To Tutu 2

Somehow it has been two years since you were born, little hurricane. Yes, time has gone fast, but it also seems like ages have past in those two years. You've done so much living for only being two, you've seen so much for a little baby weather pattern.

You've picked up your small world and moved it across the country to another small world. I am unsure what Texas has done to deserve this, but it must have been really terrible. You left best friend cousins behind to follow daddy across the big planet. You will grow up thinking Texas is home. But Texas isn't your home, lovely. Utah isn't either. From abounding grace and any amount of faithfulness, I pray that your real home will be at mommy's side in eternity, where "the wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them." Not that you can't do that now. The lions seem quite enthralled by you. But mommy will panic less when you stick your hand in the viper's pit in eternity.

You've survived nursing school. Not you personally, but you survived daddy's nursing school. It's funny to think that the brief moment of our lives encapsulated by this God-led endeavor is all you have known. You won't remember the nights when mommy got up to console you because daddy was at clinicals. You won't remember the first day you were here on this planet, and mommy woke to feed you, while daddy studied in the corner. Your mind won't recall the war that raged as daddy fought his demons, and mommy battled the alone, and God handed us a victory built of courage and miracles. You won't remember, but we will tell you again and again. Because the only way to fall in love with Yahweh is to know Him and to see Him move. You will see things I could never dream. And I pray that you learn to love your weakness that builds a monument to the strength of the One who made you and will make you new.

You've lived through allergies... so far. Milk, soy, wheat, eggs, peanuts, cashews, latex, mangoes. Do you know how hard you make it to bake a birthday cake? You will have rice rusks with dairy free frosting for your special day. But the real treat will be the venison sausage we get you at the barbecue joint down the street. The lions recognize their own: a little, baby, carnivore, weather pattern. grrr.

I'm proud, and afraid, and amazed, and in love, and furious, and worshipping. Often all at the same time. Hannah, you are strong-willed. Hear this daughter: you are strong. As strong as He has made you. And this world will shift when you speak, mountains can crumble in your faith, seas will be broken by the clench of your chubby little baby fist... If you give your spirit to your Captain. Love Him, sweetie bear. There is no better home for your soul.