Twenty One years ago today I gave birth to the most beautiful girl in the world. It has been sheer joy to watch her blossom into a young woman of God. Our prayer has been that she would learn those characteristics that are worthy of possessing: love, servanthood, forgiveness, honesty, & sincerity. We can honestly say, that prayer has been answered in so many ways and for this we are so deeply grateful. Deuteronomy 6:5-7 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts, Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Dear Rachelle,
I wrote the verse above because that is what dad and I were instructed to do as your parents. It has been so neat to watch you go from going to church as a young child with us, to owning your own faith and love for your Savior. So much of this world base success on the amount of money one makes, the material things one has accumulated, the expensive car you drive, the size of your house etc....but, you our sweet girl have achieved the greatest success of all. You have made your faith your own. You have chosen to live a life that glorifies and follows the one who created you and loves you like no other. To come to the knowledge and accept that the only thing that matters in the end is your relationship with your Savior is great success.
There are so many sweet memories we hold dear to our heart. The way you would snuggle up next to dad and the two of you watching The Little Mermaid together, over and over, and over again. The way you would swing on the swing set for hours and just sing out loud like there was nobody else in this world but you. How "dirty" you would get everywhere we went :-) other moms would often say how great it was that I allowed you to get so dirty (little did they know I had no choice) You were our outside child who enjoyed living life to the fullest. Your independence on doing things "your own way" How many times we laughed (behind your back) when you would watch yourself cry in the mirror when you were a little girl. Your "bag lady" ability to eat anything that was on the ground, half eaten or whole! Allowing you to make your own decisions even if we didn't agree or like them so that you would grow and learn from them. Allowing you to make mistakes, but being close behind to catch you if needed. Going to your dance recitals year after year agreeing with you that you were the best one up on stage :-) To see you put on the most awesome prom for the mentally handicapped from your school at our church. To see you be a part of going to a nursing home to be a part of a very special dance with them. The mission trips you went on to share the love of Jesus with so many that have no hope. To see you grab ahold of the dream of starting your own clothing line and see it come into fruition on 11/11/11!!
So Happy Birthday Rachelle-
Dad and I just wanted to share with you how proud we are of you and to thank you for being the wonderful daughter you are, truly a blessing from God out Father!!!
We love you to the moon and back
ou:
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