Give It Time

Dearest Macy,
We recently became pet owners again. This time, we listened to you tell us how much you wanted a furry little friend of your own. You even went as far to write out a list of potential names based on the color coating of fur.
At first, your dad and I were not exactly thrilled over the prospects of additional responsibility and costs that come along with pet ownership. Well then came talk of guinea pigs. We listened to your speech about how you'd be so happy and willing to love and care for your pet if given the chance. Daddy and I discussed it. My theory was that having a pet guinea pig would teach you valuable life lessons in sacrifice and responsibility as you nurture, care, clean, and maintain your pet's environment.

So we ventured out to the pet stores and found "Oreo". Absolutely adorable 6mth old guinea pig. The sales associate at pet store gave us plenty of instructions, she advised us not to handle Oreo for the first 2 days while he adjusts to his new home.
By the 2nd day, I was ready to cradle this furry little fellow in my hands. As I drew closer to his cage you quickly reminded me "Mom, he's just starting to trust us. Don't go over there and ruin it!" I froze in my steps, slowly stepped away as I felt the weight of your words...to give it time.

Within a few days, we were cuddling and carrying Oreo around in our hands. It's been such a joy for us watching you take time to gain his trust- consistently loving and caring for his needs

Lately you've shared with me some discouragement you experienced with friendships. We all have the need to feel love and accepted. Just as we've been learning with Oreo, trust comes in gradual stages. When you are uncertain how or when to respond in relationships, often best to give it time...

Remembering Easter morning last week, when mommy went walking on the golf course in the early hours to see the sunrise in my bedhead, pajama bottoms, and sweatshirt. Not expecting to see anyone, until young Brandon (golf maintenance man) showed up, asked me to jump in his cart for a ride. We had great chat on a glorious morning. The last words Brandon said to me:

 "Thank you for spending some time with me today."

So always remember your family and friends love you. Resist the temptation to become restless in relationships...just give it time.

 Most of all my dear daughter, God loves you. He intends for you to believe and trust Him by relying on Him at all times.

"In quietness and trust is your strength" ~Isaiah 30:15

We are so proud of you Macy. We love you with all our heart.

Love Always. Forever. To the moon and back.

Mommy

Love isn't perfect, love is available.

Dearest Macy,

Do you ever wonder why the God of love does the extraordinary in us and through us?
Love is something special. Love is something we trust, treasure, and celebrate. Valentines Day is a vivid reminder that it takes more than one day on the calender to communicate our expressions of love and say, "I love you."

Even on those difficult days when there is friction in friendships. God's spirit of love opens our hearts with humility and forgiveness. Praying our prayers, we let God's love be the bond that restores and strengthens relationships. In doing so, God will be glorified.

Recently, during a visit with one of your teachers-she shared a story that touches her heart and mine as well.
There is a sweet boy sitting next to you in class named Jose'. His family moved to the United States 3 years ago from the Dominican Republic. His parents do not speak English. He struggles with learning English and needs additional instructional help during class. Your teacher advised me you've "taken him right under your wing". You do all your 'center work' together, you encourage him and respond patiently to him,  you've taken extra time in helping him understand the questions your teachers are asking during lessons. We can't imagine how hard it has been for Jose'- 4th grader fitting into a new school in a foreign country.
Now I see more clearly your sudden interest in Spanish that led to buying you a student version Spanish/English dictionary in the bookstore 2 weeks ago :)
We are so proud of you for going the extra mile- being a soft place for someone else to land on a rough day.

God looks on us through eyes of love. Perfect love. The more we embrace His love, the more trusting and available we become to celebrate the greatness and goodness of His love with the world around us.
So remember, always take the high road and walk in love.

Three things will last forever--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love~  1 Corinthians 13

Happiest of Valentines Days Dear Daughter.
You are loved by God and us...always and forever.
Love,
Mom

Double digits...our single greatest joY.

You were as beautiful on that first night you entered the world at 5:21pm, weighing in at 7 Lbs. 11oz., 21 inches long; just as you are now-- 10yrs later.

The nurses said you were almost a perfect Ten. Scoring 9.5 on your 1min and 5min apgar tests after 14hours of labor, delivered via C-Section. The nurses said you were "An easy watch" which in their language meant you hardly cried or fussed. That 'changed' after we brought you home...just ask daddy about that.

You are our absolute pride and joy. We paraded you into"Macys" in West Palm at City Place when you were 6 days old. I still have the $14 free lipstick the lady at the Clinique counter gave me just for bringing Macy (named after the store) by the cosmetic counter.

You loved music and dancing...so much that you walked before you were 9mths old-mainly cause' you just wanted to dance around in the living room. You loved climbing too...so much that you were out of a crib and into a bed long before your 2nd birthday. You've always been a little fish in the water. Valentines day 2004- you jumped into your Aunt's pool in Naples. I fished you out- fully clothed with shoes on. You didn't cry or cough...just spit out some water. The things we do for love.

By the time you were 3 1/2 you were swimming above water and below water...and loving every minute of it!

As you entered into elementary school, we could see how God had shaped your heart for music, dancing, and artistic gifts. We are so grateful the school you attend is well suited to expand and develop students musically and creatively. However, you struggled alot with reading in 1st and 2nd grade. Thankfully, we had assistance from a very skilled and wonderful tutor who worked with you in our home for 2yrs.

When you turned the corner in 2nd grade, more JOY was coming for the journey. You began playing the violin. We loved it! After auditioning you were chosen to be in "Odyssey's Got Talent" show- you danced your heart away on stage. In the same year, you performed in "Annie" the musical and played your part as NY business women. All the while, you were working really hard to bring your grades up in reading to be promoted to 3rd grade. You kept us ALL hanging till the end, then scored the winning shot before the final 'buzzer'- finishing year, honored in school awards ceremony with a medal for academic achievment in reading! We were so proud- we rewarded you with a pink iPod. You jumped for joY :)

Then came 4th grade, fun and filled with new opportunites and blossoming friendships, In October 2011, you learned that God has a mission for all of us-honoring and serving him with our lives. With tight hugs around my neck you whispered "I never want to let you go because I love you." You and daddy sent me off to Haiti for 8 days. You fully expected me to return with a "Haiti baby" (your terminology for brother or sister). You got a little feisty when I tried to reason with you about the whole adoption process. My prayer and hope is that you will love and honor God with your life...always follow your heart. God may carry you into the arms of an orphaned child one day.

So here we are in December. We celebrated your performance as the Mouse King, watching you and your friends twirl and dance on stage in school's musical production of " The Nutcracker". You ALL are so talented!

We were so excited to have your aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends joining us this weekend= counting 10 candles on your cake and filling our hearts with laughter, love, and memories. So thankful and blessed we could all be together. Thanks be to God!

I hope you remember our special family time- the loving and tender thoughts daddy shared with us, the hands that held yours during prayer.

As you reflect back on your 10th year, remember our single greatest joy and what really counts:

The only thing that counts is faith, expressing itself through love.~Galations 5:6
"The meaning of life is to find your gift, the purpose of life is to give it away"
~Joy J. Golliver

Happy Birthday my beloved Macy.

I love you always. Forever. To the moon and back again!

It's still mommy, just better.

Dear Macy,
This is mommy's first day of clinic- October 5, 2011 in Limbe, Haiti. Here I am holding a 2mth old very weak infant girl. Our team compassionately gave much needed medical care to over 800 people in that week. In unity, our team prayed with this baby's mother and her children-she and her family prayed and received Christ as their personal Savior. Praise God! \o/  There was alot of suffering, sadness, and sacrifice. As a mother, my heart broke multiple times. The Lord opened my weepy eyes to His hope, His love, and His healing as I watched the servant-hearted hands of God move across the hearts of the hurting, lonely, and forgotten. I heard the cries of children, the laughter of children, and the praise of children to our King. My hope, in God's perfect timing, we will walk the holy grounds of Haiti together- mother and daughter linked lovingly.

"Stretch out Your hand to us in healings and miracles and wonders done in the name of your holy servant Jesus." -Acts 4:30

I love you always and forever Macy, to the ends of this earth.
It's still mommy, just better. now.
  

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Patterns of Love

Dear Macy,
The last couple of weeks I've been mothering you through persistent patterns of pain stemming from physical strain on my body.
Our ordinary pattern of going places, meeting people, and playing together has been interrupted.
Lately, you've found me resting in bed or sitting on patio, quietly trying to overcome pain that distracts my thoughts. At times you've heard me calling on the Lord and looked into my weepy eyes.
Your sweet kiss, twinkle in your eyes, arms stretching around my shoulders and neck you say "Mom, you look like you need a hug." Your compassion and love make my heart soar.
I love when you curl up next to me and tell me about your day at school-what you are learning and the special bonds you share with friends. Most of all, I adore your heart for God, genuine prayers, and the patterns of love you display when relating to others.

I want you to always remember Jesus is your best friend. As you pray, choose the path of love, mercy, and grace. Remain confident in His loving and caring hands.

Thank you, Macy for giving daddy and I the most loving tapestry of your tender heart everyday-you are our greatest love and joy in this world. We love you from the depths of our hearts.
My prayer is that when circumstances are unfavorable and uncertain, you will not lose hope nor will you lose determination. Put your Trust and hope in the LORD.
"the LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I hope in Him!" -Lam. 3:24

Love Always and Forever,
Mom

The loveliest letters

Welcome to my new faith endeavor. Creating and expanding upon the love, joy, and blessings of being Macy's mom. For quite some time I've felt the gentle tug of the Lord, leading me to leave a legacy of love and conversations. I've been keeping written journals since 2005. Reading over some of them recently I've been discovering inabilities, abilities, and insights that have given me memories in my role as a wife and a mother.

God is my first love. His love, unfailing and unconditionally, is shaping my life and dedication to pursue this new path. In the same respect, I've been abundantly blessed and surrounded by amazing mothers who've shown so much love, wisdom, and encouragement in nourishing my heart everyday. Forever grateful for each of them.

Prayerfully, as I speak to Macy in each letter, my hope is to share the evidence of God's goodness in the challenges and the victories.
 May the love of my heart be framed and hung forever in the depths of your heart Macy.
Love you to the moon and back,
Mommy