The Ponderings of a Princess on a journey to be more like the King Who created her...

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Princess Pictures

A Dance w/ her Daddy

A Daddy and his Princess

Nine Precious Young Ladies

Very proud Momma and Daddy

Beautiful Lyric

Lyric

The "real" Princess!

An Amazing 13 year old Princess!

Last Friday night we celebrated a beautiful group of young ladies.  They and their moms went through a 9 week study on Becoming a Modern Day Princess.  It was a game changer for all of us.  Friday night was the "crowning" moment.  Literally...  The girls were all dressed up in beautiful Princess attire and looked dazzling.  The Mom's and Dad's beamed with pride and God showed up.  It was beautiful (have I used that word too much)  Each Dad was able to speak a blessing over their daughters, and pray for them.  I cried the whole night.  Here is the blessing Bram spoke over his precious Princess.  (Stay tuned for pix!)


Lyric, our daughter.

Today we stand with you to give testimony to others of the great favor God showed to us. When He placed you in our hands the seed of joy was already planted in our hearts. It has grown and blossomed along with you. And my, how fast it is blossoming! What was once a small bundle with blinking, bright mahogany eyes and delicate fingers amazed us. What you are becoming continues to amaze us.

The day you were born, when you had none of your own, God's breath became your breath and our first prayer for you was answered. His claim on you began that moment. You are a treasure and we are the blessed ones. We have not stopped praying for you in the 13 years since.

For the past few weeks you have studied and shared in a circle of lovely girls and their beautiful mentors. You've dug deeply into the scriptures to understand better how God sees you, and how better to understand yourself. This is what your mother and I would like to add to these new discoveries:

Always remember that God is holy and He has chosen you. Psalm 93 says He clothes Himself in Majesty, Glory and Strength. In other words, this is His own personal style. He's a fashion trend setter. The great designer. And He does great work. He shines the light of His creativity on you. When God looks in the mirror, He sees… you. I want you to think about that. You are His reflection. So when you look in the mirror, you'll see the outward person, the body you are wearing. But you also are looking at your Great Designer. Look for Him there. See how He's shining in your eyes. Admire how your skin glows with His joy and excitement. Wonder at how His character continues to seep out every pore of your being as you continue to mature in wisdom, stature and favor among men. And continue to pursue an outward beauty that is a worthy decoration to this amazing inner beauty He is building in you, day by day. This, Lyric, is the meaning of 'Grace.' It's an elegance, beauty and modesty in your speech, your manner and how you carry yourself that says "I am a daughter of the King! And my King is amazing…"

When you see your Lord and King reflecting in the mirror along with you, there is no challenge you cannot face. There is no opportunity you will not joyfully pursue. There is no panic in the face of danger. Because what you see, is His perfect love for you. As 1 John 4:18 says, "perfect love casts out all fear." God intends to keep doing amazing things in and through you, and it starts with being well-dressed. With His strength; with His glory; with His majesty. Then you accessorize with your gentleness, humility, joy and gratitude.

Lyric, you are all these things and more. One blessing cannot suffice to cover all you have been to us and all you will be in the future. But for this moment, hear these words:

May the Lord continue to astound you with His grace and lovingkindness. May He clothe you in His righteousness, beauty and honor. May He shine brightly through you to the people you meet and influence in this world. May He make our joy complete by making this world a much better place through you. May He bless you with godly, wonderful friends, and may He guide you in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. (Ps. 23:3) And when the time is right, may those paths lead you to the man God has intended for you since the beginning of time so your joy may be complete.

Now to God who is able and willing to provide you with abundant grace, we ask that He would lavish these riches on you, above and beyond what even we - your parents - can imagine. May He use those riches to love the world through you. May you continue to grow in generosity, faith and kindness, which always add to beauty. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

We love you and are proud to be your parents.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Another Mile-stone in the Floria Household

Today Dempsey Claire got her Learner's Permit.  We knew the day would come.  We've been working toward it for a long time.  We've had all the "talks" about safety and defensive driving and taking care to be aware of road conditions...NOW the real stuff begins.  The beginning of our preparing her to "go it alone" out there.  I say I'm ready.  I think I can convince myself of it all.  But today, with her driving home from the DMV, permit in hand, it kind of hit me.  No turning back.  I'm so proud of her and have all the confidence in her I could possibly have.  I'm just not so sure about the "other guy".

"Father, as always, I give my baby to You and ask You to protect her as only You can."