Eleven years ago today, on MLK Jr. Day, Eliza was born early in the morning after a fairly quick overnight labor. The cord was tight around her little neck, but her face was pink and perfect.
Here are the top ten of her tenth year:
Flower press
1) You enjoy beauty and have an eye for it. Whether pressing flowers or making cards or drawing pictures or even cleaning your room, you have an eye for knowing when things look pleasing and right.
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2) While you don’t have a passion for soccer, you do enjoy it and the perks that come with it, like spending time with the team, snack time and giggling with friends. I’m glad that you persevere, despite often being one of the smallest on the team.
Music camp
3) Music is always a part of life for you and you got to try your hand at handbells at music camp. Bonus that you got to do it with this sweet friend. You two had more fun than should be allowed!
mini fall fairy gardens
4) One of your biggest projects from being 10 was your garden. It was a lot of work, a lot of time, a lot of joy, and thankfully, gave a lot of reward in food and sunflowers. Also, making these little fairy gardens was a great way to spend a warm fall afternoon.
big sister, baby brother
5) It’s a special privilege and responsibility to be the oldest and it’s a blessing to see you in the role. As a ten year old, you’ve grown in love and care for your sibs–especially for this littlest brother. I love the kindness you spread in our family!
first day of school at school
6) You’ve transitioned to three days a week at school beautifully and I’m so happy for you. You seem to be fully engaged in all the activities and learning that happens there and it’s great fun to watch. I still love having you home too.
Dancing in the Christmas program
7) Speaking of school, you joined the Hallelujah Dance team and got to perform this dance in costume, native to the Karen. You move gracefully and soak up all the details that go with the dance.
slip n slide
8) You definitely have a bent for adventure and laughter with a streak of the competitive spirit in there! You like to invent games and competitions and laugh your way through them.
9) You’re never far from a good book. It can be a challenge to keep enough new material in front of you, but thankfully you like to re-read your favorite books over again. You even started a Bible club with your brother and sister, taking some time together in the very best book.
the North Shore
10) You have a love for God’s world and a taste for new experiences in it. We spend a lot of time going back to the favorite, well-worn places and the favorite well-worn people, together as a family. And you love that–I think we all love it best. But I see a desire for more in you–a desire to know more of God’s world, the different people and places. There is a desire to serve God and share him in places we’ve never been. My prayer is that God would grant this to you. That He would make a level path for your feet. That He would equip you to do every good work that He’s already prepared for you in advance. May you say with all your heart, “The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.” (Psalm 16:5, 6) May you share that inheritance, the gift of God’s Son, with many people for the glory of God with joy.
It is such a happiness and pleasure to to call you daughter.
