You are magical. What a little lady you're becoming, as you fit into the spirit in you we've seen since you were a baby. We've always known you'd be tenacious. Your love for making most things hilariously difficult for us started from the day you were born. You have a stubbornness about you, which I'm sorry to say came from... both of us. But you've always had this delicate sweetness and your outgoing personality melts anyone. As you've gotten older, and more recently, I've been blown away by your compassion showing through and how you love to love. I see it in the little things you do like all those mornings I was sick and hunched over the toilet (with your new sibling). You would rush over and brush my hair out of my face, and rub my back and then run back with a blanket to cover me with. Or in the way you look into your Daddy's eyes and rub his cheeks. Or how you rush over to help me clean a spill or kiss your friend's 'owie'. It's in moments like those that I see Jesus in you. And I couldn't be more proud.
Your name 'Elsie' is from the Hebrew word which means 'God is satisfaction'. Yes, and amen. God has shown me His fulfillment and satisfaction in incredible ways since having you. He has met me in my deep vulnerability and has satisfied my heart. He's turned my wanderlust into being so completely fulfilled and grateful with the simple and beautiful life He's given me right here through motherhood. And now, watching your eyes water while you sing is one of the most exhilarating parts of my day. I pray that God becomes your satisfaction. It amazes me how much your little heart is soaking up about Jesus already. In the middle of the night if you wake with a bad dream or need us, all it takes is me going in and praying over you out loud and you fall asleep instantly. In the sweet love of the Father.
I'm not sure you'll ever know, but one day I hope you do, how much you have shown me new depths of Christ's heart. I feel so grateful how He loves us so deeply and takes care of us. And I am so grateful that we get to take care of you.
> > >
Right now you're really into tea parties. You take great pride in intricately setting up the dishes and always pat next to you for me to sit by your side. You already rub and kiss my belly and I can't wait to see you as a big sister. And dancing! Oh, the dancing. You grab the remote and beg me turn on "muce', your word music, and you push the coffee table out of the way, grab whatever accessory you can find to put on, and start twirling and dancing through the living room. And it may just be one of the cutest things I've ever seen. You have a pretty amazing dad, because he doesn't hesitate for a second to jump right in with you and try to plie. Aaaand then it turns into you guys shaking your booties and all class has left the room. I do have to say that you got the African moves I've always wanted my child to have. Again, proud mama over here.
Whenever we go on walks it usually takes us an hour longer because you have to stop for everything. You smell every flower, wave hello to every person (even the guy selling drugs we walked past...yeah, that really happened), and collect every rock and cigarette butt possible. But we're trying to break you of the cigarette butt habit. Even though our walks feel more like city treks, we love laughing at you explore.
I can't believe you'll be two next month. I mean, how does that even happen?! I'm enjoying every day of you so far Elsie Sutherland.
Love,
Mama
