Dear Elisabeth… Fifth Grade will be like none of your other school years. You, my dear Elisabeth, have changed. Your self-confidence has grown and you are shining. This inner sparkle comes from your security that Jesus loves you. It also comes from your love to imagine and create. God’s love for you will never change;...Continue Reading
Oh, my sweet Catie. Today feels the most significant of all your first days of school. All those other first days—in Pre-K, and elementary, and middle school—seem like they were all leading up to today. The first day of high school feels like the first day of the rest of your life. Grades “count” now....Continue Reading
Dear Sam…. Yesterday, when I was worrying about some detail about your school year, a friend said to me, “I think this will be Sam’s best year yet.” Just like that, I knew what she said could be true for you, Sam. So, what do you say we just claim this as a promise for this year? Let’s...Continue Reading
Dear Nate, Today is your first day of Third Grade! Your older brother and sisters are so excited to tell everything you’ll need to know. They want to teach you everything—from how to earn a multiplication sundae to how to make your teacher like you to the secret of being popular. The truth is you...Continue Reading
Thursday, August 24 We first paid attention to Harvey on Tuesday this week, as more and more models had it hitting Houston with tons of rain. On Thursday, we bought cases of bottled water and started to pray. With each news report, the hurricane was getting stronger so I drove down to Galveston to button...Continue Reading
Dear Catie…. Today starts the end of middle school for you. As everyone said they would, the past three years have gone faster than Reece’s in your lunch bag. (Very fast.) You are unique, sweetheart. Your effervescence and joy make you so fun. Yes, you have ALL THE ENERGY ALL THE TIME, which makes you seem so...Continue Reading
Dear Sam…. It’s crazy I’m writing your first-day-of-school letter at almost the end of September. This has been such a chaotic start to this school year. Hurricane Harvey has made everything later and backwards and awkward and different. Actually, this might be the perfect way for you to start Fourth Grade. Because, Sam, you love the crazy and...Continue Reading
My Elisabeth…. I see you, my strong-willed, hard-working, do-gooder daughter. I see how you are the first one up. Your uniform is on before the sun is shining. Your bangs have comb marks in them. I see you, doing your homework before we even pull in the driveway. I see how you try so hard to do...Continue Reading
Oh, Nate, my dear boy. You are so excited for this year. Daddy and I are excited for you too. No doubt about it, Nate, Second Grade will be fun. We are so sure that this year will be your best yet–we are simply expecting it. To be honest, I worry that we all expect too much from...Continue Reading
Dear Sam…. Your letter is hard to write because there is so much I want to tell you. This summer you have grown up so much. Because of all the ways you’ve matured, I think Third Grade will be your best year yet. Sam, as I’ve prayed for you over the years, I’ve asked God...Continue Reading
