She is having her first birthday.

Our little girl is 1 year today. It is amazing what can happen in a year. We were all sitting on a bed in South Africa waiting for this angel to come. She slid out and has not stopped.

Tomorrow we celebrate with cake.

The other three are keeping up their end of the deal and growing into young children. There is never a dull moment for mommy.

I told Emie the other night, "that's because it's hard to raise a Locke, we're world changers."

When we sterilize life, ministry, etc. so no one can mess up, then no one does anything. I heard someone say, "God put two trees in the Garden." GOD DID! He set it up so there could be a potential mess up. He choose Judas to be over the finances, His disciples argued who was the best b/c Jesus believed in them."

So much more, but I am glad my kids are wild (there is a difference between wild and disrespectful and/or disobedient) and struggle with each other. We are raising martyrs not manikins. Ones who can think and will face opposition. What a great place to work it out at home. I don't want religious em ty vessels but Peters who will swing the sword (after all Jesus did tell them to bring the swords) but are willing to be corrected.

OK so back to Elianna's birthday, she turns one today. God has truly "answered us with grace." Now if she could just sleep through the night.

Heath