Emilie's Blessing Party (Part 2)

 For Part 1, which contains decorations, fun menu, and Emilie's surprise go HERE. 

CAUTION! This post contains dancing (mini flash mob).  Uncontrollable laughing may occur. 

 Bless:

  to bring a gift to another 

while kneeling out of respect or awe;  

to do or give something

 of value to another. 

Giving the gift of blessing is something that both Michael and I are passionate about.  We have both been stirred to give blessing to our children from the moment we found out we were expecting our first.   For us blessing most often comes through speaking Truth, delight, and promise over the future.

For Emilie's 13th birthday we wanted her to be blessed not only by us but by a small group of cherished women and friends.  Our hope was that this time of blessing would root Emilie in Truth, and show her that she is "surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses" who see her, treasure her, and long for her to fix her eyes on Jesus and live in the fullness of God's immeasurable love for her.

*******************************************************

Thanking God and praying for sweet Emilie.

Sharing our lives and a delicious meal with each other.   

Laughing together.
Receiving  Gifts.

"That's What Makes You Beautiful"   
A (mini) flash mob surprise.
Emilie thought "the girls" had a special choreographed gift for her...
she had no idea a few adults were in on the surprise, too.

OVER JOYED!

Singing Happy Birthday and 8+5= 13
(note to self- remember to buy candles!)

 Speaking Blessing into Emilie's Life.

 Overwhelmed by love and Truth.

 Some of the words shared and  spoken into Emilie's life...

"You already possess so many wonderful qualities. You are: kind, intentional, patient, forgiving, fun, and elegant. My blessing for you is that, as you grow into a young lady, you would remember that you are cherished and you are valuable. My prayer for you is that you would find confidence, not in the world, but in God."  Tia Toni

******************************************

" My Sweet 'Little' Emilie....13 is wonderful and challenging.  Your self identity really starts to form and sometimes stays with you until your an adult and you go to therapy (Just Kidding).  When I was 13 I was overly aware of everything I did and embarrassed by everything my parents did.  I now know that so was everyone else.  Not everyone is looking at you and judging (even though it very much feels like it).  They are thinking of themselves.  Know that you are beautiful and loved.  You are not alone and not alone in how you feel if you are feeling down.  I pray that you always know you are loved by God and that he is there in your happiest moments, in your saddest moments, and everything in between.  I pray that 13 is a great year for you as you become a teenager.  This is such a defining time in your life.  Remember who YOU are and what is important to YOU."  "Big" Emily

******************************************

"dear sweet emilie
...you have many amazing qualities that i want to highlight for you, and encourage you to continue to grow in these ways.
your love for your family: its obvious to all who see you.  you are respectful and caring to your parents, siblings, cousins, all of us!  i want to continue to have your family as a safe place, as home base, and you will teach your friends endless lessons by just doing that.  sure, someday your friends may seem cooler than your family, but your family will never deny you and will always be by your side.
your confidence:  you try anything.  and you do it with a smile on your face!  whether you succeed or fail, trying is the hardest thing.  you step out of your comfort zone to try new things and seeing your confidence in doing that makes others more comfortable to step up, too.
your goofiness:  now this one you definitely got from your dad.  and maybe me.  to be a dork and to laugh at yourself makes life more fun, for you and for those around you.  your fun-loving personality draws people to you.
your passion:  God gave you all of these gifts because He wants to draw people to you, for His sake.  He has big plans for you.  He knows your strengths and your weaknesses and He knows where you fit in His kingdom.  Emmers, your passion for doing the will of God will carry you through the ups and downs of the emotional teenage years, and continue to bless you and others into adulthood.
we love you so much, emilie.  so so very much.  have the happiest of birthdays and thank you for being who God made you to be." aunt lindsey

******************************************
This following portion of blessing is a must watch. 
given by  the lovely (getting married in 5 weeks) Nicole

******************************************

....The world needs good women, Emilie, and you will be one of them.  

But don't forget. When the world gets heavy, dark and deafening, don't forget that you have been loved deeply and truly and thoroughly, and that love is yours to hold on to forever. Don't forget that you are loved.  

May God cover the roads you will walk with grace so thick and fragrant, that you can't help but breathe it in." Melanie 

******************************************

"One of the traits I admire in you is one I see in many Godly women and that is compassion. I see that God gave you a tender heart. It becomes easier as you get older to become hard hearted towards this world. The gift of compassion is the way to bridge the gap to those who are lost to Christ. That trait gives people hope and purpose that this world is never too far gone. Don't let the world steal that away and always try to use it wisely with discernment."   Julie

******************************************

There were many more lovely words of blessing spoken into my girl.
Words she will reread and cherish her entire life.

After soaking in the blessings I asked her, "what did you hear?" 

Here is her tender response.

How I love my thought-full girl! 

My prayer and blessing for Emilie is this... ALL THIS...   

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,  and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen"

Ephesians 3 

Do you give the gift of blessing to others?