Happy Birthday, Gracie Ann!

One year ago today, you came into this world already into the arms of Jesus. You touched more hearts in your short life than anybody we know. Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you. We miss you everyday and will continue to honor your life as much as possible until we are together again. Your family misses you lots, also. We are all forever changed because of you, Gracie. You are always in our hearts and we have so much love for you. We wish you were here with us. We often think about what you would be like, what your favorite toy would be, when would you take your first steps and what your first word would be. I could go on. God has been so good to us and has carried us through these days without you. Have fun at your big birthday celebration in Heaven. We love you, Gracie Ann! 

Psalm 66

1Shout for joy to God, all the earth;

2sing the glory of his name;

give to him glorious praise!

3Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds!

So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.

4All the earth worships you

and sings praises to you;

they sing praises to your name." Selah

5Come and see what God has done:

he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.

6He turned the sea into dry land;

they passed through the river on foot.

There did we rejoice in him,

7who rules by his might forever,

whose eyes keep watch on the nations—

let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah

8Bless our God, O peoples;

let the sound of his praise be heard,

9who has kept our soul among the living

and has not let our feet slip.

10For you, O God, have tested us;

you have tried us as silver is tried.

11You brought us into the net;

you laid a crushing burden on our backs;

12you let men ride over our heads;

we went through fire and through water;

yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.

13I will come into your house with burnt offerings;

I will perform my vows to you,

14that which my lips uttered

and my mouth promised when I was in trouble.

15I will offer to you burnt offerings of fattened animals,

with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams;

I will make an offering of bulls and goats. Selah

16Come and hear, all you who fear God,

and I will tell what he has done for my soul.

17I cried to him with my mouth,

and high praise was on my tongue.

18If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,

the Lord would not have listened.

19But truly God has listened;

he has attended to the voice of my prayer.

20Blessed be God,

because he has not rejected my prayer

or removed his steadfast love from me!