Friday, January 6, 2012

Emily Diane, Christ's Delight




A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she never outgrows your heart.                                                                   ~Unknown



January 8th is a special day for RB and me.  It was the day a big 8-pound, dark-haired baby girl stole our hearts.  So perfect, so loved -- not only by us, but by her 9-year-old big sister.  And now 19 years later, she's perfect to us and still so loved.




Like Hannah, we presented our Emily at the temple, offering her to God.  And in the dedicating my heart sang with Samuel's mother, "My heart rejoices in the Lord."  I'm still singing.   I don't know all God is planning for Emily's life, but she's in the care of our Heavenly Father and that's the best place I can leave her.



There she is, Miss Emily...
There she is, Christ's delight... 
She  walks with determination to live, not for self, but with joy for her Heavenly Father,
Choosing each day to walk in obedience.

There she is, Miss Emily... 
There she is, Christ's delight...
She glows, not only in physical beauty, but from within by the Light of the World,
Until Christ, not Emily, is praised 

There she is, Miss Emily...
There she is, Christ's delight...
She steps into her 19th year full of anticipation, full of the God she loves,
Preparing, yet waiting, secure in God's plan.


* * * * *

Birthday Twins
Scroll down to hear Ethan play the piano
My oldest daughter, Melanie, also birthed a child on January 8th.  Emily thinks Ethan was the best birthday present ever!  Melanie has begun creating books for each of her children, recording special activities, cute things they say and achievements.  I wish I would have started that with my daughters.  Here are a few things I would have written in Emily's book. 


I would love to purchase this
Mother's Jounal for my daughters.
1.  Daddy was playing the organ for a funeral while I sat in Grandma Sankey's office at the hospital, waiting to check in.  Grandpa Sankey finally insisted that he finish the postlude quickly -- and head to the hospital.  

2.  I found you having your devotions just like Melanie -- only your Bible was upside down.

3.  We lost you once.  Daddy walked to church first to play the organ.  I went a bit later, thinking you had gone with him.  After a church-wide/parsonage-wide/school-wide search, we found you -- curled up in Melanie's bed fast asleep.

4.  When Daddy called Grandpa for his birthday, he had a big surprise to tell him -- a new baby was on the way.  Grandpa Kuhn said, "I knew it -- I've been praying about that."

5.  You would never play the "I love you best" game.  You'd say you loved Daddy-o, Momma and Sissy the best. When Grandma and Granddad Cessna were visiting you always included them, too.

6.  You and Grandma Kuhn had a special bond.  You were born right after Grandpa Kuhn died and you were a comfort to her.  

7.  You always loved to shelter.  Sweet notes and verbal encouragement were your trademark.



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24 comments:

Esther Asbury said...

Here's wishing your beautiful daughter, Emily, a Very Happy Birthday!

Rebecca said...

Happy Birthday, Emily!
And how I enjoyed "Jingle Bells". Keep up the good work, Ethan.

Nikki (Sarah) said...

Hi Pamela...I love the way you speak about your girls. It's how I feel about my two. Yours are beautiful and I wish Emily a huge happy birthday.

The Dickinsons said...

Hey, Pam. SO GLAD that Jesus sent you your sweet Emily! =) I

was so saddened to read the post about your health. I had no clue that you were suffering with all of that. You have been in my prayers! May God continue to give you strength you need as you be the wife/Mommy/Grandma/and writer you desire to be for Him. =)

Sending you a hug, =)
~Heather~

Jane said...

I'm sure your daughter will treasure what you wrote forever, Pamela! My mother sent me a little note about the day I was born instead of a birthday card and it touched my heart so! BTW, you have a lovely daughter!

a joyful noise said...

Birthdays are reminders that this child is God's gift. May your Emily be blessed as she ventures into unknown territory as an adult. God is at her side and will guide her. Your grandson was such a delight to be born on someone's birthday. I was born on my Grandmothers birthday. And my youngest daughter was born on her great grandpa's birthday. Such fun when this happens.

Lisa notes... said...

Happy birthday to your Emily! She's beautiful. She is obviously very loved.

Doris said...

Happy Birthday to your sweet daughter! What precious memories you shared. No one in our family shares a birthday, except our twins of course. Our second daughter was born 2 days before my birthday....she was so overdue that I wasn't about to wish she would wait 2 more days !

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday Emily and Ethan! What a wonderful tribute to cherish, just like your daughter, Pamela.

God bless you!

Ruth said...

Beautiful thoughts from a mother's heart. Enjoy what God has given.
Blessings.

Brandee Shafer said...

Happy Birthday, Beautiful Girl! May God continue to bless and keep you.

Sharon said...

Pamela, this was just so sweet. Our children - they grow up, but they never leave our hearts, do they?

A very Happy Birthday to your dear Emily. She is a beautiful girl, both on the outside, and on the inside where it counts!

May God richly bless her this coming year - and may she continue to know how very much she is loved - by her mom, her dad, her family, and by her Heavenly Father.

GOD BLESS!

(I need to go get a Kleenex - this one got to me...)

Laura said...

Happy birthday to Emily and Ethan! What a sweet tribute. Christ's delight, indeed. And Mamma's too :).

Jodi said...

Our children never grow too old for encourgement. This is just right!

Unknown said...

What a beautiful family! Great post!

alittlemorelikemary.blogspot.com

Karen said...

Happy Birthday and a big God bless you.

Unknown said...

I just love your #4. Overall, what a sweet tribute from one terrific lady from another.

Jenn Erickson said...

Pamela, January 8 is indeed a blessed day for your family! Thank you for sharing your beautiful family and all your blessings!

Warmest wishes,
Jenn

Renee said...

This post is sweet and so is your daughter! So glad you shared her bright light with us.

Amy Sullivan said...

The love you have for your girls oozes from the screen. Inspiring.

Marci Ferrell said...

Beautiful post Pamela - I love the pictures of your girls. Thank you for sharing :)

Charlotte said...

What a blessing to have girls like yours. Thank you for sharing them with us.
Blessings to your beautiful family.
Charlotte

Melanie N. Brasher said...

This is such a beautiful tribute to your daughter! I'm sure this will be the greatest birthday gift. Happy Birthday to Emily!

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

What a wonderful family you have,and Ethan plays very well. Lovely. xx