Areyna Joy Turns 13

On February 28th our Areyna Joy entered the first stages of womanhood.

 I don't believe Rainy even realizes just how special this night was yet,

(primarily because she hates the spotlight and I'm sure she was a little bit uncomfortable:)

but we know that the Holy Spirit was present and the words spoken penetrated deep

and that she will slowly realize the significance of the evening.

What I loved most about this is that her daddy, Josh, was in charge of the entire evening!

He did some research (mostly through Focus On The Family) and came up with a plan.

He put together a list of biblical virtues and emailed several ladies from our MC, 

her grandmothers, small group leaders,

 as well as some other key women in her life.

Each lady chose a virtue from the list and after praying over it they wrote out what they

felt like the Lord wanted to say to Rainy through them.

Here is the list of virtues:

Modest In Dress And Conduct

Holy Living

Truthful In Speech And Life

Gentle And Quiet

Cares For The Home

Serves Others

Someone Who Can Be Trusted

Prudent In Financial Matters

Hard Worker

Seeks To Do The Right Thing And Have A Good Reputation

Seeks To Internalize Biblical Wisdom

Perseverance

We began the evening by praying and then quickly going around the room 

introducing ourselves and our relationship to Rainy.

Then I read a letter to Rainy that I wrote about the joy and roles of being her mom.

After that we went around the room and everyone spoke/read what they had prepared on their virtue.

I guarantee that I wasn't the only adult who was moved and convicted and encouraged by the words of the other ladies in the room that night!

At the end of each person's words they would go light one of the 12 white candles on the table.

By the time we got around the circle each white candle was lit.

Her daddy then went into the shifting of our role as parents as she gets older.

Her growing responsibility and maturity will be taking more of a lead role in her life.

We then circled around Rainy, and her friends that had come (who are around the same age)

and we prayed over them.

After the prayer Rainy went to the table and blew out all 12 of the white candles,

signifying the past 12 years 

and lit the single pink candle 

as she accepted the responsibility of these virtues in womanhood.

What a sweet, sweet evening!

Of course, all those who have spoken life and truth over our daughter were not present,

there simply isn't enough room in the Colony Casa for that, ha!

How blessed we are to be surrounded by women of truth and light ,

who take responsibility as we raise this next generation to love and cherish the Lord Jesus Christ.