Holly's bday sunrise 1

This morning, as the sun was rising, I went out on the balcony to capture God’s greatness and pray blessings for my birthday girl.


Today is Holly’s 18th Birthday. She actually has written on our refrigerator calendar, beside the month of June, “Holly’s Month”. She didn’t write “Holly’s Month” only because of her birthday, but she graduated, turns 18, has orientation at her new school, moves in to her dorm, and begins college life…all within a period of three weeks. So, yea, this is considered not only “Holly’s Month” but we should probably add the words “Holly’s Monumental Milestone Month”.
Last June 9th I posted a journal entry titled “Who Is She?” (Please click here to view.) Throughout the entry I had describe Holly as: free spirited, an adventurer, an old soul, loves history, loyal, beautiful, determined, chill, international, chosen, a child of God, my friend, my daughter…Holly. God gave me a bible verse to coincide with each description. I just went back and read that journal entry. The descriptive words are still true, the bible verses will always stand, but a few of the examples have differed or expanded for the better over the year. No matter what has changed, Holly is still my beautiful inside and out daughter!
A precious and talented friend of mine does what she calls doodling. I call it “God Doodling”. (Please click her to see her work featured in three other entries.) What happened was this: I told her about the thirteen descriptive words I had for Holly and asked her if she wouldn’t mind using her talent to create an 8×10 for each bible verse. Kathy agreed. She informed me that before she put a pencil to the each page she would talk to God. She prayed about what to draw, and for Holly. EACH time! I am so grateful for the talent that God gave Kathy and the prayerful intentions He placed in her heart. When she gave them to me and told me her process, she was rubbing her hands over the package of 8x10s as if she was still praying blessings over them. These pieces of art are special to me and now to Holly. She will be taking these to college with her as a reminder of who she is and Whose she is.
God Doodling for Holly, by Kathy Wall

God Doodling for Holly, by Kathy Wall


Holly, your mom and dad love you so much. You truly are a beautiful young woman inside and out. We pray that you will always seek God’s advice in all you do, grow in His wisdom and knowledge, and love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Remember who you are and Whose you are. As much as we love you and want the best for you, God loves you more and desires great things for you. He has a wonderful and perfect plan for your life. Seek Him always.
HaPpY 18th BiThDaY!!!!!
Free spirited: My brothers and sisters, God chose you to be free. But don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do what pleases your sinful selves. Instead, serve each other with love.”  Galatians 5:13.
Adventurer: ‘You will teach me the right way to live. Just being with you will bring complete happiness. Being at your right side will make me happy forever.” Psalm 16:11
Old soul: Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”-Mother Teresa
Loves history:  “Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us. Those things were written so that we could have hope. That hope comes from the patience and encouragement that the Scriptures give us.”  Romans 15:4
Loyal: “Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor.” Proverbs 21:21
Beautiful: “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”  1 Peter 3:3-4
Determined: “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”  Philippians 4:13
Chill: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”  Philippians 4:8
International: “The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.” Psalm 121:8
Chosen: “Be holy in everything you do, just as God is holy. He is the one who chose you.” 1 Peter 1:15
Child of God: “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.”  John 1:12
Myfriend:  “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.” Ecclesiastes 4:9
Daughter: “Children are a gift from the Lord, a reward from a mother’s womb.” Psalm 127:3
The Birthday Girl!  I love you, Holly Anne.

The Birthday Girl! I love you, Holly Anne.


I pray that each of you will enjoy soaking up The Son every moment of each day. –Stephanie
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