The starting gun sounds

Today my third daughter, Kristen will begin her freshman year at Jim Elliot Christian High School.  I have to tell you my heart is breaking a little.  I know all to well that this day is like the bang of the starting gun that marks the final race of her time home with us.  The next four years will go by with accelerated speed. Why am I so melancholy?  It is just that I simply love being with my children.  I love every age and every moment.  I am not pining away waiting and wishing for them to grow up & get out of the house.  In fact there is no one I would rather be with than each of my children (and my dear darling Dan!).

Here is my letter to Kristen as she begins her race through high school.

My dear precious Kristen,

 

It just seems like yesterday that you were turning four years old and promising me that you would never get any older.   Here we are a decade later and you are 14 years old, beginning your high school years today.  Why has the time flown by so fast?  I so wish that I could keep this monumental day of change from happening and that we could do the past ten years all over again.  Yet at the same time I am so excited for all that high school will bring to you.

 

I can’t even begin to tell you what a joy and help you have been to my life.  You are such a blessing to me in so many ways.  As a little girl you were always so sweet, loving and good….truly the easiest child I have ever raised.  You always looked for ways to please and you were so very obedient.  Your very presence brought peace into my heart and life.  The Lord must have known that I needed you in the midst of some of those crazy and often stress filled days of your childhood.  As you grew and matured, I came to depend on you for so many things.  You were diligent in your chores, responsible with your school work, hard working in everything you did and always willing to go the extra mile and help me with anything and everything I asked. (Including running errands with me, no matter how boring they were, massaging my feet and taking care of your younger siblings)  I am going to miss having you at home more than you will ever know.

 

Kristen, you are going to excel during your years at Jim Elliot.  You are smart, talented, athletic, friendly and influential. Because you are such a strong committed Christian who is kind, caring and compassionate, you will be a fabulous example to everyone around you.  You are responsible, diligent, mature and hard working which will pay off in many ways as you walk through these next four years.  I am so proud of not only who you are now but I know that you will continue to give me cause to praise the Lord in the years ahead.

 

I am praying for you as you begin your high school journey.  Seize the day!  Take advantage of every opportunity. Get involved. Make memories. (And take pictures!) Be a friend to all. Have no regrets. Make good choices. But above all Glorify God in everything!

 

I love you so very much.

 

Mommy

 

P.S.  Thanks for spending your time, the night before school started, once again doing things to help me – putting up the school – “Decade of Discipleship” banner and wrapping birthday gifts for your baby sisters friends. You are amazing!

 

 

I love it that she is not embarrassed to be photographed the first day of school by her Mom or dress as “twins” with her sister!  What awesome confidence she has.

Wasn’t it just yesterday that you were this small Kristen?  Makes me savor the moment because in a just a breath Daniel will be heading out the door to high school.