5 years have come and gone?

Where is this little girl? Can anyone possibly tell me?! Where did all those nonsensical babbles go? The stumbling around because you're still trying to learn to walk?

I've been looking for her this past weekend...but the big girl on the phone seems to have taken her place.
How is it possible, my dear Charis, that you are already 5 years old?!! Has it really been that long since you first made your appearance into our lives? ...since God did his first birthing miracle in our lives?! Since we became new parents? Truly. Has it been that long?
You are my precious, precious girl. I love you like I could love no one else. For the Hand of God has carved out a niche in my heart that can only hold love for you, my dear daughter. From the first time we found out we were expecting you...*surprise*....God began to knit my heart with yours as I began to try and imagine what motherhood was like.

We prayed while you were yet in the womb for specific things to be placed in your heart, your personality, your very being. And God, in all His sovereign wonder, has answered every one of those prayers.
For you bring joy to all who meet you. You speak Truth with a grace and wisdom that cannot possibly originate from such a young child. You love regardless of whether it is deserved. You love because you can.
You are precious to the Father. More precious than mere words could ever capture. Never doubt that. Never sway from that truth. For it is powerful enough to bring you through anything life throws at you.

When you were still in my womb, we made a "prayer appointment". Debbie, one of the three people praying for you during that hour, saw a vision:
"I see little running feet. Running after the things of the Lord. and then bigger feet running after things of the Lord. And then a little bigger. Make her a runner, Lord."

Already I can see where you do run after the things of the Lord. God has his hand on your life. There is no doubt. Here are some other things that the Lord placed into the people's mouths to pray, prophetically:

"Thank you for this child's gift of leadership. That she will point people to you. that popularity won't be in the way for her, but something that she can use as a tool."

"She'll easily answer the questions of her peers...and have the words to turn them to you."

"She'll continually ask 'What is Your plan?' and walk in it."

"Break the things spoken by doctors (over this pregnancy/delivery) of 'What will be, will be'!"

This one came to pass literally weeks later, as I went into preterm labor. He disproved the doctors' theories again and again as I remained in the hospital for a week, keeping you in the safety of the womb. Defying all odds, as they had said nothing would stop you from coming within hours after I was admitted.

And the people praying had no idea that were asking God for a pain-free birth. But HE did. And he used this prayer to encourage us in continuing to believe Him for the miraculous. To believe him for the things outside of the realm of "what will be, will be." Our God is bigger than that. HE is the Author of the unseen miraculous!

"I see a pair of lungs. ...God strengthen the lungs."

Again, the fruit of this prayer came a week later. Your lungs shouldn't have been as developed as they were. God did strengthen your little body in that hour of prayer. As I know he will continue to do...in perfect time. Regardless of what others say or expect. Your life, my dear Charis...down to the details of the unseen, like your little lungs... are ever before the King. And he will ALWAYS see to the details, as you submit them to Him.

Here's part of a letter I wrote to you when you were a month old, :

"Dear little Charis- I can't explain how precious you are to me. ...When I first saw you, I got a little scared because I didn't feel that immediate bond they say happens. Of course, that may have been because you were covered in wires and such. But now I just can't get enough of you. I can't imagine my life without yours.

I can't wait until the time when you begin to interact with me and Daddy. I feel like I'm counting down 'til that time..."

How is it that that time has come? On so many levels!! You are truly your own person. So beautiful. So creative. So loving. So lively.

I love you, my dear one. I know, without doubt, that the day God had you in mind for our family was a day of overflowing blessing. And as my heart *bursts* with emotions for you that I cannot put to words, I can only hope that my life, played out before you day by day, will be evidence of my love for you. A mirror of His love.