from aging rockstar to proud peacock

The other day I felt rotten because my daughter is old enough to take off and have fun without my watchful eye on her. This is a blessing in disguise, because I know a few kids older than Stephanie that I would never allow to be left at home alone for five minutes, let alone go downtown on their bikes. Yesterday, I put down my woe-is-me feelings for one that is way better: the proud peacock feeling. All puffed up and colorful and strutting about. Don was doing the same. Why, y'all may ask? Simple. Because my daughter got her preach on yesterday at church.

Don runs our churchs' youth group, and yesterday was "Teen Sunday", where they did everything. Ushering, tech, tithe, and yes, preaching.

This is a pic of our three preachers: Elizabeth Walleman (14), my daughter Stephanie (12), and Mara Mezsets (15).

The theme for yesterday was "Why Did God Choose Teens To Spread The Gospel?" Each girl had 5-10 minutes for their part of the sermon. Stephanie spoke about when Jesus stayed at the temple with the elders when he was, go figure, 12 years old, from Luke 2:41-52. Very appropriate, don't you think lol.

Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you."
"Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

All three of the girls did a fantastic job, and really went above and beyond our expectations. They all did their own research, reading and writing, with the most miniscule amount of help from the adult sector. They even got something that doesn't happen in church: a standing ovation. They are already getting themselves geared up to do this again, and I can't wait to hear it.

No doubt, my little girl is growing up fast, but I couldn't be happier. I see so much in her, I am so proud the young lady that she is becoming, and I am truly blessed to have her in my life. I can't wait to see what my other two ladies have in store for me.

...and a child shall lead them~~Isaiah 11:6 KJV