Jada is 8!

Jada,
   You are one of the most tender hearted people that I have ever known.  Though I'm your mother, you teach me daily about vulnerability, tenderness and gentleness and you are one of my biggest comforters when I have tears.  You heart is pure and you really want to please the Lord.  You have said 'yes' to Jesus in you heart and you continue to say 'yes' to Him as you go about your days.  You are learning how to hold your hands open and you are learning to trust Him beautifully and honestly.  You are quick to repent and quick to forgive.
    I love the way you love.  You serve our family and your siblings without counting the cost and you continually give away what you have.  You love to draw and you give your artwork as gifts to many.  You are a sincere learner.  You perceive truth and you rightly discern what is good.  I'm learning that you are a perfectionist.  I'm learning that you refuel by having 'alone time' and although you enjoy your siblings, you especially like my focused attention when you are feeling tired.  You giggle a lot and you pay attention to details.  You are still very much a little girl...you enjoy playing restaurant, babies, school, 'the duggars', and 'little house.'  Most often you are the mommy in pretend play.  You are truly a care-taker and are drawn to babies everywhere we go.
    As you have become a big sister again, you have invested into Kason in ways that are mature beyond your years.  Your dad and I often talk about how you are emotionally SO deep and profound.  You understand and perceive, both spiritually and emotionally, at a level that most adults never reach.  I believe the Lord has and will continue to use you to display his tender and sincere heart of love to the world.  Right before Kason was born, you were feeling afraid that we might lose Kason like we did Mia.  You weren't sure how to process it, but you were able to lean into Jesus and trust Him.  You longed for him with great love and when he was born, I have never quite experienced the level of joy that I did getting to celebrate him with you.
    You have taken risks and trusted Jesus in new ways with your time as well.  As you started Oakwell, you took a risk, and the Lord was with you in new ways.  You are learning how to delegate your time with more school, piano, home life, church, Talitha Cumi and having free time to play.  You recently sat down exhausted and said, "I'm just feeling stressed about my fish tank not being clean.  I just feel like I don't have enough time." :)
    Through the influence of 19 kids and counting, you have decided that you want to wait to kiss until you get married.  We are more than happy to support that decision!  You have thought through it and don't see why you wouldn't want to wait and save your kisses.  Again...we are more than happy to support that decision :)  You also recently said that when Kiva gets married you are going to cry a lot of happy tears and will be so happy to celebrate with her.  Recently I've thought about Proverbs 22:11 "One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend."  This is you, dear girl...and the promise is that you will have The King as your friend.  

     Jada, I LOVE being your mom.  You are the one that made me a mommy and you are the first one to introduce me to each stage of childhood.  What an honor it is for me to raise you.  I pray that this year  you would be unafraid, bold, at rest, full of peace and not anxious for anything.  May Philippians 4 be your banner as you continue to grow into an incredibly beautiful young lady, both inside and out.  I love you my precious daughter.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."