As I recall the last eighteen years with you, many memories fill my mind.

Pink baby socks and hair bows...
Your little voice when you learned to say Abigail...
The song about the "boolish" man who built his house upon the sand...
Running through the yard barefoot with the sprinklers on in the hot summer sun...
Snow cones and sticky fingers at the ball park...
Lemonade stands in the front yard...
Soccer cleats and piano lessons...
Roses for violin and dance recitals...
Watching you look at books for 45 minutes when you were only 18 months old--you still love books and your passion for reading has grown over the years...
The time you said thank you to your mother after a disciplinary action...
You dressed in white at age 6 with me in my tuxedo dancing to butterfly kisses...
The excitement of your first father daughter banquet and the bittersweet feelings of your last...
Bedtime prayers as a toddler, Bible stories as a child, and later deeper conversations about God, your life, your future; character qualities to develop in yourself and to look for in others....Gracie, these are the times I will miss the most.

When you were a child we set the course for your life, the decisions that would affect you the most were made by your parents--the decisions about how and where you were educated, where we live, where we go to church, and what we teach in our home about God. Through God's sovereign providence many things have come together to shape you into the person you are today. My prayer for you is that you will continue to walk the "narrow way" as you transition from our home to life in college.

Beware that everyday life is a challenge...we live in a world filled with distractions and temptations. The world will pull at you relentlessly. At some point your faith and your beliefs will be challenged, do not be surprised by this, but rather be prepared for it.

Be wise in your decisions, even small ones may have profound effects on the rest of your life. Do not be afraid to take on leadership responsibility when necessary, but do so with humility and a servant's attitude. Be friendly to everyone, but choose your friends carefully...they will have more influence on you than you think. Never try to be noticed, but live by a code of conduct that honors God...as if you live for an audience of One. Remember to pray everyday, giving thanks to God for the provisions and opportunities of each day. Do not take for granted His kindness and grace toward you.

You are our first born daughter, a blessing from God and we are truly grateful. We love you very much and count it a privilege to call you our daughter.

Love,
Dad