18 Roses

  I prayed that we would make it to the hospital safely, 

as the little car raced along the snowy road. 

My husband was driving,

too fast,

but something in him told him there was not much time.  

Thankfully, there was not any traffic in the middle of the night. 

We had called ahead and they met us at the emergency room door with a wheelchair.

  Loud groaning told the nurse the situation was bad, and they wheeled me to a room, 

where I was helped up to get on the hospital bed.

  It was then that my water broke and very shortly after, our daughter was born.

That was 18 years ago today.

Who would have thought that that little chubby baby with the extra long eyelashes 

would grow into such a fine woman in only 18 years? 

Who would have known that God's hand of

mercy and grace

would be upon her from the age of three, when His spirit took up residence?

 Who would have guessed 

that she would become a tremendous blessing to so many

as she grew into a woman?

It has been a wonderful journey with our daughter Anna Grace,

and we had a magnificent celebration last night with family and friends. 

Anna was given meaningful gifts from family. 

Gifts for her hope chest, 

such as green depression glass that has been in the family for four generations. 

She is going to have to get a storage shed soon, we tease her, 

for her hope chest is full and overflowing all over her room.

 Anna had plenty of helpers at hand to unwrap gifts.

Brian and I wanted to make this birthday meaningful for Anna. 

Through her teen years, we have given  her symbols of her journey to womanhood

such as a purity necklace, a hope chest, a study Bible. 

Now was the time to complete these symbolic gifts

by giving her a foot washing bowl and pitcher 

as an expression of honoring her spiritual gift of service 

and a means and reminder to carry her servant hearted nature

to her future husband and family someday. 

 

The highlight of the evening

was the moment that daddy got down on one knee

and gave her 18 pink roses,

each tagged with a message of affirmation to the godly virtues and character

we see manifest in her life.

  Brian handed each individual rose to her as he read the affirmation.

We wrapped up the evening with chocolate cheesecake,

which was just heavenly.

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

Favor is deceitful and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.  

Give her the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates." 

Prov. 31:10,30,31

Blessings to you, Anna, on this day.

I love  you.