Happy 21st Birthday, Lauren!!!

Well, it is here.  The 21st birthday of our oldest that we planned for 20 years ago, on her first birthday.  That birthday party was special. We had family members write mementos that would be given to Lauren on her 21st birthday - 20 years later.  That time capsule was stuck on the top shelf in a closet for what seemed like would be forever away. But it didn't take long to get here. Not long at all!

There are so many emotions about Lauren turning 21.  For one, the world considers her an adult - "legal" to drink.  But you know what? Lauren doesn't care about being able to drink legally (or illegally for that matter).  That's not important to her.  It doesn't affect her in any way.  Her "party" will be fun...and she will remember it....and she won't have to worry about what she might have done during the celebration.

Lauren is more mature than I was at 21, and I was married!  She has done things I probably never would have done - like gone off to Disney World to work last semester on the College Program!  What a wonderful experience!

She's fun. She's funny. She's talented. She's beautiful.  

But more than that, she strives to live her life in a way that pleases God.  She doesn't go along with the crowd, but strives to be the example of Jesus to those around her.  

We're proud of Lauren. She is pursuing her dream of being a sportscaster, just last night having made her TV debut on the college student-produced TV show.  

She's dreamed of that since the 5th grade when she first decided to go that route.  She's job shadowed Emily Jones at the Texas Rangers and been working towards that dream since that time.

But with all of those accomplishments and dreams, being a follower of Christ and sharing His love with others is what we want for her more than any earthly accomplishments.  Our prayer is that she continues to mature, that she marries a man who has those same goals, and raises our future grandchildren up in the Lord and His church.  Nothing else matters.

We can be successful parents in many ways, but if we have failed at teaching them the spiritual truths of God's Word, then we have failed.  Lauren knows that and believes it.  She knows that is the most important thing in life.

Lauren, we love you to the moon and back. We look forward to spending the weekend with you and seeing you open your time capsule and other special gifts.  The years have passed quickly, but we're thankful to have seen you grow every step of the way.  We are thankful God allowed us to be your parents.  We have been blessed by having you in our lives.

I'll leave this post with my favorite passage, which you've known most of your life.  Follow it, always.
I love you!!
MOM :)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

    and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him,

    and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6