Dear Jemima,
Happy birthday, my big girl! After many weeks of your asking, "How many days until my birthday?" we finally reached the big day! And it was a delight to thank God again for your life and for giving you to our family now for 4 full years! How the time flies!
You are growing by leaps and bounds and are certainly my very big girl now. And you keep us on our toes! Here are some of your latest accomplishments:
- At homeschool co-op, your class had a great time learning numbers, reading books, investigating creation, and doing some very amazing art projects. (This is one major reason why we are at homeschool co-op!) You just loved it, especially your art class! And you enjoy those friends greatly, which is another treasure of God's kindness through co-op.
- You were gifted a number of beautiful dress-up princess dresses and fancy shoes, and you have an aptitude for walking in high heels that definitely exceeds your mother. It is never too early nor too late to wear those special clothes. You are so aware of beautiful things, and that is certainly a reflection of God's image and handiwork. Isn't He kind to give so much beauty in the world for us to enjoy? But we need to remember as well that the beauty that is hidden in the heart is far more valuable and lasting than what is on the outside.
- You are ever the attentive mother to your many stuffies and baby dolls. Your duties call you to push your babies in the stroller, hold them while you eat breakfast, sing to them before they have a snooze, read them stories, and correct them when they are not being respectful. Never a dull moment! It is very good to practice many of these important skills in preparation for the day that the Lord may indeed entrust some little ones to you.
- You are gaining so much independence. You can dress yourself, put on your pjs, go potty (and wash your hands, now that Dad switched out our bathroom faucets for some that you can operate!), put on your shoes, help set the table, clean your room with your brother's help, and many other tasks.
- You are a good eater, although sometimes your brothers and dad are so entertaining at mealtimes that it takes you a very long time to clean your plate.
- Although it's hit and miss whether you'll actually sleep, you still have a good rest time in the afternoons. Since your brothers usually save their literature reading for the afternoon, it makes for a very nice "book and rest time" for everybody, and then we normally have fun outside when we're done!
- We had some rough transitions going to your church class at the beginning of the school year, but by the time we finished, you were marching in happily (normally with some kind of stuffy to accompany you). Your teachers are so wonderful, and I'm thankful for the investment of so many to give you songs and verses and prayers and joyful play that shape your understanding of God's people as such a gift for us in Jesus.
- You continue to be the cherished little sister of your four big brothers! When I tell people about our family, and they ask how it is to have a girl, often I respond that one of my favorite things is to see your brothers loving you so much!
- You have a vivid imagination and very lively sense of humor. Recent quotes:
Mom (to Elliot and Josiah): Both of you wear your gray uniforms tomorrow.
Jemima: I like gray unicorns.
Victor: No, gray uniforms, not unicorns.
Jemima: But I like unicorns.
Jemima (discussing the ages of her siblings): And, Mom, you're Victor's age.
Jemima to Mom, showing a hair band: This ponytail holder was outside. It's not yours. (Emphatically) It's God's.
Jemima, after helping deliver hot cross buns to neighbors: Mom, can I have cross eyed buns now?
Jemima, looking at the photo card for a missionary family with four sons: There's their mom, but where's their girl kid?
Jemima: We're playing princess in my room. Calvin is going to be the royal puppy.
To sum up: we love you so!
We are preparing to study Romans 8 in women’s Bible study this summer. It could be compared to sipping the richest hot chocolate … truth that is so deep and thick and nourishing it warms you from the inside out.
The very first verse articulates how the gospel changes everything: Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Our identity, our future, our present life, our home forever … all of this is transformed in Christ Jesus.
You know, at a very basic level, that all kinds of trouble can brew in your heart. Sometimes it is frustration when a brother won’t listen to you. Sometimes it is jealousy when you want something currently played with by someone else. Sometimes it is rebellion against Mom or Dad’s instructions. And we talk about what that sin earns. It has a payment, like a paycheck earned on a job. But this is a very bad payment—judgment from God. Condemnation for breaking His standard.
Our sermon this morning (about Jesus’ healing the paralyzed man in Matthew 9) underscored the reality that our biggest problem is sin. And Christ’s greatest gift—far greater than any short-term physical healing or removal of temporary suffering—was His provision of a way for our sin to be paid for … at the cost of His own life on the cross.
For those who will receive it, that payment totally removes the guilt, condemnation, and judgment for our debt of sin. It is finished! And now we may walk in new life and be adopted as one of God’s own. I pray that this reality, this rich gospel, will be your hope and joy and standing place all your days!
The verdict “no condemnation” is a gift of immeasurable worth, paid for by Jesus on our behalf. What a Savior!
Praying that you will find life’s deepest joy in Jesus,
Momma
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