Twenty-one years ago today, we welcomed my sister, Olivia, into the family. My mom loves to tell the story of how I predicted her birth:
My parents had decided to stop after my brother and I were born. No more babies. They had a girl and a boy, and that was good enough for them. Well, I wasn't quite as satisfied. When I was four, I attended a pre-k program a few days a week. Right before Thanksgiving, we were working on a craft. I have no clue what the craft was, but, apparently, our teachers asked us to list the things we were thankful for. Of course, we all gave the typical answers...my family, my dog, my food, my house, my friends. You get the picture. I gave the same usual answers, but I also listed one not quite so usual. I said that I was thankful for my "future baby sister." My parents were shocked when the craft went home, cracking up about it, rolling their eyes behind my back, and showing it off to other family members. Less than a year later, my mom was pregnant. Surprise!!
I can still remember being totally, 100% sure that my mom was having a girl the entire pregnancy. My parents are some of those who decided NOT to find out the sex of the baby and leave it a delivery room surprise. I'll never forget riding up the elevator with my grandparents, walking down the corridor of the hospital, and my grandma stopping the nurse as she wheeled a tiny baby girl down the hallway asking, "Is this Olivia?" It was love at first sight!
Sweet, sappy story. How long did that lovey-dovey stuff last? Pretty much until she could talk. Or, was it when she started biting? Doesn't really matter. But, I do know that no matter how much we disagree or argue, no matter what measure of distance we have between us, I am so very grateful to have been blessed with such an amazing sister.
I am so excited to see the beautiful things that God is making out of her life.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for my precious baby sister. No matter how much she grows and changes, she will always be my baby sister. Lord, I have been so blessed to have be given the opportunity to watch her grow over these past twenty-one years. I am grateful that You sent her into our lives because they have been so enriched with her presence. She is beautiful, she is kind, she is smart, and she loves YOU. More than anything, I thank You for her salvation. I thank You for growing in her a genuine heart that loves You. I pray earnestly that as she continues to mature, You would further develop and deepen her commitment and relationship with You. I pray that the decisions she makes and relationships she has would reflect Your perfect will for her life. I pray that You would place people in her path that would help to grow and guide her in her walk with You. Let her be blessed by friends and let her be a blessing to others.
Father, may I always set an example for her that exemplifies a woman of grace and integrity and alone brings You glory.
In Jesus precious name, Amen.
Happy birthday, Olivia!
