seventeen and super sweet

Goodness Gracious.

When you were little, I used to imagine and wonder what you'd look like when you grew up. You were all big eyes, curls, and excitement. You loved life. Every day (it seems) was a flurry of drawings, singing, and catching toads. Now, the Lord has grown you into a beautiful girl who still loves life, still creates, and still likes to hold a wild critter now and then. You've mellowed and matured, and by His grace have nurtured a gentle spirit.

You are getting closer to leaving us, and I think you're pretty excited about that.

I'm thankful for where you're at in relationship to your dad and me, although there have been pretty painful lessons of obedience and submission.

At this stage you LOVE to play all kinds of songs on the piano--the ones that are a complete mystery to me--the ones you play by ear. The Lord gave you a pretty special gift there. You've also been rehearsing furiously with the high school choir and performing at the year-end concert-choir-turned-show-choir event. It was dazzling. You are enjoying your job at the local cafe, blending smoothies and drinks and all kinds of caffeinated deliciousness. And we got you signed up for your dual credit classes for your senior year.

These are exciting and fun times, and a stage of life I didn't realize would be so enjoyable...but it turns out there are a lot of good things about teenagerdom.

Our prayer for you is that you would continue to grow in your faith and knowledge of God's Word, and to pursue godliness with your whole heart.

May the Lord continue to work and produce fruit in your young life.

We love you, sweet girl.

Psalm 138:8

The Lord will accomplish what concerns me;

Your faithfulness, Lord, is everlasting;

Do not abandon the works of Your hands.