Elsie Jane, welcome to year 4 beautiful girl!

I’m not quite sure where to begin my heart text for you this year, maybe HAPPY BIRTHDAY is a good place to start!?! In the days leading up to your birthday, I caught myself reflecting on this past year and all of your birthday’s past. — God has been weaving the pieces of your story even before the day we found out you were growing in my womb. The love lavished on you, I could never fully comprehend!

The night before your birthday I read again my post to you last year, wondering how I penned my hopes and dreams for you, curious how God was already preparing my heart and yours for the path before us in the days to come. Do you know what I saw? HIS faithfulness, before and behind you. It’s not lost on me as we celebrated you a year ago, that you requested RAINBOW everything for your birthday party–a mark of His promises before you, in the year ahead.

You have walked through more challenges, then any three year old should ever have to face– and YET, I have seen first hand how God Himself has CARRIED you through every. single. challenge. He has carried me and your daddy and your little miss Joy too. I knew this would be a year of growth for you, a year of confidence building and maturing–But only God knew the avenue He would bring those things to fruition in you. He restores and renews, He breathes life, purpose and passion into everything He does. YOU ARE A LIVING EXAMPLE OF HIS POWER AND LOVE–Don’t you ever forget that!

Yesterday we turned the page on your year three and opened up the gift of a new year for you–4 years old. The miracle of you will never be lost on your daddy and I. As we watched the joy spread across your face in so many happy moments yesterday, I couldn’t help but whisper my continual praise to your maker–it was our delight to give you wrapped gifts, hugs, songs, cake, party hats, and the generosity of our community, but the truest gift yesterday, was YOU. Your presence with us, the whole day spent as a family–remembering the day you were born, celebrating your growing life now–A priceless gift.

As you head into this new year, my dreams and hopes for you have never been grander! This year I am praying that you would see, know, and love JESUS–All of Him into every part of you. Your heart is tender and I am praying the tender places of your heart would soften all the more towards Jesus. He has so much in-store for you this year Elsie, so much, I just have to believe it! He is moving in your midst, healer of soul and body, Savior of the World, a good good Father.

Here is to you my strong, steady girl–and to 4 years old! I can’t wait to see how He carries you, a single. step. at. a. time.

He will make you brave.

All my love,

Your mama