14

four·teen

/ˌfôrˈtēn,ˈfôrˌtēn/

number

 

1. equivalent to the product of seven and two; one more than thirteen, or six less than twenty; 14.

 

Sweet girl. I'm trying to wrap my head around this big number that is your current age. And the fact that you'll be leaving us on a daily basis to go to HIGH SCHOOL this fall. You've worked hard on school this year--much of it independently. Your favorite part of school is probably anything but math, and your favorite thing to read is a good spy book. You're still pursuing guitar, and singing, and piano--you play by ear and can create the most delightful songs. You have a God-given artistic gift--not only with music, but also with drawing. You can often mesmerize a young child with a pen and paper, drawing something cute or cuddly or crazy.

 

You're showing potential to pass me up in height before too long, and with your wavy brown locks and true blues (and those fetching freckles!), you are at that perfectly sweet stage between girlhood and womanhood.

 You love your friends--and have plenty of them, and get excited for junior high group at church, and the corresponding events/activities. You've also enjoyed being on the puppet team at church, putting on puppet shows for the little ones.

You adore your pet hamster Jerry and have been trying to get me to hold him lately (so I can better appreciate how cute he is). You will often get into girlish giggling fits with Jada and make me wonder what could be so hysterical.

You had your first job last summer--detasseling--and you nailed it, stepping up to hard labor and even looking forward to it. You're now in charge of budgeting for clothes, pet supplies, and a few other things, and are learning the right time to save or spend.

Being the oldest is sometimes a hard thing, with all the annoyances of younger siblings. And we've had some tough power struggles at times. But you are learning to govern your actions and grow in self-control, and you're also learning to better place yourself under our authority.

Our desire for you is that you would wholeheartedly pursue the most important thing in life--living for the glory of God. There is a tremendous blessing in obedience. We pray that you can apply this truth to your young life, and keep growing in wisdom.

We love you, Baby girl.

John 14:15

If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.