Leaving Well

Today is day 31 of a 31 day blogging challenge with my friend and colleague reverendmommy, Robin Fitzgerald.We will be using a daily word prompt from katemotaung.com. 

As a child, playdates always ended with the reminder that if I gave my mom a hard time about going home then I wouldn’t be invited back or allowed to return to my friend’s house.  All my mom had to do was give “the look” and I knew the whining or the tears better get turned off because she meant what she said (she was the world’s meanest mother after all!).  Her early behavior management technique helped me to learn that it is important to leave well.

This lesson has benefitted me as a United Methodist pastor.  I have been appointed to serve congregations and then appointed to serve another.  My leadership to the congregation is completed by how I say goodbye to the congregation.  I have tried to encourage congregations to continue using their gifts to be the church and to support and love their new pastor just as they have supported and loved me.  I offer words of affirmation for the pastor who is following me.  I try to fulfill commitments and leave things in a way for the new pastor to lead the congregation forward.  It is important to leave well.

Today ends a 31 day blogging journey for me.  It has really challenged me to write something every day in October, but it has been a really great discipline for me.  I cannot promise to write a blog every day from here on out, but I do promise to continue writing.  This is an end to a daily journey, but it is not an end to my blogging.  I enjoy writing.  I enjoy reflecting.  I am grateful to those of you who have shared comments with me and to all who have been reading.  I leave these 31 days with a renewed commitment to written reflection.  And I leave you with a blessing that has been used throughout the years in United Methodist youth groups,

 

            “May the Lord bless you and keep you.

            May the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.

            May the Lord lift his countenance upon you and give you peace.”  Numbers   6: 24-26

 

 

 

Treasured in My Heart

Today is day 30 of a 31 day blogging challenge with my friend and colleague reverendmommy, Robin Fitzgerald.We will be using a daily word prompt from katemotaung.com. 

One day when my children graduate from school or welcome a child into the world and I want to share with them about all their firsts, I will not have a baby book to give them.  Call me a terrible parent, but that is one thing I cannot maintain.  I have pictures, but they aren’t in albums or a neat creative memory book filled with first words, first steps, first teeth, or first hair cuts.  Ella and Mattie have a Rubbermaid box with sticky notes that probably have dates written on them, but no identification.  Kate has nothing. 

 

            For someone who likes to think of myself as super woman, this is hard for me to admit that I don’t, I can’t, and I won’t have baby books or scrapbooks for my kids.  It’s not that I don’t think it’s important.  It’s not that I didn’t have good intentions.  I just had to let something go and well, that was it.  It’s hard for someone who tries to do everything.  I can tell the girls stories of their firsts.  Ms. Joy and Ms. Shelia who gave Ella and Mattie their first hair cut at Aldersgate preschool.  Kate who stood solidly for months until she finally got-up the courage to take her first step and she hasn’t stopped since.  I remember the night Ella looked at the moon and said, “ball.”  I remember Mattie singing “e-i-e-i-e-I” all the way through security at the Aruba airport and wanting someone to acknowledge her and sing “Old Mac Donald.”  I remember Kate persistently holding my face and saying “row, row,” expecting me to understand that meant sing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” 

            I may not have a written record of all the firsts, but they are treasured stories held in my mind and heart.  The memories make me smile, they make me laugh, and yes, they occasionally bring a tear.  My girls are growing so fast and there are so many memories yet to be made---so many more firsts yet to come.  I “treasure all these things and ponder them in my heart” (Luke 2:19).  I hope someday my girls will listen to the stories of their firsts.  I hope that my example of a full time working mom who tries to support and be involved in her children’s life at every possible opportunity will overshadow the fact that scrapbooks or baby books don’t document their firsts.  I hope my treasure will become their treasure.    

 ____________________________________________________________________________________
 

*For anyone who wonders, Kaki keeps my children well cared for with photos.  As I am posting this she hands me a book for each of them of fall pictures.  Deep sigh!  I can't even begin to keep-up.

Unity at the Table

Today is day 29 of a 31 day blogging challenge with my friend and colleague reverendmommy, Robin Fitzgerald.We will be using a daily word prompt from katemotaung.com. 

**Today's post is a version of something I wrote back in August.

My mother now has my grandparent's dining room table and her house.  I have had many meals around this table.

My grandparent’s house had a large round dining table where I remember eating many family dinners.  My mom has two sister, and I have 4 cousins.  We are a close family and all 17 of us travel to Holden Beach together every summer.  We are all different, yet we all love and serve God.  We are able to sit around table and laugh, tell stories, listen to heartaches, acknowledge our differences, and nourish each other with love. 

I spent time today around a table with my clergy sisters from my covenant group.  We shared stories about family and ministry and how God is working in the midst of our lives.  We celebrated that despite the challenges in our denomination that we are all committed to serving and leading the United Methodist Church today and in the future.  We recognize that some have left our denomination and that others have suggested schism as an answer to the issue that divides us.  We want to maintain UNITY.

My heart breaks when I hear stories of friends from seminary surrendering their credentials or colleagues leaving our denomination for another.  I love the United Methodist Church.  I am a product of this denomination baptized as an infant, confirmed as a 6^th grader, and ordained as a young adult.  I acknowledge that our differences on social issues are great, and yet I know we all love the same Jesus.  

A few months ago, I was struck today by the reminder that we all sit around the same table.  I want my friends and colleagues with me in service. Their gifts make our denomination better and we need them to maintain our unity.  Despite our differences that lead us towards schism or full inclusion, I pray that we can continue to sit at the same table.  The living Jesus invites us to the sit together, perhaps at opposite ends; yet together bound by the love expressed through broken bread and spilled out wine.  Around the table may we be nourished by love and freely extend love to one another.

Good Morning, let's go!

Today is day 28 of a 31 day blogging challenge with my friend and colleague reverendmommy, Robin Fitzgerald.We will be using a daily word prompt from katemotaung.com

My Aunt Jane gave me an alarm clock for Christmas one year.  It was a bear holding a drum.  When the alarm went off, the bear beat the drum and said, “Hey, hey,hey, good morning, let’s go!”  It was loud and short lived as my WAKE-up call.  I preferred my mother’s voice waking me saying, “good morning sunshine.”  During college, I didn’t have to worry about setting an alarm because my roommate set two or three of her own and they would all go off at least 20 minutes before she actually had to get-up.

 

 I tend to wake easily and get out of bed soon after the alarm.  I don’t hit the snooze.  Most days my alarm goes off at 5:30 AM.   I love the hour of quiet that I have to shower and get lunches packed and everything ready before waking the girls and inviting the drama into our morning routine.  If I don't have my quiet time with God and moments for self reflection, my whole day feels discombobulated and out of sync. 

In the quietness of my morning, I am able to spend time with God.  I read my devotion and pray for those who are on my heart and mind.  “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).  That is good news and perhaps a reason to jump out of bed ready to go. 

Finding Hope

Today is day 27 of a 31 day blogging challenge with my friend and colleague reverendmommy, Robin Fitzgerald.We will be using a daily word prompt from katemotaung.com

At the parsonage in Rutherford College a mama bird built a nest in our front porch geranium one spring.  I discovered the tiny eggs in it one day while watering the plant.  A few weeks later I opened to pour the water in and glaring back at me were baby birds with mouths wide open.  I kept watching the mother come and go from the nest, and I was very careful to water my plant when she wasn’t home and even more careful not to drown her babies as I nourished my plant.  I was looking out our storm door the day the babies hopped out of the nest and took their first flight.  I watched with tears in my eyes as they all flew in different directions and as their mama sat chirping on the porch.  These babies took off into our great big world.  They were on their own.  They were free to fly. 

Not my baby birds, but this is EXACTLY what they looked like before they found freedom!

 

In life there are many moments where we begin a new journey.  We have been nurtured, we have been prepared, and yet we find ourselves on our own ready to begin the new challenge.  Free and excited, yes!  And sometimes scared out of our minds.  I think about going with a few classmates to Russia my junior year of high school.  Packed and ready to go.  Prepared for journey.  Free of the bossy nature of my parents and really apprehensive about being on my own so far away from home.  Then there was college, marriage, buying a new house, starting my first appointment, bringing home new babies, moving to new churches and new places, and the list could go on and on.  During these times of new beginning, I often think of a quote from the movie Hope Floats:

“Beginnings are scary. Endings are usually sad, but it's what's in the middle that counts.  So, when you find yourself at the beginning, just give hope a chance to float up. And it will.” 

 

In the book of Romans, Paul tells us that “hope [will not] disappoint [us] because God’s love has been poured into [our] hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit (5:4)  When I find myself in moments of beginnings and places of freedom, I allow myself to find hope.    

Home Visits

Today is day 26 of a 31 day blogging challenge with my friend and colleague reverendmommy, Robin Fitzgerald.We will be using a daily word prompt from katemotaung.com

My mom is a retired Kindergarten teacher.  One of the gifts she offered her classroom was home visits to her students.  These visits allowed her to see a child in his or her home environment and it allowed her to see how they interacted with family members.  The kids were always so excited to give her a tour and host her in their home.  She talked about how valuable that time was to learn about her students.  She said her relationship with student and parent changed after that visit.  Trust was developed and a relationship was built.

The biblical account of Zacchaeus involves Jesus making a home visit.  This was a transformative visit for Zacchaeus.  He was able to turn from his greedy and sinful ways to become a follower of Jesus.  I look to this story as a reminder of the value of relationship.  Jesus entered into Zacchaeus’ living space and spent time with him.  I can imagine Jesus listening to Zacchaeus’ story as they sat together sharing an afternoon snack. 

Just as my mom learned about her students and Jesus learned about Zacchaeus during an afternoon visit, we can learn about others when we are intentional about sharing time with them.  I do believe there is something sacred that can happen in someone’s home.  Stories can come alive.  Laughter and tears can be shared.  And strangers can become friends. 

 

 

Fall

Today is day 25 of a 31 day blogging challenge with my friend and colleague reverendmommy, Robin Fitzgerald.We will be using a daily word prompt from katemotaung.com.

 

I love the change of season, and I especially love fall.  The crisp nip in the air.  The beautiful orange, red, and yellow leaves.  The crunching of the leaves on the ground.  Hayrides.  Pumpkin muffins.  Harvest candles.  Freshly picked apples.  I enjoy it all.  Scripture tells us “to everything there is a season” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).  Seasons change; God is at work all around us and yet God’s presence reminds constant and unchanging. 

Today marks exactly 2 months until Christmas.  The stores are already selling Christmas decorations and items.  I look forward to the preparing and celebrating that will take place at our house, at our church, and in our community, but I also feel overwhelmed wondering how I will get it all done.  For today, I chose to fully experience the present; to live in the moment and enjoy the gift of today.

Daring and Bold

Today is day 24 of a 31 day blogging challenge with my friend and colleague reverendmommy, Robin Fitzgerald.We will be using a daily word prompt fro m katemotaung.com.
 

Today’s word is not a descriptive that I would use for myself.  I am not very daring or adventurous.  I am not spontaneous.  I am a rule follower.  I am predictable.  My cousin Ben though is quite the opposite.  He has never turned down a dare.  If someone poses a challenge, Ben is ready to go.  I have watched him climb a statue, wear a red polyester suit, and eat and eat and eat some more all in the name of fulfilling a dare or meeting a challenge.  Ben has always played on the edge, he poked holes through plastic covering of a watermelon at the grocery store, locked my grandfather out of the car to keep from getting a spaking, stuck a paper clip in a light socket at school, and drove an old beat up van across the country after high school. 

Though daring is not part of my personality, I admire it about Ben.  Just as Ben is willing to take hold of most any dare, he is also willing to take hold and stand firm in his faith.   Daring can be defined as having the necessary courage or boldness for something.  Ben is courageous and bold when it comes to knowing and serving Jesus.  He pastors a church and leads them forward in mission and ministry.  

Ben's ordination.  Tom GIbson and I laid hands on Ben with Bishop Goodpaster.

I am thankful to share a call to ministry with Ben.  We have gotten to share some sacred moments together.  We co-officiated his sister’s wedding.  I was privileged to lay hands on him at his ordination and to baptize his son.  We officiated our grandmother’s funeral together.  I was blessed that he baptized Kate and honored that he invited me to preach at his church.  He is a respected leader in our annual conference.  He is no-She Boss, but a strong, effective and faithful leader.  For all the dares that he has completed, he daily lives out his dare to represent Christ.  I may never climb a statue or join in a eating contest, but I choose to join Ben in boldly representing Jesus in the world.   Are you willing to join us in that dare?

Ben baptizing Kate Marie.

Look, Mommy!

Today is day 23 of a 31 day blogging challenge with my friend and colleague reverendmommy, Robin Fitzgerald.We will be using a daily word prompt from katemotaung.com.

“Mommy, look!” Kate and I spend a lot of time in the car to and from daycare each day.  It is our time.  We sing and sing and sing.  And then all along the way she points out different things to me.  “See sunshine.  See airplane.  She dog.  See mountains.  See bird.  See tree.  Mommy, look!”  One day I will miss her constant reminder of the world around us.  The older and more preoccupied with life, the less time we take to look and appreciate the beauty and variety of the world around us.

 

As a child one of my favorite songs to request during our Sunday school time of singing was All Things Bright and Beautiful.

Refrain:
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

Each little flow’r that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings.

The purple-headed mountains,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
That brightens up the sky.

He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.   

These words speak to the creatures and creation of an almighty God.  I am thankful that Kate reminds me to use my eyes to see and appreciate the beauty of creation.

 

My first "C"

Today is day 22 of a 31 day blogging challenge with my friend and colleague reverendmommy, Robin Fitzgerald.We will be using a daily word prompt from katemotaung.com.

 

My junior English teacher was a petite, spunky woman who often tapped danced around her classroom.  She had the most welcoming and enthusiastic personality and really made English literature come alive.  She also gave me my first “C” on a paper.  I was devastated.  Other teachers had commented that I was a good writer, and I had even won a Thomas Wolfe Writing award in 8^th grade.  I thought I had done a good job on my paper about the Scarlett Letter.

At my parent’s encouragement, I went to talk to Mrs. Salzano about my paper.  I babysat for her children, so I had an outside relationship with her, but still felt nervous about the conversation.  I don’t remember anything I said that day, but I will never forget what she said, “I have high expectations and trust that you will rise to meet them.  I will not settle for anything less than your best.”  Her expectation challenged me to become an even better writer and more effective communicator.   Mrs. Sal helped me to grow.  I am grateful!

 

She Boss

Today is day 21 of a 31 day blogging challenge with my friend and colleague reverendmommy, Robin Fitzgerald.We will be using a daily word prompt from katemotaung.com.

Gran Gran was fiercely independent and extremely feisty.  She usually got what she wanted.  My grandfather, Pa, would often respond that there was “no such thing as She Boss.”  As a father of 3 girls and the grandfather of 4 girls, his comment was not devaluing the leadership capacity of women.  He was simply making a joke to which all the women in his life would quickly correct him and remind him that yes, in fact, there ARE She Bosses in the world.

Gran Gran with her first two great-grandchildren--two more She Bosses!

 

The Goforth sisters (My mom Kathy and her sisters Nancy and Cheryl) and their daughters (Me, Katherine, Jordan and Meredith) are all strong-willed and independent.  It comes as no surprise then, that my girls would inherit this same kind of personality.  We are all capable of being She Bosses and those of us who are adults are quite successful in our She Boss role.    

6 of 7 She Bosses (Me, My mom, Kathy, Jordan, Cheryl, Nancy and Katherine)
We are missing Meredith. 

 

I know this leadership characteristic will carry my girls far in life, but it comes with challenges that have to be tailored and tempered along the way.  For instance, the world came crashing down at the dance recital when Ella and Mattie did not receive an extra trophy for perfect attendance.   Or there are days they hurry through their work at school, to be the first done.  Or they point out the injustice when one gets more points for good behavior at school.  The bottom line is that they want to be right, to be first, and to be recognized.  The challenge is helping them learn that it’s okay to be wrong, to be second, and to go unnoticed.  A good leader is able to navigate situations with boldness and humility.  A good leader can be in charge and admit when mistakes are made, celebrate when someone else wins the prize, and work hard regardless of recognition.  This kind of leader sounds biblical:   seeking forgiveness, celebrating others, and seeking heavenly rewards.  I certainly try to balance my She Boss nature with my biblical calling as I lead and serve in this world.   I think Pa would be proud.   

No Fear

Today is day 20 of a 31 day blogging challenge with my friend and colleague reverendmommy, Robin Fitzgerald.We will be using a daily word prompt from katemotaung.com.

I know people afraid of dying; kids who are afraid of the dark; adults who are afraid to fly on an airplane; people who are terrified on dogs; and others who are afraid of germs.  Fear is common to humanity.  We can become crippled by our fears.  My fear of failure coupled with my perfectionist tendencies can prevent me from thinking outside the box and exploring new opportunities.  Fear can cripple churches too.  Fear of change and fear of diversity prevent churches from trying new ministry and reaching new people.

Mattie went through a period of time where she woke us afraid because of a bad dream. She was so fearful that he little body would shake and she would gasp for breath, as she cried and tried to share with us what was so scary.  We would hold her and tell her that we loved her.  We would listen and explain that God was with her.  We ended up giving her an old remote control to sit at her bedside, so that when she woke in the middle of the night she could change the channel and turn off the fear and turn on the trust.  We encouraged her to turn off the negative and turn on something positive.

Throughout God’s word, we read the phrase “do not be afraid” or “fear not.”  In fact, I remember reading in devotional that the Bible contained 365 references to this phase.  The devotion went on to say that was one reminder for each day of the year.   What an amazing thought!  A daily reminder that challenges us to not fear because God is with us.  It takes courage to turn off the fear that often damages and divides us.  The challenge is to turn on love because “there is no fear in love.  And perfect love casts out all fear.  1 John 4:18.

 

 

Honor

Today is day 19 of a 31 day blogging challenge with my friend and colleague reverendmommy, Robin Fitzgerald.We will be using a daily word prompt from katemotaung.com.

Class of 2000, BS Biology

My freshman year at Meredith College, I joined with my classmates in signing the Honor Code during Orientation at the Annual Honor Code Ceremony.  The honor code affirms each student’s sense of personal honor and responsibility.  The honor code at Meredith is self-governed and all students personally pledge to uphold it.  The honor code allowed us to live as a community because we all agreed to hold certain behaviors/actions in common.

Living in community is difficult and yet it is something as Christ followers that we should desire.  Scripturally, followers’ make-up the body of Christ, the community, the church.  We can turn to God’s word for behaviors/actions that we should hold in common.  The Ten Commandments and Jesus’ teaching from the Sermon on the Mount are important for determining our behaviors.  I would like to suggest that if we practice loving God and loving neighbor, we can share life together.  In fact, I believe the most tangible way to love God is to love my neighbor.  Life together happens when we seek to love one another as God in Christ has loved us. 

As a United Methodist, I am reminded of a quote by our leader, john Wesley who said, “Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may. Herein all the children of God may unite, notwithstanding these smaller differences.”  In our Christian communities, theological differences may separate us, but if we desire to live honorably, I pray that love can unite us. 

Taste and See

Today is day 18 of a 31 day blogging challenge with my friend and colleague reverendmommy, Robin Fitzgerald.We will be using a daily word prompt from katemotaung.com.

 

I enjoy baking.  I love to make a cream cheese pound cake.  My kitchen aid mixer sure makes it easy to cream the sugar and cream cheese and add one egg at a time between cups of flour.  The finished project sure is yummy if I have to say so myself.  One of my favorite parts of baking a pound cake is licking the spoon.  I know you aren’t supposed to eat raw eggs, but I can’t resist, I love the batter, and I have to taste it.

Psalm 34:8 invites the world to, ““Taste and see that the Lord is good.”  God’s love is irresistible.  The church is challenged to engage with people in such a way that they experience and taste the love of God found through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

 

 

How Long?

Today is day 17 of a 31 day blogging challenge with my friend and colleague reverendmommy, Robin Fitzgerald.We will be using a daily word prompt from katemotaung.com.

 

On a particular car ride from Cullowhee to Durham, I asked the same questions one too many times.  I didn’t heed the warning to not ask the question again, so my dad pulled over at the next exit.  Pulled into a Bojangles parking lot and told me to get out and walk around the car 10 times.  I begged, I pleaded, I cried, and I finished all 10 laps.  I got back in the car and have never asked the question again.

 

 

The Psalmist cries out, “How LONG, O Lord?  Will you forget me forever?  How long will you hide your face from me?” (Psalm 13:1).  These words express a desire for deliverance and a plea for remembrance.  The phrase “how long” is repeated as an expression of suffering and the psalmist seems to relate suffering to God’s absence.  In moments of suffering we feel alone and we cry out, “how long?  Why?  Where are you?”  Our ability to ask in many ways points to our faith.  We ask, knowing there is not answer to the amount of time, but there is certainty in God’s presence.  For this reason 5 verses later the Psalmist is able to say, “I will sing to the Lord because he has dealt bountifully with me.” (Psalm 13:6).  Just as we cry out; we can sing because God is with us in our suffering.

I am still not a very good traveler.  Being still in a vehicle is a challenge; yet, I won’t ask how longer?  There is an end in sight.  The suffering of this world is temporary.  As painful as life might be, suffering will not have the last word. 

Adjusting to God's Call

Today is day 16 of a 31 day blogging challenge with my friend and colleague reverendmommy, Robin Fitzgerald.We will be using a daily word prompt from katemotaung.com.

 

I have been serving in my current appointment as Associate Director of Ministerial Services for the Western North Carolina Conference for a little over 2 years.  I really enjoy my work with candidates for ministry.  At the same time I continue to miss serving in the local church.   I miss preaching, teaching, and being intimately involved in people’s life.  At the same time I love helping people articulate their call to ministry, equipping mentors to do their work, and supporting clergy as they transition from seminary to ministry.

 

I have spent time during this appointment exploring my own call to ministry.  For me, much of God's call was tied to the local church and serving outside the local challenged me to question.  As I reflected on God’s call, I realized that from the earliest moments in my life God called me to be a wife and a mom.  That call is foundational for how I make decisions and live my life.  Later in life, God called me to help God’s people growth in their faith and to lead the church in discipleship.  In talking with my leadership coach one day, I was able to find beautiful words to describe my call in its current context. “I am called to help give birth to God’s call in others.”  I realized that God’s call was the same.  It was the context that had changed.  In fact inside or outside the church, I have always been passionate about helping people discover and use their gifts for ministry.  I had to adjust the articulation of my call.

During October, I have the privilege of visiting with our seminary students.  I enjoy hearing their stories, their passions, their dreams, and their challenges as they respond to God’s call.  I am reminded that the unfolding of God’s call is constant.  God's call is the the same, but a person's understanding is not a once and for all kind-of thing.  God's call is ongoing and developing throughout life.   For now, God has called me to do this work.  I have no doubt that God will call me back to the church one day.  For today, I am content "giving birth to God's call in others." 

Happy Birthday Kate!

Today is day 15 of a 31 day blogging challenge with my friend and colleague reverendmommy, Robin Fitzgerald.We will be using a daily word prompt from katemotaung.com.

Cake for breakfast today!

 

Birthdays were always a big deal at the Wooten house.  Pancakes with candles for breakfast, notes inside of lunch boxes, favorite foods for dinner, presents, cards, phone calls, parties, and cake.  I am happy to say the big deal of birthday lives on at the Queen house.  We go all out to celebrate.  We start every birthday morning with cake!

Today we celebrate Kate’s birthday.  Her celebrations started on Sunday with a puppy paw-ty in Cullowhee with family and friends who were in town for the weekend.  All the kids got to adopt stuffed puppies and we ate hot dogs and puppy cake.  She has been receiving cards and treats in the mail.  Mattie and Ella took great time to choose her present and wrap it.  We shared a doggy cupcake for breakfast and we will have a party with her class at school this afternoon.  She is totally overwhelmed, but her LIFE is of great value to our family.

Kate's BIRTHday.

 

She has brought our family so much joy from the day we knew she was on her way.  As soon as the doctor confirmed I was pregnant, we told the Ella and Mattie they were going to be big sisters.  They were so excited.  They got to call and tell our family, “we are going to have a baby.”  For nine months, they talked to her and even had me open my mouth to scream down so she could hear down in my tummy.  They greeted her at the hospital with big sister t-shirts and hairbows.  Ella and Mattie love her so much.  One of the greatest gifts of her life is watching how much her sisters love her.  Kevin and I have taken extra time to enjoy her coos, wiggles, crawls, steps, laughs, songs, and stories.  We have enjoyed these “firsts.”  As I drove to her to school this morning, she sang dinkle, dinkle little star and her ABC’s.  I listened, smiles, and gave God thanks for the precious life of our Kate bug.  Happy 2^nd birthday Kate Marie Queen.