It seems like only yesterday,
We waited to meet our little bundle.
Someone we had been waiting to meet for so many months
We wondered what you would look like, who would you resemble.
What would your personality be like.
As more siblings were added to our family you became such a great big brother! When they were with you I could be sure that everything would be taken care of, because that’s the way you liked things to be. In order and justice prevailing. You were also good at getting your sister Jennifer to do the things you didn’t have the courage to do. “Jennifer, you pick up that snake, Jennifer, you climb up that tree.”! As the years went on you became a big brother many times over and every time you had a love, a cuddle, a smile.
As I watch you watch you with your brothers and sisters now, I see how much your approval means to them. They look up to you and that is because of the many years of love you have given them.
You have always loved the farm life. When you were little and would work with your dad you would watch things so closely, and if something seemed out of the norm, you would tell him and usually it was a problem that needed attention. When it came time for you to start doing things on your own, some stuff you didn’t have to be taught because you had been so attentive over the years. We are still amazed many times at your maturity and dependability. I know I don’t say it to you enough but you are a very good worker.
We never bought into the lie of the world that thing called ‘teenage rebellion’. We were confident that if we raised you according to the way God tells us in His word that you would not rebel. I thought when we came to this day that you turned 18 I would say ‘We made it’! but instead I say the journey goes on. Yes we have come a long way together, but the journey is not over. You have grown into another stage in your life where you will be taking on more responsibility, and more decisions. And I can say that I am very confident that you will continue to be a steady, godly young man. I wondered when we got here, would I be afraid to let you make decisions for fear of you making the wrong one? Although I know none of us are perfect and you are no exception, I am confident of who you are in Christ. I am confident that you will not act on whims or feelings, but that you will follow the leading of your heavenly Father and continue to ask for the advice of your Dad. Because I know that over the years you have learned wisdom. Life has a way of teaching us things, and I believe that you have put to heart the things that you have learned.
I could not be more proud of you, I would never want anyone to replace you as our son. I am so glad that God chose you to be our first born and I look forward to many more years on this journey of life and learning. But just remember, we are still learning! Everything that happens from here on is still a first for us! But we still know and believe that when we ask God for wisdom He will give it to us. Praise Him for His grace and His never-ending love.
As you journey on may you fully understand the plan God has for you. May you not live your life according to the way you think man would have you live, but rather the way God would have you live. May you always look to Him for the decisions you will have to make. May you never take your eyes off of Him. May you love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. "Above all else, may you guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life". Proverbs 4:23
We waited to meet our little bundle.
Someone we had been waiting to meet for so many months
We wondered what you would look like, who would you resemble.
What would your personality be like.
Of course you decided that you would like to enter the world as a celebrity.
So you chose to be born on New Year’s Day.
We couldn’t think of a better way to start out the New Year.
So you chose to be born on New Year’s Day.
We couldn’t think of a better way to start out the New Year.
It didn’t take us long to realize the deep love that a parent can have for their child.
You were so perfect, little round face, 10 little fingers, 10 little toes, and to top it all off
amazing red hair.
You were so perfect, little round face, 10 little fingers, 10 little toes, and to top it all off
amazing red hair.
Our journey with you began. We sometimes felt sorry for you as we were new to this parenting thing and we had so much to learn. But we learned together. We knew that as long as we kept crying out to God for wisdom that He would direct our path. This doesn’t mean we didn’t make mistakes, we made many, but the forgiveness of a child and of our God is so refreshing. We had many live and learn moments and we still do.
You were such a cute little guy. You loved anything with wheels. You followed your dad around whenever you could. But you did not like bugs, donuts and mud (or anything else sticky or dirty).
You have given us so many memories. Remember this phrase “Are you going to take a picture?” A family shares so many things, little things that would mean nothing to others, but to us it is our identity. It a phrase or a word that we can say and only we know what it means!
As you began to grow up, we saw more and more the personality God gave you that was only unique to you.
I remember when you were with Dad and I when we were having a conversation with another adult how you would just stand there and stare at that person. Many times we would have liked to know what you were thinking, but you just stared with such concentration.
I remember when you were with Dad and I when we were having a conversation with another adult how you would just stand there and stare at that person. Many times we would have liked to know what you were thinking, but you just stared with such concentration.
As more siblings were added to our family you became such a great big brother! When they were with you I could be sure that everything would be taken care of, because that’s the way you liked things to be. In order and justice prevailing. You were also good at getting your sister Jennifer to do the things you didn’t have the courage to do. “Jennifer, you pick up that snake, Jennifer, you climb up that tree.”! As the years went on you became a big brother many times over and every time you had a love, a cuddle, a smile.
As I watch you watch you with your brothers and sisters now, I see how much your approval means to them. They look up to you and that is because of the many years of love you have given them.
You have always loved the farm life. When you were little and would work with your dad you would watch things so closely, and if something seemed out of the norm, you would tell him and usually it was a problem that needed attention. When it came time for you to start doing things on your own, some stuff you didn’t have to be taught because you had been so attentive over the years. We are still amazed many times at your maturity and dependability. I know I don’t say it to you enough but you are a very good worker.
We never bought into the lie of the world that thing called ‘teenage rebellion’. We were confident that if we raised you according to the way God tells us in His word that you would not rebel. I thought when we came to this day that you turned 18 I would say ‘We made it’! but instead I say the journey goes on. Yes we have come a long way together, but the journey is not over. You have grown into another stage in your life where you will be taking on more responsibility, and more decisions. And I can say that I am very confident that you will continue to be a steady, godly young man. I wondered when we got here, would I be afraid to let you make decisions for fear of you making the wrong one? Although I know none of us are perfect and you are no exception, I am confident of who you are in Christ. I am confident that you will not act on whims or feelings, but that you will follow the leading of your heavenly Father and continue to ask for the advice of your Dad. Because I know that over the years you have learned wisdom. Life has a way of teaching us things, and I believe that you have put to heart the things that you have learned.
I could not be more proud of you, I would never want anyone to replace you as our son. I am so glad that God chose you to be our first born and I look forward to many more years on this journey of life and learning. But just remember, we are still learning! Everything that happens from here on is still a first for us! But we still know and believe that when we ask God for wisdom He will give it to us. Praise Him for His grace and His never-ending love.
As you journey on may you fully understand the plan God has for you. May you not live your life according to the way you think man would have you live, but rather the way God would have you live. May you always look to Him for the decisions you will have to make. May you never take your eyes off of Him. May you love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. "Above all else, may you guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life". Proverbs 4:23
1 comment:
happy birthday, josh! enjoy this new stage of life! rosie, thanks for your words... they are beautiful.
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