Happy Birthday, Anna Lea!

December 21, 2001, at 10:53 p.m. Anna Lea Weathers made her grand appearance. I know every parent says this, but Jason and I were SO very thrilled at this blessing that arrived in our life 7 years ago today. She was everything we had hoped and prayed that she would be. I remember Jason praying with me as we drove to the hospital early that Friday morning and the excitement is his voice over the upcoming birth of his daughter could not be contained. Most of you know that Jason was pretty even kill most of the time, but he was so thrilled. After all of our family left the night she born, Jason and I just held her alone together thanking God for this precious baby girl. I remember Jason holding her in his big strong arms saying over and over again, "I can't believe she's mine!" And was she his! She was the spitting image of her daddy when she was first born. Jason and Anna Lea had such a close relationship. I wish I could fully describe to you in detail the love he had for her and it was so evident in so many ways, but I could see it in his eyes. I could see it each and every time he looked at her. She was his Anna Bug which later he shortened to just Bug. I can't believe 7 years have come and gone. Anna Lea has brought so much JOY to our lives and I am so proud that the Lord has allowed me the opportunity to be her mom.

I woke up this morning with such a heavy heart since Jason was not here to celebrate her 7th birthday. Not only was he missing her birthday, but something even more exciting and special. Anna Lea was baptized this morning in church and my dad had the honor of doing it. Oh, how I pray the Lord allowed Jason the opportunity to view her baptism from heaven. Almost 2 years ago, Jason and I had the privilege of leading Anna Lea to the Lord while sitting on our couch in Naples. It was such a holy moment and one that I will forever cherish. Jason and I had both prayed FERVENTLY since the day Anna Lea was born that she would choose to follow Jesus. I am so thrilled that she has chosen Jesus even at this young age and pray she'll continue pursue Him with her whole heart for all the days of her life.

Another REALLY exciting thing happened today and that was Sherri (aka ReRe) was also baptized. How special for the two of them to be baptized on the same day! It is so incredible for me to see all that God is teaching Sherri and I am so thankful that she too wants to follow the Lord. God is so good. Jason loved ReRe so much and I know he would have been beaming with JOY today to see these two following Jesus TOGETHER.

God is good and continues to be so faithful to our family. It has been a hard day, but good all in the same. I know there are many more of these days to come, but how thankful I am to have Jesus gently holding me through each one. I found it appropriate that the last song we sang today was, "Lord, I'm Amazed by You." I do stand amazed. I pray you do the same this week leading up to Christmas.