My third daughter turns 17 today….how did that happen so fast? (answer: one day at a time) I can remember as clearly as if it was yesterday the night of her birth. Kristen Elizabeth Lambdin –
- Kristen – means “follower of Christ”…and she has chosen to be just that.
- Elizabeth which means God’s promise implying satisfaction and contentment along with thanksgiving and devotion…a perfect description of her heart.
- Lambdin a last name that we have spent 24+ years being purposeful about it becoming a family name bearing a great legacy of faith and blessings for her, her children and her children’s children.
Here is my birthday letter to her today taken from what I read to her at her recent Rite of Passage ceremony.
Dear Kristen….
My “perfect” child!
From the moment you made your quiet entrance into this world in the stillness of the night on March 17, 1994 to now you have truly been the easiest, sweetest most obedient child I have ever known.
As a toddler you loved to just sit on my lap and cuddle up, content to just bask in the love of your Mommy’s arms. (no terrible twos for you!) You promised to never grow up and always be my little girl. You did grow up though and yet you have kept all the excellent qualities of a child:
- An amazing faith
- A sincere desire to please & honor your parents and others
- Unconditional love
- And a sweet spirit
You have always had the heart of a servant…which means that you have a heart like the Lords!
Matthew 20: 26- 28 — says
“Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
You truly are one of the great among us and you will be first in line to receive your rewards from God!
You have many strengths – you are organized, thorough, diligent, creative, a talented photographer, a competent athlete, and a hard working student.
You are also a true leader because you model the heart of a servant. You are a young lady of integrity who truly desires to please the Lord in everything.
When I look at your heart and your life I could not be more pleased with the person you have chosen to become.
I love you so much and am so blessed to be your Mom!
Happy 17th Birthday!
Inspire Ministries 
Great letter Beth,
Today is my sweet Jennifer’s 25th birthday! She’s celebrating being a mom as her son is about to turn 1! They’re coming home to see us for his birthday! What a joy our children are. Happy Birthday Kristen!
I certainly agree, Beth, with all you say about Kristen. Two memories to share: The Christmas after Dad died when Kristen and I shared a room. She wasn’t yet two and when I awoke, she was standing in her crib watching me. Who knows how long she had been awake, but she patiently waited. As soon as she knew I was awake, she put her arms out for me to get her. She brought a smile to my face and put a song in my heart at very dark time in my life.
Secondly, last year at the beach house, I noticed that Kristen demonstated that service heart by quietly and without being asked cleaned up the entire kitchen, picking up dishes and glasses, etc that the others should have taken care of themselves. She epitomizes a belief I have that if one sees a job that needs to be done, do it. Don’t wait for someone else.
Love.
Mom and Granny