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!