Growing up...not too fast.

I remember the day she was born. I remember the cute things she would say as a little girl. I remember the first time she took ballet. I remember the rehearsals and recitals over the next eight years. I remember how graceful she has always been (I'm biased). Dancing looked easy for her, although I knew it wasn't. She had a good sense of rhythm, maybe because both of her parents are musicians (though her mom has much better rhythm than I do). As I write this I am listening to her play the piano...gracefully, I might add, just like her dancing. She "feels" music like she feels dancing. I remember the day she and her mother left for a mission trip to Jamaica and left her brother and sister and me to fend for ourselves for a week. She matured a lot that week. Actually, I think we all did.

I remember how fearful we were to begin homeschooling her. We thought we would try it through the third grade and see how it went. Over the years some people questioned our decision. But it went well. God allowed us to continue homeschooling way beyond the third grade. God was with us through all of her schooling.

Well, our little girl, Hannah graduated from High School last Saturday. She was a part of a Home School Graduation that featured fifteen students. It was a very moving ceremony. Parents presented diplomas to their children, each expressing words of respect, appreciation and love for one another. It was amazing to witness the bond that had developed between these graduates and their parents. Tears were flowing.

So what's next? Many people, upon the knowledge that Hannah would be graduating, have asked her, "So, have you figured out where you are going to go to college?" To most people, it seems that college is the expected next step. Hannah, though, is not so sure. We've visited impressive schools and spoken to some nice people. But nothing seemed obvious as far as direction for her. Hannah is seeking God's will for her future. At the present time, she is not feeling God's specific promptings and leading for her. As her parents, we are fine with that. My point is, her future should not be based on my or my wife's opinion. She does not need to fit into our mold for her. We will support whatever she chooses to do. We want to help her make the best decision possible for her. She does not want to waste time and money pursuing what may be the wrong direction for her. Ours (and Hannah's) main desire is for her to glorify God with her life wherever He chooses to place her. She is passionate about the arts (i.e. music, dance, etc.). For now, she will continue to work and lead worship with us at Mt Carmel as she seeks His plan for her life. We are proud of our little girl who is growing up and, thankfully, not too fast.

So, as Hannah enters the next season of her life, we will continue to trust God and His plan for our daughter. We love the baby girl who has grown up and become a beautiful woman right before our eyes. Our Heavenly Father, though, loves her even more than we do. He knows what is in store for her and, when all of us are ready, He will reveal His will to us for Hannah's future. So for now, we wait on The Lord and trust in Him.

But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 NKJV