so much on you.

Just a few years ago, I wondered what God had in mind when He chose ME to be your Mommy. I didn't seem to do that mother-daughter thing very well. But God answered my prayers, and today our hearts are knit together in such a special way.

Do you know how much I LOVE to see your smiling face early in the morning? You give me that tight hug and settle down across from me to read your Bible. You tell me that's your favorite time of the day, and my heart is full of joy.

I love hearing you read your Bible study notes to me. I love to read your Ebenezer cards and discover how much you're reflecting the image of your Savior. I love listening to you sing around the house and play with your little siblings. I love that you love stationery and pens just like I do. I'm amazed by your ability to draw horses and crochet a blanket and style your sisters' hair in such creative ways.

I love that every day you get to witness and taste God's grace and forgiveness. You battle your own flesh and see more and more how deep our sin runs and how much we need Jesus. You watch me struggle and you know Mommies aren't perfect. You're learning how to forgive seventy times seven and how to humbly ask to be forgiven.

I see many evidences of grace in you, my daughter. You have a teachable spirit and your care what Mommy and Daddy think. You delight in being in His Word and writing down what you're learning. You treasure worshipping with our brothers and sisters in Christ and hearing our Pastor preach.

I pray you'll always love His Word and that you'll have a passion for prayer. I pray you'll desire to glorify Him in all things. I pray you'll be a blessing to others and have a servant's heart. I pray you'll never abandon gathering with the saints and being part of a church family.

I pray you'll walk faithfully with Him all the days of your life.

Though there might be rough seas in the years ahead, the tug-of-war is over.  God's grace abounds, and it will be sufficient to see us through the years ahead with much rejoicing and honoring of the LORD and growing closer together.

When I look at you, I don't think of the great job I've done as your mother. Instead I see His grace written on every page of your eleven years. How merciful He's been to give me the blessing of mothering you, even though He knew all along the many ways I'd tangle our heartstrings.

Happy Eleven, my precious Emma. I'm incredibly blessed to have you for my daughter.

Love,
Mommy

Emma's birthday celebration earlier in the month. Surf and Turf was on the menu.

She received some beautiful bracelets. Both were made by Sandy at His Living Stones Jewelry Design.

 My girl loves to write letters. :)

 She made things super easy for me! Caramel apples for her birthday dessert. :)

Of course, she didn't realize it wouldn't be a piece of cake to eat these. :)

I'm thankful she doesn't know who Britney is, but she does know the name Spurgeon.  Here's the look on Luke's face (her 9 year old brother) when he realized she got Morning and Evening. (He's settling for reading Jonathan Edwards until he gets Spurgeon for Christmas. Oh, my children keep me in a state of wonder all of the time!)

HAPPY 11th BIRTHDAY, EMMA!