Today, You Turn 8 Years Old!

My Love, look how grown up your are?

Did you know that when you lay on me, that it is when I am most comfortable?
You are a sleepy-head in this picture and you just wanted to love on Momma!

Madyson Elyse Johnson, I cannot tell you enough how good you are for my soul. When I say that you brighten our world, I don't want you to take it lightly. If God is light, than Sissy, you are a beam of His sunshine. You radiate all things beautiful. Let me tell you how, at 8 years old:
you strive to serve the Lord---- In EVERYTHING (even Barbie-playing)

• Did you know that while we were at Nana and Poppi's you made a sign that read "Mady's Bible Class, ages 3 and up, Lesson: The ark of the covenant" and you set it out along the street by their driveway? You waited patiently for anyone to show up and were kind of sad when we had to leave for the evening. The thing about that is, you showed me that you have confidence in the Word we are placing in you. You are ready to share it!
• Did you know that you weren't going to participate in the Easte egg hunt because you said, "Mom, I can't serve the Lord and hunt these eggs, I am too competitive and if I lose, I will cry and be angry." This gave me a peek into your heart: you know that serving the Lord is worthy to replace "fun" things if it causes you to sin. There are many adults that still don't know this or aren't willing to sacrifice the "fun."
• Did you know that when you play Barbie's,  I hear lessons of following the Lord come out? Your imagination incorporates wisdom into playtime. For example, I hear your wife Barbie taking care of her husband and helping him at his work (your Barbies often live on a farm, the wife "makes clothes" for her family, while her husband is working the fields she is taking care of toddlers and is always pregnant;) At times, I hear you talk about when you have to discipline the children for being mean to siblings. And, I cannot tell you enough how precious it is, when you take a break from playing, come find me and talk my ear off about what is going on in "The Domestic Housewives of Barbie-World"  Mady, your imagination just rolls on and on and the stories you create are sincere and real-life like; at least the way the world should be. You have Godly roles planted deep within you and it shows me that you WILL become a woman of God. You are certainly His child.
• Did you know that you were ready to quit soft-ball this year because the other children were disrespectful and rude? As you listen to their conversations at practice and how mouthy they were, you ran over to me with tears and said you needed to just take piano this year. You were devastated by how sassy the kids were, you were so smart and sweet as we discussed why it is that the kids are naturally mean. You came to understand that we are all natuarally sinners and that it is just in our blood to act worldly. We talked about how humans need a Savior to change our hearts; it is the only way to be made new. In our discussion, you saw what happens when kids don't have parents that intentionally place the Word of God in their hearts, it is a terrible thing for their souls because they are so young and already the serve the devil...Momma explained that instead of quitting soft-ball, you be the example, you be the God-girl, most importantly, you be the city on hill.
• Did you know you are CONSTANTLY looking for ways to make others happy. You share often, there are times where Mika has pushed too far and you'll say, "Mom. I gave her this, this, and this, and I am not giving her this!" I'm so proud of the fact that you sacrifice for your sissy's happiness, I would have left Stephy to just cry and I'd probably have rubbed it in her face that I had what she wanted. Speaking of Stephy, you made her a ribbon tree for her wedding, but this was not enough. You got her decor that said, "When I count my blessings, I count you twice," but that was not enough. You took $15 of your own money and bought her a tube of perfect 50's red lipstick at Crescent Hotel while she was getting her hair done. It was called Red Zen and it was so perfect with our dresses that every bridesmaid and Stephy wore it during the wedding!! Sissy got upset that you got Stephy all these things and decided to hop on the band-wagon, she used her "own money" to get Stephy blue nail-polish! Any way, you are constantly thinking of Ashton and what you could send her, pretty much anywhere we go you can come up with something you think someone else would like. You ARE NOT a 'me-centered' 8 year old!
• Did you know that some of your favorite quick-read picture books are 'Will it be Okay, Mom?', 'Someday', and 'I Loved You Before You were Born'... each of these deals with the stages of the life-cycle. You understand that we live and we die and that in all this ruckus of life, one thing matters; Do you glorify God? That is it. Period.
• Did you know, you designed your own birthday cake? You even wanted your cake to display the Glory of God:

Great design! You did good;) You wanted an African sunset because Daddy was in Angola, a cross, and the words "God is Love" your cake is so much better than the green dog I chose for my 8th birthday party!

• At your party you asked if we could have a Bible study, but amidst all the fun, time got away and what do ya know, Momma had everyone on a pallet watching Jack  and Jill...Sorry.

Sis, 8 years ago today, honestly, I didn't know what I was doing. I knew I had an awesome responsibilty and that I was coming face to face with unconditional love, but I didn't know you would hold me together, I had no idea that you would teach me. I try to explain to you how much love I have stored up for you at times...I'll say, "Gah....I just love you so much, Oh, man, it's just like all this love is pouring out of my fingertips, I cannot control it, what can I do with all this love..." You just grin and hug me or kiss my cheek.

Father, thank You! I rejoice for this precious child You have given me as a gift. What a gift she is. Provide the wisdom I need to shepard her heart. She is such joy in a dead world and I know You have plans for her that surpass what I imagine. Show me how to provide for her best, show me how to draw out her gifts, God. Do not let me impose my will on her, just Yours. Father, I thank You that Jesus' blood allows to fellowship with you and I charge angels to gather about her all of her days. Thank You. Thank You. Amen!