Finishing 3rd grade strong. Her first summer as a typical american school child. The beach with the family for 10 days. Best friend from the orphange (Kloi) spent several days with Ellie. Missing her "Alex" as Alex is taking flight in life and not home as much, for days at the time. Learning to swim, even in the deep end then jumping off diving boards. Cousin Camp. Baptism, Ellie loves her Heavenly Father. The start of a new school year... a big 4th grader. Oh and did I say that she has done all of this with that huge smile on her face?! Not least you think she is perfect... we do experience a strong will that equals the passion when she has that huge smile on her face... the strong will just doesn't show up as often as the smile. One passionate little girl.... what does God have in store for her?
the kids all had a great time at the beach. Ray has had to work a lot this summer, more than Ellie is used to. Ellie has been asking when we could go back to the beach. "Daddy we are a family at the beach, we are all together and you don't have to work." I like the family time at the beach too!
Ellie had a lot of pool time this summer....
and loved every minute of it!We had "cousin camp" at the farm in July. About 20 kids ranging from 6- 18 (all of Ellie's cousins on my dad's side of the family), along with their parents and some of the grandparents. Fun to be had by all. We do crazy things like race to see who can eat a doughnut off of a string that has been tied to a clothes line. Ellie decided that wasn't for her, but Keeli went after that doughnut with gusto. And yes... the adults participate in these crazy activites too.
We also do some crafts, swim, play games, eat (a lot) and have a grand time!
On August 9th Ellie was baptized. She was prayed for in the service and then dunked in the Harpeth River. I am truly amazed at her understanding of the love her Heavenly Father has for her. But then again, God is the author of her story.
You can see that this little girl, once an orphan, and now not only part of a family, but part of God's family has had a full and happy summer. School has started and she has yet again already made a ton of friends. And now.... her story continues. May she always embrace the story that God is writing.
She has so much love and life to give... may she always take the opportunity to bless others with what God has given her.
