She came in a whirl wind. Really. Much to the labor and delivery nurses’ dismay, I delivered her before the doctor could even get there.

But it wasn’t just her arrival into this world that came with fierceness. In many ways she was like the grumbling thunder in the storm. A strong force felt and heard, but not seen. The whole time I was pregnant with Molly it was like she wasn’t coming at all.

Mentally I could not grasp it.

We had only been in our new town for a year. A new city that I was just acclimating to. A new life that I am only now adjusting to. I am a SLOW processor.

Her middle name is Grace. Which is more about a lesson for myself than about her. I realized at the time that it was a word I most needed in my life. It was something I realized I had never learned to give to myself, and the thought of having a daughter before grasping the concept was a scary one.

Grace.

It was like I understood the word, but never understood it for myself. I am often ungracious to myself. I think probably because I doubt that our Lord is truly gracious. So I named her Molly Grace, because I knew I needed a reminder. I hope it will be a reminder to her as well. I pray that because of how the Lord has moved in my own life that she will understand Grace in a more meaningful way than I ever did growing up.

Anyway, now that she is here I really can’t imagine a world without her. And I get more and more used to her every day. And I like her more and more every day. And I learn more and more every day.

She is a quiet one, just like her Daddy. With a presence that is kindly felt. To this day she proves to be always happy and for now in her youth, before sorrow or embarrassment robs it, I hope she stays always happy and cheerful.

As she grows and changes I get to watch the most amazing parts about her come alive and I cannot wait to see who she becomes!

Molly dear, I love who you are becoming. And my prayer for you is that you would be every day awakened by the beauties and graces of God that are all around you. That you would never know a day without him. That you would always feel His precious love.