Another day in the life of Ella Mae...

At Children's today...

I continue to be amazed at the little bundle of 5 1/2 year old goodness, namely Ella Mae, that the Lord has blessed our family with.

Over the past couple weeks, we have witnessed her little light shining so brightly, that we cannot even keep up. :o) So for those of you who haven't heard, here's the latest in the life of Ella. Or shall we say, just another day in the amazing life of Ella Mae...

1. She gets to meet & hang out with Mark Driscoll...she loves him, he is moved by her...resulting in his posts about her on facebook (which are commented on by 100+ people, most who don't even know her) as well as his joyful mention of her in his sermon the next day.

2. As a result of her little "debut" via Pastor Mark's sermon, people are encouraged, convicted & touched. She gets invited by a ballerina at the Pacific NW Ballet to come to a performance in June, complete with backstage passes & a chance to meet all the ballerinas. (For as many of you know, ballerinas are her very favorite thing right now!)

3. As a thank you for this wonderful gift, her daddy writes a note to Pastor Mark to tell him (in Ella's words) how excited she was about the whole thing...which in turn was posted here and encouraged even more people. 

And now if you ask her, she will tell you she is definitely buddies with Pastor Mark. :o)

4. Just this past week, she got to attend a baby shower for her awesome Auntie...and during the open prayer time she decided to pray for her Auntie & soon-to-arrive baby boy cousin. Her little voice sincerely & sweetly prayed out with full confidence...prayers for her Auntie who she "just loves so much" and prayers for her little cousin Niyah, "that she won't be scared when mommy goes to have the baby and that she won't cry when Auntie has to take care of the baby".  

She is absolutely blossoming in her little prayer life and she challenges me, her mommy, with her immense faith & unshakable trust in her Creator.

5. And then today...another check-up day at Children's.  Old pink cast removed...new PURPLE cast put on. 

Two more weeks and she will be done with the whole cast thing. 

But here's the amazing thing about this little girl...for 6 weeks she has had this cast on and for 6 weeks we have heard nothing but...

a joyful heart. 

No complaining.

No whining.

No self-pity, sob-story, whoa-is-me drama.

Just plain ole' joyful, bubbly, outgoing Ella Mae...like only she can be. Except she just happens to have a cast on. That's all. No big deal Mom.  

Pink cast comes off...

Sweet little feet...

Such troopers & such good buddies...

New purple cast goes on...

All done!!!

2 weeks & counting...

Celebrating in the sun...

She will be six in June. Six going on 17. 

She is growing, maturing, understanding faster than I can keep up. And I'll admit, I do have times when I wish she would just stay little...

But then I am just too excited to see all that she will become as she grows up. 

Because I have a feeling that what we've seen so far is only the beginning.

And I know His plans for her far exceed any I could ever dream or imagine. 

And for now, I will just continue to enjoy every day in the life of our precious Ella Mae...

P.S. Thank you, thank you to our dear friends Jenn & Makenna for coming with us to Children's...your company was delightful!