As we celebrate Ava's 5th birthday I am grateful for a God who has shown his faithfulness to us even when we lacked faith. I am grateful for a precious 3 1/2 year old who I believe God is going to use greater than we can ever dream of. And I am grateful to share my life with a wife who God has grown so much in the last five years. Very few women have faced the heartache of loosing a child and the emotional journey of going through an adoption, and she has done so with grace. I am very proud of her.
As we think of Ava, I leave with a letter that I wrote to her on her 1st birthday. Each year in my journal I write a letter to her and while I am fully aware that there is very little Biblical foundation for this, I still write it just for my own personal joy. I look back on each letter and see and remember everything about Ava and everything God has done to bring us to where we are now.
January 25, 2009
Dearest Ava,
Today is your first birthday and your mom and I
miss you very much. I know that you do not want us to be sad but it is really
hard with you not here. How was your birthday in Heaven? I am sure that is was
very special and could not even be described. We are doing well I suppose.
Some days are harder than others but the Lord’s grace gets us through. I really
don’t know what happens up in Heaven yet I am so excited for you to tell me.
Have you got to see your great grandparents yet? I sure hope so. Your grandma
says that she hopes your great grandma Norfleet is taking care of you. I hope
so to because she is a special lady. Your great Uncle Dale just went to be with
you last week, and I hope you have had the chance to meet him, because he is a wonderful man. Anyway, I don’t want to ramble on and on but there is so much
to tell you. I know that you would not want to leave but we miss you so much
here on earth. But I am glad you don’t have to worry about this old place.
Heaven is so much sweeter! When your mom and I cry it is because we miss you,
not because of anything you did. We love you so much and am so proud of you!
You’re the best daughter a dad could ask for. Well, that is it for now I
suppose. We love you very much and look
forward to seeing you real soon. Please give your great grandma a kiss for me.
Love always,
1 comment:
We love you guys and are so very thankful the Lord chose to give you Jackson. Thank you for your testimony! You have been such an encouragment and example through your trust in the Lord these last 5 years. May the Lord bless you. ~ The Dowells
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