Indie's Day!

Yesterday was Indie's 9th birthday! As I reminded her over and over, I just really can't believe it's been 9 years!

Starting Monday afternoon, I started talking about what we were doing 9 years before. I could tell she liked hearing the little details of what was going on back then. She chuckled as she had a realization of how young Ray really was! When it became a tangible thought that Ray was actually younger than her little cousins, Indie almost couldn't believe it.

I told her of how Henry and I were watching a rented movie (Red Square - it did not catch my attention and I don't remember anything except that it starred Richard Gere) when we decided it was time to head to the hospital. We took Ray to a friend's house, a friend she can't even remember (they have lived outside of AL for the last several years) and excitedly went to the hospital to have a baby!

**Indie, you are a precious joy in our lives. You have always been the smiling-est of children we've ever known. Your fun-loving spirit always keeps the house in a silly mood (even though we sometimes need it to be serious!) and you need to know that this is DEFINITELY a gift from God. There is no doubt your Heavenly Father has huge plans for you and we can't wait to see how God continues to guide your life. You encourage us with your natural love of people and the way your friendly approach to life is such a blessing to everyone in range of your gorgeous smile.

You really are a beauty inside and out. You have a strong maternal instinct and are such a dear blessing as you help take care of your brothers. I honestly appreciate all the ways you step in to help me. You make things much easier for me and I am so glad I can count on you to be a loving helper.

I hope you will continue enjoying this busy summer we are in and will keep playing ball in such a fantastic fashion. You're a strong player and we're very proud of you. We're sorry the crazy ball season has prevented us from doing anything super-big for your birthday but you know we're not done celebrating yet!

WE LOVE YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, INDIE!

1 Peter 1:6-9 NLT So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.