Happy birthday Grace!

Grace got to have her first birthday celebration. She requested that our family and a couple other families that we hang out with go to lunch at Golden Corral for her big day. I guess when you've been hungry most of your life a buffet feels like heaven. She is very sweet and watching her navigate the unfamiliar territory of opening presents was a blessing. Ryan and I gave her money. She is attending an ESL night class and they have been learning about shopping and spending money, so we thought it fitting that we give her money and let her spend it! So us girls headed to Target after lunch. What does a teenager a few months new to this country buy with 100.00? First she says she will give 10.00 to church, the "bible say to." Then she bought soap, a headband, two sets of hair barrettes, an artificial flower, and some pens. No Clothes! Can you believe it? I would have spent 100 dollars and some odd cents on clothes and had to bum from my Mom at the check out. She is too modest for most any clothes in any store. It is an odd position to be in with her. She is teaching me so much about my own insecurities and heart problems. She tells us often of the things Jesus does not like (seems like everything) and I so long to sit down and teach her about Grace and about freedom. The irony is though that she is revealing much about grace and freedom to me. Daughters are much more difficult for me than sons, with daughters there is no hiding. With daughters you have to work out the ugly or pass it on. I have chosen to work it out. Click the following link to play video:
http://secure.smilebox.com/ecom/openTheBox?sendevent=4d5459304e4459784f546c384d7a51344f5449314d7a553d0d0a&sb=1