Letters to Lev #12

Sweet Baby,

It is with a full heart that I write you your 9 month letter. THere is so so much to be thankful for in you. I could fill books and books about it, but instead, I have to limit myself to writing a few scant words. Pop and Iare so thankful that the Lord brought you to life, and gave J courage to carry you around for 9 months and find us to be your parents. I think about all the babies that dont get a chance at life for reasons only God knows, and I think about the wondrous miracle that your intricate life is, and what a testament to the glory of God you are- that you should be here thriving with us, and be loved by so many.

Pop and I pray so hard for you, especially now that you are so much more verbal and independent. We pray that you would be a strong oak tree, a planting of the Lord like it says in Isaiah 61, and that you would walk in a manner worthy of God like it says in Colossians. We pray that you would always have the big heart full of love you have now and boldy share Gods love with others. More than anything we pray that God would give you real godly sorrow over your sin and that you would become His child.

We have such good memories of you this month- things that are uniquely you:
You pooped all over an exersaucer at the gym.
You fell into your toy box and broke it.
You chase the vacuum cleaner around every day- you cant get enough of it.
You hate your sippy cup, and prefer to drink from a cup.
You put the tips of your fingers together when you are having a quiet moment.

And the things you can do are boundless:
You can tell me what a doggie says and say Love ( or Lev), Hello, Hammer, bye bye, and imitate the things other people say.
You can pull up on everything and everyone.
You can take steps when you hold onto people's hands,
You cruise around the kitchen table, the living room, your crib, and anything else you can pull up on.
You give kisses.
You can identify the number 5 and 8 in Russian, but not English or Spanish.
You like to listen to us read to you from the Bible, and can sit quietly through 35 minutes of a 45 minute sermon.
You crawl to where ever you cant get yourself by cruising or holding someones hands.

We are so proud of all your accomplishments, and that you are thriving with us. The Lord has been so good to us. A lot of people told us scary things about adopting babies, and we are so happy to say that they are all wrong, just like we thought they would be. Only the Lord knows the end of stories. Make sure that you remember that- the Lord knows the beginning and the end of all things, and that fact alone should make you unafraid to take on challenges in life. Never Never let someone else talk you out of something unless what you want to do wont bring glory to God. Then it's ok to let it go. But always pursue what you love to the Glory of God.

And lastly, my last piece of advice is that as you are super social and talk to everyone, always keep in mind the TRUTH- God is sovereign over all things. He is Lord of your life, and the author of truth. The Bible is your guide to life, not Dr. Oz, or whoever the new Oprah will be, or anyone else. As you grow and talk and learn, people will tell you a lot of things. Some of them wont be true. But Pop and I endeavor to teach you what it true and right, and God honoring, and we want you to always remember that. Embrace the truth that sets you free, and challenge lies with the Truth of God. Phillipians 4: 8-9 says, "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."

Love,
Mom