Happy 6th to the Bravest Person I Know...

 

That of course being Carys Jo Cottingham!

I just had to break the blogging silence (caused by nothing more that life:) to wish my beautiful darling a happy birthday. She is nothing short of amazing. To let her know how I feel on this day...

My Darling Carys,

About 6 and 1/2 years ago, God blessed me with the best birthday present ever. You see on that day, my 22nd birthday I discovered that God had placed a tiny life inside of mine. The joy, thankfulness, and honor that your Daddy and I felt at that time we thought could not be topped. Boy, were we wrong! I hope that you can one day understand how God used YOU to start a mighty work in your parents lives. When we were hoping to have you we discovered this verse:

Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

 

We knew that we must set God and His ways at the center of our lives if blessings such as you and Sawyer were ever to be. We have not been perfect, but we hope that with our every step we set an example for you on how to delight in the Lord.

My prayer for you is that one day you realize what so many people already know. God has chosen you, my dear, as an instrument through which to reveal His power, His love, His grace, and even His beauty. You have made me proud in so many ways, the least of which was your courageous spirit through your cancer journey. What blesses my soul even more than those days is you faith and love for God. You probably will not remember being upset to learn that you would not be required to have memory verses at school this year, or wanting a copy of the 10 Commandments for your new Kindergarten Friend who you felt was using God's name inappropriately, or even how you cried when you could not go to church because you were sick with a rash. You may not remember these times, but they have been defining moments in your life so far. Times when God confirmed to me that despite my many faults, you understand what in most important in this life...Faith, Service, and Dedication to God.

It is so hard for me to look at you and think that you are only SIX! What a full and blessed life you have lived already. But guess what!?! I just know that if you live by Psalm 37:4 you will have many, many more blessings in store. I have loved having you as my child, and I cannot wait to watch the rest of your life unfold.

I love you!

Momma