Living to Learn

My baby turned 17 on Friday. Every year, she attends the Generation Unleashed Youth Convention in Portland, Oregon. This year, it fell on her birthday! She was not with us for the first time, and it did not help that I am already grieving about her “last” year at home. I did arrange for her youth pastor to get a great cake, and I sent supplies with her friends to decorate her bed. She had a great time worshiping and being with her favorite friends. Nicole is an amazing girl. She is funny, fun, bolder than I ever was, a great friend, a good big sister to the Littles, and full of big dreams. She is a great servant at church, and she has a real heart for those caught up in big sin. She is creative and passionate about the things she loves. She is the only girl I have ever known to crash into her own mom in a parking lot! :*) Her goals right now are to work hard so she can get into Portland Bible College, stay out of any more car accidents (fender benders actually), have as much fun with her friends as possible, continuing the journey with her best guy- God, marrying a boy from the South who says “ya’ll” and “supper”, reflecting the grace and classic beauty of Audrey Hepburn, and showing off her mad dancing skills as often as possible. She also wants to go on another mission trip this summer… big dreams… amazing girl… We love you Nicole! It has been quite a journey. You have taught us so much. We can only pray that we have taught you all you need to know to have a blessed life. We are proud of the young woman you are becoming. Our work is not finished here… but we are getting close :*)