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February 11, 2011

Happy 16th Birthday Kerri!

Today marks the day that we first met Kerri 16 years ago. I remember that day well. It was storming the couple of days before and I was in the early stages of labor, so we decided to stay in at some friend's a little closer to the hospital in case the weather got worse. So we spent the night and by morning things had not progressed much so we decided to go home and feed the cows and then go back to our friends. Finally that evening things started to move forward so we headed to the hospital that evening, but Kerri was only born early the next morning. We were so happy to finally have her here. Three girls in a row.....WOW!

Kerri was a colicky baby for her first three months. From 7-11 every evening she would scream! I felt so bad, there was nothing we could do but rock her. Then when she was three months, it almost seemed like overnight, she stopped screaming and became one of the most contented, happiest babies we have had!

Kerri has always been the quieter, least demanding of our older children. But she also had this hilarious side that would surface once in awhile. She could be a real goof when she wanted to be! I think of her stuffing herself with layer after layer of dress clothes, crazy hair, mouth full of marshmellows, and her sweet smile that melted any heart. Mikaya reminds me a lot of Kerri when she was younger.

If I would think of one food that Kerri has liked since she was young, it would be potatoes. She could eat and eat and eat potatoes and never get sick of them! And of course because chips are made of potatoes, she loved them too!

As the years went on Kerri started to mature into a beautiful young lady. Because she was the youngest of the four older children, she always seemed to just go along with the flow of things. So she was able to have privileges earlier that the other children had to wait for. She was OK with that :)

Kerri was probably around 10 or 11 when we started to notice a genuine caring servant's heart in her. She was quick to ask forgiveness when she had been in the wrong. And she was the one who would complete a task when you would say, "Could someone please...." And it wasn't the fact that she just did it, but she did it with a sweet heart and attitude! Not only did Kerri make her own birthday cake this year, but she also made her birthday breakfast. Why? Well she told me it was because she likes to make things, but I know that it is more than that. She loves to serve her family!

And age has only made these qualities in her mature. Today I look at her and see how much I can learn from her. She has a purpose to what she does, she is committed to completing a task, she is quick to lend a helping hand, she has amazing self-control, she doesn't leave wrongs wrong,  and she works hard to keep the peace.

God has blessed her with an amazing singing voice. I love to hear her sing. But more importantly I love her heart of worship. When Kerri is on breakfast you can be sure there will be music playing and she will be singing her heart out. I will never forget one morning when I came out of our room and there was Kerri, eyes closed, singing to the love her life, Jesus, oblivious to all that was going on around her. That's Kerri, a worshipper.

Kerri, you have blessed our family beyond measure. I am so very thankful God gave you as a gift to us. And what a beautiful gift you are. We love you and pray that as you carry on in living your life for God that you will only draw closer to Him and experience all that He has planned for your life. Love you Kerisco.


For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13


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