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Happy birthday, fine fellow! I think it's a terrific thing to mark another year of life for you, and it's been a delightful season of growth and change in you.
Here are a few things you're up to:
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You're rolling toward the end of 2nd grade, and it's been a great year! From reading out loud to Jemima to accomplishing science presentations to gaining insights in math, I love to see the way the Lord is expanding your knowledge and capacity.
- It has been blessing my heart lately how much of a helper you are! You'll carry in groceries, help set the table, patiently wash hands with Jemima, and pitch in with cleaning bathrooms or putting away dishes. This growth in grace has been both a huge encouragement and huge service to our family! May the Lord continue to give you broad shoulders to carry your own load and willingness to bear others' burdens as well.
- You have a creative and flexible attitude when playing with your siblings. It tickles me to see what imaginative games you, Calvin, Josiah, and Jemima will come up with, and you do a good job compromising and thinking of ways to make it fun for everyone, especially when there are differing opinions. Thank you for being a peacemaker in your playing.
- You have a strong sense of right and wrong, and you are developing a discerning eye when it comes to falsehood in books, shows, or museums. I pray that the Lord continues to shape your worldview to see things in light of His truth and to give you strong convictions, even when it goes against the flow of culture.
- You have enjoyed your first year in Upward basketball, and it's been a fun exercise in teamwork, focus, endurance, and teamwork. It's been great to see you eager to practice your skills and seek to grow in your abilities, while keeping a good attitude whether your team wins or loses.
- We had some interesting times with pink eye in the family through the past few weeks. Although this resulted in several disappointing cancellations and a whole lot of not-so-fun eye drops, I was so encouraged at your flexibility, contentment, and uncomplaining attitude. The Lord is giving you greater capacity for trusting Him even in challenges, and I pray you continue trusting Him even when things don't go the way you desire.
- You have an eye for detail and design, and you create and complete some very complex Lego projects in amazing time! It's fun to see your good mind for engineering and construction. Who knows if that might be part of your future calling?
- You are a strong, active, energetic fellow! You have lots of fun wrestling and wrangling with your brothers, but you are also (normally) very self-controlled and gentle with your little sister. I love to see you boys pull Jemima in a wagon or pretend you are "her pets," because you tenderly love the little miss! You are still often the first to ask if you can get Jemima up from her nap, and you always have a big hug for her before bed. I love it.
- Dad says you are most like the superhero Avalanche. And the verse he is praying for you is Psalms 91:1, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty." That's pretty cool, because that is also the first verse if the psalm I like to rehearse with you, Calvin, and Jemima on our way home from homeschool coop every Tuesday. May you find the sheltering wing of the Lord overshadowing you, no matter where you go.
There are a lot of different reasons that life might feel stormy. Sometimes we can get overwhelmed at the load of work that is slotted for each day. Sometimes emotions can fly high and feel too strong to tame. Sometimes outside events or forces may feel out of control or scary. Storms are a real thing in this life.
That's why it's so good to see how God talks about storms in the Bible. I've been studying Job with the women this spring, and God speaks this to Job from the whirlwind:
Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that a flood of waters may cover you? Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go and say to you, 'Here we are?' Who has put wisdom in the inward parts or given understanding to the mind? Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens, when the dust runs into a mass and the clods stick fast together? Job 38:34-38
The answer to those questions are no, neither Job nor any of us can decree the clouds, winds, or waves to do our will. And God--He puts wisdom in the wise and gives understanding. The clouds are the dust of His feet (Nahum 1:3b). No storm may blow apart from His appointment.
That's not all. When Jesus came, He addressed the winds and waves and quieted the storm with His word. "And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God'" (Matthew 14:32). And His authority matches that of the sovereign God over all, for He told HIs disciples, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Matthew 28:18). By His death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus canceled the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands: "This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him" (Colossians 2:13-15).
When storms come, my son, keep your eyes on its King, and trust that He has already purchased your eternal life and joy at the cost of His life.
I love you so much!
Momma
Elliot (4.24.24) 8 years old
1. What is your favorite color? orange
2. What is your favorite fruit? pears and peaches
3. What is your favorite video to watch? G-Force
4. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Mac and cheese
5. What is your favorite thing to wear? t-shirt
6. What is your favorite game? Mousetrap
7. What is your favorite snack? pretzel sticks
8. What is your favorite animal? snowy leopard
9. What is your favorite verse? Joshua 1:9
10. What is your favorite book? don’t know
11. Who is your best friend? Isaiah and Kaleb
12. What is your favorite thing to do outside? basketball or throw around football
13. What is your favorite drink? root beer
14. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? cereal
15. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? potstickers
16. What do you want to be when you grow up? an inventor
17. What was one of your favorite things that you did this year? going to KY
18. What is your favorite place to go? Iowa
19. Do you have a goal or something you’d like to work on this year? basketball
20. Is there anything you hope will happen this year? I hope we go camping together
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