I know I said that my next blog post would be about what I’m learning about the cost of destiny, but today is my daughter’s second birthday and I just want to take a few minutes to give a shout out to an incredible little girl.

From the beginning, we knew that Evelyn was going to be special. When I was pregnant and the ultrasound technician saw Evelyn flip-flopping around inside of me, her first words were, “Wow! This one is going to be a mover and a shaker!” Every time a doctor or nurse would try to listen to Evelyn’s little heartbeat, they would say things like, “This one is going to be a handful!” and “Here’s a kid who’s going places!”

My husband and I believe with all our hearts that she truly is going to be a mover and a shaker. Every child has unlimited potential, and my kids are no different. Evelyn is going places. She is destined for great things. (And yes, she is a handful!)

I was thinking about this today as Evelyn and I were watching a worship DVD together. She LOVES music! Although she may not yet fully understand Jesus and what He did for her, Evelyn has a heart that is drawn to the things of God. As a parent, there is nothing that I could desire more for my child than that. My cup overflows. (As I watched her watching her DVD, so did my eyes. And, unfortunately, my nose.)

I used to parent in the moment. Something I’m learning lately, however, is that it’s absolutely key to parent with a vision for the future. God has HUGE plans for our children. We need to get a hold of those dreams and begin to visualize them and confess them and pray them over our kids. This is what I’ve started to do with my children. It changes everything.

All that to say, happy birthday Evelyn. You are such a beautiful, special, gifted little girl. I believe with all my heart that you are going to grow up and change the world for Jesus. It is such an awesome responsibility to be entrusted with such an amazing little person! I love you all the way to the moon. And back again.