Dear 7-year-old Mackenna,

Six was a big year.  When you were six, you finished kindergarten.  You made friends without my help.  You learned to read!  You rode your bike without training wheels.  You showed us your leadership skills, your drive to succeed, your desire for independence.

I wonder what seven will be like for you.  What will you accomplish?  What quality will emerge from you that we haven’t yet seen?  What will you surprise us with?

I wonder if you know how incredible you are at age 7.  Do you realize that you are a stronger person than I could ever be?  Do you know how effortlessly you handle the battle you fight every hour of every day?  Do you know that the joy you exude is a gift for the rest of us?  That you are an example to me of how to graciously and courageously live the life God’s called you to?  You are my hero, Mackenna Joy.  And I am so proud of you.

Before you were born, Daddy and I prayed and asked God for a special verse to hang in your nursery.  He pointed us to this one.  I love how it fits your story so far and I pray that you will know and believe the promises it holds.

The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. –Zephaniah 3:17

Happy (belated) birthday, Sugar Booger!  I love you to the moon and back!